There are several types of industrial oil skimmers. Choosing one best suited for your application will maximize oil removal while minimizing capital outlay and skimmer operating costs. All skimmers have a moving medium, and possibly other parts, immersed in the liquid. The performance and life of the pick-up medium, wiper blades, pulleys, etc. are affected by different conditions. These conditions include temperatures in and out of the liquid, pH of the solution and the presence of solvents or other reactive chemicals.
All skimmers require floating or sinking oil to be in a liquid, free-flowing state.
This is especially true at temperatures low enough to freeze water. Abanaki offers a heater option for most of its skimmers to facilitate oil discharge. If a manufacturer doesn't specify the test oil for its rating, or your application involves a much different viscosity, it is wise to ask for additional test data. When specifying removal capacity, it is better to err on the high side to allow for peaks in the oil influx. Some designs, particularly suction skimmers, pick up more water than others.