Oil Skimmer Applications and Industries

Industrial Applications

Fluids Requiring Cleaning

Coolant/Lubricant

Most oil skimmers are used in metalworking industries to maintain coolant quality. Foreign oil frequently enters the coolant of machine tools. This can happen through:

• Internal lubrication of the machine (e.g., slide bearings, internal hydraulics)
• Workpieces (e.g., rust prevention oils)

This foreign oil accumulates in the coolant tank and causes several issues:

• Coolant is an emulsion of water and oil. Excess oil disrupts the concentration, reducing its effectiveness.
• The foreign oil floats on the coolant and prevents oxygen contact, leading to bacterial growth and coolant degradation.

Using an oil skimmer prevents these problems and ensures the coolant functions as intended. Regardless of the size of a machine tool, it should always be equipped with an oil skimmer.

Wash Water

Wash processes are used to remove oil and particle contamination from components, which leads to oil contamination in the wash water. To maintain effective cleaning performance, the oil must be regularly removed.

However, for an oil skimmer to be effective, the oil must float on the surface. If the water in the tank is too turbulent, it must first be calmed.

Wash water is often alkaline and aggressive, requiring oil skimmers made from corrosion-resistant materials or with special coatings.

Even if an oil skimmer cannot be used, oil should still be removed regularly to prolong the lifespan of the wash water and reduce disposal frequency.

Cooling Water

Industries such as steel and aluminum production use large amounts of cooling water, which inevitably becomes contaminated with oil or grease. This contamination must be removed to prevent issues in subsequent processes.

Cooling water is often processed in settling tanks, where oil and grease float to the surface—an ideal setup for oil skimmers.

Wastewater

Many industries generate wastewater contaminated with oil or grease, which can be difficult to treat. Additionally, wastewater must be as oil-free as possible before it can be discharged into public sewage systems.

To reduce treatment costs and comply with discharge regulations, using an oil skimmer in a buffer tank is often beneficial.

⚠ Important: Discharging wastewater into the public sewer system requires special permits! Unauthorized discharge can result in severe fines. Compliance with legal regulations is essential, and an oil skimmer is only one component of a larger wastewater treatment system.