Written By: Megan Wurm

Oil skimmers are not a new topic or technology but the Marcellus Shale formation and fracking are a hot topic. Many oil companies are mining this formation for natural gas. Typically where the debate comes in is what are they doing with the wastewater that is created from fracking? The wastewater from fracking contains chemicals, oil, gas, sand, and brine. Oil skimmers are providing a solution for the contaminated wastewater when it comes to the oil and gas. The oil skimmer works on the simple principles of specific gravity and breaking the surface tension of the water; as the oil skimmer breaks the surface tension oil is drawn to the belt. As this happens the oil can be collected from the fracking wastewater and sent for further treatment and then properly discharged or recycled from there. Oil skimmers are a helpful tool in dealing with wastewater applications and apply to many industries. See our full line of oil skimmers.