Post Oil/Water Seperator Water Skimming

[mechtech79]

I am trying to find the correct oil skimer to put in a 750 BBL water storage tank that comes after a seperator package. It seems that size tank would be too small to use a floating weir type skimmer. I was thinking of using a rop mop type. Does anyone have any experience with such equipment? Any suggestions?

 

[gr2vessels]

Do you have means of removing the skimmed oil? Can you use a spare shell nozzle to drain out the oil? Do you have to use a pump to suck out the oil? Is it a new tank? is it an old tank to be retrofitted with a skimmer? A 750 bbl tank cannot be too small for skimming oil, in fact it should be easier to skim a smaller area than a large storage tank internal liquid surface. Obviously, the selection depends on the expected amount of oil to be removed. Finally, do you need advice on your application or you are keeping statistics on how many people have experience with rope mop style of skimmers? If you need advice, you need to provide more details as above.
Cheers,
gr2vessels

 

[mechtech79]

I have found out that I will need a belt type skimmer. As the oil is not heavy and there should not be large amounts of oil present. The problem becomes mounting a belt type skimmer inside a closed tank. But most types I see are mounted on the top lip of the tank. There is a nozzle connection available for drainage. It is a new tank with a 15' diameter. If it can be mounted to the inside wall, and the tank level fluctuates, should I use a small belt length and skim when the level is high or do I use a long belt length so I can skim whenever needed?
Thanks for the response.

 

[gr2vessels]

If no large amounts of oil are expected, then probably a 'batch' removal will be more appropriate. That will allow complete separation and you skim only oil, not oily water subject of further separation process. Obviously, any arrangement allowing to skim at your selected time require flexibility around the liquid level in the tank. That will allow you to control de amount of oil remaining in the tank, irrespective of tank water level.
Cheers,
gr2vessels