Clean Resources Oil-Water Separators
Don’t Just Drain It. Treat It.
Draining your compressor protects your equipment. Treating oily condensate helps protect your facility and the environment. Learn what is in compressed air condensate, why it matters, and how to select the right oil-water separator for your system.
FIND THE RIGHT OIL-WATER SEPARATORIf you operate a lubricated reciprocating or rotary screw air compressor, the liquid leaving your drains may contain more than water. Compressor oil can travel through the system and collect in condensate from your compressor, air receiver tank, compressed air dryer, filters, and automatic drain points.
A compressed air oil-water separator treats this collected liquid by removing oil contamination before an approved discharge or disposal step. This guide explains why condensate treatment matters, how Clean Resources oil-water separators work, and how to choose the right separator for your application.
Jump to the oil-water separator FAQ
Why Do Compressed Air Systems Generate Condensate?
Ambient air contains water vapor. When an air compressor draws in that air, compresses it, and the compressed air later cools, some of the moisture condenses into liquid water. That liquid is called compressed air condensate.
Condensate can collect at several points throughout the system:
- Compressor moisture separators and aftercoolers
- Air receiver tanks and system low points
- Refrigerated compressed air dryers
- Inline filters and their drain bowls
The amount produced depends on airflow, humidity, ambient temperature, operating pressure, and how long the system runs. A busy compressor operating in warm, humid conditions can generate a substantial amount of condensate.
How Does Compressor Oil Get into Condensate?
Lubricated reciprocating compressors and oil-injected rotary screw compressors use lubricant during operation. Small amounts of oil can carry over into the compressed air stream, even when the equipment is operating normally.
As moisture condenses and filters capture oil aerosols, the collected liquid can become a mixture of water, compressor lubricant, and other contaminants. Some lubricants form an emulsion with water, making them harder to separate through simple settling alone.
An Automatic Drain Does Not Treat Condensate
A condensate drain removes liquid from your compressed air equipment. An oil-water separator treats that liquid afterward. Both have a role in a complete condensate management system. Clear-looking condensate is not proof that it is free of oil.
Why Oily Compressor Condensate Should Not Go Straight Down the Drain
Do not assume untreated compressor condensate is suitable for a floor drain, sanitary sewer, storm drain, or the ground. A floor drain is only an entry point. Where it leads and what the receiving system permits determine the appropriate disposal route.
Improper disposal can introduce oil into soil and waterways, harm wildlife, and interfere with wastewater treatment. Storm drains may carry pollutants into nearby water bodies. Responsible condensate management starts with controlling contamination at its source.
Wastewater Compliance Issues Can Become Business Costs
Applicable discharge requirements depend on your location, wastewater authority, industry, and discharge destination. Improper discharge can lead to enforcement action and, depending on the circumstances, fines, cleanup costs, additional testing, corrective work, and operational disruption.
Before discharging treated condensate, confirm the permitted discharge location, applicable limits, and any sampling or approval requirements with your local wastewater authority. Installing an oil-water separator does not automatically authorize discharge.
Learn more from the EPA’s industrial wastewater pretreatment guidance and water enforcement information.
Clean Resources: A Practical Solution for Oily Condensate
Clean Resources oil-water separators provide a simple, comparatively inexpensive way to treat compressor condensate at your facility. Treatment can reduce the volume of liquid requiring off-site disposal, depending on local requirements and your application.
Lubricant compatibility:
Systems work with petroleum-based and glycol-based compressor lubricants.
Low maintenance:
Designed to require very little routine maintenance, with inspection and replacement requirements specific to the selected model.
Broad capacity range:
Options are available for small shop compressors through very large industrial compressed air systems.
10 ppm or less:
When properly sized and installed, Clean Resources guarantees discharge contamination of 10 parts per million or less, subject to the manufacturer’s applicable terms.
The 10 ppm performance guarantee is not a universal discharge limit or permission to discharge. Your facility must still meet applicable local requirements.
How a Clean Resources Oil-Water Separator Works
01. Collect Condensate from Your Compressed Air Equipment
Route condensate from compatible compressor, receiver tank, dryer, and filter drains to the separator according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
02. Treat the Oily Condensate
The condensate passes through treatment media designed to capture lubricant contamination. This treats the collected liquid after it leaves the compressed air system.
03. Manage the Treated Water and Used Media
Direct treated water only to an approved discharge or disposal route. Follow the selected model’s instructions for inspection, performance checks, and replacement of media or treatment containers. Manage used materials according to the manufacturer’s guidance and applicable waste requirements.
What Size Oil-Water Separator Does Your Compressor Need?
Start with the total delivered airflow, measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute), from the compressors that will feed the separator. Then match the manufacturer’s capacity rating to your lubricant and actual operating conditions. Horsepower alone is not enough to confirm the correct model.
Have These Details Ready for Proper Sizing
- Compressor make, model, and horsepower
- Delivered CFM and operating pressure
- Number of compressors and which units run together
- Compressor lubricant brand and type
- Daily operating hours and duty cycle
- Ambient temperature and humidity
- Dryer type and connected condensate drain points
- Planned system expansion and local discharge requirements
For a small shop, a compact separator may be appropriate. For a production facility or a system with multiple compressors, the combined condensate load and installation layout need closer review. Compressed Air Advisors can help select the right Clean Resources system for either application.
Clean Resources products generally ship quickly. Contact our team to confirm current availability and the lead time for your selected model.
Oil-Water Separator and Compressor Condensate FAQ
Click any question or the gold + sign to view the answer.
1. What is a compressed air oil-water separator? +
A compressed air oil-water separator is a condensate treatment device that removes compressor lubricant from liquid collected by the system’s drains. It treats wastewater from the compressed air system before an approved discharge or disposal step.
2. Why is there oil in my air compressor condensate? +
In lubricated reciprocating and rotary screw compressors, small amounts of lubricant can carry over into the compressed air stream. That oil can mix with condensed moisture and collect in receiver tanks, compressed air dryers, filters, and drains.
3. Can I pour compressor condensate into a floor drain or sewer? +
Do not assume untreated oily condensate is acceptable for discharge. Identify where the drain leads and ask your local wastewater authority which treatment, limits, and approvals apply. Even treated water must meet the requirements for its discharge destination.
4. Is an automatic condensate drain the same as an oil-water separator? +
An automatic drain removes accumulated liquid from pressurized equipment. An oil-water separator treats the collected liquid to remove lubricant contamination. A drain alone does not make oily compressor condensate suitable for discharge.
5. Is this the same as an inline compressed air water separator? +
An inline water separator removes liquid droplets from the compressed air stream. A condensate oil-water separator treats liquid after it has been drained from the air system. The two products perform different functions.
6. Do small shop compressors need condensate treatment? +
Small lubricated air compressors can also produce oily condensate. The need to manage it depends on its contamination and applicable disposal requirements, not only compressor size. Clean Resources offers oil-water separator options for small shop applications.
7. Can Clean Resources treat petroleum-based and glycol-based lubricants? +
Clean Resources systems work with both petroleum-based and glycol-based compressor lubricants. Provide the lubricant brand and type when requesting a recommendation so the selected model and application can be confirmed.
8. What does the Clean Resources 10 ppm guarantee mean? +
Ppm means parts per million. Clean Resources guarantees discharge contamination of 10 ppm or less when the system is properly sized and installed, subject to the manufacturer’s applicable terms. This performance guarantee does not replace local wastewater limits or discharge approval.
9. How do I size an oil-water separator for multiple compressors? +
Identify the combined airflow and operating schedule of the compressors connected to the separator. Lubricant type, humidity, ambient temperature, and condensate load also affect selection. Compressed Air Advisors can review these details and recommend an appropriate Clean Resources system.
10. Can compressor, tank, dryer, and filter drains connect to one separator? +
Multiple compatible drain points can feed a correctly sized separator when the installation follows the manufacturer’s instructions. Confirm inlet arrangements, condensate piping, capacity, and any pressure restrictions before connecting the system.
11. How much maintenance does a Clean Resources separator require? +
Clean Resources systems require very little routine maintenance, but low maintenance still includes regular inspection. Follow the selected model’s instructions for performance checks and replacement intervals. Service needs vary with operating hours, condensate volume, and lubricant loading.
12. Can an oil-water separator reduce condensate disposal costs? +
It can. Where treated water is approved for discharge, on-site condensate treatment can reduce the liquid volume requiring collection and off-site disposal. Actual savings depend on condensate volume, local requirements, service costs, and your existing disposal arrangements.
Protect Your Facility. Treat Your Condensate.
Explore Clean Resources oil-water separators for your compressed air system. If you are not sure which size you need, send us your compressor details and let Compressed Air Advisors help size the system for you.
FIND THE RIGHT OIL-WATER SEPARATOR GET HELP SIZING YOUR SYSTEMSizing and condensate treatment information is provided as general guidance. Final selection and disposal decisions should account for the separator manufacturer’s specifications, actual operating conditions, lubricant compatibility, and applicable local wastewater requirements.