Oil Skimmer Blog

Abanaki oil skimmers have been at work in mines around the world for decades. Typically located in remote areas, wastewater treatment facilities are often not available, so water must be reused onsite. Oil skimming cost-effectively removes oil from wash bays so that the water can either evaporate or can be reused.

When washing large equipment, diesel, oil, and grease, along with mud and debris get rinsed into a sump. Abanaki has three solutions that can be used in this situation: the Oil Grabber Model 4, Portable Tote-It, and the Oil Viper tube skimmer.

The Oil Grabber Model 4 is the most commonly used solution at mines. Its heavy-duty construction withstands the harsh environment inherent to the industry. Specially designed belts can collect all of the oil products present in the wash bay, and coupled with the optional Oil Concentrator, they effectively remove the oil without picking up much water.

The Portable Tote-It works well in smaller wash bays or in other parts of the mine where water and oil are present. As with the rest of Abanaki’s product line, it is available in stainless steel, which resists the strong chemicals that can be present at a mine. Two sizes are available based on belt width: 2″ and 4″.

Abanaki’s Oil Viper tube skimmer has a small footprint, but large recovery rate. The tube “snakes” around the pit and can collect oils and greases with ease. It works very well in shallow sumps or confined spaces.

Oil skimming can reduce the amount of labor needed to keep wash bays clean by mechanically removing the oil. Unlike socks or hand-held skimmers, Abanaki’s equipment is able to run continuously or on a timer to eliminate the need for manual labor. Wash bays are typically small and located near the mining pit and would not merit a large, expensive water filtration system. Oil skimmers are an economical way to remove the oil.

To find out which of our skimmers would suit your application the best, please contact our experts at 440-543-7400, or click the button below to get our Webinar: How to Successfully Implement Oil Skimmers

There are over 25,000 plating companies in the USA operating under challenging manufacturing conditions. Facing high temperatures, abrasives, extreme pH and chemicals in parts washers and holding tanks, effective oil skimming seems like a nearly hopeless task.

Some companies know a solution. A select group of plating companies and metal finishers across the country are extending the life of their parts washer and eliminating recontamination of their parts.   These companies recognized that removing oil from their parts washers and holding tanks would enhance manufacturing efficiencies and provide cost-savings. They found the solution with the trusted the leader in oil skimming over the past 70 years — Abanaki Corporation.   

By working with the oil skimming experts at Abanaki, each of these customers have been able to determine the most appropriate skimmer for their own specific application — the Mighty-Mini, the Tote-It, the Model 4 and the Model 8.

And, rest assured, when all of the other plating companies and metal finishers are ready to address their “hopeless” manufacturing conditions, they'll dial Abanaki Corporation at 440-543-7400 to find their solution.

To find out which of our skimmers would suit your application the best, click the button below to get our E-Book guide.

Our belt oil skimmers are used in industrial wastewater treatment applications quite frequently. An international manufacturer in the power transmission industry has been using our Model 4 belt oil skimmer as part of its manufacturing process for more than 2 years . The facility utilizes a poly belt on the Model 4 that is used in the parts washer, and it runs at roughly 140°F. The skimmer runs 8 hours a day and efficiently skims the oil out of the parts washer and helps to eliminate the company’s disposal costs. After more than 2 years of consecutive operation, the plant operators are just now replacing the poly belt and wiper blades.

There are many reasons why so many facilities use the Model 4 oil skimmer as part of their industrial wastewater treatment. The Model 4 oil skimmer is designed to last for many years. With the proper configuration it can handle liquid temperatures up to 212°F, and the pH of the fluid can range from 3 to 13. Belts are specifically selected for your application (see Belt Selection page). The skimmer drive includes an oil filled gear reducer with bronze gears and ball bearings. The motor, reducer, and powder coated finish of the weldments give the Model 4 exceptionally long life, even under the harshest conditions.

Recently, one of our sales team attended CARS Complete Automotive Recycling and Secondary Materials show. Focused on the waste and oil byproducts from old cars, Abanaki made a strong impression with their oil skimmers.