You should take some time to choose the right pump for your oil water separator system. If your pump and system are mismatched, then the system can't work efficiently. It won't be able to separate your oil and water mix as effectively as you need it to.
To get the right pump for your needs, make sure to consider the following features:
1. Pump Size
You won't necessarily find it easy to source the right size of oil-water separator pump. Different systems can technically take pumps of different sizes; however, not all pumps will work well in every system. If a pump isn't the right size, then it might agitate the oil/water mix too much as it operates. Excess agitation mixes the oil back into the water. It then becomes much harder to separate.
Before you start to look at pumps, you need to know the volume of the water that will run through your system. Any pump you use should be able to handle this volume. You also need to buy the right size of pump for the distance the oil/water mix will travel between the system's storage tank and separator section.
2. Pump Type
You can fit different types of pumps into oil-water separator cleaning systems. However, some pumps work more effectively than others in this kind of work.
Try to avoid pumps that will agitate the oil/water mix too much, such as submersible and pressure models. Unless you have another reason to use these pumps, they aren't always a perfect fit. They make the water move too much.
Diaphragm and helical motor pumps are a better option. They don't disturb the water as much while they work, so your separator system will do a better job. It won't have to deal with water that contains tiny particles of oil that can't be separated.
3. Pump Alarms
Most oil water separator pumps stop and start automatically. If you have a float switch in your system, then this triggers the pump to start and stop, depending on the volume of liquid in its tank.
However, this liquid is often dirty and sludgy. It will leave residue in the tank. Over time, this residue can gum up the float switch so that it doesn't activate. To avoid spills, back-ups, and cleaning delays, you can buy pumps with alarms that go off when the switch sticks.
To find out more about the different types and sizes of pumps, and to get advice on the best product for your system and wastewater needs, ask oil-water separator pump manufacturers or suppliers for advice. Contact a local oil-water separator pump supplier to learn more.