What is a Tilted Plate Interceptor?

A Tilted Plate Interceptor (TPI) is a gravity-based oil-water separator that uses a series of inclined plates to improve the separation of free oil and settleable solids from wastewater. The plates increase the effective separation area while allowing oil to rise and solids to settle within a compact unit.

How does a TPI separate oil from water?

A TPI uses gravity and coalescence. As wastewater passes through the inclined plates, oil droplets contact the plate surfaces and combine with other droplets. The larger oil droplets then rise to the surface, where they can be collected, while heavier solids settle toward the bottom.

What is the difference between TPI and CPI?

Both TPI and CPI systems use inclined plate packs to improve gravity-based oil-water separation. TPI generally refers to a tilted or inclined plate interceptor, while CPI commonly refers to a corrugated plate interceptor. The exact design and performance depend on the plate configuration and application.

Can a TPI remove emulsified oil?

A TPI is primarily designed to remove free and gravity-separable oil. Stable emulsified oil is much more difficult to remove through gravity alone and may require additional treatment such as chemical emulsion breaking, coagulation, or dissolved air flotation.

Where is a Tilted Plate Interceptor used?

TPI systems can be used in oil and gas, refineries, petrochemical plants, engineering and manufacturing facilities, vehicle washing areas, food-processing plants, and industrial stormwater treatment systems where free oil and settleable solids need to be separated before downstream treatment

Tilted Plate Interceptor (TPI) for Oil-Water Separation | Industrial ETP