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OIL WATER SEPARATORS AUSTRALIA

Oil water separators for wash bays and industrial wastewater

Oil water separators are used to separate free oils and settleable solids from captured wash water before the water moves to further treatment, recycling or an approved trade-waste pathway. Trade Wash helps match separator capacity, pumping and any downstream treatment to the wastewater characteristics, treatment flow and intended water pathway.

Sized around actual treatment flow

Matched to wastewater characteristics

Australia-wide supply and support

Oil water separation for wash bay and industrial wastewater treatment

Separator range

Oil water separator models and flow rates

Use the range below as an initial comparison. The final separator must be checked against actual and peak flow, oil loading, suspended solids, detergents and the approved outlet pathway.

TEFX1000 Oil Water Separator

Compact separator

TEFX1000

For lower-flow wash bay or workshop wastewater where the contaminant profile suits coalescing separation.

  • Actual flow720 L/hour
  • Net volume120 L
  • PumpMono CP11
TEFX1000 Oil Water Separator

Compact separator

TEFX1500

Additional internal volume at the same published treatment flow as the TW1000.

  • Actual flow720 L/hour
  • Net volume160 L
  • PumpMono CP11
TEFX1000 Oil Water Separator

Medium-flow separator

TEFX3000

For sites requiring a higher treatment rate and more separator volume than the compact models.

  • Actual flow1,660 L/hour
  • Net volume350 L
  • PumpMono CP25
TEFX1000 Oil Water Separator

Higher-flow separator

TEFX6000

For larger washdown or industrial applications with a confirmed hydraulic loading.

  • Actual flow4,200 L/hour
  • Net volume950 L
  • PumpASM DS 38
TEFX1000 Oil Water Separator

High-capacity separator

TEFX10000

For higher wastewater volumes. Current flow, pump and net-volume data are confirmed against the supplied model at quotation.

  • Actual flowConfirm
  • Net volumeConfirm
  • PumpConfirm
TEFX1000 Oil Water Separator

Large separator

TEFX15000

The largest model in the Trade Wash range for high-flow applications.

  • Actual flow14,400 L/hour
  • Net volume2,375 L
  • PumpConfirm

SEPARATOR COMPARISON

Compare oil water separator specifications

Use this table as a preliminary guide. Final equipment selection should be checked against continuous and peak treatment flow, wastewater characteristics, oil and solids loading, site layout and the intended downstream water pathway.

ModelMaximum separator flowConfigured treatment flowPump configuration
FX1000SS1,000 L/h720 L/hMono CP11
FX1500SS1,500 L/h720 L/hMono CP11
FX3000SS3,000 L/h1,660 L/hMono CP25
FX6000SS6,000 L/h4,200 L/hASMD S38
FX10000SS10,000 L/hConfigured to applicationPump selected to project duty
FX15000SS15,000 L/hConfigured to applicationPump selected to project duty
FX20000SS20,000 L/hConfigured to applicationPump selected to project duty
FX30000SS30,000 L/hConfigured to applicationPump selected to project duty

COMMON APPLICATIONS

Where are oil water separators used?

Oil water separators are used where captured wastewater may contain free, non-emulsified oils and settleable solids. They are generally installed as one stage within a broader wastewater collection and treatment system.

Suitability depends on the source of the wastewater, expected treatment flow, oil and solids loading, detergents or chemicals present and where the treated water is intended to go.

  • Vehicle and fleet wash bays
    Wash water generated by trucks, buses, commercial vehicles and fleet equipment where fuel, lubricants and road sediment may be present.
  • Heavy machinery and equipment washdown
    Captured wastewater from excavators, loaders, mining plant, agricultural machinery and other equipment carrying oil, grease and sediment.
  • Workshops and maintenance facilities
    Wastewater from equipment cleaning, servicing areas and workshop washdown where free oils and lubricants can enter the collection system.
  • Industrial wastewater treatment
    Primary oil separation ahead of holding, further treatment, an approved trade-waste connection or a water recycling system.

SEPARATION PROCESS

How does an oil water separator work?

Oil water separation uses the density difference between water, free oil and settleable solids. Wastewater passes through the separator at a controlled treatment flow, providing time for solids to settle and free oil droplets to rise rather than being carried through with the water.

01

Control the treatment flow

Captured wastewater is pumped into the separator at a configured rate below its maximum hydraulic capacity. Excessive flow can reduce separation time and treatment performance.

02

Separate oil and solids

The flow is slowed and distributed within the separator. Denser settleable solids fall, while free oil rises. Coalescing plates help smaller oil droplets combine into larger droplets that rise more readily.

03

Retain the contaminants

Separated oil and settled solids remain within designated collection areas for inspection and removal. Regular maintenance helps prevent accumulated contaminants from being carried into the outlet.

04

Transfer the water onward

Separated water leaves the unit and moves towards holding, additional treatment, an approved trade-waste connection or a recycling system, depending on the requirements of the site.

Oil water separators are principally intended for free, non-emulsified oil and settleable solids. Detergents, stable emulsions, dissolved hydrocarbons and fine suspended solids may require additional treatment.

Information needed

Separator selection inputs

These details let us size the equipment and identify questions that should be resolved before pricing or construction.

  • Peak and average wastewater flow
  • Oil type and expected concentration
  • Mud, grit and suspended solids
  • Detergents, degreasers and emulsification risk
  • Available gravity fall, pumping and plant space
  • Required outlet quality and authority conditions

Compare options

Know when oil separation is not enough.

An oil water separator is designed principally for free, non-emulsified oils and settleable solids. Wastewater containing heavy solids, detergents, stable emulsions, dissolved hydrocarbons or requiring reuse-quality output may need additional treatment stages.

The treatment train should be selected against the actual wastewater characteristics, intended water pathway and required outlet quality – not a generic compliance claim.

Treatment approachMay suitTypical system arrangementConfirm before selection
Oil water separationFree, non-emulsified oil with manageable settleable solidsCollection system, controlled pumping and oil water separatorPeak flow, oil characteristics, detergent selection and outlet acceptance
Solids and oil treatmentWash water containing mud, grit and heavier solids loadsBucket trap, settlement or solids capture followed by oil water separationSolids loading, clean-out access, pump protection and maintenance frequency
Specialist wastewater treatmentStable emulsions, non-quick-break degreasers, dissolved contaminants or tighter outlet limitsWastewater testing, separation and additional treatment selected for the contaminantsTreatability, required performance and authority conditions
Water reuse treatment trainRecurring wastewater with a clearly defined reuse applicationOil separation followed by additional treatment, filtration and storage as requiredReuse-quality target, monitoring, maintenance and intended reuse duty

Questions we are regularly asked

Before you request pricing

Final suitability and regulatory requirements remain specific to the site, water authority and proposed discharge or reuse pathway.

What size oil water separator do I need?

Sizing depends on the expected flow rate, oil load, solids, wash activity, available fall or pumping arrangement, and the proposed water destination. We confirm these details before recommending a separator model.

Will an oil water separator remove detergent?

Oil water separators are designed for free, separable oils. Detergents and degreasers can emulsify oil and reduce separation performance, so additional treatment may be required where detergents are used.

Should solids be removed first?

Yes. Heavy sediment, mud and grit should usually be managed before the separator. Excess solids can reduce capacity, increase maintenance and affect separation performance.

Can treated water go to stormwater?

Discharge depends on the site, water authority requirements and treated water quality. Stormwater discharge should not be assumed. The approved pathway needs to be confirmed before quoting or installation planning.

Discuss your wash bay requirements

Confirm the right wash bay setup

Send the vehicle type, site location and where the wash water needs to go. We’ll confirm the information needed to quote the right setup.

  • Vehicle and site suitability checked before quoting
  • Containment, diversion and treatment considered together
  • Australia-wide supply and support

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