ESL lamella separators
Effective Solutions for Treating Municipal, Road, and Industrial Sewage
ESL lamella separators are devices whose design enables the separation and storage of petroleum substances
If your operation covers large and very large areas, from which stormwater drains, the Ecol-Unicon lamella separator is the best choice. Thanks to its design, you can effectively separate and store petroleum products, ensuring environmental protection and compliance with applicable standards.
Benefits of use
safety – no risk of flushing out petroleum products during maximum flow
simple connection to the sewage network
no bypasses – flow does not bypass the cleaning system
energy efficiency – Ecol-Unicon separators use a small amount of energy
high efficiency – lamella separators can separate many types of pollutants (including liquids, solids, and precipitates)
smaller size compared to traditional separators, making them suitable for limited spaces
ability to place the separator at various depths depending on catchment and receiver conditions
Application
Recommended applications for lamella separators include:
- outlets of urban stormwater collectors
- large car parks and manoeuvring areas
- industrial plants and areas
- logistics centres
- airports
- roads and motorways
- car washes
The installation of petroleum products separators in stormwater sewer networks aims to clean stormwater of pollutants, such as those from urban traffic, streets, and industrial areas.
Lamella separators are the best choice if you are responsible for water and sewage management in areas characterised by varied sewage flow loads and pollution levels (suspended solids, petroleum products, etc.). They are selected based on nominal and/or maximum flow. Importantly, the maximum flow arriving at the lamella separator entirely passes through the cleaning part, thereby providing a safe hydraulic load for the device and the pollutants it collects.
The cleaning of rainwater from petroleum products is a legal requirement, as stated in the Regulation of the Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation of 12 July 2019 (Journal of Laws of 2019, item 1311) regarding substances particularly harmful to the aquatic environment and conditions to be met when discharging stormwater and sewage into waters or water facilities. According to the regulations, rainwater must be cleaned from petroleum products if their concentration exceeds 15 mg/l.
Types of lamella separators
For complete water protection, the separator should be supplemented with a settling tank, which can function as a standalone device or be integrated with the lamella separator.
The second solution is particularly recommended in highly urbanised areas, as it requires less space for the cleaning installation, while still ensuring a high level of cleaning of petroleum products and suspended solids.
This solution can be implemented in several variants:
Pre-treatment System
Selection Calculator
Dimensioning for rainwater and industrial wastewater according to EN 858-2
WaterFolder Platform
A dedicated separator calculator automatically selects a device with the right parameters. It is entirely based on the data you input into the tool.
Independent calculation saves time. You are immediately able to select optimal solutions without having to wait for feedback.
For more information on the selection of separators, see the video from our recent Projektowanie Na Śniadanie webinar (Breakfast with Design webinar).
CalculateFind out how to select pre-treatment systems in a few steps
Additional configuration elements
Configuration of lamella packages
It is possible to configure lamella packages in retention tanks adapted to any flow size.
Settling tank installation
To increase the efficiency of the separator, a settling tank is installed before it, which cleans the sewage of suspended solids. The settling tank can be a separate device or be integrated with the lamella separator.
Automation of maintenance and conservation processes
The separator can be connected to sample collection devices. Additionally, Ecol-Unicon separators are equipped with monitoring and control systems that prevent mechanical damage and contamination.
Construction and installation
The interior of lamella separators consists of partitions creating three chambers: inflow, separation, and outflow.
Lamella packages used in the separators are removable elements, equipped with handles that allow them to be pulled out of the device, significantly facilitating service and operational activities. The outflow chamber is equipped with a closure to prevent overflow from the separation chamber in the event of stormwater back-up in the device. Thus, there is no possibility of washing out the accumulated pollutants to the outflow.
If the settling tank is integrated with the lamella separator (ESL-ZH), the sediment part is located below the lamella packages.
Lamella separators have a sealed concrete body (Ø1000–3000 wells or a designated retention tank chamber), usually not requiring additional ballasting.
Depending on the separator’s location, cast iron or cast iron-concrete manholes are used. To adjust the separator cover position to the ground level, an additional superstructure made of concrete rings matching the diameter of the body is used. In cases of deep sewer installation, a reduction plate and a column made of Dw=1000 rings can be applied. The inlet and outlet are typically positioned along the separator’s axis. However, it’s possible to offset the inlet and outlet axes and to connect multiple inlets.
The separator body can also be made of HDPE.
Separators should be fed by gravity flow. If pumping of sewage is necessary, a pumping station should be located after the separator. The placement of the separator in the field must allow access for a sludge truck.
Operating method
Polluted waters in the stormwater sewer system enter the separator through the inlet chamber. Its design allows for calming the flow and simultaneously directing the sewage stream.
The separation of pollutants occurs during the multi-layer flow of waters through the lamella packages. The cleaned sewage then moves to the outflow chamber, equipped with a closure to prevent overflow from the separation chamber.
Additionally, the technology used for separating petroleum products enables the retention of easily settling suspensions accumulated at the bottom of the separation chamber.
Operation
Regular inspections are crucial for maintaining the efficiency and functionality of the device over the years. Through them, potential problems can be avoided, ensuring that the device operates without failures. Moreover, regular inspections help meet all requirements and regulations, which is essential for ensuring safety and compliance with applicable laws.
The operation of lamella separators is trouble-free, mainly because cleaning the separator can be done from the ground level and does not require entering the device.
To reduce operational costs and improve environmental safety, it is possible to connect an alarm system to the separator, equipped with sediment, oil, and overflow level sensors. Continuous monitoring of the device’s operation minimises the need for local control of facilities and shortens the response time of technical services in case of a malfunction.
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