How to Identify Wright-Austin Gas/Liquid Separators

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Customers often need performance or maintenance information for an existing Wright-Austin separator — for routine inspection, application changes, or to duplicate a system. This page explains how to identify most units. If design criteria (flow, gas, pressure, temperature, liquid load) have changed, the separator should be re-evaluated.

History of Wright-Austin

Wright-Austin was established in 1894 in Detroit, Michigan. In 1996 it was acquired by Hayward Filtration. Manufacturing moved to New Jersey and key personnel trained Hayward staff. Nine years later Hayward sold the alloy filtration and separator line to Eaton Hydraulics, Filtration Division.

Records Availability

• Eaton-era units — usually easy to look up by serial number; design data is typically on the drawing.
• Hayward-era units — database files were not fully transferred; records are harder to obtain.
• Original Michigan-built units — mostly on microfiche stored off-site; retrieval is often possible but may take one or more weeks.

Field Identification

When the nameplate is missing or covered by insulation, use the following steps:

1. Method and Material of Construction

If the separator is on a 5" or smaller pipeline and is a casting, it is very likely a standard cast iron Type T. Compare key dimensions to the cast Type T drawings to confirm size and performance. If not a casting, note material and overall design.

2. Design or “Type”

There are two basic configurations:

• Horizontal barrel style — can be installed in horizontal, vertical, or mixed piping
• T style — must be installed in a horizontal pipe run

Fabricated units are often customized (reduced nozzles, extra ports, inspection openings, corrosion allowance). When standard drawing dimensions do not match, note which dimensions differ — usually inlet-to-outlet length and body diameter.

3. National Board / ASME Registration

ASME code-stamped separators are registered with the National Board. The registration report typically includes:

• Manufacturer, type, serial number, drawing number, year built
• Length & diameter, material, wall thickness
• Max/min temperature and pressure
• NDT results and description of all ports/nozzles

You can contact the National Board to purchase a copy. Provide the original manufacturer name and National Board number (or serial number and year built if the NB number is unknown).

If the nameplate is missing and no documentation exists, rely on construction method and shape (steps 1 and 2).

Troubleshooting Performance

Non-coalescing centrifugal separators remove droplets and particles >10 microns at 99% efficiency. They have no internal parts to service and are considered self-cleaning and maintenance-free.

• If process conditions and downstream liquid levels are unchanged, the unit is likely fine.
• If the separator sat idle with residual liquid, inspect through the nozzles and consider ultrasonic wall-thickness checks for corrosion.
• If more liquid is appearing downstream, first verify that flow rate or liquid load has not increased, then check the float drain trap or drain valve for proper operation (a failed trap can allow re-entrainment).