Skimming Tanks

Horizontal Rentals, Inc. has developed and patented a separation system consisting of three open tanks: 2 oil skimming tanks and 1 oil settling tank. Most of our systems are outfitted with two 3ft x 4ft pumps, each powered by 25-40hp explosion-proof electric motors, one 2ft x 3ft pump powered by a 25-30hp explosion-proof electric motor and one 1ft x 2ft pump powered by a 10hp explosion-proof electric motor.

Other features of the system include the following:

• Whirljet sprayer for breaking up solids in the gas buster compartment.
• Automatic liquid level control system.
• Waterleg controls.
• Adjustable skimming funnels with a skim trough system.
• Water spray bars across the tanks to control gas foaming.
• Secondary gasbuster.
• Splash guards to control excess splashing of fluids over the top of then tank.
• Sump pots under pumps to control leakage.
• Fire extinguisher nozzles mounted on each tank for disbursement of AFFF foam for fire control.
• An independent AFFF Fire Control System (nitrogen charged) tied into each tank.

This system is designed for quick and easy set up and can be operated efficiently by only one person.  It decreases the need for vacuum trucks to clean out the tanks and dispose of the solids and fines and it has B.S.&W. control capability as well.  This system has proven itself capable of skimming up to 220 barrels of salable oil per hour.

In the HRI patented process, contaminated oil is allowed to dwell for a sufficient amount of time in the first tank.  Skimmers then scoop off the separated oil and move it to another oil tank.  There, liquids and emulsified oil are separated out and moved to further settling tanks for sufficient dwell time for oil separation and collection.