Passive Skimmer for High-Viscosity Oils and Hydrocarbons

Description

The Oilwick passive skimmer for high-viscosity oils is a selective device designed to recover small quantities of viscous oils and hydrocarbons floating on water. Its capillary collection element incorporates an oleophilic and hydrophobic membrane that attracts hydrocarbons while preventing water from entering the collection chamber.

The Oilwick operates completely autonomously, without electricity, pumps or compressed air. The recovered product is gradually transferred into a translucent PVC reservoir with a capacity of 0.3 litres, which can be emptied directly in the field through the drain valve located at the base.

Its compact and portable design allows easy installation in wells, monitoring wells and control points where small accumulations of free-phase product are detected. It is particularly suitable for the passive recovery of heavy oils, dense hydrocarbons and high-viscosity products, as well as applications involving low hydrocarbon flow rates.

Manufactured from PVC, polypropylene and stainless steel, the Oilwick skimmer provides a simple and durable solution for environmental remediation projects, spill control and the recovery of floating hydrocarbons, with no energy consumption and minimal operator intervention.

Features

• The holding cable is adjustable stainless steel and includes a silver ring.
• The collector container is made of PVC/polypropylene. The membrane is 100mm long. It absorbs upon contact with the fuel.
• Resistant to water immersion. Stainless steel base with a discharge valve made of brass. Can be emptied in the field.
• No energy or moving parts required.
• Viscosity LNAPL fluids have chemical and physical characteristics that can affect the recovery of the Oilwick.
• One variable is viscosity. In most cases, the Oilwick can effectively recover oils up to approximately 75-100 centistokes*. Note that the well's bottom temperature should be close to the viscosity analyzed. Also, bear in mind that suspended sediments or heavier coagulation components can delay Oilwick recovery over time. Gear oil viscosity would be a typical upper physical limit for Oilwick recovery.
• Oilwick skimmers can tolerate a wider range of LNAPL physical and chemical characteristics. However, the Oilwick is not as easy to operate as the RSS membrane skimmer. Both the RSS membrane and Oilwick skimmers should be considered non-floating as they fill with hydrocarbons.
• The standard RSS membrane skimmer is tolerant to 200 mm liquid level changes within its well while recovering LNAPL. RSS membrane skimmers will repel water at even greater fluid level fluctuations, while Oilwick may absorb water if the water/LNAPL fluid interface rises above the slotted collection section, approximately 80 mm for narrow LNAPL layers.
• The Oilwick for 2″ wells is intended for viscous or uncharacterized hydrocarbons other than gasoline and diesel. They are best deployed where fluid levels fluctuate less than 80 mm between collection sessions. Standard skimmer tanks are made of PVC, so aggressive chemicals that attack PVC should be considered.
• Tips: When the viscosity/density/chemistry of the hydrocarbons resembles oil that no longer pours like clear honey, we recommend the Oilwick. *. cSt is kinematic viscosity (centistokes, cSt).

Applications

• Recovery of high-viscosity oils and hydrocarbons
• Environmental monitoring in rivers, lakes, and ponds
• Industrial spill remediation
• Field operations in hard-to-reach sites
• Environmental sampling and laboratory campaigns

Advantages

• Effective recovery of heavy and dense oils
• Safe and straightforward field operation
• Portable and quick to deploy
• Representative and consistent results
• Optimizes time and effort in remediation operations
• Reduces risks of cross-contamination and product loss

Documents

• Oilwick High Viscosity Oil Skimmer