Custom Automated Oil Skimmer Systems
Engineered to Your Spec. Remote, Unattended, PLC-Controlled.
- We design and build automated oil skimming systems for sites where a manned skimmer isn’t practical — remote facilities, hazardous areas, hydro dams, deep wells, and unattended pump-and-treat installs.
- PLC-controlled cycles, automatic oil detection, remote monitoring, dry-contact integration to your DCS or SCADA — specified to your operational needs.
- Stainless steel construction , NEMA 4 (or hazardous-area) electrical, custom mounting and reach configurations.
- Engineered around the standard SkimOIL ® component library — floating weir skimmer mechanisms, oil and water pumps, ultrasonic level sensing, integrated debris management.
- Sized to your flow rate, your oil profile, your site geometry. No off-the-shelf compromises.
- Below : an example of an automated skimmer system we engineered and built for a hydro dam application. Use it as a starting point for your own spec.
IN STOCK. READY TO SHIP. PROBLEM SOLVED.
Need an Automatic Floating Weir Oil Skimmer-Separator without the 12–16 week wait? We keep units on hand so you can start removing oil immediately, reduce disposal costs, and keep operations running smoothly—no downtime, no delays. When efficient oil recovery matters, Skimoil delivers fast.
How Custom Automated Skimmers Get Designed
Off-the-shelf skimmers cover most industrial oil-water applications. The Floating Weir Skimmer, Belt Skimmer, Tube Skimmer, and Drum Skimmer product lines handle the vast majority of typical service. But some sites need something different:
- Remote or unattended locations — hydro dams, monitoring wells, isolated process tanks where nobody’s on site to operate a skimmer.
- Hazardous areas — refinery process areas, chemical plants, or fuel handling environments where standard electrical isn’t acceptable.
- Unusual geometry — deep wells, narrow access, vertical lift requirements, integration with existing tanks and piping.
- Compliance-heavy operations — sites needing programmable cycling, automated reporting, alarm integration with plant controls, or NPDES compliance documentation.
- High-availability needs — oil skimming that has to keep running through nights, weekends, weather events, and operator changes.
When the standard product line doesn’t fit, SkimOIL ® engineers a custom solution. We pull from a library of proven mechanisms (floating weirs, oil pumps, water pumps, level sensors, PLC controls) and integrate them around your application.
The custom-build process:
- Application review — we ask about flow rate, oil type and concentration, site geometry, electrical availability, area classification, monitoring and integration needs.
- Conceptual design — we sketch the system architecture and recommend component selection.
- Detailed engineering — mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, PLC program specifications, integration points.
- Fabrication — stainless steel construction, hazardous-area-rated electrical, custom mounts, controls panel.
- Factory test — we run the system before it ships.
- Installation support — startup commissioning, operator training, integration with your plant systems.
Example: AWS800 Custom Build for Hydro Dam Application
An example of past custom-engineering work. The AWS800 was a one-off automated weir skimmer system built for a hydro dam application that needed automated oil recovery from a deep well environment, running unattended for weeks at a time. The unit illustrates what’s possible when standard products don’t fit. It’s not a current stocked product — it’s a reference point for similar custom designs.
Application
The site needed automated oil skimming from deep wells inside a hydro dam structure. Operator access was limited and infrequent. The system had to run autonomously, detect oil accumulation, skim and pump the oil up to a surface storage point, and alert remotely if anything went wrong.
Design Approach
- Stainless steel skimmer body engineered for in-well deployment.
- PLC-controlled operating cycle with programmable timing.
- Ultrasonic liquid-level detection (no float switches that can stick).
- Two onboard pumps — one for surface water flow, one for oil offload to surface storage.
- NEMA 4 control panel with embedded logic computer for autonomous operation.
- Dry-contact alarm outputs for remote monitoring integration.
- Built-in debris management — screen grid plus internal debris basket to handle the trash that breaks lighter skimmers.
Reference Specs (one-off build)
These are the as-built specs of the unit. They’re a starting point for similar custom designs, not a current product offering.
| Spec | As-Built Value |
|---|---|
| Skimmer body | Stainless steel, 24" × 24" × 24" |
| Dry weight | 65 lbs |
| Surface processing | 150 sq ft per hour |
| Liquid level detection | Ultrasonic, non-contact |
| Debris management | Built-in screen grid + 2 cu ft internal debris basket + Y-trap on oil pump |
| Water pump | Stainless centrifugal (Gould NPE 316L), up to 75 GPM, 39 ft head, 212°F max, 1/2 HP TEFC 110V |
| Oil pump | Cast iron (Continental CP-44), 15 GPM, 22 ft suction head, 190°F max, 1/2 HP TEFC 110V |
| Control box | NEMA 4 enclosure, embedded industrial logic controller |
| Pump power | 110V / 20A circuit |
| Control power | 110V / 5A circuit |
| Operation cycle | PLC-driven detection, skim, oil offload, idle |
| Remote monitoring | Dry contacts for alarm and cycle reporting |
| Post-shutdown | Continues operating 2 hours after water level drops to allow separation |
Operating Concept (Reference)
The unit’s PLC monitored skimmer liquid levels via ultrasonic sensor. When water level rose (e.g., after a rain event or normal dam fluctuation), the system would activate, run a programmed surface-skimming cycle, and trigger an oil offload cycle once enough oil had accumulated. The system would go idle after a full cycle that produced no oil accumulation, and remain idle until water level changed again. All events were logged and available via dry contacts to a central control system.
Turbulence and crosswinds reduce oil-recovery efficiency on any floating skimmer. The unit was weighted to remain steady against both, and continued operating for 2 hours after water level drops so separation could complete in calmer conditions.
When a Custom Automated Skimmer Makes Sense
- Hydro dams — deep wells, autonomous operation, remote monitoring.
- Monitoring wells in remediation projects — below-grade access only, programmable cycling.
- Stormwater treatment with intermittent flow — system needs to wake up only when water rises.
- Mining tailings ponds in remote locations.
- API separators in refinery process areas — hazardous-area-rated automation.
- Maintenance yards and runway runoff collection where operators are unavailable.
- Any site where a standard floating weir or belt skimmer is the right principle but the deployment, controls, or integration aren’t standard.
If your application calls for off-the-shelf, our standard product lines (Floating Weir, Belt, Tube, Drum, Rope Mop) cover most of it. If your application calls for custom — that’s where this page comes in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AWS800 still available?
The AWS800 is not a current standard product — it was a one-off custom build for a specific hydro dam application. The capability is still here, though. We can engineer a similar automated skimmer to your site’s specifications. Call us and we’ll start from your application requirements rather than from a fixed product spec.
What does the custom-build process look like?
It’s ideal for remote or hard-to-access locations, including monitoring wells, sumps, stormwater collection tanks, API separators, maintenance yards, mining sites, runway runoff, and other still-water surfaces where floating oils accumulate.
What information do you need from me to scope a project?
The built-in PLC controls skimming cycles, monitors water and oil levels, triggers off-loads, detects failures, and can report recovery cycles for compliance. All functions are programmable for site-specific operations and can operate independently or link to central controls.
What technologies do you typically integrate?
Floating weir skimmers, belt skimmers (TBS / BABS), drum skimmers (FDS), tube skimmers, rope mops. Pumps from Gould, Continental, and similar industrial suppliers. PLC controls in NEMA 4, 4X, or 7 enclosures depending on area classification. Ultrasonic level sensors, oil-water interface sensors, flow meters, and pH/ORP probes as needed.
Can the system be hazardous-area-rated?
Yes — we build to Class 1 Division 1 or 2 specifications when needed. Specify the area classification and we’ll select intrinsically safe components, hazardous-area-rated enclosures, and explosion-proof wiring methods.
Can I integrate the system with my plant DCS or SCADA?
Yes. Dry-contact alarm outputs are standard. We can also provide Modbus, EtherNet/IP, or other industrial protocol communication on request — specify your integration target.
What about remote monitoring?
Standard dry contacts let you wire the alarm and cycle outputs into any plant alarm bus. For full remote monitoring (cellular, satellite, plant-wide BMS integration), we work with your IT/OT team to specify the right gateway. Most installs use a gateway tied to the customer’s existing SCADA or BMS.
What's the warranty on a custom-built system?
Standard SkimOIL® warranty: 12 months on workmanship and materials from date of shipment. Component-level warranties (pumps, motors, controls) follow the OEM warranty terms.
Order / Contact
- Need an automated oil skimmer engineered to your site? Call SkimOIL® at (314) 579-9755 or request a free consultation. Send us your application details — we'll review the requirements, recommend an approach, and provide a quote with lead time. Most custom projects start with a 30-minute call.
Related Standard Products
Most oil-skimming applications don’t need a fully custom system. Start here:
- Floating Weir Oil Skimmer (FWS) — surface skimming with self-adjusting weir, 1–1,200 GPM.
- Belt Oil Skimmer (TBS) — selective oil pickup, parts washers and small sumps.
- Big Ass Belt Skimmer (BABS) — heavy-duty industrial belt, up to 180 GPH.
- Floating Drum Skimmer (FDS) — high-efficiency drum, 20–68 GPM, 2–3% water carryover.
- Tube Oil Skimmer — oleophilic tube for compact applications.
- Rope Mop Oil Skimmer (RS-31) — wringer-style, up to 100 GPH, works with emulsions.