Vertical tube oil skimmer for wastewater, pits, sumps and industrial process tanks
The Oil Skimmers Model 6V Brill® is a heavy-duty vertical tube-type oil skimmer designed for continuous removal of free-floating petroleum oils, animal and vegetable oils, fats, greases and oily waste from industrial water, wastewater and other process liquids.
A 3/4 in (19.1 mm) free-floating collector tube continuously travels across the liquid surface and carries recovered oil vertically back to the skimmer. The Model 6V is available in Standard and High Speed configurations and is designed for demanding industrial installations requiring continuous unattended oil removal.
Built for oil-on-water problems in demanding industrial environments
The Model 6V is used where free-floating oil must be removed continuously from pits, sumps, ponds, wastewater systems and process tanks without relying on manual skimming.
Industrial wastewater treatment
Continuously remove free-floating oils and greases before they accumulate or move into downstream wastewater-treatment stages.
Process pits, sumps & ponds
The vertical tube configuration is well suited to industrial collection areas where the skimmer is installed above the contaminated liquid surface.
Steel mills, scale pits & metal processing
Recover hydraulic oil, lubricants, grease and other floating oily waste from cooling-water and process-water systems.
Tank, truck & heavy-equipment washing
Remove free oil from contaminated wash water before further treatment, reuse or downstream oil-water separation.
Chemical, food & fuel applications
Recover floating petroleum oils, vegetable oils, animal fats, grease and similar separated contaminants from suitable liquids.
Machining, automotive & power generation
Apply continuous oil removal to cooling water, process water, coolant systems and other industrial liquid-handling processes.
How the Model 6V removes floating oil
The Model 6V uses a closed-loop collector tube that floats freely on the contaminated liquid surface. Free-floating oil adheres to the tube while it travels across the skimming area.
The tube is drawn vertically into the skimmer housing and through scraper components that remove the collected oil. Recovered oil then flows towards the collection vessel while the cleaned tube returns to the liquid surface.
This continuous cycle allows the skimmer to operate without requiring a rigid pickup device to remain at one fixed liquid level.
Designed for changing levels, debris and difficult surfaces
The flexible collector tube does not follow one rigid path through the application.
- Moves with fluctuating liquid levels
- Snakes over and around floating debris
- Gyrating tube movement can help break up oil crusts
- Anti-clogging tube-type design
- Designed for continuous 24/7 unattended operation
Model 6V technical overview
Final configuration should be selected according to the oil, operating temperature, tank or pit geometry, liquid-level variation, mounting position and required recovery rate.
Is the Model 6V the right oil skimmer for your application?
The Model 6V is a strong fit when:
- The contaminant forms a free-floating layer
- A pit, sump, pond or industrial tank requires continuous oil removal
- The installation benefits from vertical collector-tube operation
- The required recovery rate is within 4–100 US gal/h (15–379 L/h)
- Liquid levels fluctuate during operation
- Floating debris may be present
- A rugged industrial system is required for continuous operation
Another Oil Skimmers solution may be better when:
- Required oil recovery exceeds 100 US gal/h (379 L/h)
- A higher-capacity variable-speed skimmer is required
- The installation is better suited to a horizontal near-liquid arrangement
- The only available access is an extremely narrow channel or deep narrow well
- The contaminant is mainly present as a stable emulsion
- A complete separator or transfer system is required instead of a standalone skimmer
The Model 6V can be built into a complete oil-removal system
The standalone skimmer is only one configuration. Depending on access, weather exposure, oil-transfer requirements and mounting geometry, the Model 6V can form the core of a more complete system.
ORTS®
Integrated oil removal, storage and transfer where recovered oil must be moved to a remote collection point.
ESS™
Enclosed installation for environmental protection, weather exposure or applications requiring greater containment.
Frame Mounted
Pre-engineered mounting for pits, sumps, tanks, walls and guard-rail installations.
Extended Reach
Boom or cantilever arrangements for installations where the skimmer cannot be located directly beside the liquid.
Mobile Systems
Move one oil-removal system between several suitable pits, sumps or tanks.
Hanging Systems
Suspend the Model 6V from suitable overhead structure where floor or wall mounting is impractical.

Test your actual oil before final system selection
For suitable Model 6V applications, an Oil Skimmers Tube Test Kit can be used to evaluate collector-tube performance with the actual oil and process liquid.
This is particularly useful for unusual oils, greases, process liquids or wastewater applications where collector performance should be validated before equipment selection.
Request a Tube Test KitValidate oil recovery under actual operating conditions
For selected equipment and applications, Filtra International can evaluate a temporary proof-of-concept or rental arrangement.
This can be useful for difficult wastewater, process-water, heavy-oil or large-pit applications where practical performance should be demonstrated before permanent installation.
- Application reviewed before trial equipment is proposed
- Evaluate actual oil, debris and liquid-level conditions
- Useful for technical validation and internal project approval
- Subject to equipment suitability and availability
Need help sizing the Model 6V and selecting the right installation?
Provide the oil type, liquid temperature, tank or pit dimensions, normal and minimum liquid levels, vertical distance to the proposed mounting point, approximate oil quantity, floating debris conditions and available electrical supply. We can review the required speed, collector tube, mounting arrangement and overall system configuration.
Request Technical Recommendation & QuoteModel 6V industrial oil skimmer questions
Common questions about selecting the Model 6V for wastewater, pits, sumps, process tanks and other industrial oil-removal applications.
What is the Oil Skimmers Model 6V designed for?
How much oil can the Model 6V remove?
What size collector tube does the Model 6V use?
What does vertical tube operation mean?
Is the Model 6V available in different speeds?
Can the Model 6V be used for industrial wastewater?
What happens when the liquid level changes?
Can the Model 6V operate with floating debris?
Can the Model 6V remove thick oil, grease or oil crusts?
Which oil-removal systems can use the Model 6V?
When should I consider the Model 5H instead of the 6V?
When should I consider the Model 7V instead of the 6V?
Can the Model 6V remove emulsified oil?
Can I test my oil before ordering a Model 6V?
What information should I provide for Model 6V sizing?