Oil Skimmer

An oil skimmer is a device designed to remove oil, grease, and other immiscible liquids (like fuels or lubricants) from the surface of water or other fluids. They exploit the difference in specific gravity between oil and water, as oil typically floats, allowing for its removal without significant water loss.

Types of Oil Skimmer

Belt Skimmers: Use an endless belt (made of oleophilic material like stainless steel, plastic, or elastomer) that dips into the fluid, attracts oil, and carries it up to scrapers that remove it into a collection tank.

Disc Skimmers: Similar principle to belt skimmers, but use rotating discs that partially submerge into the fluid.

Tube Skimmers: Use a floating, oleophilic tube that loops across the surface, attracting oil, and then passes through pinch rollers to squeeze the oil into a collection tank.

Weir Skimmers: Designed to collect oil from the surface by allowing a thin layer of oil and water to flow over a weir (adjustable opening) into a collection sump, where separation occurs. Often used in large bodies of water or sumps.

Mop Skimmers: Use an oleophilic rope or mop material that absorbs oil as it moves across the surface.

Drum Skimmers: Use a rotating drum to attract and collect oil.

Gravity Separators: While not strictly "skimmers" in the mechanical sense, they separate oil by gravity in a tank, often with a weir for oil removal.

Applications in Various Industries

Machining & Metalworking: Removing tramp oil (lubricants, coolants) from machine tool sumps, preventing coolant degradation, odor, and bacterial growth.

Wastewater Treatment: Removing oil from industrial wastewater, preventing discharge violations.

Oil & Gas Industry: Oil spill recovery, removing oil from produced water or tank farms.

Food Processing: Removing fats, oils, and greases (FOG) from processing water.

Car Washes: Removing oil and grease from wash water.

Stormwater Management: Removing oil from stormwater runoff.

Marine Industry: Removing oil from bilges or spills.

Technology: The core technology relies on the principle of specific gravity difference and/or oleophilicity (attraction to oil).

Mechanical Skimming: Physically lifting or attracting oil from the surface.

Collection & Separation: Collecting the skimmed oil into a reservoir for gravity separation from any co-collected water.

Motorization: Electric motors drive the belts, discs, or tubes.

Adjustability: Many skimmers are adjustable to accommodate varying fluid levels.

Material Selection Considerations

Skimming Medium (Belt, Disc, Tube, Mop):

• Stainless Steel (304, 316): Common for belts and discs due to excellent corrosion resistance, durability, and oleophilicity.
• Polyurethane, PVC, Neoprene, Other Elastomers: For belts, tubes, and mops, chosen for their oleophilicity (oil attraction), flexibility, and chemical resistance to oils and coolants.

Housing/Frame:

• Stainless Steel (SUS304, SUS316): Essential for parts exposed to water, oil, and potentially corrosive chemicals, ensuring durability and corrosion resistance.
• Aluminum: For lightweight or portable units.
• Powder-Coated Steel: For general industrial use where exposure is less severe.
• Collection Trough/Scrapers: Stainless steel or chemically resistant plastics (e.g., HDPE, PVC) for collecting the skimmed oil. Scrapers are often made of rubber, UHMW-PE, or polyurethane for wear resistance and effective oil removal.
• Motors: IP-rated electric motors for protection in wet or oily environments.
• Pumps (for Weir skimmers): Submersible pumps often with stainless steel or corrosion-resistant plastic housings.
• Floats (for floating skimmers): HDPE, PVC, or other buoyant, oil-resistant plastics.