The tramp oil is the oil that floats on the surface of the machining or wash water tank and are generated through the use of metalworking equipment as well as in different processes. This oil can also be called sump oil, and it is problematic as it limits the effectiveness and the life of the coolant. It leads to costly equipment breakdowns and causes cutting tool wear if not removed from the coolant on a regular basis. Excessive amounts of tramp oil can lead to smoking, cause issues with coatings, coat cabinet windows, increase bacteria, increase fungus, and reduce coolant pH creating the production of acids which destroy the surfaces of metal parts on equipment.

Removing tramp oils can be done via several different processes. The most effective is a coalescing filter system that removes these oils from the coolant. A pump on the system pulls the liquid from the coolant tank of the equipment. This liquid goes into a reservoir on the separation system where the coalescing media removes droplets of surface oils as well as mechanically dispersed (beaten in) oils. There is also a bag filter that removes solids from the coolant. The removal of dirt and free oils from the reservoir creates a positive environment which increases coolant life, helps maintain pH, concentration, and bacteria levels.

The free oils that are skimmed from the surface have less than 1% water content, and they gravity drain to the customer’s holding container where they can be disposed of using the correct and approved disposal method.