The Corrugated Plate Interceptor

The Corrugated Plate Interceptor

 This is a gravity separator. The CPI is designed to separate oily waste water in the lighter oily fraction and the heavier water fraction. The heavy particles will be separated as well and sink to the bottom of the CPI.

 In an CPI packages, the effectiveness of this technique is subjected to various factors such as density difference, viscosity of the oil, medium properties, temperature, turbulence, and the nature of impurity.

In Oily water treatment, plate packs (placed in predetermined angles) are used in CPI separators to improve the size and economy of the separator system.

The number of Plate packs per 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 CPI (Corrugated plate interceptor) separator by simulating a laminar flow condition through the plate pack.

 Advantages of Designed CPI Separators in Oily Water Treatment System:

–    Low Spare requirement.
–    Very low maintenance cost since there are no moving parts.
–    High efficiency and capacity combined with compact volume.
–    Can handle shock loads of flow without affecting effluent quality significantly.
–    Selection can be done from large number of type of basins (RCC, Mild Steel, Stainless Steel) for plate packs in CPI separators.

Disadvantages Of Designed CPI Separators in Oily Water Treatment System:

–    The effluent oil concentration is higher than that of other methods;
–    Large surface area required;
–    Large volume results in dead zones reduction of net available surface area;
–    Expensive oil/bottom scrapers required that are maintenance intensive;
–    Ineffective with small oil droplets or emulsified oil, Require long retention time to achieve efficient separation.

The most common form of parallel plate interceptor used in petroleum facilities is the corrugated plate interceptor (CPI). This is an improvement in the shape/model of the PPI which requires a small area to move the same particle size and has the added advantage of making the following sediment easier to handle.