Models 6BT ️and 8BT OilyBelt™ - How do they work?
- The collector belt plunges through the surface of the water
- The sump pulley maintains tension onthe collector belt, and the scraper maintains maximum contact with the belt
- Oil adheres to the collector belt as it goes through the oily water surface and comes back up to the skimmer, where it is then drawn through a series of scrapers that remove oil from the belt before it descends back into the oily water
- Recovered oil flows into a collection container
- The belt returns to the water surface to collect more oil
Features and Benefits
- Engineered to be installed in various configurations, providing economical and easy installation options
- Small “surface profile” enabling the oil skimmer to be mounted in small sumps or sumps containing obstructions
- The collector belt length and width are sized to meet the customer’s application requirements
- The belt can reach the tank or sump bottom to adapt to changing water levels
- Belt Material Options for Different Applications
- Easy belt adjustment and replacement
- Adjustable Ceramic Scrapers designed for maximum belt contact, chemical resistance, and durability
- Powered by “heavy-duty” gearbox & heavy-duty motor with proven history on oil skimming applications, extending the life of the unit and reducing maintenance
- Variable frequency drive standard to adjust speed
- Engineering support on standard and unique applications
Models 6BT and 8BT OilyBelt™ Options
- Various standard mounting systems are available, pre-engineered
- The unit can be mounted at any height to facilitate the gravity discharge of the skimmed oil
- The decanting system can be integrated into the unit, enabling continuous operation with minimal water removal
- Timer available for “as needed” operation
- Explosion Proof
- Heating Packages (cold weather operation and/or to assist viscous material movement)
Can be part of a complete system:
- ESS™️ (Enclosed Skimming System)
- ORTS® (Oil Removal, Storage, and Transfer System)
Models 6BT and 8BT OilyBelt™
Heavy-Duty Belt Skimmers
When a Vertical Belt Skimmer Is the Right Mechanical Solution
For over 60 years, Oil Skimmers, Inc. has engineered innovative oil removal equipment for demanding industrial environments worldwide.
We are the inventor of the floating tube oil skimmer and hold patented technology in floating weir skimmers and oil-water separators — offering one of the most comprehensive and innovative lines of oil skimming and oil separation equipment available for heavy-duty industrial applications.
Beyond the breadth of our product line, we are known for innovative designs, custom engineering capabilities, and solutions serving virtually every major industrial segment.
Some oil skimming applications call specifically for specialized equipment that can perform in extremely narrow channels, deep wells, or tight-access pits where vertical travel is required.
In some cases, tube skimmers can be configured for vertical operation. In others, a belt-type skimmer may be the preferred mechanical solution.
The Models 6BT and 8BT OilyBelt™ are belt skimmers built for those situations — delivering continuous removal of floating oil in a compact vertical footprint with the reliability, durability, and engineering depth Oil Skimmers, Inc. is known for globally.
Engineered — Not Just Assembled
Many belt skimmers on the market rely on light-duty gearmotors better suited for intermittent service. Ours does not.
The OilyBelt™ models utilize a reliable drive system, including a heavy-duty gearbox and industrial motor, designed specifically for continuous oil skimming duty. As with our other platforms, the OilyBelt™ is designed to perform for decades.
What That Means in Real-World Operation:
- True 24/7 continuous-duty performance
- Higher torque capacity
- Longer equipment life
- Reduced maintenance frequency
- Industrial-grade construction throughout
This is not a “catalog belt skimmer.”
It is engineered for long-term industrial service.
Designed for Narrow and Vertical Access Applications
The OilyBelt™ is ideal when:
- The sump or channel is extremely narrow
- Access openings are restricted
- The skimmer must travel deep into a pit or well
- The oil collection path must remain strictly vertical
- Surface area available for skimming is limited
Typical belt widths are 6” and 8,” but other belt widths are available as well as extended belt lengths for engineered applications.
How the OilyBelt™ Works
The system operates using a simple, mechanically reliable belt-skimming process:
- The oleophilic collector belt travels vertically through the liquid surface.
- Floating oil naturally adheres to the belt.
- An in-sump pulley maintains proper belt tension.
- Adjustable ceramic scrapers remove collected oil.
- Recovered oil flows into a collection container.
- The clean belt cycles back to the surface for continuous oil recovery.
Heavy-Duty by Design
- Industrial Gearbox & Continuous-Duty Motor — engineered specifically for oil skimming applications.
- Adjustable Ceramic Scrapers — maximum belt contact, chemical resistance, long wear life.
- Variable Frequency Drive (Standard) — adjustable belt speed to match oil loading.
- Oleophilic Belt Material Options — compatible with a wide range of oils and temperatures.
Built for Industrial Performance
Because we design and manufacture multiple oil removal technologies — including floating tube skimmers, weir skimmers and oil-water separators — our engineering standards are based on long-term industrial performance.
The result is a belt skimmer built with heavier structural components, industrial-grade drive assemblies, and the ability to withstand demanding environments.
When standard configurations are not enough, we engineer custom belt skimmer solutions to match your tank geometry, mounting constraints, discharge requirements, and environmental conditions.
System Integration & Options
- Multiple pre-engineered mounting systems
- Adjustable mounting height for gravity discharge
- Decanting systems available
- Explosion-proof configurations
- Heating packages for cold-weather or viscous oil applications
- Integration into Enclosed Skimming Systems (ESS) or ORTS® systems
Typical Applications
- Industrial wastewater pits
- Wash water systems
- Process water tanks
- Steel and metal processing
- Chemical processing
- Power generation
- Fuel handling facilities
- Deep sumps and vertical access wells
Not Sure What Type of Oil Removal Equipment Is Right?
Selecting the proper oil removal solution depends on sump geometry, available access, oil type and viscosity, operating temperature, discharge method, and whether oil skimming or full oil-water separation is required.
Our engineering team will evaluate your application and recommend the solution that delivers the best long-term performance.
FREE Tube Test Kit
See how well our free-floating collector tube will work for your oil skimming application.
FREE Waste Oil Recovery Manual
Over the years, we’ve collected dozens of typical problems encountered in waste oil, tramp oil and sludge recovery, and now we’ve assembled them into one publication.
