Oil skimmers operate on the differences in surface tension and specific gravity between oil and water. Driven by a motor, an oleophilic skimming media travels through the oily wastewater, attracting oils, which are then carried back to a set of wiper blades. The wiper blades scrape off the oil for collection and disposal, and the skimming media continues to cycle through the wastewater. Because skimmers operate continuously, they can remove fats, oils, and greases from waste water very efficiently.

Industrial wastewater is a term for water or other liquid byproducts that are generated as a result of regular manufacturing or industrial processes. Wastewater must be treated and managed according to local and federal regulations prior to disposal. It often contains varying levels of contaminants like oils, bacteria, chemicals, and sediments.

In wastewater, free floating oil is oil that has risen to the top of the tank, pit, or sump that the water rests in. Free floating oil can easily be collected by an oil skimmer.

Oil skimmers can be mounted on or around a variety of wastewater holding areas, including pits, tanks, and sumps. The units should be mounted where free floating oil collects naturally. It is important to note that oil skimmers should only be run when oil collects on the surface of the fluid being skimmed; if the skimmer is run when there is little to no oil present, it is likely to pick up the fluid being skimmed. Running the skimmer when it does not need to be in operation can also contribute to a shorter lifetime on the unit and its components.

Yes, oil skimming can reduce wastewater disposal costs on the principle that skimmed wastewater has lower contingent liabilities than does oil laden wastewater. Post oil skimming, the oil is also a separate byproduct and can be recycled or disposed of on its own.

Yes, oil skimmers can operate in harsh chemical environments with the right equipment. All skimmers have a moving medium and other parts that may be submerged in the liquid being skimmed. This means that when a skimmer is needed to operate in a harsh industrial environment, it is especially important to pick the right skimming media, wiper blades, stabilizer bars, etc. to ensure that the equipment is not going to be degraded prematurely.

Supporting equipment can include explosion proof or air driven motors and controls in applications that involve flammable materials or explosive vapors. If the skimmer will be operating in low temperatures, a heating element may be necessary to keep oil in an ambient, free-flowing state.

Yes, oil skimming can help facilities meet wastewater discharge regulation requirements because the process removes free-floating oils before wastewater is processed further. This lowers the concentration of contaminants in the water and eases the processing load on downstream filtration equipment.

Continuous oil removal at the source of contamination can significantly improve downstream treatment performance. Oil skimming lowers the risk of oil-related biological treatment issues, reduces dependence on temporary oil containment methods, and lowers the risk of oil loading on treatment equipment.

Skimming wastewater is beneficial across a variety of industries, including steel mills, food processing, paper mills, and more. Oil skimming is often referred to as a first line of defense in wastewater treatment because it manages oil contamination at the source.