A system that cleans up oily water is the result of pioneering research by the UK's Vortoil Separation Systems Limited. The company, based at Gloucester, England, has been awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Environmental Achievement for developing its hydrocyclone separators - the most significant advance in liquid separation technology in the last 25 years.

Originally conceived as a small, high capacity separator for use in marine oil spills, Vortoil hydrocyclones are now widely used in offshore and onshore oil production facilities to treat large volumes of contaminated water produced from oil reservoirs or production processes. More than 270 installations operate throughout the world with Vortoil hydrocyclone separators.

One of the small, lightweight hydrocyclones being removed for inspection. Photograph by Derek Evans

The hydrocyclones operate by converting the Kinetic energy of flowing liquids into powerful centrifugal forces, resulting in almost instantaneous separation. Vortex action inside the tube causes lighter liquids to flow in the opposite direction to the denser liquid. Clean water and recovered oils exit at opposite ends of the unit.

On one North Sea platform, a unit containing 19 cyclone tubes is able to process about 200,000 barrels of produced water a day. The system helps to maintain production levels while at the same time limiting potential harm to the environment.

The de-oiling system is not restricted to use in oil and gas production and refining industries. Other potential applications are wide-ranging and include treatment of marine spills, food processing, as well as environmental and industrial processes.

Vortoil Separation Systems Limited