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Oil Skimmer

FRIESS oil skimmers offer the ultimate solution for swiftly and reliably removing floating oils and fats from virtually any liquid.

Our skimmers are engineered for fast, efficient removal of oils and fats. Whether you’re dealing with coolant, degreasing agents, wastewater, or any other liquid, FRIESS technology has you covered.

  • Experience unmatched efficiency with our tube-type oil skimmers.
  • User-friendly design featuring just 6 essential spare parts for hassle-free maintenance.
  • Built to last, thanks to top-tier materials – why settle for anything less than premium stainless steel?
  • With over 50 years of expertise and more than 10,000 projects completed, we ensure total customer satisfaction.
  • Get custom-designed solutions tailored to fit your specific application needs.

How It Works

The heart of the system, and its most essential component, is the oil collector tube. This tube generates a rotational motion at the surface of the liquid, which sets the floating oil into motion. The oil is then drawn up by the tube and delivered to the skimmer. From there, the oil is seamlessly transferred to a waste oil collection tank, leaving you with a consistently oil-free liquid surface.

Key Benefits:

  • Maximize the lifespan of your process fluids!
  • Cut down on maintenance with FRIESS oil skimmers—built tough with high-grade stainless steel and super-durable ceramic components.
  • We offer pre-assembled systems for virtually any application, saving you time and hassle during setup.
  • Our systems adapt automatically to tank level fluctuations—no manual adjustments needed!
  • The free-floating oil collector tube ensures broad surface coverage, efficiently removing oil across large areas.

 

ore-than-10K-projects-with-Oil-Skimmer

For almost 50 years
we have been finding solutions for cleaning process fluids.

For-almost-50-years-Oil-Skimmer.png

More than 10K projects
have been realized and made customers happy all over the world!

Environmental-balance-with-Oil-Skimmer

Environmental balance
of our customers is demonstrably improved through FRIESS technologies.

Oil Skimmer
Oil Skimmer Model S100
Specifically designed for very large basins and tanks with large fluctuation in fluid levels.
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FRIESS oil skimmers quickly and reliably remove floating oils and fats.
Oil Skimmer Model W40
Suitable for tanks of various sizes with a width from 800 mm.
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Make use of the FRIESS oil skimmer technology for liquids of all kinds.
Oil Skimmer Model W20
Suitable for very narrow tanks with a width of 500 - 1000 mm.
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The W20 oil skimmer is suitable for narrow tanks used in coolant lubricant reservoirs.
Oil Skimmer Model 1U
Specifically designed for small emulsion tanks and small degreasing plants.
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The 1U oil skimmer is specifically designed for small emulsion containers.
Oil Skimmer Modell 1S
Specifically designed for use in small emulsion tanks, cooling water basins and pump sumps.
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Oil Skimmer Model 1S
Oil Skimmer Model BS
Specifically designed for the removal of floating oils from small and narrow tanks.
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Compact belt skimmer, perfect for small tanks!
Oil Skimmer Model WBS
Especially suitable for small, narrow tanks. Innovative belt skimmer for removing floating oils.
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Introducing the groundbreaking belt skimmer, designed to efficiently remove floating oils!

Application examples

Oil Skimmer in the food industry
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Oil skimmer S100 in use by edible oil manufacturer
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Oil skimmer removes tramp oil from the washing water of wet scrubber
Oil skimmer removes tramp oil from the washing water of wet scrubber
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Oil skimmer tramp oil on emulsion in a cold rolling mill
Oil skimmer removes tramp oil from cooling emulsion in a cold rolling mill
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Oil skimmer model 1Uin comparison to disc skimmers
Oil skimmer model 1Uin comparison to disc skimmers
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Examples for the application of FRIESS oil skimmers
Examples for the application of FRIESS oil skimmers
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FRIESS oil skimmers in use of the German Armed Forces
FRIESS oil skimmers in use of the German Armed Forces
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The Oil Skimmer S 100 in use to prevent environmental damages
The Oil Skimmer S 100 in use to prevent environmental damages
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Prepare cooling lubricants
Prepare cooling lubricants
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High Tramp Oil Contamination in Cooling Water
High Tramp Oil Contamination in Cooling Water
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Oil-Skimmer-S100-function
Tramp oil on cooling water
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FRIESS Model W40 Oil Skimmer system on a bracket on the outside of the water tank
TRAMP OIL on CURTAIN WATER
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Oil-Skimmer-S100-function
FRIESS S 100 Oil Skimmer used in the Chemical Industry
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w40 Oil Skimmer coolant
FRIESS Oil Skimmer remove Tramp Oil and Dirt Particles from Coolant
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Oil Skimmers in Biodiesel Production
FRIESS Oil Skimmers in Biodiesel Production
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Oil and Graphite Removal from cooling water with Oil Skimmer
Oil and Graphite Removal from cooling water with Oil Skimmer
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Oil Skimmer S100 2
Oil Skimmer Cleaning Method for Petroleum-derived Hydrocarbon
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Oil Skimmer is scraped from the hose
FRIESS S 100 Oil Skimmer with Oil Stripper
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Oil Skimmer S 100 with chute
Tramp Oil on Waste Water
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The thin fat layer is destroyed by the oil collector tube and fat sticks to the oil collector tube
Removal of floating fat from waste water in the food industry
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Mounting of oil skimmer S 100 with housing
Oil skimmer S 100 at coolant separation system
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Removal of Tramp Oil from Coolant
Removal of Tramp Oil from Coolant
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Removal of Tramp Oil with an Oil Skimmer from Cooling Water
Removal of Tramp Oil with an Oil Skimmer from Cooling Water in a Steel Mill
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Oil Skimmer Goundwater
REMOVAL OF OIL IN GROUNDWATER WITH OIL SKIMMER
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Mop-type-Oil-Skimmer
Replacement of a Floating Mop type Oil Skimmer with a FRIESS Model S 100 Oil Skimmer with Oil Collector Tube
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Sludge trap under oil skimmer model S 100
Sludge trap under oil skimmer model S 100
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wastewater stream oil skimmer 1
FRIESS Oil Skimmers applied to Area Drainage
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Contents:

Oil Skimmer as a tube skimmer

Tube Skimmer: How It Works

In a tube skimmer, oil clings to a specially designed oleophilic tube, which is then stripped clean within the skimmer. The hollow, floating tube operates right at the critical point where oil meets the liquid surface. Welded into an endless loop, this oil collector tube continuously removes oil, no matter the size of the surface area. Whether you’re dealing with small tanks or massive cooling basins and ponds, the tube can be customized to the perfect length to keep your liquids free from tramp oil.

Applications & Industries

Wherever oil and grease build up and float on the surface of contaminated liquids, an oil skimmer provides the perfect solution for efficiently removing tramp oils and greases. A tube skimmer is designed to handle even the dirtiest environments or thickest oils without a hitch. Its versatility makes it perfect for a wide range of industries, including:

  • Steel mills and steel production
  • Metalworking and cooling lubricants
  • Parts washing systems
  • Wastewater treatment and pretreatment
  • Food production facilities
  • Aluminum manufacturing
  • Cooling water systems
  • And many more!

Video

Product features

Advantages:

  • High capacity for maximum efficiency
  • Capable of keeping the entire surface oil-free
  • Built with durable scrapers for long-lasting performance
  • Requires minimal maintenance, saving time and effort

Disadvantage:

  • Higher cost compared to other oil skimmer types

Efficient Oil Removal with the Belt Skimmer

A belt skimmer operates using a motor, a drive roller, and a mount. The drive roller powers a flat, continuous skimmer belt. A loose pulley roller pulls the belt downward into the floating oil phase, where oil adheres to the belt’s surface. The lower section of the belt moves below the liquid surface, picking up the oil, which is then carried upward. Scrapers remove the oil as the belt returns to its cycle, ensuring clean and efficient oil removal.

Applications & Industries

Belt skimmers are widely used in cooling lubricant applications, especially in the metalworking industry. They are particularly popular for small coolant tanks found in smaller machine tools, where their compact design and capability make them ideal. With their relatively modest capacity, belt skimmers are perfect for removing the minimal amounts of tramp oil typically found in these tanks.

Occasionally, belt skimmers are also employed in smaller oil separators for oil removal. However, it’s crucial to consider the size of the separator, as belt skimmers are designed for small-scale applications and are not capable of covering larger areas effectively.

Product Features

Advantages:

  • Small, compact design, ideal for limited spaces
  • Cost-effective solution for oil removal
  • Can accommodate fluid level fluctuations, with larger models handling significant changes
  • Simple construction for easy operation and maintenance

Disadvantages:

  • Limited capacity, suitable only for small volumes of oil
  • Does not generate flow on the liquid surface, restricting oil collection efficiency
  • Can only reach a small surface area
  • Scrapers are prone to damage from particles in the liquid
  • Certain models may experience clogging due to sludge buildup in the drain

Oil Skimmer vs. Oil Separator

Though both oil skimmers and oil separators use the density difference between oil and water for removal, they operate differently. An oil skimmer continuously removes floating oils from a tank’s surface, whereas an oil separator captures oils and greases by using baffles to retain them within a dedicated tank.

How an Oil Separator Works: An oil separator consists of a tank through which contaminated liquid is pumped. As the liquid settles, the oil and grease rise to the surface. To enhance this process, coalescing packages are often installed to help the oil coalesce more effectively. A baffle system prevents the floating oil and grease from escaping the separator, ensuring that only clean liquid passes through, while the oil remains trapped at the surface.

Oil Skimmer: How It Works

An oil skimmer removes floating oil directly from the surface of a liquid. While both oil skimmers and oil separators share the goal of oil removal, they operate under different conditions.

In some cases, oil skimmers and oil separators can be combined for maximum efficiency. For example, an oil separator can settle the liquid when natural separation isn’t possible, while the oil skimmer removes the accumulated oil to prevent excessive buildup. This prevents oil from bypassing the separator’s baffles.

This method is utilized in our Skimmtelligent oil separators, which are designed for scenarios where the liquid is too turbulent for a skimmer to operate effectively or when the oil doesn’t naturally float to the surface.

FRIESS GmbH: 50 Years of Expertise in Oil Skimmer Manufacturing

Since 1972, FRIESS GmbH has been developing and producing high-quality oil skimmers in Germany, tailored to meet the diverse needs of various industries. We provide comprehensive services—from consulting and manufacturing to sales and, when needed, on-site assembly.

In addition to oil skimmers, we offer a range of solutions for oil-water separation, cooling lubricant maintenance, and oil purification. At FRIESS, we prioritize environmental protection while delivering cost-saving solutions, ensuring that sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand.

Buying an Oil Skimmer from FRIESS – It’s That Simple

Before purchasing an oil skimmer, we ask you to complete a short questionnaire that provides us with crucial details about your specific needs. We can send you this form as a PDF upon request. Key information includes:

  • Details about the substance to be removed, such as oil or grease, and the volume in liters/gallons per day.
  • Information about the liquid to be cleaned, whether it’s cooling water, wastewater, wash water, or coolant.
  • Key dimensions of the installation area, such as the length and width of the basin or the diameter, along with delivery head and level fluctuation data.

Typically, we deliver our oil skimmers within one week. Installation is simple and straightforward, requiring our assistance only in special cases.

➦FAQs: frequently asked questions

What are the advantages of a tube skimmer compared to a belt skimmer?

The key advantage of the tube skimmer lies in its ability to cover the entire surface of the tank. Since the floating tube skims oil and grease from all parts of the liquid surface through its constant rotary motion, it ensures complete oil removal without missing any areas. The oil collector tube can also be customized to the necessary length, allowing it to cover the full width or length of a tank for maximum efficiency.

In contrast, a belt skimmer’s stationary belt cannot achieve the same level of surface coverage. As a result, it takes more time to remove the oil, and in many cases, it may not reach all areas, leading to incomplete oil removal. This makes tube skimmers a more efficient choice for larger surfaces or tanks where full coverage is essential.

What Regulations Are Important When Handling Wastewater?

Industrial Wastewater – Key Information

When dealing with industrial wastewater, companies must comply with regulations for both purification and disposal. Beyond safety precautions, businesses are required to implement systems that facilitate wastewater recycling. The type of contaminants in the wastewater largely depends on the specific industry. For floating contaminants such as oils and fats, FRIESS GmbH provides German-made oil skimmers and oil separators that offer reliable solutions for wastewater treatment. By effectively removing oils and greases, these systems make further treatment easier and reduce the need for excessive chemicals to meet required discharge levels.

It’s essential to check with your local municipality to determine the exact contamination values required for wastewater discharge, as these regulations can vary by region. However, using oil skimmers simplifies the treatment of oily wastewater, helping you meet regulatory limits with less effort and greater efficiency.

Why Is the Use of an Oil Skimmer Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly?

Using an oil skimmer contributes to sustainability by extending the lifespan of process fluids, such as cooling lubricants and washing water. By effectively removing tramp oils, the fluid maintains its functional parameters for a longer period, reducing the need for frequent fluid changes and extending its usage.

This not only conserves the raw materials required to produce these fluids but also decreases the volume of waste that must be disposed of. With less frequent replacements, fewer chemicals and oils are consumed and discarded, resulting in more efficient resource use. This increased sustainability benefits the environment by minimizing the need for raw materials and reducing the environmental impact associated with waste disposal.

What Factors Make the FRIESS Oil Skimmer Particularly Economical?

FRIESS oil skimmers are designed for durability, which inherently reduces maintenance costs. Their robust construction ensures minimal need for attention, allowing maintenance staff to focus on other critical tasks. This translates to lower operational costs over the long term.

Additionally, by removing tramp oils, FRIESS oil skimmers help maintain cleaner fluids, such as cooling lubricants, which improves the overall manufacturing process and reduces the risk of costly defects. Cleaner fluids contribute to longer machine life and more efficient production, leading to fewer interruptions and enhanced performance.

What Happens to the Removed Oil and Grease?

The oil and grease collected by the skimmer is typically disposed of. Depending on its water content, disposal companies may even pay for the oil. However, if the oil is heavily contaminated, disposal costs may apply. While processing oil for reuse is an option, it is often cost-prohibitive, so a cost-benefit analysis is essential.

By extending the service life of fluids through the removal of tramp oil, you reduce the need for frequent fluid replacement, which directly saves money on procurement and lowers your overall operational costs.

What Materials Are FRIESS Oil Skimmers Made From and Which Environments Are They Suited For?

FRIESS oil skimmers are constructed from high-quality materials such as stainless steel and ceramics, making them ideal for a wide range of applications. These materials ensure durability and resistance to corrosion, allowing the skimmers to perform reliably even in demanding industrial environments.

For particularly aggressive conditions, such as highly acidic or alkaline applications (e.g., acid baths or alkaline cleaning processes), we offer skimmers made from enhanced materials. In such cases, we can produce the skimmers using higher-grade stainless steel (SS316) or specialized plastics, ensuring they are suitable for almost the entire pH value spectrum.

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