Create a controlled separation zone when direct skimming is not enough.
CoolSkim® is a compact industrial oil-water separator designed for coolant systems, wash water, compressor condensate and other low-flow process streams where oil cannot be removed effectively from the original tank or sump.
Instead of relying on the existing reservoir to provide enough surface area and retention time, CoolSkim transfers the oily liquid into a dedicated stainless-steel separation chamber where coalescing media promotes oil separation.
Filtra International helps select the correct CoolSkim model and configuration from the actual fluid behaviour, oil loading, temperature, available footprint and installation conditions.
When is a compact oil-water separator useful?
If free oil is already floating on an accessible liquid surface, direct tube skimming can often be the simpler solution. CoolSkim becomes relevant when the original sump does not provide suitable conditions for effective separation or skimmer operation.
Limited surface area
The original tank or sump may be too small, obstructed or crowded for a free-floating collector tube.
Internal turbulence
Pumps, circulation and machine operation can keep oil droplets dispersed instead of allowing them to rise naturally.
Insufficient retention time
Liquid can move through the original reservoir too quickly for useful oil-water separation to occur.
Restricted access
Sump geometry may prevent a normal tube skimmer from operating freely over the available liquid surface.
Dispersed oil droplets
A controlled coalescing chamber can help suitable dispersed oil droplets combine and rise more readily.
External treatment preferred
The oily liquid can be moved to a separate treatment chamber and the treated liquid returned to the process.
How the CoolSkim oil-water separator works
Transfer the oily liquid
Process liquid enters the CoolSkim by pump or gravity feed. An optional 3-Ball Floating Weir can preferentially draw from the surface layer where appropriate.
Create controlled flow
The stainless-steel tank provides a dedicated separation area outside the turbulent or restricted original sump.
Coalesce the oil
The removable coalescing media encourages suitable dispersed oil droplets to combine into larger droplets that rise more easily.
Remove the separated oil
Oil removal depends on model: CS 500 through CS 2000 use the Spin Down Weir®, while CS 4000 can also be configured with optional tube-type Active Oil Removal®.
Four models for different compact separation duties
The model numbers should not be interpreted as flow capacities. Oil Skimmers, Inc. identifies the models by coalescing-media volume and determines final sizing through application review.
Compact starting point
Increased media volume
Larger compact separator
Optional Active Oil Removal®
Key CoolSkim components
CoolSkim system characteristics
Configure CoolSkim around the installation
3-Ball Floating Weir
Optional surface intake for drawing oily liquid from the upper layer of a suitable sump or tank.
Pump packages
Electric submersible and air-operated double-diaphragm pump arrangements can be considered.
Return pump
A return-pump package can be incorporated where gravity return is not practical.
Fixed support stand
Supports permanent installation beside the selected sump, tank or process equipment.
Portable stand
Caster-mounted arrangements can be considered where one system must serve multiple compatible locations.
Oil collection reservoir
Provides a defined destination for the separated oil removed from the CoolSkim.
Electrical controls
Controls can be integrated according to the pump package and operating requirements.
Heating package
Heating can be reviewed where low temperature affects oil separation or recovered-oil flow.
Custom mounting
The mounting and connection arrangement can be adapted to restricted industrial installations.
Typical CoolSkim applications
CNC machining centers
Separate tramp oil from suitable machining coolant systems where direct skimmer access is limited.
Coolant sumps
Create a dedicated external separation chamber when the original sump is turbulent, obstructed or too small.
Parts washers
Remove suitable free and separable oil from industrial wash solutions.
Compressor condensate
Compact treatment of suitable oily condensate streams following application review.
Maintenance wash tanks
Separate oil contamination from low-flow industrial washing applications.
Small process wash systems
Controlled oil-water separation where installation space and process flow are limited.
Pretreatment cells
Free-oil separation before a suitable downstream treatment stage.
Food processing wash water
Low-flow oil-water separation for technically compatible process and wash streams.
Compact stormwater collection
Treatment of suitable oily collection points where flow and oil characteristics are compatible with the separator duty.
Direct oil skimmer or CoolSkim separator?
Consider CoolSkim when
- The application is a low-flow industrial liquid stream.
- The original tank has insufficient surface area or retention time.
- Turbulence prevents useful natural oil separation.
- Access restrictions prevent normal collector-tube travel.
- A separate controlled coalescing chamber is desirable.
- Treated coolant or water must be returned to the application.
Consider direct tube skimming when
- Oil already forms a clear free-floating surface layer.
- The sump provides enough accessible surface area.
- A collector tube can move freely across the liquid surface.
- A separate treatment vessel is unnecessary.
- A compact Model 1H can be installed directly on the existing tank.
Tube testing is relevant only when CS 4000 Active Oil Removal® is considered
Optional tube-type skimmer on CS 4000
CS 500, CS 1000 and CS 2000 use the Spin Down Weir® for separated oil removal and do not require a collector-tube test.
The CS 4000 can optionally integrate a tube-type skimmer with Active Oil Removal®. Where that configuration is being considered, a Tube Test Kit can help evaluate collector-tube pickup using the actual oil and process liquid.
Important distinction
A Tube Test Kit evaluates collector-tube pickup. It does not determine the required CoolSkim model, coalescing-media volume, hydraulic capacity or final water quality.
Those parameters remain part of the complete application review.
CoolSkim, SAS or Skim 1st?
CoolSkim®
For compact installations where the original sump cannot provide suitable separation or direct skimmer operation.
Current productSAS®
For continuous oily-water streams requiring a larger dedicated separator and active oil removal.
View SASSkim 1st®
For intermittent wastewater batches or surges where defined retention time is required before water discharge.
Product page coming nextSelect the CoolSkim from the actual fluid and installation
CoolSkim model selection should not be based only on a nominal flow figure. Separation behaviour depends on the complete process and the characteristics of the oil and carrier liquid.
Useful information for selection
- Application: coolant, wash water, condensate or process stream
- Normal and maximum liquid flow
- Oil type and estimated oil quantity
- Oil viscosity and specific gravity where known
- Operating temperature
- Whether the oil forms a visible layer after settling
- Degree of mechanical agitation or emulsification
- Existing sump or tank dimensions
- Available installation footprint
- Distance between sump and separator
- Required feed and return method
- Available electrical or compressed-air supply
- Whether mobility or a fixed installation is required
Request a CoolSkim application review
Filtra International can review the operating conditions and help select the appropriate CS 500, CS 1000, CS 2000 or CS 4000 configuration.
Photographs of the sump, coolant tank or parts washer are especially useful where access restrictions influence the installation.
CoolSkim oil-water separator questions
What is a CoolSkim oil-water separator?
CoolSkim® is a compact stainless-steel oil-water separator for low-flow industrial applications. It transfers oily liquid into a controlled separation chamber where coalescing media helps suitable oil droplets combine and rise for removal.
What CoolSkim models are available?
The current product line includes CS 500, CS 1000, CS 2000 and CS 4000.
Do the CoolSkim model numbers represent flow rate?
No. The model numbers should not be interpreted as litres per hour, gallons per hour or another flow rating. The models are identified by their coalescing-media volume and selected through application review.
How much coalescing media does each model use?
CS 500 uses 0.5 ft³ (14.2 L), CS 1000 uses 1 ft³ (28.3 L), CS 2000 uses 3 ft³ (85.0 L), and CS 4000 uses 4 ft³ (113.3 L) of coalescing media.
What are the dimensions of a CoolSkim?
Oil Skimmers, Inc. publishes a standard CoolSkim unit size of 22 in (55.9 cm) long × 6 in (15.2 cm) wide × 16 in (40.6 cm) high. Model-specific and custom-system dimensions should be confirmed for the selected configuration.
How do CS 500, CS 1000 and CS 2000 remove separated oil?
The current manufacturer specification identifies the Spin Down Weir® as the oil-removal method for CS 500 through CS 2000.
Can CoolSkim use a tube-type oil skimmer?
Tube-type skimmer integration with Active Oil Removal® is an optional configuration on the CS 4000. It should not be assumed to be a standard feature of CS 500, CS 1000 or CS 2000.
When is the Tube Test Kit relevant to CoolSkim?
Tube testing is relevant when the optional tube-type Active Oil Removal® configuration is being considered for CS 4000. It is not required for the Spin Down Weir® used on CS 500 through CS 2000.
What does the coalescing media do?
The media promotes coalescence by helping suitable smaller oil droplets combine into larger droplets that can rise more readily under controlled flow conditions.
Can the coalescing media be removed?
Yes. The manufacturer describes the coalescing media pack as removable to support cleaning and maintenance.
What is the optional 3-Ball Floating Weir used for?
The floating weir can draw liquid from the surface of the original sump, where the concentration of floating oil is often highest, and transfer that liquid toward the CoolSkim treatment system.
Can CoolSkim be mobile?
Yes. Portable caster-mounted stands are available for suitable applications where the separator must be moved between multiple machines or sumps.
Is CoolSkim suitable for CNC coolant?
Yes. CNC machining centers and coolant sumps are listed applications, particularly where tramp oil needs to be separated but direct skimmer operation is limited by sump geometry or process conditions.
Can CoolSkim remove stable emulsified or dissolved oil?
Do not assume that gravity separation and coalescing will treat every stable emulsion or dissolved hydrocarbon. Where oil does not separate after settling, the actual fluid should be reviewed before selecting CoolSkim.
How is the correct CoolSkim model selected?
Selection depends on oil behaviour, temperature, viscosity, specific gravity, degree of mechanical emulsification, hydraulic conditions and available installation footprint. Filtra International can review these parameters before quotation.