The Corrugated Plate Interceptor (CPI) combines advanced separation technology to provide a safe and reliable oil-water treatment solution, suitable for stable operations.Its separation process is mainly divided into two key stages:coalescence and gravity separation，utilizing the synergistic effect of corrugated plate packs and gravity to achieve oil-water separation.
Oily wastewater enters the coalescing zone of the unit and flows through the inclined, corrugated plate packs. Tiny oil droplets (typically ∠10μm in diameter) within the wastewater adhere to the surface of the plates, gradually colliding and merging into larger oil droplets (with diameters increasing to over 50μm). This process of small droplets aggregating into larger ones is termed coalescence.
The coalesced oil droplets, carried by the water flow, enter the gravity separation zone. Since the density of oil is less than that of water, the enlarged oil droplets rapidly rise to the water surface under gravity. They eventually accumulate in the oil collection compartment for centralized collection and discharge. The clarified water, from which oil has been removed, is discharged from the outlet at the bottom of the unit, thus achieving oil-water separation.
The CPI unit consists of the following sections: Inlet Flow Distribution Section, Coalescence Reaction Section, Gravity Separation Section, Oil Collection and Skimming Section, Effluent Outlet Section, and Sludge Settlement Section.
Inlet Flow Distribution Section: Evenly distributes the incoming oily wastewater, preventing flow turbulence that could cause re-dispersion of oil droplets, thus providing stable hydraulic conditions for subsequent coalescence.
Coalescence Reaction Section:Equipped with internally installed, inclined corrugated plate packs, this is the core area where small oil droplets coalesce into larger ones.
Gravity Separation Section:Provides sufficient residence time for the coalesced large oil droplets to adequately rise and separate from the water phase.
Oil Collection and Skimming Section: Collects the risen oil layer and discharges it through automatic or manual skimming valves. The recovered oil can be either recycled or sent for further treatment.
Effluent Outlet Section: Discharges the separated clean water, which can be released after quality inspection or directed to subsequent treatment processes.
Sludge Settlement Section: The bottom of some CPI units is equipped with hoppers or a settlement zone to remove suspended solids from the wastewater, preventing fouling and blockage of the corrugated plates.
Downloads: CPI - Corrugated Plate Interceptor Datasheet (PDF)