An environmental engineering firm was given the task of finding a cost-effective to solution to removing heavy gear oil and quench oil from the subsurface of an automotive manufacturing facility. Additionally, the firm needed to find a solution that did not need constant supervision and required as little maintenance and down time as possible. After mulling over a series of options, the US firm decided to use Abanaki’s PetroXtractor to complete the task.

The Abanaki PetroXtractor is a dependable and cost effective means of removing oil, fuel, and other floating hydrocarbons from water where access to the fluid surface is limited. It acts efficiently as remediation equipment for groundwater contaminated by hydrocarbons, using existing recovery and monitoring wells. Often, the PetroXtractor Well Oil Skimmer working alone will reduce oil or fuel content to an acceptable E.P.A. level. Models are available for two inch, four inch, and six inch or larger ID well casings, with removal rates up to 12 gph. (based on SEA 30 motor oil). Depths of 100 feet or more can be accommodated without the use of pumps. Additionally, the PetroXtractor can be fitted with a timer so that maintenance workers will not need to manually start/stop it.

Two Abanaki oil skimmers were installed as replacements for passive recovery systems that had been in operation at the site’s recovery wells. The PetroXtractors not only automated the recovery, but also added the advantage cost-effective efficiency in comparison to the labor-intensive passive recovery system operation. Installation of the two units, including setup and adjustments, was completed in approximately four hours time, which helped to minimize overall project costs.

“During a preliminary test at one of the wells, the PetroXtractor recovered three-and-a-half gallons during a three hour period,” a contact from the firm reported, “the previously operated passive, bailer-type recovery system promoted recovery of only two gallons per day. The PetroXtractor Groundwater Remediation System promotes efficient product recovery for sites where cost considerations and the necessity for automated recovery are critical design elements.”