ASTM International

Standard Practice for Determining the Performance of Oil/Water Separators Subjected to a Sudden Release
 N D6157

Annotation

This practice describes the testing procedure, any necessary related apparatus, and the sampling technique to be used in determining the performance characteristics of an oil/water separator subjected to the sudden release of a relatively large quantity of hydrocarbons that may appear in its influent in pure form or at high concentration.

This practice does not address the determination of the performance characteristics of an oil/water separator subjected to surface run-off resulting from rain water draining from improved or unimproved land. In this case, refer to Practice D6104.

This practice does not address the determination of the performance characteristics of an oil/water separator subjected to a mechanically emulsified influent such as provided by a pump.

This practice does not investigate the ability of the separator to handle debris or suspended solids, that is, grit or tree leaves.

While the effluent may meet code requirements for total oil and grease content, this practice does not address the presence of soluble organics, that is, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX's) that may be detected in the effluent. It also does not make any provisions for the effects of detergents, surfactants, soaps or any water soluble matter (that is, salts) or any portion of an essentially insoluble matter that may be found in solution on separation. (Effects of certain water soluble chemicals or solids may be investigated by adding them to the water at predetermined constant concentrations.)

In order to estimate the effect of water temperature on the performance of the separator, the tests described in this practice must be performed at two water temperatures. The selected temperatures must be at least 10 °C (18 °F) apart, with the temperature ranging from a minimum of 0 °C (32 °F) to a maximum of 50 °C (122 °F).