What is the process for separating oil in an impingement style oil separator?

The process for separating oil in an impingement style oil separator involves a combination of physical mechanisms designed to effectively remove oil from water or other liquids. In this method, impingement refers to the technique where the incoming liquid is forced to change direction as it encounters obstacles or surfaces within the separator. This change of direction facilitates the separation of oil droplets from the water due to differences in density and allows for gravity to assist in the separation process.

Once the oil droplets are directed and slowed down through the impingement, gravity plays a crucial role, as the less dense oil naturally rises to the surface of the water. The coalescing filters then come into play by providing surfaces that encourage smaller oil droplets to merge into larger ones, which further enhances the separation efficiency. This multi-faceted approach combines mechanical forces and gravitational principles to achieve effective oil removal from contaminated liquids.

Other options may involve legitimate processes in other contexts, but they do not accurately describe the specific workings of an impingement style oil separator. For instance, while heat treatment and filtration can be methods for separating substances in general, they are not characteristic of the impingement process. Similarly, mechanical squeezing and evaporation or liquid cooling and residue settling do not encompass the unique mechanics and effectiveness