FRIESS industrial oil separators remove floating, tramp and emulsified oils from cutting fluids, wash liquids, degreasing baths and industrial wastewater. They are suitable for machine-tool coolant systems, washing tanks, degreasing tanks and industrial recirculation systems.
Does the oil in your process fluid remain dispersed or emulsified instead of floating to the surface? This is common in washing and degreasing processes, where high circulation rates or immersion processes create strong turbulence in the wash water.
An oil skimmer cannot solve this problem. An oil separator is required because it first calms the fluid in a bypass stream, allowing the phases to separate.
The Skimmtelligent calms the bypass flow, allowing heavier particles to settle at the bottom while oil droplets rise to the surface. To improve oil–liquid separation, coalescing media combines fine oil droplets into larger droplets, increasing their buoyancy. The rising oil is retained by a baffle, while the cleaned liquid flows beneath the baffle and returns to the process tank.
Conventional separators often remove oil by overflow, for example across a separation weir. This method can be less reliable and more prone to operating errors. The FRIESS Skimmtelligent therefore also incorporates a FRIESS 1U tube skimmer, which continuously and reliably discharges the separated oil.
A compact bypass unit for separating oil that does not readily rise to the surface.
An industrial oil-separation system using proven FRIESS skimming technology.
Coalescence separation for efficient removal of oil from wash and degreasing liquids.
For individual tanks and small-to-medium flow rates, with a V-shaped sludge discharge for easy removal of settled solids.
For large central tanks, multi-compartment tanks and industrial circulation systems; multiple floating suction devices continuously recover oil-bearing surface liquid from different areas.
An oil separator works by using the density difference between a light liquid, such as mineral oil or gasoline, and another medium, such as wash water.
A positive-displacement pump transfers the oil-contaminated liquid from the on-site tank into the Skimmtelligent oil separator. Buoyancy causes the tramp oil to collect at the surface, where it can be separated from the process fluid.
The FRIESS Skimmtelligent oil separator calms the water in a bypass stream. Fine oil droplets that may be partially emulsified can then stabilize, rise to the surface and be removed.
A coalescing separator further improves oil-water separation. Coalescence reunites dispersed droplets, allowing very small oil particles to combine and rise more readily.
At the surface, the separated light liquid is collected and removed by an integrated tube skimmer. This prevents excessive oil from accumulating in the separator and being carried back into the process stream.
Heavier solids settle in the inlet section. If metallic contaminants are present, an optional FRIESS magnetic filter can be integrated.
The FRIESS Skimmtelligent oil separator is mobile and can serve several machines in sequence, keeping multiple systems free of tramp oil.
Article Navigation
Light-liquid separators are manufactured in accordance with standards such as DIN 1999-100/101 and DIN EN 858-1/2, but are mainly used for oily wastewater treatment and surface drainage.
FRIESS oil-separation systems cover a wider range of applications. They separate oil and water even where the oil does not separate naturally. Conventional separators rely mainly on calming the liquid, while industrial oil separators usually add coalescing elements for faster and more efficient phase separation.
Another advantage of industrial oil separators is their suitability for corrosive media, including liquids with low or high pH values.
During metal machining, tramp oil enters cutting fluids and coolants. If it floats on the coolant tank surface, it can be removed with an oil skimmer.
Modern cutting-fluid and coolant systems often use compact tanks to save space. High pump capacity relative to tank volume keeps the fluid turbulent, preventing tramp oil from forming a stable surface layer that a skimmer can remove.
The liquid must first be calmed so the tramp oil can rise. A bypass oil separator stabilizes the cutting fluid or coolant, removes oil at the surface and allows entrained sludge to settle in the collection zone. The cleaned fluid then returns to the tank for continued use.
For more information, see our cutting-fluid purification systems.
Washing processes are widely used in manufacturing to remove oil and particles from components. In many installations, the oil is not separated and is instead disposed of when the wash liquid is replaced.
Continuous treatment is essential to maintain cleaning performance. Removing incoming oil with an oil separator can significantly extend wash-liquid service life and reduce both operating and disposal costs.
Wash tanks are usually highly turbulent. Tramp oil cannot collect at the surface and sludge cannot settle, leaving some contamination suspended in the liquid.
To remove these hidden contaminants, the liquid is first calmed so oil can rise and sludge can settle in the collection area. Oil and dirt can then be separated, extending the service life of the wash liquid.
If several small tanks accumulate tramp oil, installing a separate separator or skimmer on every tank is usually uneconomical. It increases investment cost and is often neither technically necessary nor practical.
Our mobile oil separators are designed to move from one system to another and can be commissioned in just a few steps. A self-priming pump makes connection and start-up at each new tank particularly simple.
All FRIESS oil separators are mobile as standard. Fixed installations are also available on request.
Mobile oil separators and oil-separation systems can significantly extend process-fluid service life. Reconditioned fluid maintains the required performance for longer without adversely affecting the process.
Longer fluid life reduces disposal frequency, lowers waste-treatment costs and decreases purchases of expensive fresh fluids such as cutting fluids, coolants and degreasers.
Actual savings depend on site conditions and the amount of tramp oil entering the system.
Oil skimmers and oil separators serve different applications and cannot be compared directly. Both remove oil from another liquid, but they operate in fundamentally different ways.
An oil skimmer is used when oil already floats on the liquid surface and can be removed directly.
An oil separator is used when the oil has not yet reached the surface. The separator calms the water and usually adds a coalescing stage, causing free oil droplets to rise and be retained by a baffle.
Learn more about how our oil skimmers work and where they are used.
For more than 50 years, FRIESS GmbH has manufactured equipment for pretreating wastewater and process fluids. Its portfolio includes oil separators, oil skimmers, magnetic filters, electrostatic oil cleaners and other proven technologies.
FRIESS GmbH equipment is made in Germany and operates at the sites of many satisfied customers. Purchasing directly from the manufacturer offers numerous advantages.
Before purchasing an oil separator, it is important to assess the on-site conditions so the right unit can be selected for your operation.
Key factors include the medium, temperature, liquid volume and amount of incoming oil.
Two of our mobile oil separators are suitable for many applications:
Using one mobile separator for different tanks or systems also avoids costly structural modifications.
Do you need an oil separator? We will be pleased to help with a no-obligation consultation. Explore our website or contact us by phone or email. We will answer your questions and work with you to find the most suitable solution.
Do you need spare parts or have questions about your Skimmtelligent? Responsive service and customer satisfaction are central to our support.
Why should an oil separator be used?
If the oil content of a process fluid continues to increase unchecked, its performance deteriorates. Removing tramp oil keeps the fluid effective for longer and maintains the intended process result.
This saves costs and resources while helping to protect workpiece quality.
How much does an oil separator cost?
Prices vary considerably depending on the unit size, function and complexity.
Compact oil separators generally start in the lower five-figure range, depending on equipment complexity and the required control and safety systems.
Special applications may require a higher investment.
When is an oil separator required?
Oil-separation equipment is required wherever oils, greases or other substances hazardous to water may be released. The separator captures these substances before they can enter the environment.
Light-liquid separators are commonly used at filling stations, vehicle workshops and car washes, where rainwater may contain oil or fuel. The contaminants must be retained before the water enters the sewer system.
Applicable standards include DIN 1999-100, DIN EN 858-1 and DIN EN 858-2.
How is an oil separator maintained?
Maintenance and inspection requirements depend on the design and function of the unit.
Trained personnel may perform weekly, monthly or six-monthly maintenance; larger inspections should be carried out by a specialist company.
FRIESS mobile oil separators require little maintenance and are easy to operate.
We will also be pleased to provide individual advice and answer your questions.
Beyond cost savings, FRIESS oil skimmers, electrostatic oil cleaners, magnetic filters, cutting-fluid purification systems, oil separators and vacuum oil purifiers offer many additional benefits.
We will be pleased to explain how they can benefit your process.
