VoR OIL SKIMMER

For oil spill fighting on open water surfaces

Oil spills offshore or on rivers, lakes, channels, in harbours or on industrial water areas threaten the environment, animals and plants.

The VoR Oil Skimmer works according to the principle of adhesion.

The oil sticks to the smooth inner and outer surfaces of the 2 tubes. The water stays back. The constantly rotating tubes pull the oil, which is like a film, off the water surface and transports it to two strip-off lips per tube fastened inside and outside of the tube surfaces. With collecting channels, the stripped off oil is lead to a pre collection tank at the rear of the skimmer and from there by a non emulsifying pump to the main collection tank. This tank can stand at landside or be assembled on an accompanying boat.

THE ADVANTAGE

Due to the collection of the oil from the surface of the water the skimmer pulls off mostly just oil when working in a closed oil slick and nearly no water. The oil collecting efficiency in closed oil slicks comes up to 95% pure oil or more. The more oil available and the higher the viscosity then the higher efficiency of the skimmer. This makes the skimmer valuable as a first choice oil combat device for oil spills. The main tank will not be filled with mostly water but oil. And the small water amount separates very fast in the main collection tank. It can be let off by a valve in the tank and the pure oil remains.

Several oil skimmers, usually based at different places, can be brought together and combined to one bigger machine in case of big oil spills.

Due to its low draught of max. 300 mm the skimmer is able to operate near shores and banks. One man can even pull it through oil slicks near the banks.

CAPACITY

The standard oil skimmer has:-

1 outside tube - 1000 mm long – 500 mm dia
1 inside tube - 1000 mm long – 250 mm dia

Pictures of Standard Skimmer

The medium oil skimmer has:-

1 outside tube – 500 mm long – 300 mm dia
1 inside tube – 500 mm long – 150 mm dia

Pictures of Medium Skimmer

With sufficient oil supply on the water surface and direct feed to the front inlet of the skimmer by light stream or by pulling the skimmer trough the water with not more than 0,3 m-0,5m/sec speed the collection result is for the:-

standard oil skimmer up to 2-3 m³ oil/h
middle oil skimmer up to 1,2 m³ oil/h

with little water content on closed oil slicks.

On waves the capacity depends on the more or less closed condition of the oil slick. Waves usually don't have big influence on the capacity of the skimmer as it is floating and so following the oil layer.

HANDLING

Standard skimmer:

Transportation on a suitable trailer. Movement into the water by crane on six hooks. A lifting device is available as option. Or by pulling from the trailer to the water by six men.

Medium skimmer:

Transportation on a suitable trailer or a combi car. Movement into the water by crane on four hooks. A lifting device is available as option. Or by pulling from the trailer to the water by two to four men.

The skimmers can be stored and transported on the trailer for immediate action in case of oil spills. They don't need skilled personnel for operation. Due to the recommended simple and easy to handle compressed air drive with floating visible hoses and easily adjustable valves the skimmer can either be:-

fixed in the current while the oil layer is lead to the skimmer by booms or
pulled through the oil slick, skimming off the oil layer from the water surface.

As oil separator is on industrial oil separating tanks, the skimmer sits in front of the water outlet. Pump and tubes can be controlled automatically.

APPLICATIONS

As mobile oil skimmers for immediate emergency demands at oil spills in rivers, lakes, channels, harbours, offshore and industrial water areas. Designed for 24 hr permanent run.
As stand by oil spill defending device in bigger industrial water areas with automatic control.
As stationary oil separator on oil separators to avoid too much water content. This type may not need floats.

ENERGY DEMAND

PREFERRED: Compressed air. It fulfils explosion proof demands.

Standard Skimmer: Minimum pressure 6 bar with 100 l air pressure tank.
Medium Skimmer: Minimum pressure 3-4 bar with 80 l air pressure tank. During the normal run 2-3 bar is sufficient.

Compressed air is the most recommended power supply for this machine.

There is no danger in connection with oil and petrol
easy to install
uses a lighter and cheaper motor and pump in comparison to electricity and hydraulic power
can easily be regulated, and
compressed air supply equipment is available on most vessels and rescue vehicles.

Electric and hydraulic drive is also available on demand.

PUMP*

Compressed air powered double diaphragm or hose pump.

TUBES*

Compressed air powered motor.

WEIGHT

Standard skimmer: Approx. 380 kgs
Medium Skimmer: Approx. 45 kgs

with compressed air supply equipment.

MATERIAL

All metal parts including bearings are of stainless and seawater resistant steel.

The plastic rollers and rings are of POM. The total skimmer cannot rust.

MAINTENANCE

The oil skimmer is nearly free of maintenance demands. After finishing a job it is cleaned with a hot steam cleaner, preferably while the tube's inside and outside surfaces are turning around. The oil transportation pipes and the pre collection tank are emptied and cleaned.

During storage the machine should be protected against dirt and dust by a cover. The pump has to be opened and cleaned.

MEASUREMENTS OVER ALL

Standard skimmer: Approx. 3000 x 1.450 x 650 mm (L/W/H)
Medium skimmer: Approx. 1500 x 980 x 500 mm (L/W/H)

with compressed air supply equipment.

OPTIONS

Automatic level control of the board tank by supersonic sensor or electric timer. Suitable trailer, oil booms, compressed air hoses, compressors, mobile transportation device for the skimmer to move from the store to the trailer and from the trailer to the water, foldable oil collection tank with outlet valves of 1 m³ and bigger, lifting device. Others on request.