What is a Performance Curve?

A performance curve is one effective way to measure the 'power' of an oil separator. This separator performance
curve plots oil droplet size on the horizontal axis and percentage removal on the vertical axis. The curve plots the
actual percentage of oil of a certain size removed. A more powerful separator will be able to remove a higher
percentage of smaller oil droplets. The most accurate curves are produced using the actual oily water feed
conditions. See also FAQ for more information.

Why are Performance Curves important?

• More powerful separators

separate a higher percentage
of smaller oil droplets. This
will result in cleaner water.

• Performance curves enable

companies who purchase oil
water separators test vendor
performance claims
objectively.

• Many oily water equipment

vendors claim to be able to
achieve, say 10 mg/l oil and
grease in the treated water.
Without specifying the
The Spinifex Separator is extremely efficient. The performance curves conditions and performance
show that it has the capability to efficiently remove oil droplets from 10 curves such claims can lack
µ m and greater. credibility.

Types of Separator

Plate Pack also known as:

• Coalescing plate separator (CPS)
• Coalescing plate interceptor (CPI)
• Tilted plate separator
• Vertical gravity separator (VGS)
Settling Tanks also known as:
• API separators
• Triple Interceptors
• Above ground tanks
• Collection pits

Belt and rope skimmers are often used as part of an oily water treatment
system however they are not included as they are not water treatment
devices. These devices typically remove only some of the oil that may
already be separated at the surface of water via some other means such as
from a gravity vessel.

What data is needed for a Performance Curve?

To ensure that the curves can be compared and are meaningful the minimum set of data that must be specified and
produced with performance curves includes:

• Water density
• Water viscosity
1. Fluid Properties:
• Oil density
• Oil viscosity

• Feed water flow rate

2. Method of Operation: • Inlet oil concentration
• Data depends on type of separator

• Nominal plate spacing

• Total horizontal projected wetted plate area
3. Separator Design Factors: • Operating oil depth
• Design retention time
• Depends on type of separator, data shown for plate pack

Certain factors are well known to affect the ease of oil droplet separation, so generally the curve is plotted under
actual clients conditions or a typical set of conditions.
In the absence of client specific data the following data and conditions are typically used to compare separators.
Water Temperature 25°C

Oil density 850 kg/m3

Water density 1000 kg/m3

Oil/Water interfacial tension < 30 dyne/cm2

Water Viscosity 1 cP

Rated Flow 1500 l/hr

Just prior to
Separator Condition routine service (ie
used, dirty condition)

Paramount supplied Advanced CPI/ TPI separators for Oily

water treatment Systems Introduction

API and CPI (Corrugated plate interceptor) or TPI (Tilted plate interceptor) separators are
predominantly used in separation of free oil from effluent water or suspended solids for oily
water treatment in an OWS (oily Water System).
The basic principle of difference in gravity between the phases (liquid – liquid or solid –
liquid) is employed in an OWS in separation of the two phases. This phenomenon is defined
as “Gravity Separation”.
It is therefore apparent that the phase with high density will settle and with lower density
float to the surface of fluid. In an OWS, the effectiveness of this technique is subjected to
various factors such as difference in the density, viscosity, factors of the medium,
temperature, turbulence, and also the nature of impurity etc.
In some cases chemical coagulation and flocculation is needed for removal of the impurity
by making them heavier or lighter.
In separation technique while considering the above referred factors, which affects the
separation of impurities, an overflow rate (m3/m2/day) or settling velocity (m/hr) is arrived
at. This factor determines the surface area required for the gravity separation in an OWS.
Incidentally it proves the fact that it is independent of the depth of basin.
In Oily water treatment, tilted (placed in predetermined angles) plate packs are used in CPI/
TPI separators to improve the size and economy of the separator system. As corrugated
plate pack are predominantly used, the tilted plate pack type separators are widely known
as Corrugated plate interceptor or simply as CPI separators. However, a TPI (Tilted plate
interceptor) may use a corrugated type plate pack or simply plain parallel plate pack.
Hence, TPI separator is a generic terminology used in such type of separators.
The separator when used in separation of liquid – liquid phases (predominantly removal of
free oil in oily water treatment) are called a TPI (Tilted plate interceptor) or a CPI separator.
Any separation of suspended solids in oily water treatment by use of CPI (Corrugated plate
interceptor)/ TPI (Tilted plate interceptor) separator is incidental due to difference in gravity
between the effluent’s liquid phase and the solid phase.
The Tilted plate pack (CPI) separator offered by Paramount with technology acquired from
M/s. PWT, Holland provides an extensive reduction in surface area requirement of a
separator by introducing multi layer separation wherein area required is reduced
considerably depending upon number of such layers. It is feasible to achieve almost
complete removal of all the particles which would not have normally be achieved by a single
large surface separator. This is possible because of considerable increase in the surface area
of the unit, within the same depth. In most of the cases the plates are installed at an angle
of 45°deg. or more and thus the separated material can be collected and removed by
gravity.

Principle of a TPI/ CPI separator in Oil – water separation (Oily water treatment)
Highly efficient oil removal systems are required to recover maximum quantity of
hydrocarbons for oily water treatment as well as to make effluent amicable for further
treatment & also to meet the pollution control requirements. The existing API type units
need vast extensions of the surface area to take care of oil globules of smaller size so as to
meet these requirements.

An enlarged separating surface in a CPI/ TPI separator, as discussed earlier can be achieved
by placing various smaller planes on the top of each other in a tank. If these planes are
subsequently inclined in a fitted position, the oil/solids separated between the plates can be
removed by gravity. This principle has been realized in the counter current TPI (tilted plate
interceptor) or CPI (Corrugated plate interceptor) separator unit. The objective is not to
disturb the particle size distribution of the separated phase. This system is preferably fed by
gravity. However, separators are also successful in operation where in the influent flow is
pumped from other locations by locating a buffer tank before the influent pass through the
separator. The oily water flows into the interceptor through various components and oil gets
separated as described below:
A double slotted baffle located at the inlet of the CPI/ TPI separator evenly distributes
incoming oily effluent water at the entrance of CPI/TPI separator.

In the plate pack of the CPI/ TPI separator, the oil droplets are intercepted and
coalesce into large droplets. They leave the plate pack rapidly countercurrent upwards
against the liquid flow to the surface.

Suspended solids having settling properties, if present in the aqueous phase is

similarly separated in the plate pack of CPI/ TPI separator and then slides down to the
sludge compartment.

The treated clear water or treated effluent (free oil removal in Oily water treatment)
from the CPI/ TPI separator leaves the plate pack at the bottom and gets discharged
over a weir arrangement and to the outlet nozzle.

PWT was the first manufacturer to succeed in launching the CPI (corrugated plate
interceptor)/ TPI (Tilted plate interceptor) separator in a commercial and technically
attractive construction. Hundreds of complete advanced wastewater treatment plants have
since been put into operation throughout the world. The compact design and the high
separating efficiency (of the TPI/ CPI separator) which are so characteristic, for this
gravitational system have unmistakably proven their value in practice in the course of the
time.

Principle of a TPI/ CPI separator in Oil – water separation

(Oily water treatment)
The corrugated plate pack in a TPI/ CPI separator, used in Oily water treatment for removal
of free oil, is the heart of our various purification systems consisting of number of parallel
corrugated plates. A Plate pack is a housing of flat plastic plates (strengthened by resins)
and stiffened by a frame made from plastic material (strengthened by resins) and/or
stainless steel.
The number of plates in a Plate pack is determined by in-house developed calculations,
based on the long experience acquired by supply of the separators to various industrial
applications. The number of plates per Plate pack is also factored to a certain extent on
economy of size of the separator. The number of Plate packs per TPI/ CPI separator is
calculated based on the effluent flow and its characteristics to the unit
The liquid to be treated flows through the spaces between the Corrugated Plates in each
Plate pack. Ideal condition for separation is achieved in the TPI (Tilted plate interceptor)/
CPI (Corrugated plate interceptor) separator by simulating a laminar flow condition through
the plate pack. Much attention is also being given on the profile of the corrugated plates in
the Paramount (PL) designed TPI/ CPI separator. The specific profile has been chosen by
Paramount (PL) so that a smooth transfer and compaction of the separated particles is
effected in the TPI/ CPI separator.
In order to reduce the frictional resistance between the separated material and the
corrugated plates to a minimum, particular attention is paid to the smoothness and
hardness of the plate surface. The Corrugated Plates as well as the casing of the Plate Pack
of TPI/ CPI separator are made from glass fiber reinforced polyester resin. This material is
resistant to the most frequently used chemical additives and temperature.
Paramount has specialized in design of TPI/ CPI separator installation in both RCC
(Reinforced cement concrete) and steel basins. The selection of the basin of the TPI/ CPI
separator is advised to client based on the basic requirement, adaptability, time and
economy criteria envisaged in the Oily water treatment process installed.

ADVANTAGES OF PARAMOUNT DESIGNED TPI/ CPI

SEPARATORS IN OILY WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM
Low space requirement

Very low maintenance cost since there are no moving parts

 High efficiency and capacity combined with compact volume.

Low installation cost since units are mostly prefabricated.

Handles shock loads of flow without affecting effluent quality.

Continuous operation without major down time.

Insensitive to weather condition, variation in temperature and composition of incoming

liquid

Selection of type of basins (RCC, Mild steel, Stainless steel) for plate packs in TPI/ CPI
separator

In house capability in design and detailed engineering of civil basin or steel structure
and skid mounted steel structural basins for TPI/CPI separator.

Comparison of TPI vs API Oil Separator

Sr.
Feature TPI Unit API Unit
No.

Low (~20 % of API

1. Space Requirement High
Unit)

2. Power Consumption Nil Yes

3. Moving Parts Nil Yes

4. Wear & Tear Nil Yes

5. Maintenance Nil High

6. Oil Removal Efficiency Very High High

7. Min. Oil Removal Globule size 50 Micron 150 Micron

8. Susceptibility to Shock Oil Loads No Yes

 Susceptibility to Shock Hydraulics
9. Marginal High
Loads

Yes as Prefabricated
10. Ease of Construction No
Construction

11. Ease of Installation Yes No

Not Possible As New

Very Easy by Adding
12. Future Expansion Unit has to be
plate pack modules
Installed

13. Requirement of Spares No Yes

14. Cost of Unit Low High

15. Down Time due to Maintenance No Yes