Referring to the illustration, suppose the oily-water separator vessel compound gauge is showing an unusually deep vacuum for operating in the separation processing mode with the separator service pump running. The oil content is 8.3 ppm. What is most likely the cause? Illustration GS-0175
• Relationship between deep vacuum on a compound gauge and flow restriction on the suction side of a pump • How oil content of 8.3 ppm (well below 15 ppm) reflects on the separator’s actual separation performance • Flow path on the GS-0175 diagram: from bilge/holding tank, through strainer and suction piping, pump, separator vessel, then overboard
• On this diagram, trace the line from the bilge/holding tank all the way to the separator vessel. Which component, if restricted, would cause the pump to pull harder and create a deeper vacuum at the separator? • Would a leaking relief valve or a worn service pump normally cause more suction (deeper vacuum) or less suction (closer to zero) at the separator vessel? • Does a high level alarm in the bilge/holding tank tend to increase suction vacuum or simply indicate level/overflow conditions without changing suction pressure much?
• Verify which side of the pump the compound gauge is effectively sensing (suction conditions vs discharge/positive pressure). • Identify any strainers or filters on the suction line in the illustration and consider their effect if clogged. • Confirm that the low oil content (8.3 ppm) implies the separator is functioning and points toward a flow/suction issue rather than a separation-quality problem.
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