How to remove the oil film on the water surface

The removal of oil film on the water surface can be achieved through methods such as physical adsorption, chemical decomposition, biodegradation, mechanical salvage, and natural settling. Oil film is mainly formed by grease, organic pollutants or industrial emissions, and targeted treatment plans need to be selected according to the pollution source.

1. Physical adsorption

uses oil absorbing felt, activated carbon, or lipophilic materials to directly adsorb oil film. Oil absorbing felt is made of polypropylene fibers, which can quickly absorb floating oil on the water surface without absorbing water, suitable for small-scale oil pollution treatment. Activated carbon adsorption is suitable for soluble organic compounds and needs to be replaced regularly to avoid secondary pollution. Non woven fabric or kitchen paper can be used for emergency adsorption of edible oil film at home.

2. Chemical decomposition

Spray oil dispersant or surfactant to emulsify and decompose the oil film. This type of chemical agent can reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water, disperse large oil films into small particles, and accelerate degradation. Attention should be paid to choosing environmentally friendly formulations to avoid harm to aquatic organisms. This method is commonly used in conjunction with mechanical recovery when dealing with ship oil spills.

3. Biodegradation

involves the use of petroleum degrading bacteria or enzyme preparations to break down oil films. Certain microorganisms such as Pseudomonas can metabolize petroleum hydrocarbons and are suitable for long-term remediation of polluted water bodies. It is necessary to control the pH value and temperature of the water body to maintain the activity of the microbial community, and cooperate with oxygenation equipment to improve degradation efficiency. Native organisms in natural water bodies also contribute to the slow decomposition of thin oil films.

4. Mechanical salvage

uses equipment such as skimmers and centrifugal separators for physical removal. The rotary oil skimmer adsorbs and scrapes off floating oil through a turntable, and is suitable for fixed water areas such as ports. Centrifugal separation can treat oily wastewater, and the oil-water mixture is extracted layer by layer after high-speed rotation. A large-scale oil pollution incident requires the deployment of professional oil collection tankers and enclosed oil booms for operation.

5. Natural sedimentation

uses gravity to cause particles attached to the oil film to sink. Adsorbents such as clay and diatomaceous earth can be dispersed to promote the coalescence of oil droplets and accelerate the settling process. This method is greatly affected by water flow, suitable for still water environments, and requires subsequent sediment cleaning. Natural weathering can also cause the light oil film to gradually evaporate, but the prolonged process may result in secondary pollution.

It is recommended to regularly clean the kitchen drain filter screen during daily maintenance to prevent edible oils from entering the sewer. Industrial sites should install oil separation tanks to pretreat oily wastewater, and households can use enzyme cleaners to decompose kitchen waste oil. When dealing with large-scale oil film pollution, it is necessary to wear protective equipment, and if necessary, contact the environmental protection department for professional disposal. At the same time, strengthen the protection of vegetation around the water source to enhance the self purification ability of the water body.