Flotation (using heated water)
Flotation (using heated water)
Type of treatment: Treatment
Description:Flotation of oil from oiled sand in a tank filled with heated water tank (to fluidify the oil) by insufflating air bubbles at the bottom of the tank. The air bubbles mobilize the oil from the sediment and re-float it at the surface of the water.
Waste:
Polluted sand
Situation/Possibilities in the country:
Mobile installation may be easily implemented in the country.
Interest:
Allows cleaning the sand, which may be returned on the beach (with possible final clean-up using surfwashing).
Entry criteria:
Lightly to medium polluted sand (oil from heavily polluted sand should be recovered prior to flotation using e.g. centrifugation).
Operational constraints:
Requires the setup of a complete installation, power supply and water supply.
Requires effluents management (for the recovered oil and the used water).
Impacts:
Minimal if the washing effluents are managed correctly.
Legal constraints:
Refer to those applying to the management of oily water.
Efficiency:
Flotation is reportedly capable of cleaning about 1 ton of oil contaminated sand per hour.
When operating with sand containing up to 2% of oil, approximately 95% of the oil may be removed.
Cost:
Varies depending on the size and capabilities of the installation.