Oil mist separator or also known as an oil separator is a type of system that helps filter the aerosols that are released into the surrounding air. It is common in industries that deals with metals and their processes including cutting and shaping to have emissions such as smoke, vapors and mist as a byproduct of using cooling lubricants in these processes. This particular emission is released through a mechanical process when tools that are rotating at very high speed treat the cooling lubricant through atomization. Examples of these mechanical processes are turning and grinding of metal materials. Another situation where it can happen is when the cooling lubricant which has already evaporated makes contact with a hot surface thus triggering condensation. Work pieces that are mounted openly and with a high temperature can cause very high emission to the surrounding air. It is considered an emission sources once a surface deals with cooling lubricant including clothes used for dirty works and rags used for polishing oily surfaces as well as floors. As the temperature of these surfaces turns higher, the higher the negative effect it can also have on the clean air.
There are basically three methods wherein the emissions of the cooling lubricant can be reduced in the working area. First is by making sure there are no byproducts such as oil vapors, emulsion mist as well as oil smoke that will result from forming. Second is by using an oil mist separator in order to trap all the aerosol mists that are inevitable. Third is through the process called adequate or in layman’s terms - hall ventilation.
These emissions, oil vapor, oil smoke, and aerosol mists, can all be prevented by using the right kind of cooling lubricant for the system during the processes used in metalworking. These are often caused by using not enough amount of the cooling lubricant than required or when the wrong type is applied during the operation. Another way to ensure there will be no emissions is to conduct regular maintenance of the processing machine together with the oil mist separator. The work pieces should be kept in a container with proper seal once it is wet and has already been subjected to high temperature. It is crucial not to keep them in an open place. If it can be done, the machine used to process the work pieces should also have an enclosure to make sure there will be no emissions coming out into the air.
Mechanical separation is accomplished with the use of oil mist separators. Hall ventilation, on the other hand, can be employed by making sure that the work area has the adequate ventilation. This will ensure that the emissions will not be able to invade the breathing space that is around the workers. If possible, these emissions should be trapped and extracted before they leave the source because they can pose a risk to human health. One thing that cannot be avoided is the solids that are a result of the thermal streams created during the heating of the machines.