How the Skimmer Works

The main components of the oil skimmers are a floating central ring, a flexible diaphragm (or concertina bellows) and a floating body assembly.

The floating central ring, shaped like a donut, is in the center of the oil skimmer. This ring is held loosely by a diaphragm or a concertina bellows.  The ring floats on the fluid in the pump-out chamber on the inside of the diaphragm. 

A hose and pump are connected to the floating oil skimmer outlet.  As the fluid is pumped away the floating ring sinks. This allows more fluid to flow over the top of the floating ring, like a weir, and into the pump-out chamber.  

As the flow is increased, the ring sinks deeper into the fluid so that more fluid passes over the ring and into the pump-out chamber. This is what makes the oil skimmer fully self-adjusting.