Skim, decant, store and transfer oil on one integrated skid
ORTS® is a complete industrial oil-recovery system designed for applications where simply removing oil from the water surface is not enough.
The system combines a Brill® tube-type oil skimmer with an oil collection tank, decanting capability, transfer pumping and controls so recovered oil can be removed continuously, stored locally and transferred to a remote vessel or disposal point.
The result is an integrated system that can arrive pre-assembled and pre-wired, reducing the amount of separate equipment that must be engineered and installed on site.
One system handles the complete recovered-oil path
ORTS integrates the individual stages required to take free-floating oil from the water surface and move the recovered oil into remote storage.
Skim
A free-floating collector tube continuously picks up oil from the surface while following changes in liquid level.
Decant
Recovered liquid enters the collection system where residual water can separate and be returned to the area being skimmed.
Store
Recovered oil is held in the integrated tank until the transfer conditions or tank level call for removal.
Transfer
A selected transfer pump moves the recovered oil to a remote tank, drum, tote or other collection point.
What is included in an ORTS system?
The final configuration is application-specific, but the ORTS concept combines the major components required for automated surface-oil recovery into one engineered package.
Standard, Extended Reach or Mobile
The ORTS platform can be configured around the physical relationship between the skimmer, pit or pond and the required oil-storage location.
Skimmer directly above the collection system
Designed for placement beside a pit, walkway or platform where the collector tube can descend directly from the skimmer to the contaminated water surface.
Reach over rails, pits and ponds
Cantilever or balanced-boom arrangements extend the skimmer away from the ORTS tank when the water surface cannot be reached directly from the installation point.
- 6 or 8 ft (1.83 or 2.44 m) cantilever options
- 12, 18 or 24 ft (3.66, 5.49 or 7.32 m) balanced-boom options
Move the complete recovery system
Selected ORTS systems can be configured for movement by forklift or pallet jack, or installed on a trailer for use at multiple oil-recovery locations.
Configure the system around the oil and environment
ORTS is not limited to one tank material, pump design or climate configuration.
Where ORTS oil-recovery systems are used
ORTS is intended for industrial applications where free-floating waste oil must be removed continuously and the recovered oil also needs to be collected and transferred.
When does ORTS make more sense than a standalone oil skimmer?
Strong ORTS applications
- Continuous free-floating oil accumulation
- Recovered oil must be stored locally
- Oil must be transferred automatically to another vessel
- Residual recovered water should be decanted
- A pre-engineered skid reduces site installation work
- Automated tank-level and pump control is useful
- Heating or winterisation may be required
- The skimmer requires extended reach or mobility
Review another solution when
- Only a standalone skimmer and simple collection container are needed
- The oil is stably emulsified and does not form a recoverable surface layer
- The complete oily-water stream needs an oil-water separator
- A sealed enclosure for weather or vapour containment is the main requirement
- One portable skimmer must serve many locations without integrated storage
Size the ORTS around the complete oil-recovery duty
Correct ORTS selection requires more than choosing an oil-skimmer capacity. Storage volume, transfer distance, oil viscosity, mounting geometry and automation all influence the final system.
Useful application information includes:
- Oil type and approximate viscosity
- Liquid temperature
- Pit, sump, pond or tank dimensions
- Minimum and maximum liquid levels
- Distance from the mounting position to the liquid surface
- Approximate oil quantity per hour, day or batch
- Required recovered-oil storage volume
- Transfer distance and elevation
- Remote storage or disposal vessel
- Floating debris or solids
- Need for heating or winterisation
- Available site electrical supply
- Hazardous-area classification where applicable
Request an ORTS application review
Filtra International can review the complete application and help configure the skimmer, tank, decanting arrangement, transfer pump, controls and mounting system.
For suitable or unfamiliar oils, collector-tube pickup can be evaluated with the actual oil and process liquid before final system selection.
Selected applications may also be considered for a temporary proof-of-concept evaluation, subject to technical review and equipment availability.
ORTS® Oil Removal & Transfer System
Common questions about integrated industrial oil skimming, decanting, storage and transfer.
What is an ORTS oil removal system?
What does ORTS stand for?
What is the oil-removal capacity of an ORTS?
How does the ORTS decanter work?
Does ORTS include an oil storage tank?
What materials can the ORTS tank be made from?
What types of transfer pumps can be used?
Can ORTS be used with changing water levels?
Can the collector tube operate around floating debris?
What is an Extended Reach ORTS?
Can an ORTS system be mobile?
Can ORTS operate in cold weather?
Can ORTS be used in hazardous areas in Europe?
What is the difference between ORTS and a standalone oil skimmer?
What is the difference between ORTS and an oil-water separator?
Can the oil be tested before an ORTS is selected?
What information is needed to size an ORTS?