Skimmer (oil weir)

The articles Skimmer (oil weir) and Skimmer (surface skimmer) overlap thematically. Help me to better differentiate or merge the articles (→  instructions ) . To do this, take part in the relevant redundancy discussion . Please remove this module only after the redundancy has been completely processed and do not forget to include the relevant entry on the redundancy discussion page{{ Done | 1 = ~~~~}}to mark. тнояsтеn ⇔ 13:32, Aug 21, 2012 (CEST)

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Skimmer (of English skim -. Skimming) are devices for removing oil and other floating contaminants from water surfaces. They are used in industrial process technology, for example, for processing cooling lubricants and for separating oils in wastewater treatment. They are also used in the fight against oil spills on bodies of water.

Types

A general distinction is made between two principles: Adhesion skimmer (principle of adhesion) and overflow skimmer (principle of gravity). The drives can be electric, pneumatic or hydraulic.

Adhesion skimmer

The adhesion skimmers include tube skimmers, drum skimmers, belt skimmers, hose skimmers, disc skimmers, brush skimmers, mop skimmers.

The adhesion principle achieves a high oil uptake efficiency in relation to the water drawn in, because most of the water remains while the oil adheres to the receiving surfaces and can be stripped off. The thinner the oil layer on the water and the thinner the oil, the more efficient the adhesion skimmer.

A disadvantage of the adhesion skimmer is their susceptibility to incoming floating debris (leaves, herbs, twigs) if this is not previously picked up by a floating debris separator. Depending on the amount, floating debris prevents the oil from coming into contact with the oil-absorbing part of the skimmer (tube, drum, belt, etc.).

Overflow skimmer

Weir skimmers belong to the overflow skimmers. With the inlet skimmer, on the other hand, a lot of water is scooped up because the overflow edge of the skimmer (weir) cannot be kept at such a low level of fluctuation on the water surface and the water itself has a certain surface tension that flows over the weir with the oil. Post-separation in the external collection tank is therefore usually necessary.

Overflow skimmers have an advantage over smaller debris arriving. Since the water inlet is relatively high, it also pulls smaller debris over the edge of the weir, which can usually be transported further by the suction pump. However, larger flotsam also disturbs the pump.

Use to fight oil spills

In major accidents with a lot of oil on small areas of water, where thick layers can form, an overflow skimmer can also take up thick layers with little or no water, while an adhesion skimmer is limited to a certain layer thickness.

However, since such events are very rare and most oil accidents on bodies of water and oil separation basins only produce a thin layer of oil, the adhesion skimmer is usually the more efficient device.

This also applies from the point of view of cost savings, because less water in the collecting tank means lower disposal costs. Most skimmers not only remove the oil from the water, but also pump it further into collecting devices (tanks), in which it can be re-separated or which are immediately disposed of.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ taucherunternehmen.de: environmental protection