Self-Contained Water and Oil Separator

Abstract

A system and method for the separation of oil and water. Contaminated water is introduced into a settling and separating bowl through an inlet pipe. The contaminants float to the top and are recovered by a weir skimmer. The weir skimmer is fluidly connected to a recovered oil tank which receives the recovered oil. An oil separator filter belt is located in the separating bowl and separates the bowl into two segments: an upstream end on the side closest to the inlet and a downstream end on the opposite side of the inlet of the belt. The oil separator filter belt aggregates entrapped and entrained oil and other contaminants.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for the separation of water and contaminants, said system comprising:
 an inlet pipe which directs contaminated water to a bowl;   a weir skimmer located within said bowl, wherein said weir skimmer recovers contaminants which float atop the contaminated water;   a filter belt located within said bowl, wherein said filter belt aggregates entrained contaminants;   an outlet pipe which directs cleaned water out of said bowl; and   wherein said filter belt divides the bowl into an upstream end upstream from said filter belt and a downstream end downstream from said filter belt, wherein said inlet pipe is located in said upstream end, and wherein said outlet pipe is located in said downstream end.   
     
     
         2 . The system of claim further comprising an air blade. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the weir skimmer is fluidly connected to a recovered oil tank such that recovered oil can be directed to said recovered oil tank. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein between about 5 and 50 gallons per minute of contaminated water are introduced into the system through said inlet pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said contaminated water comprises hydrocarbons in an amount greater than 250,000 ppm. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said weir skimmer is a floating weir skimmer, and wherein said skimmer is coupled to at least one float. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the height of said skimmer relative to a water level is adjustable, and wherein a phrase break forms in a layer atop said contaminated water in said bowl, said wherein said skimmer is located at a height relative to said phase break such that the top layer of the phase break is recovered by said weir. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein water must pass through said filter belt before said water can advance to the downstream segment. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said filter comprises an oil phobic material. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said filter comprises a screen material. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said filter further comprises a membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said membrane prevents a majority of oil, grease, and paraffin from passing through said filter. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein said membrane allows water to pass but separates oil particles. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said cleaned water comprises water whose contaminants have been reduced greater than 75% compared to said contaminated water.