SKIMMINGS  February 2011 

In this Issue

• The 7 Deadly Sins of Oil Skimmer Selection
• Abanaki Oil Skimmers Provide Lowest-Cost Method for Groundwater Remediation
• How a Well Oil Skimmer Works for Groundwater Remediation – VIDEO
• APPLICATION SUPPORT: What’s your oily problem?
• Ask Skimmerman: Do you have a question about oil skimming?
• Follow Us on Twitter and Linkedin

The 7 Deadly Sins of Oil Skimmer Selection

1. Undersizing Your Skimmer
   • Purchasing a small or mini unit instead of an industrial size unit based on gallons-per-hour skimming capacity is not an effective way of selecting an oil skimmer.
   • Oil skimmers should be selected by the size of the area being skimmed, not just by the amount of oil needing to be skimmed.
   • You should purchase an oil skimmer that has the capacity to remove at least 2X’s the capacity needed by the application. Oil skimmer capacities are based on optimum conditions and homogeneity of oil. Viscosity, temperature of the water and other factors can affect the amount of oil picked up by an oil skimmer. It is impossible to accurately predict how fast your oil will be picked up. Therefore, as a rule of thumb, purchase an oil skimmer that is rated at least twice the capacity needed.
2. Improper Placement of Oil Skimmers
   • Be sure to plan your oil skimmer placement.
   • Don’t spend money for a concrete pad and mounting arrangements before checking where the oil actually collects.
   • Oil skimmers should be located opposite from the inflow and the tail pulley should be submerged two inches below the surface of the liquid to be most effective.
   • Using a tank that does not allow enough time for the oil to rise and float will also prevent effective oil skimming. Make sure your tank gives enough residence time for the oil to float.
3. Paying for a Complicated Solution
   • Simpler is better. Oil skimming often beats ultra-filtration systems in many applications.
   • Many times installing large, complicated systems to handle your oil problems will not provide the best results. Usually you can save costs by using a relatively inexpensive oil skimming system to handle the free-floating oil and then a smaller treatment system to handle the oil that has remained suspended in the wastewater.
   • Oil skimming costs less, is more effective, and is ecologically responsible.

Read this complete article.

Abanaki Oil Skimmers Provide Lowest-Cost Method for Groundwater Remediation

Abanaki Corporation offers a cost-effective way to remove hydrocarbon contamination from groundwater without pumps. Engineers in industrial settings have, for many years, valued oil skimmers as the lowest cost way to remove hydrocarbons from wastewater. Food processing plants, the metals industry, machining firms, and utilities have all used oil skimmers with great success for wastewater treatment. Recently, Abanaki has modified its products for remediation of groundwater. The oil skimmer’s ability to get into tight spaces and remove relatively large amounts of oils and other hydrocarbons lends itself perfectly to groundwater remediation. Read about Removing Oil from Groundwater

APPLICATION SUPPORT What’s your oily problem? E-mail the Abanaki Support Team for answers to your questions.

Ask Skimmerman, and your question will be answered in an e-mail message. Read below to see Skimmerman’s answers to other questions.

From Judd:

I am designing a car wash bay for a service station. The run-off from its operation will flow to an in-ground holding pit before being released to the city sewer system. The pit will be 12 x 20 x 6 dimensionally. I would like to specify an oil skimmer to remove the oils and greases. What model do you recommend?

Skimmerman answers:

An Oil Grabber Model 8 or Model 4 oil skimmer would be my recommendation depending on how much oil you will need to remove. The oil skimmer can be placed on the edge of the pit and the oil can be discharged into a 55 gallon drum or storage tote. The oil skimmers are able to remove 32 gph or 16 gph depending on the model you choose and are available in any voltage you may require.

From Kyle:

I am in need of an oil skimmer for an application I have. With so many choices out there, how do I determine which is the best oil skimmer for my particular application?

Skimmerman answers:

There are a few things to consider when choosing an oil skimmer for any application. The most important thing is to pick an oil skimmer that is suited for the size of the application and the correct belt type. The questions below will help narrow it down:

1. What is the size of the tank or sump you wish to skim from?

2. What is the type of oil you are looking to remove?

3. What amount of oil do you need to remove?

4. What is the point of access on the tank or sump?

From here you can either use our oil skimmer selection guide or call your Abanaki representative at (800) 358-SKIM to help point you in the right direction.

ABANAKI CORPORATIONOIL SKIMMER DIVISION17387 Munn Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 Phone (440) 543-7400 Toll Free (800) 358-SKIM E-mail skimmers@abanaki.com Fax (440) 543-7404Visit us on our website:https://www.abanaki.com

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