Apparatus for detecting proportion of oil in oil/water mixtures

Apparatus to detect presence of oil above a pre-determined proportion in water comprising separator means having output means with separate receiving compartments for the respective liquids, said separator means adapted for connection to a source of a mixture of such liquids and operable to transfer such mixture therefrom to said output means at a first substantially constant volumetric rate while separating the oil from the water for discharge thereof into their respective receiving compartments, rate responsive measurement means operatively associated with the receiving compartment for the oil, calibrated in relation to such first volumetric rate and operable during such transfer to detect and respond to rate of arrival of such separated oil in such latter receiving compartment exceeding a predetermined fraction of said first volumetric rate, said measurement means comprising pump means operable to transfer oil from said receiving compartment for the oil at a second substantially constant volumetric rate, a predetermined fraction of said first volumetric rate, and associated detector means operable to detect the condition of volumetric rate of separated oil entering said latter receiving compartment exceeding said second volumetric rate by sensing oil in said latter receiving compartment rising above a predetermined upper level therein during operation of said pump means, and energizing circuit means for such pump means including first switch means operable to initiate operation of said pump means in response to level of oil in said latter receiving compartment rising above a predetermined second level, below said upper level, and second switch means operable to terminate operation of said pump means in response to level of oil in said latter receiving compartment dropping below a predetermined third level, below said second level.