If your site generates oily wastewater from equipment wash downs, food processing, fuel storage or industrial operations, you need a way to remove surface oil before it causes damage or breaches environmental compliance.
Oil skimmers are mechanical devices that remove floating oil, grease and other hydrocarbon contaminants from the surface of water. Whether in a wash bay pit, a contaminated pond or a wastewater holding tank, skimmers provide continuous, low-maintenance oil separation before downstream treatment.
Baldwin Industrial Systems supplies skimmer solutions across Sydney and New South Wales, helping businesses protect the environment and reduce pressure on systems like coalescing plate separators and oil water separators.
Common Types of Industrial Oil Skimmers
Belt Oil Skimmers
Belt skimmers use a continuous loop of oleophilic (oil-attracting) material that passes through the water’s surface. As the belt rotates, oil clings to it and is removed by wiper blades or pinch rollers. They’re durable, easy to maintain and effective for consistent surface oil removal in industrial tanks or pits.
Tube Oil Skimmers
These units work by floating an oil-attracting hose across the water’s surface. The hose is then pulled through the skimmer body, where scrapers remove the oil. Tube skimmers are ideal for recovering thick or layered oil and are often used in workshops, refineries and fuel storage areas.
Floating Weir Skimmers
Floating weir oil skimmers remove surface oil by pulling the uppermost layer of water into a collection chamber. They’re well-suited for open ponds, dams and surface spills where oil builds up in thicker layers (typically over 6mm). However, they may be less effective for thin sheen or emulsified oil without a secondary treatment stage like a coalescing separator.
Where Are Skimmers Used?
- Oil Spill Response – Skimmers are a first-response tool for localised oil spills, preventing hydrocarbons from spreading across water surfaces or entering drainage. They’re fast to deploy and limit environmental damage.
- Wash Bay Systems – In mining, civil or transport applications, oil builds up quickly during washdowns. Adding a belt or tube skimmer to your wash bay sump removes free oil early, easing the load on downstream treatment systems like CPI or coalescing plate separators.
- Wastewater Treatment – Industrial wastewater often contains surface oils that can clog filters and reduce treatment performance. Skimmers installed before primary treatment help extend equipment life and maintain compliance with your EPL (Environment Protection Licence).
- Food & Beverage Processing – Skimmers are used in food plants to remove fats, oils and greases (FOG) from process water. This protects your trade waste system, maintains hygiene and reduces the risk of blockages and odour.
- Contaminated Ponds or Tanks – If your site has stormwater pits, evaporation ponds or holding tanks that collect oily runoff, a floating oil skimmer can remove visible surface hydrocarbons and reduce environmental risk, especially if discharging off-site.
Skimmer vs Scraper – What’s the Difference?
A skimmer removes floating oil and light contaminants from the water’s surface. It operates continuously and automatically.
A scraper, on the other hand, is designed to remove heavier sludge or settled hydrocarbons from the base of tanks or pits. Together, they offer a complete solution for oil removal from water.
Skimmer vs Absorbent – When to Use Which
Oil skimmers are permanent installations that offer continuous surface oil removal from liquids. Absorbents are consumable materials like mats or pads used to soak up spills on solid surfaces (e.g. workshop floors).
Use a skimmer for managing ongoing oil contamination in water. Use an absorbent for spill control on land-based surfaces.
Need Advice on the Right Skimmer?
Whether you’re managing an industrial site in Sydney or dealing with contaminated wash water, Baldwin can help. Contact us for expert advice and system design support tailored to your oil removal needs.
Want to speak directly to an expert? Call us on (02) 4954 0440.