The standard test method for testing stationary oil skimmers is ASTM F2709 “Standard Test method for Determining a Measured Nameplate Recovery Rate of Stationary Oil Skimmers”. This standard is designed to measure a skimmer’s maximum performance. It specifies testing the skimmer in either pure oil or in a starting thickness of three inches of oil on water. In an actual oil spill, however, it is possible that a skimmer will be recovering in a thinner range of oil thicknesses.
This project tested three stationary skimming systems in various oil slick thicknesses to better understand how skimmer performance changes as oil slick thickness varies. A representative weir skimmer, drum skimmer, and disc skimmer were tested to ASTM F2709 and in thinner constant slick thicknesses of 2 inch, 1 inch, ½ inch, and ¼ inch. Performance measurements of oil recovery rate (ORR) and recovery efficiency (RE) were calculated for each set of tests.
Results showed that the oil recovery rate for all skimmers dropped to less than 26% of maximum performance in the ½ inch slick, and that the disc skimmer’s performance was affected more than the drum and weir in the 1 inch slick. The attached reports provide detailed information on the results obtained for each skimmer.
The project is complete. The reports are posted below.