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HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS
while the oil collected must be removed by a registered Hazardous Waste Producer or Licensed Waste Carrier, usually on an annual basis.
If an oil/water separator is not fitted, this mix of pollutants is discharged into the compressor house drain and eventually makes its way into the nearest waste water system or, worse still, directly onto the compressor house floor, where it drains to the ground outside.
ARE YOU IN BREACH OF THE LAW?
Steve Boults, of Thorite, warns of the consequences of failing to comply with compressed air condensate disposal regulations. Here, he explains how you can avoid putting both your finances and reputation at risk
they can face a £20,000 fine and, at worst, imprisonment, for failing to comply with them. Compressed air condensate is classified as hazardous waste and the legislation relating to its disposal is stringent.
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Condensate is a by-product of the compression process and is caused when airborne contaminants such as oil, water, solid particles and micro-organisms, as well as lubricants, rust and pipescale from the equipment itself, are sucked into the system. This toxic mixture gets compressed, resulting in a concentrated mix of contaminated oil and water.
An oil/water separator is the simple and relatively low-cost solution to safely disposing of condensate. Yet the number of compressed air users who do not employ one on their site is surprisingly high. We estimate that as many as 40% of compressed air plants fail to employ an oil/water separator, and a further 5% to 10% have one but fail to maintain it properly, resulting in leakage. The result is that toxic waste is draining to the ground and potentially making its way into waterways. There are potentially severe penalties for breaching the legislation, and there is also a vital need to protect the natural environment. Therefore, it is essential that both company
34 JUNE 2023 | PROCESS & CONTROL
any manufacturers are unclear about the regulations covering the disposal of compressed air condensate. Yet
managers and operatives on the factory floor understand the regulations that govern condensate treatment and the steps they must take to meet them.
Companies must handle all condensate and associated materials, from filters to spillage mats, in compliance with the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005. This is achieved by installing an oil/water separator to separate the emulsified oil and waste water. Separators can cost as little as £100 and, even at the larger end of the scale, will only cost a few thousand pounds. They can also be retrofitted with what is effectively a straightforward plumbing procedure. With relevant permissions, the separated waste water can be drained to the foul sewer,
If you have a compressed air system producing condensate, you are governed by a further two key pieces of legislation. Water Resources Act 1991 – This states that it is an offence to knowingly permit entry of toxic waste to surface or ground water. The penalty is a fine of £20,000 or more in a Crown Court. Water Industry Act 1991 – This sets out the administrative requirements relating to the discharge of the treated condensate water, such as gaining consent from the local sewerage service provider and provision of analysis data and records, if requested. It also states that under no circumstances can treated condensate water be discharged to open water such as rivers and streams, ground water or storm/rain water drains. Penalties can result in fines of up to £20,000 and potential imprisonment for directors. Additionally, a compressor without an oil/water separator is likely to perform inefficiently, as the build-up of oily condensate will eventually cause damage, leading to downtime and repair costs.
The solution is straightforward - so why is the number of companies failing to fit an oil/water separator so high?
The main reason appears to be a genuine lack of awareness of the legislation, at all levels. Management are unfamiliar with the law and leave compressor house management to maintenance teams, while operatives might have inherited legacy equipment which never had a separator fitted and have no cause to question the status quo. This situation can quickly be remedied. First, check that your compressor has an oil/water separator fitted and that it is being properly maintained and the condensate disposed of in compliance with the law. If it is not, have a separator retrofitted without delay. Secondly, ensure that all relevant staff, from managers to maintenance teams, are fully informed about the laws relating to condensate treatment and disposal and that purchasers are aware of the need to specify an oil/water separator on new compressors. Failing to comply with the regulations presents a very real cost in terms of equipment efficiency, potential fines and professional reputation, plus the ethical implications of polluting the local environment. Is that risk really worth the price of an oil/water separator?
Thorite
www.thorite.co.uk
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