Weir Skimmers
The Oil Skimmer type Weir Skimmer floats on water and separates oil from the surface of the water by means of a weir device. The edge of the Skimmer's weir sits just below the oil layer. The oil is conveyed into the recovery tank through gravitational force, from where it is sucked away by a pump.




Weir Skimmers: detailed product description
There are several ways to influence the separation performance of a Weir Skimmer:
- the weir is mechanically self-adjusting
- through the floats of the Weir Skimmer, the position of the whole Skimmer system in the water changes
- through the pump flow rate
The thicker the oil layer, the deeper the weir of the Skimmer can be adjusted in order to achieve greater recovery rates. With thin oil layers, the pump flow rate should be reduced to keep the amount of entrained water as low as possible. It should be noted that, depending on the type of Weir Skimmer and on the pump flow rate, a whirlpool effect can occur leading the Weir Skimmer to sink lower.
It is also advisable, as in the case of the Suction Skimmers, to use additional oil water separators afterwards.
Weir Skimmers are available in various models, a major distinction is made between:
- Weir Skimmers with external pump
The system has no own pump and, for this reason, the Skimmers are considerably smaller and more manoeuvrable. They can be better deployed in tight and hardly accessible spaces such as under docks or between ships in ports.
- Weir Skimmers with own pump
The integrated pump is individually attuned to the Weir Skimmer and makes any additional fine tuning unnecessary. Being bigger, these Weir Skimmer systems are normally used in larger inland waters. They can also be used near the coast, provided that it is a sheltered coastal area with calm waters.
- Induced Flow Weir Skimmer
The flow of the oil or of the oil-water mixture is, in this case, induced externally.
For example, the system can be mounted on a catamaran using its own movement and so ensuring the flow.
The following applies to all Weir Skimmers: In case of heavy soiling with solid debris, additional filtration nets should be used, otherwise the inlet hose could get clogged. When waves increase, the recovery rate decreases and the amount of entrained water is higher.
In order to effectively use the device, the oil should already be contained.
Oilskimmer - Weir Skimmer: Modell SeaSkater
The SeaSkater self-adjusting Weir Skimmer represents a significant step forward in Weir Skimmer design. Conventional Weir Skimmers typically have the float frame under the device, RAW SeaSkater has it above to reduce draft.
The Weir Skimmer SeaSkater has extra large diameter floats to increase the water line beam. The combination of large floats and lightweight design results in a new generation of Weir Skimmers with unparalleled responsiveness to wave movements.

Oil Skimmer / Weir Skimmer SeaSkater
The high buoyancy to weight ratio of the Weir Skimmer limits drastic changes in draft due to Skimmer loading (whirlpool effect). The unique tubular aluminum frame is constructed with a circular rigid member to increase the impact resistance and strength of the Skimmer.
Due to its lightweight construction and its shallow draft, the SeaSkater is ideal for near coast operations or in inland waters. The high buoyancy to weight ratio also enables this Skimmer to be used in open waters.
The arms of the Weir Skimmer SeaSkater disconnect for shipping and storage. The bellows in the self-adjusting weir assembly are fabricated using oil and chemical resistant XR5 fabric. This fabric is superior to rubber bellows and offers greater resistance to solvents often found in petrochemical installations.
SeaSkater can be easily carried – weight of Skimmer is only 90 kg. Vertical and horizontal discharge ports are provided. Supplied with towing assembly.

Weir Skimmer SeaSkater
RAW is the official sales representative of ELASTEC/American Marine Inc. for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Elastec/American Marine is one of the leading manufacturers of Oil Weir Equipment and Environmental Technology. As an official sales representative, we offer you the complete product line of the Elastec company.
About the company: "Elastec/American Marine is the largest manufacturer of oil spill and environmental equipment in North America, with four locations in Illinois, one location in Florida, satellite offices in Virginia, India, Turkey & China and a network of dealers around the world.
Elastec is an ISO 9001 certified manufacturing company. Our extensive range of products includes oil spill equipment (skimmers, containment boom, fire boom, dispersant application equipment), incinerators, vacuum systems, portable tanks, pumps, specialized vehicles, trash and garbage collection boats, hydraulic power packs, fumigation tarps, turbidity curtains and floating custom containment systems for debris, jellyfish, cranberry collection, invasive plant control. GSA Contract # GS07F0002I"
Source: www.elastec.com