How is oil commonly removed from a waste stream?

Centrifugal separators are effective tools for removing oil from waste streams due to their ability to exploit differences in density between oil and water. When a mixture containing oil and water is fed into a centrifugal separator, the rotation creates a powerful force that causes the denser water to move outward while the lighter oil is pushed towards the center. This separation allows for the collection of oil at the top, which can then be easily extracted, leaving the cleaner water at the bottom.

This method is particularly valuable in applications where it is necessary to treat large volumes of waste, as it can handle continuous flows and operates efficiently, often requiring minimal operator intervention. Centrifugal separation is often used in industries dealing with oily wastes, such as petrochemical, food processing, and metalworking, making it a go-to choice for effective oil removal.