Choosing the right oil skimmer tailored to your specific application is crucial for maximizing oil removal efficiency while minimizing capital and operational costs. Key factors such as the impoundment capacity, shape, and strategic placement of the tank and water impoundment play pivotal roles in determining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of your chosen oil skimmer.

A larger impoundment capacity allows for better management of oil-contaminated water, reducing maintenance frequency and operational interruptions. Tanks with smooth shapes and minimal internal obstructions facilitate efficient oil collection, enhancing skimmer performance and minimizing the risk of oil buildup. Strategic placement of the skimmer within your facility optimizes its efficiency by targeting areas where oil accumulates most. By considering these factors carefully, you can select an oil skimmer that not only meets your immediate needs but also contributes to long-term cost savings and operational efficiency.

Tank Size/Design

The size and design of your tank or sump play a pivotal role in ensuring efficient oil removal. It is essential that oil in the water is given the opportunity to separate naturally. Here are some key points to consider:

• Separation Opportunities: Oil and water can emulsify when subjected to turbulence and other mechanical agitation, making separation more challenging. To mitigate this, ensure that water returns to the tank below the liquid surface at the lowest possible velocity. This practice minimizes agitation and encourages natural separation.
• Quiet Areas and Weirs: Incorporating quiet areas and weirs within the tank allows oil and water to separate more effectively. These features reduce turbulence and provide a calm environment for oil to rise to the surface.
• Sufficient Volume: Ensure your tank or sump has adequate volume to allow for proper oil/water separation. The larger the volume, the more time oil has to separate from water, making the skimming process more efficient.

Tank Shape

The shape of your tank can significantly influence the efficiency of oil skimming. Tanks with complex shapes can create challenges in oil collection. Here’s what you should consider:

• Avoid Nooks and Crannies: Tanks without nooks and crannies are ideal, as these can trap oil and hinder the skimming process. If you have an irregularly shaped tank, position the oil skimmer where the largest amount of oil accumulates naturally.
• Oil Directing Mechanisms: Consider using mechanisms such as floating booms or baffle plates to direct oil towards the skimmer. These devices help channel oil to the collection point, improving the efficiency of the skimming process.

Tank Location/Installation

The physical location and installation of the oil skimmer are critical factors that affect its performance and ease of maintenance. Address the following questions to ensure optimal placement and functionality:

• Pumping Requirements: Determine if the skimmed oil needs to be pumped from the oil skimmer to the container. This consideration will influence the type of skimmer and additional equipment you may need.
• Maintenance Access: Ensure that the oil skimmer can be easily accessed for periodic maintenance. Difficulty in accessing the skimmer can lead to neglect and reduced efficiency over time.
• Mounting Space: Evaluate the available mounting space for the oil skimmer. Limited space can restrict your options, so it's crucial to measure and plan accordingly.
• Tank/Container Modifications: Assess whether any modifications to the tank or container are required to accommodate the oil skimmer. These modifications might include installing mounting brackets, adding baffle plates, or creating access points for maintenance.

By carefully considering the size/design, shape, and location/installation of your tank and oil skimmer, you can significantly enhance the efficiency of oil removal from your water systems. This approach not only helps in reducing operational costs but also ensures a cleaner and more environmentally friendly process. Remember, the right oil skimmer tailored to your specific application is an investment in both efficiency and sustainability.

To learn more about oil skimmers, please contact our experts at 440-543-7400 or visit our website: www.abanaki.com

You are just one step away from downloading Abanaki's most detailed resource on our oil skimming equipment. Simply click at the button to get your ultimate guide now.

The location, shape, and capacity of a tank or water impoundment are major factors in choosing the right oil skimmer. Also consider fluctuations in water level, turbulence and possible emulsions. Although oil skimmers do not cause emulsions, they can have trouble removing certain types.

Size/Design

Oil and water can emulsify when subjected to turbulence and other mechanical agitation. Avoid this by having water return to the tank below the liquid surface at as low a velocity as practical. Make sure your tank or sump provides quiet areas, weirs, and sufficient volume to allow adequate time for oil/water separation.

Shape

Tanks without nooks and crannies for oil to accumulate in are best. If you have an irregular shape, put the oil skimmer where the largest amount of oil accumulates. Consider a means of directing oil towards the oil skimmer such as a floating boom or baffle plate.

Location/Installation

The physical location and characteristics of the tank and collection container are important. Does skimmed oil need to be pumped from the oil skimmer to the container? Will oil skimmer access for periodic maintenance be a problem? How much mounting space is available? Are tank or container modifications required? Cheap oil skimming systems quickly lose appeal when costs for additional components, increased maintenance and expensive tank modifications are involved.

To learn more about oil skimmers, please contact our experts at 440-543-7400 or visit our website: www.abanaki.com

Abanaki Model 8 Belt Skimmer in Operation

Choosing an oil skimmer best suited for your application will maximize oil removal while minimizing initial outlay and oil skimming operation costs.

How much skimmer capacity do you need? 

Capacity should be based on the maximum amount of oil to be removed within the shortest available time. For instance, total oil influx may be 200 gallons in a 24-hour period, which averages about 8.3 gallons per hour. But if most of it comes during a single eight-hour plant shift, you will probably need a removal rate that is three times as high, especially if you are trying to prevent an unwanted discharge of contaminated water to a sewer system. As a rule-of-thumb, specify approximately twice the maximum capacity you anticipate needing for normal conditions.

What do the capacity ratings mean?
Oil skimmers usually have an oil removal rate expressed in gallons per hour. The rate varies with oil viscosity, so Abanaki rates skimmers using SAE 30 weight motor oil at 65°F (18°C). It is very important to ask the manufacturer what they are basing their capacities on and get an exact SAE weight or viscosity.  Beware of generalities like ‘a medium-weight oil.’

Will there be water in the skimmed oil?
All oil skimmers pick up some water with the oil they remove. Some designs, particularly suction skimmers, pick up more water than others. High water content increases oil recycling and disposal costs. Generally, the ratio of water-to-oil decreases with thicker films of floating oil and slower moving pick-up media. An Oil Concentrator® or decanter installed at the oil skimmer discharge port provides secondary oil/ water separation that can reduce water content to nearly zero.

How much oil will be left in the tank?
An oil skimmer continues to remove oils as long as there are oils present. Depending on oil influx rate and the oil skimmer's removal rate, residual oil in the water may be as low as a few parts per million. When residual oil reaches this level and further reduction is required, it may be more practical to use a secondary removal method following skimming, such as membrane filtration.

What do I sacrifice if I choose a portable oil skimmer?
Oil skimmer portability is a plus in some applications. For example, in plants, mobile equipment service shops, and at remediation sites, a portable oil skimmer can sometimes service multiple machines, sumps, or wells. Portable units usually have a lower removal capacity than stationary units.  Also, when you move an oil skimmer it can be dripping water or oil when you remove it, so having a few rags on hand is a good idea.

If you need any help choosing the right oil skimmer, our experts are ready to help.  Give us a call at (440)543-7400 to learn more about choosing the oil skimmer best-suited for your application, or just click below.

Choosing an oil skimmer best suited for your application will maximize oil removal while minimizing capital and operational costs. The impoundment capacity, shape, and location of a tank and water impoundment are major factors in choosing the right oil skimmer to lower your costs.

1. Size/Design:
   It is critical that oil in the water is given the opportunity to separate. Oil and water can emulsify when subjected to turbulence and other mechanical agitation. Avoid this by having water return to the tank below the liquid surface at as low a velocity as practical. Make sure your tank or sump provides quiet areas, weirs, and sufficient volume to allow adequate time for oil/water separation.
   
2. Shape:
   Tanks without nooks and crannies for oil to get stuck in are best. If you have an irregular shape, put the oil skimmer where the largest amount of oil accumulates. Consider a means of directing oil towards the oil skimmer such as a floating boom or baffle plate.
3. Location/Installation:
   The physical location and characteristics of the tank and collection container are important and it is vital to ask the right questions such as:
   • Does skimmed oil need to be pumped from the oil skimmer to the container?
   • Will oil skimmer access for periodic maintenance be a problem?
   • How much mounting space is available?
   • Are tank or container modifications required?

If you need any help choosing the right to put a skimmer, our experts are ready to help.  Give us a call at 1-440543-7400 or to learn more about which skimmers work better in specific tanks or sumps, click below.