Tank side coalescing oil skimmers sit outside the tank and, unlike belt or disk skimmers, remove emulsified oils as well as the free floating oils. They can run continuously without overflowing, keeping the coolant moving and aerated. Over time a tank side oil skimmer will remove more oil than a belt or disk skimmer.

INSTALLATION GUIDE

When setting up a coalescer, the fluid return hose should be located as far away from the oil pick-up as possible.  It can also be used to “push” the tramp oil towards the pick-up unit.  The oil pick-up needs to be positioned where the most oil is present if possible.  The pick-up also needs to float freely with changes in fluid level.  It’s usually best NOT to locate the pick-up near the pumps.

When setting up air powered coalescers, the air regulator should be adjusted so the pump is running really fast, then close the small air ball valve before the pump, reducing the air flow until the pump is running as slow as possible to maintain flow and suction at the pickup device.  If you adjust the pump speed with the regulator, the pump can stall out or run too fast with slight changes in shop air pressure.  The filter should be changed when flow becomes restricted.  Sometimes the filter doesn’t look dirty, but has become “blinded off” by fine residues or contaminant coating.

All oil skimming devices should only be run when oil is present on surface.  Timers should be used to activate the device after the oil has settled to the surface.  Running them 24/7 just wears the motors out prematurely.  Coalescers can be run periodically even if oil is not present on the surface in order to keep the coolant moving on an intermittently run machine.