Water loaded with solids and oily substances, coming from the washing of tanks, yards and work

areas, is stored in tanks and then sent to API treatment.

In the tanks, an initial separation of floating substances takes place with oil skimmers.

Notes on API SEPARATOR sizing

In the API tank, a natural separation takes place, based on specific gravity, between heavy substances, which settle, and light substances, which rise to the surface.

The sizing of API tanks follows the rules of the API (American Petroleum Institute) standards.

The main factors affecting sizing are:

– flow rate

– liquid temperature

– particle density

– size of the smallest oil particles to be separated.

Collection systems for floated and/or settled solids are installed inside an API tank.

These are typically dredging chains with bottom and surface flights.

API tanks are equipped at the inlet with a distribution chamber and a series of baffles to optimise liquid distribution in the tank