Read how Ecologix ensured a Northeast U.S. gas station achieved long-term environmental compliance using the HQB-2064 Below Ground Oily Water Separator for 30-micron oil removal.
Client: Independent Gas Station & Convenience Store Operator
Location: Northeast U.S.
Challenge: The client was performing a major renovation and upgrade of their existing fueling station. Local and state regulations required the replacement of their aging oil-water separation system to ensure that stormwater runoff and wash bay effluent met strict discharge limits for oil and grease, particularly in an environmentally sensitive area. The new system needed to be below-ground, highly reliable, certified to national standards (UL 58/UL 1746), and capable of handling variable flow rates while removing fine, non-emulsified oil droplets.
Ecologix Solution: HQB-2064 Below Ground Oily Water Separator
Ecologix Environmental Systems recommended the HQB-2064 Below Ground Oily Water Separator, a robust, double-wall unit specifically designed for underground installation in high-traffic commercial and industrial settings like gas stations.
Key Technology: Coalescing Plate Separation
The HQB-2064 utilizes Parallel/Corrugated Plate Separation (CPS) technology, which is highly efficient for gravity-based separation. This technology works by placing inclined plates in parallel within the tank. As oily water flows between these plates, the following occurs:
- Increased Surface Area: The plates provide a massive surface area to intercept and collect oil droplets.
- Coalescence: Small, non-buoyant oil droplets collide with the plates and with each other, coalescing into larger droplets.
- Enhanced Buoyancy: Once large enough, these buoyant oil droplets rapidly rise to the surface, where they form a layer to be skimmed and stored, while clarified water exits beneath the plates.
Performance and Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Separation Target | Free and Dispersed Non-Emulsified Oil | 100% removal of droplets ≥30 microns |
| Oil Specific Gravity | Minimum | ≤0.88 |
| Temperature Range | Design Operating Temperature | 55°F to 80°F (13°C to 27°C) |
| Construction | Primary & Secondary Containment | Double-wall tank |
| Compliance/Certification | Underground Storage Tank Standard | Built in accordance with UL 58 and UL 1746 |
Results and Client Benefits
The implementation of the Ecologix HQB-2064 provided the client with a superior, future-proof solution that addressed all regulatory and operational requirements:
- Guaranteed Regulatory Compliance
The 30-micron removal efficiency ensures the client consistently meets or exceeds municipal and state requirements for oil and grease discharge in stormwater runoff and wash water, protecting them from fines and operational shutdowns.
- Durability and Longevity
The double-wall construction and adherence to UL 58 (Underground Steel Tanks) and UL 1746 (External Corrosion Protection) standards provide a robust, long-term solution with enhanced protection against corrosion and leaks, minimizing maintenance and replacement costs.
- Optimized Footprint
As a below-ground unit, the separator requires zero surface real estate, allowing the client to maximize space for new pumps, parking, and convenience store operations during the upgrade.
- Simple Maintenance
The design, focused on non-emulsified oil separation, ensures maintenance is straightforward, typically requiring only periodic removal of the collected oil layer and periodic cleaning of the internal plate pack.
By installing the Ecologix HQB-2064, the gas station successfully completed its upgrade, securing long-term environmental compliance and ensuring reliable, worry-free operation of its wastewater management system.
Have a project you would like to discuss?
Contact Ecologix Environmental Systems today to learn more about our engineered solutions.
Contact UsRelated Products
Below Ground Oil Water Separators
The Ecologix HQB Cylindrical Gravity Displacement Oil Water Separator will remove essentially 100% of all free and dispersed non-emulsified oil from the water stream larger than 20 microns in diameter with a specific gravity of .88 or less.