FRIESS oil skimmers are used mainly in four industrial application areas. This overview shows where they can reliably remove floating oils and greases.
Oil skimmers are widely used in large cooling-water circulation systems, particularly in the steel industry and by edible-oil manufacturers. Process leaks and incidents continuously introduce oil into the cooling-water circuit. Where a sufficiently large settling basin allows the oil to rise to the surface, FRIESS oil skimmers remove it reliably.
★
In wastewater treatment plants, oil-water mixtures are first collected in a buffer tank. Before the wastewater enters the next treatment stage, the floating oil layer can be removed simply and efficiently with an oil skimmer.
Oil skimmers are used in central coolant systems and, less commonly, on large individually supplied machining centres. Lubricating and hydraulic oils leaking from machines must be removed from the emulsion to prevent bacterial growth and coolant failure.
In emulsion-splitting systems, a thick layer of tramp oil often floats on the receiving tank. Removing it before ultrafiltration prevents membrane fouling. Compared with other treatment methods, skimming can significantly reduce chemical consumption and shorten processing time.
Most modern wash and degreasing systems use aqueous alkaline cleaners. The washed-off oils and greases are either emulsified or collect on the bath surface. Floating oil can be removed directly from the degreasing system or from a separate settling tank.
These systems are used throughout surface-treatment operations.
Air scrubbers are commonly used to clean exhaust air in die-casting foundries and particleboard production. Mould-release agents, forming oils and adhesives can enter the scrubber water, float on the bath surface and be removed with an oil skimmer.