An oil stop valve is a passive device installed in a drain or outfall that lets rainwater through and shuts the flow off when hydrocarbons arrive. The HFF Oil Stop Valve from Basic Concepts Inc., distributed in Canada by ERE, does this with oil-solidifying polymers instead of floats, sensors or power.
What is an oil stop valve, and how is it different from a heating-oil shut-off valve?
On a site drainage system, an oil stop valve is a hydrocarbon-activated shut-off placed in the water path; it is a different product from the Firematic or fusible-link valves used on heating-oil lines. A heating-oil valve closes a fuel line when it senses fire or a line break. A drainage oil stop valve protects a storm drain, vault or outfall from a release by closing the water path itself.
Because both products share a name, search results for "oil stop valve" mix the two. If your goal is to keep a spill from leaving a substation, tank farm or retention pond, you are looking at the second kind.
How does the HFF polymer shut-off work?
The HFF is a perforated plastic casing filled with BCI oil-solidifying polymers, a proprietary blend of USDA food-grade polymers. Water passes through the casing; hydrocarbons are captured by the polymers, and a large release makes the unit shut off the flow.
- Normal rain flow: water flows through and the polymers capture sheen, gasoline, transmission oil, diesel, refined oils and most volatile organic compounds.
- Drips and drops: the polymers solidify gradually, which lowers the flow rate but does not shut the unit off.
- A spill: the unit shuts off and backs water up into the containment area, holding the hydrocarbon where it can be cleaned up.
The manufacturer states that the HFF filters organic hydrocarbons to under 5 ppm, with most output at non-detectable levels. Treat that as a manufacturer figure for the stated product, and confirm discharge limits with your own permit.
Where is an oil stop valve installed?
It goes at the last point where water leaves a hydrocarbon-risk area. The manufacturer lists these applications:
- Storm drains and storm water run-off
- Electrical substations and secondary containment vaults
- Retention pond out-flows
- Oil-water separator out-falls
- Bulk storage tank farm rain water out-falls
- Portable spill containment berms
- Contaminated cooling tower water
For substations, the usual reference is IEEE 980, the guide for containment and control of oil spills in substations, which covers sources of spills, typical containment designs and the preparation of a spill prevention plan. The manufacturer designs each HFF for a site-specific application and states it can be used to help meet SPCC and IEEE 980 requirements.
Which HFF size matches your flow?
Pick the model whose published flow rate covers the outfall, then confirm it against the pipe layout. The manufacturer publishes a horizontal and a vertical flow rate for each part number; L/min below is converted from GPM.
| Part number | Horizontal flow | Vertical flow |
|---|---|---|
| BCI-HFF1.5X10M | 6.5 GPM (about 25 L/min) | 7.5 GPM (about 28 L/min) |
| BCI-HFF4X12M | 10.8 GPM (about 41 L/min) | 11 GPM (about 42 L/min) |
| BCI-HFF4X24M | 17.07 GPM (about 65 L/min) | 17.8 GPM (about 67 L/min) |
| BCI-HFF6X24M | 40 GPM (about 151 L/min) | 50 GPM (about 189 L/min) |
| BCI-HFF14X24M | 100 GPM (about 379 L/min) | 100 GPM (about 379 L/min) |
The product photos show single-unit and multi-port vault installations; browse the Hydrocarbon Recovery collection for related products. Pricing is by quote, not listed online.
What maintenance does an HFF need?
Mostly the pre-filter. Every HFF must have a reusable pre-filter, and the manufacturer says a unit that is not flowing properly can usually be traced to a dirty pre-filter. Put it on a preventive schedule set by how much silt, dirt and debris the outfall sees.
- Detach the adapter from the coupling and pull the pre-filter out.
- Turn the pre-filter inside out to remove debris.
- Rinse it with a standard hose at 10 to 15 PSI.
- Inspect it for holes or cracks and swap in a spare if it is damaged.
- While it is out, check the inside of the HFF and back flush it if debris or sediment has built up.
- Reassemble and return the unit to service.
What happens after oil reaches the unit, and how is it disposed of?
Do not remove the HFF until the spill is fully cleaned up, and replace it afterwards. Back flushing does not remove solidified hydrocarbons, and flow stays reduced in proportion to the amount that has solidified, so keep spare units on site. The manufacturer says solidified product can in most cases go to a municipal waste landfill, subject to local, provincial and federal rules; confirm with your waste hauler and regulator before you dispose of a used unit.
Which rules apply to a Canadian site?
It depends on who regulates the site. The HFF literature cites SPCC, the US EPA Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure rule, which matters for cross-border operators and as a design reference. In Canada, the federal Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations cover tank systems on federal and Aboriginal lands, while most other sites are governed by provincial rules and the site's own discharge permit. An oil stop valve is one control inside that plan, not a compliance certificate on its own.
When is an oil stop valve the wrong tool?
When oily water is a continuous stream rather than an occasional release. A wash bay, a fleet yard or a process line needs a separator, not an outfall shut-off; see the oil water separator guide and the separator maintenance guide. For floating oil on a well, sump or tank, see the oil skimmer comparison. For small releases on a floor or yard, a spill kit is the first response. The HFF sits downstream of all of these as the last line before the discharge point.
Need an oil stop valve for an outfall or substation?
ERE Inc. has been a Canadian environmental equipment specialist for 30+ years. Send us your flow rate and outfall layout and we will confirm the HFF model.
→ Request a Quote | 1-888-287-EREC | Browse Hydrocarbon Recovery | sales@ereinc.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an oil stop valve the same as a heating-oil shut-off valve?
No. A heating-oil shut-off (a Firematic or fusible-link valve) closes a fuel line when a fire or a broken line is detected. An oil stop valve for site drainage sits in a water outfall and shuts off the water path itself when hydrocarbons arrive. Search results for the term mix both, so check the application before you compare products.
Does the HFF shut off for a small drip or sheen?
No. Per the manufacturer's maintenance sheet, drips and drops cause the polymers to solidify slowly over time, which reduces flow, but they do not shut the unit off. A full shut-off happens during a hydrocarbon spill, when the unit backs water up into the containment area.
Can you clean an HFF after oil exposure?
Back flushing removes silt and debris, not solidified hydrocarbons. Once an HFF holds solidified oil its flow rate stays reduced in proportion to the amount captured, so the unit is replaced rather than cleaned, and spare units should be kept on site.
Does an oil stop valve replace an oil-water separator?
No. A separator treats continuous oily process or wash water; an oil stop valve protects an outfall from an occasional release. They are often used together, with the valve as the last line at the discharge point.
What size HFF do I need?
Size by the flow the outfall must pass, using the published horizontal or vertical flow rate for each part number, from 6.5 GPM up to 100 GPM. ERE confirms the model against your outfall layout when you request a quote.
Related articles
- Oil Water Separators: The Complete Industrial Guide
- Oil Water Separator Maintenance Guide
- Industrial Oil Skimmers: 5 Types Compared
- Spill Kit Guide for Canadian Sites
Lire en français : Vanne d'arrêt d'hydrocarbures : fonctionnement du système à polymère et installation au Canada