An electric utility in metropolitan New York City utilizes concrete secondary containment moats in substations throughout its vast network. Following storms with heavy rain fall, the moats filled with large volumes of water. This water needed to be evacuated. Strict SPCC guidelines and state and city regulations require discharged water to be completely free of hydrocarbon contamination.
BCI Develops Advanced Oil Water Separator
Background:
An electric utility in metropolitan New York City utilizes concrete secondary containment moats in substations throughout its vast network. Following storms with heavy rain fall, the moats filled with large volumes of water. This water needed to be evacuated. Strict
SPCC guidelines and state and city regulations require discharged water to be completely free of hydrocarbon contamination.
The utility implemented a gravity-flow, automatic pump oil filtration system like an oil water separator, but its flow rate of 3 to 7 gallons per minute was very low. During heavy rainfalls, the filtration system and pump could not keep up with the rain flow. Standing water collected within their substation containment areas and required manual pumping. Additional labor and manpower increased operation and maintenance (O&M) costs for the utility.
Objective:
The electric utility wanted a solution to prevent standing water in the moats and eliminate the high O&M cost. They preferred an automatic pumping system with high flow rates. It was important for the system to be simple to maintain, provide oil filtration to a non-detectable level, and provide complete shut off in the event of an oil release.
Solution:
BCI developed an innovative, low-maintenance oil water filtration system designed to deliver the highest flow rates in the industry. The
VIPOR-100 SOWF (Sump Oil Water Filtration) system incorporates the same oil filtration concepts as the
HFF Oil Stop Valve. Enclosed within a fiberglass housing, it uses a heavy duty ½ HP pump. The system’s flow rate exceeds 100 gallons per minute.
The VIPOR-100 is a very low maintenance system. The unit features an access port in the lid to service the pre-filter sock in the throat of the oil/water filter, which requires periodic flushing. A VSF (Vault Sump Filter) pre-filter ring around the pump prevents dirt and debris from clogging the system. In the event of an oil release, the VIPOR-100 completely shuts off. In the absence of an oil release, the unit will never have to be replaced, provided the pre-filter sock remains in place and is serviced as needed.
Use the VIPOR-100 to provide secondary containment in substations, underground vaults or anywhere in which there is a need to evacuate high volumes of water that are required to be completely free of hydrocarbon contamination. Light enough to be portable, it can also service manholes and vaults in underground networks. It is especially suited for states threatened by tropical storms and hurricanes.
Installation of the VIPOR-100 is a very simple plug-and-play process. It can be positioned inside or outside of the secondary containment moat. Plumb each unit into existing drainage systems or into the substation yard. Installations usually take less than a day. Customizable components and adaptations are available as the situation requires.
Conclusion
The electric utility replaced many of its oil water separator units with the VIPOR-100 SOWF system. It also placed orders for several more. Because the VIPOR-100 delivers higher flow rates yet requires much less maintenance than the previous oil water separator systems, the utility lowered and, in some cases, eliminated the costs associated with manually evacuating standing water in several of its substations.
Learn More About VIPOR Oil Water Filtration Systems
BCI supplies three VIPOR models. Along with the
VIPOR-100, we offer the
VIPOR-SOWF, most suitable for secondary containment vaults with a collection sump; and the
VIPOR-SUMP, which is commonly used in transformer vaults that have a flat floor and a crock. We also provide
VIPOR combination solutions with some of our other systems. Contact us today for a quote.
