ASTM D6104-97

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 6104 – 97
Standard Practice for
Determining the Performance of Oil/Water Separators
Subjected to Surface Run-Off
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6104; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
3 2
1. Scope 3(52.73 lb /ft ) and a viscosity of 1.9 to 4.1 centistokes at 40°C (104°F) and SAE
m
2 3 3
90 lubricating oil with a density of 930 kg/m (58 lb /ft ) at 15.5°C (60°F) and a
m
1.1 This practice covers the procedure, any necessary re-
viscosity (see SAE J313) of 13.5- < 24 centistokes at 100°C (212°F) as the
lated apparatus and the sampling technique to be used in
comparative testing media. It is understood that the results obtained from this
determining the performance characteristics of oil/water sepa-
practice are only directly applicable to No. 2 fuel oil and SAE 90 lubricating oil for
rators subjected to contaminated run-off.
the tested concentrations and only careful interpolation or extrapolation, or both, is
1.2 This practice does not address determining the perfor-
allowed to other hydrocarbons. Low viscosity or high density hydrocarbons or
mance characteristics of an oil/water separator subjected to the
hydrocarbons that contain a larger fraction of highly soluble compounds may need
sudden release of a relatively large quantity of hydrocarbons
to be tested separately.
that may appear, in pure form or at high concentration, in the
influent to the separator. In this case, refer to Practice D 6157.
NOTE 1—No extrapolation outside the range of the tested influent or
1.3 This practice does not address determining the perfor-
effluent oil concentrations is allowed as performance may not be linear.
Hence, to establish performance at a higher or lower concentration, the
mance characteristics of an oil/water separator subjected to a
separator shall be tested for that specific condition. In addition, linearity
mechanically emulsified influent such as provided by a pump.
must be established prior to using linear interpolation.
1.4 This practice does not investigate the ability of the
separator to handle debris or suspended solids, that is, grit or 1.9 Since regulations are based on effluent total hydrocar-
bon content, this practice does not set forth any lower limits on
tree leaves.
1.5 While the effluent may meet code requirements for total oil particle size for the evaluation of separator efficiency.
However, a standardized means for mixing oil and water shall
oil and grease content, this practice does not address the
presence of soluble organics, i.e., Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl- be specified to ensure repeatability. It must be noted however
that smaller particles, having a greater surface area to volume
benzene and Xylene (BTEX’s) which may be detected in the
effluent. It also does not make any provisions for the effects of ratio, rise at a slower rate than their larger counterparts. (Guide
F 933 requires that 20 % of all oil particles be smaller than or
detergents, surfactants, soaps, or any water soluble matter (that
is, salts), or any portion of an essentially insoluble matter that equal to 50 μm and IMO MEPC 60 (30) does not mention any
particle size requirements but asks the user to avoid emulsion
may be found in solution on separation. (Effects of certain
water soluble chemicals or solids may be investigated by causing chemicals.)
1.10 Although the tests described in this practice intend to
adding them to the water at predetermined constant concentra-
tions.) simulate contaminated storm water run-off separation require-
1.6 In order to estimate the effect of water temperature on ments, they do not cover all possible applications. It is the end
user’s responsibility to determine whether his separation re-
the performance of the separator, the tests described in this
practice must be performed at two water temperatures. The quirements are within the scope of this practice.
1.11 A product different from the general description herein
selected temperatures must be at least 10°C (18°F) apart, with
the temperature ranging from a minimum of 0°C (32°F) to a may be tested and found to be in compliance with the
performance criteria set forth.
maximum of 50°C (122°F).
1.7 This practice does not make any provisions for the 1.12 The values stated in either inch-pound units or SI units
are to be regarded as standard. Within the text, the inch-pound
variation of pH or temperature during a test run. Refer to
Appendix X1 for further detail. units are shown in parentheses. The values stated in each
system are not exact equivalents. Therefore, each system must
1.8 This practice can be used with a variety of hydrocar-
bons. It adopts No. 2 fuel oil with a density of 845 kg/m be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in nonconformance with this specifi-
cation.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and
1.13 This practice does not purport to address all the
is the direct responsibility of D19.06 on Methods for Analysis for Organic
Substances in Water. environmental hazards, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Current edition approved July 10, 1997. Published October 1997.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Ray E. Bolz and George L. Tuve, CRC Handbook of tables for Applied
priate environmentally responsible practices and to determine
nd
Engineering Science,2 Edition, CRC Press, 1981.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 6104
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. is higher than the influent contamination level due to internal
1.14 This standard does not purport to address all of the remixing. This definition usually applies to situations where
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the clean water passes through a separator that already contains
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- hydrocarbons stored within and atop the water so as to form an
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- interface.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.2.8 release—any sudden discharge of an oily substance
from vessels that are specifically designed to store, contain or
2. Referenced Documents
transfer oily products such as storage tanks, pipelines, diked
2.1 ASTM Standards:
areas and transfer equipment and which may appear in the
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
influent to a separator.
D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water
3.2.9 separator—a flow through primary treatment device
D 4281 Test Method for Oil and Grease (Fluorocarbon
the primary purpose of which is to separate oil from water.
Extractable Substances) by Gravimetric Determination
4. Summary of Practice
D 6157 Practice for Determining the Performance of Oil/
Water Separators Subjected to a Sudden Release
4.1 The practice evaluates a separator’s ability to reduce the
F 933 Guide for Evaluation of Oil Water Separation Sys-
total hydrocarbon content of contaminated run-off. For this, an
tems for Spilled Oil Recovery Applications
influent is supplied at the separator’s rated flow for the selected
2.2 EPA Standards:
hydrocarbon content (either 350 or 1000 mg/L). The corre-
EPA-413.1 “Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and
sponding effluent hydrocarbon content is determined by ob-
Wastes”, EPA 600/4-79-020, revised March 1983
taining and analyzing grab samples.
EPA-413.2 “Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and
4.2 The practice also evaluates the effluent of a separator at
Wastes”, EPA 600/4-79-020, revised March 1983
rated oil storage capacity in relation to a non-contaminated
EPA-1664 H-Hexane Extractable Material (HEM) and
influent and its corresponding rated flow in order to establish
Silica Gel Treated N-Hexane Extractable Material (SGT-
its re-entrainment characteristics.
HEM) by Extraction and Gravimetry (Oil and Grease and
4.3 The data generated in this practice are considered valid
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons) EPA-821-B-94-004B,
for the separators tested only. However, the results of these
April 1995
tests may be extrapolated to smaller or larger size separators
2.3 SAE Standards:
provided that applicable geometric and dynamic similitude are
SAE J306 Axle and Manual Transmission Lubricant Vis-
maintained. Where the use of extrapolation is not applicable,
cosity Classification
that size unit must be subjected to testing.
SAE J313 Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice (R) Die-
4.4 The flow rate for these tests must equal the manufactur-
sel Fuels
er’s rated flow for the given separator at the given influent
contamination level and for the selected effluent peak contami-
3. Terminology
nation concentration.
3.1 Definitions: For definitions of terms used in this prac-
4.5 For the purpose of this test, the water temperature
tice, refer to Terminology D 1129.
should be between 10°C (50°F) and 21.1°C(70°F) and the pH
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
of the water between 6 and 9.
3.2.1 calibration—the certified evaluation of the accuracy
of a measuring instrument as performed by its manufacturer or 5. Significance and Use
an independent licensed or accredited third party.
5.1 The Clean Water Act promulgated the implementation
3.2.2 contaminated run-off—rain water which has collected
of water quality standards and contamination limits for a wide
oily contaminants from the surfaces it came in contact with and
range of pollutants including oil and grease. Specifically, the
which may appear in the influent to a separator. Unlike a
EPA prohibits “the discharges of oil that cause a film or sheen
release, the level of contamination in this case is much lower.
upon or cause discoloration of the surface of the water”.
3.2.3 effluent—the aqueous release from a separator.
Several state and local agencies have adopted this statement in
3.2.4 flow totalizer—a counter, usually attached to a flow
addition to setting concentration limits, that is, 15 or even
meter, that evaluates the total volume of the fluid that has
5mg/L. The purpose of this practice is to evaluate the perfor-
flowed through over a given time period.
mance of a separator in regards to the regulations and user
3.2.5 influent—the oily aqueous input to a separator.
requirements.
3.2.6 oily discharge—any release of oily contaminants into
5.2 Another purpose of this practice is to establish that a
the environment that exceeds the allowable limit.
separator containing oil at its rated capacity would still be
3.2.7 re-entrainment—the condition in which the level of
capable of meeting the above criteria when subjected to
contamination of the effluent water of a separator containing oil
run-off.
5.3 This practice is not applicable if the influent to a
separator contained a sudden release as much higher concen-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
trations would be expected. For this case, see Practice D 6157.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.04.
5.4 This practice is not applicable if the influent to a
Environmental Protection Agency, 40 CFR Ch. 1 (7-1-95 Edition)
7 separator is conveyed by a pumping means.
Available from Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Drive,
Warrendale, PA 15096. 5.5 The data generated in this method is valid for the
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 6104
separators tested only. The results of these tests may be test concentration, an injection velocity approximately equal to
extrapolated to smaller or larger size separators provided that 1 m/s.
applicable geometric and dynamic similitude are maintained. 6.5 Influent Sampling Port—An influent sampling port for
Where sound engineering method limits the use of extrapola- temperature and pH reading. (If on-line temperature and pH
tion, that size unit must be subjected to testing. readers are not available, a small sample should be extracted
5.6 The flow rate for all the tests must equal the manufac- and the temperature read immediately at the beginning of every
turer’s total rated flow for the given separator at a given test. pH analysis may be performed at a later time.)
influent contamination level and for the selected effluent peak
7. Procedure
contamination concentration.
7.1 Test A — Investigation of Re-Entrainment at Rated Oil
6. Test Set-Up and Apparatus Storage Capacity:
7.1.1 Fill the separator with oil to the manufacturer’s rated
6.1 Water Supply— The water supply can be either a water
oil storage capacity.
main, a water reservoir and a pump, or an elevated storage tank
7.1.2 Allow fresh water to enter the separator at its rated
capable of providing the volume and flow rate of water
flow until at least three volume changes are achieved and the
necessary for a test run as described in the procedure. If either
effluent concentration reaches steady-state. Take an effluent
a storage tank or reservoir is used, the volume shall be at least
grab sample at every one third ( ⁄3) of the separator volume
three times the liquid volume of the separator.
change. Samples must be gathered and handled in accordance
6.1.1 Flow Totalizer or Sight Glass—The water supply
with Test Method D 3370.
should be equipped with a calibrated means of indicating the
total volume of water dispensed, that is, a flow totalizer or, a
NOTE 2—Steady-state means that, when analyzed, the last three
sight glass. The selected device should be within 5 % accuracy. samples shall depict a “constant” oil and grease concentration with respect
to the other samples within the accuracy of the accepted sample analysis
6.1.2 Flow Rate Indicator—The water supply must also be
method. If this condition cannot be attained within three volume changes
equipped with a calibrated means of controlling and indicating
then the total volume of water necessary shall be increased until this
the flow rate, that is, throttling valve and flow meter, orifice
condition is met.
plates or venturis. The means used for controlling the flow rate
7.1.3 Each sample container shall be labeled with a serial
must be capable of maintaining the flow within 5 % of the
number and a run number, the date of the test and the initials
desired va
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