Experimental study and improvement of the rotating disc skimmer

Abstract

Flow visualization experiments have produced qualitative information about the flow field set up by a rotating disc skimmer. Subsequently, performance data for the recovery rate of the skimmer when operated in oil-only and thin-film conditions was obtained. Based upon this detailed study and the improved understanding of the parameters which govern the performance of the skimmer, it has been possible to construct a system, showing gains of up to 600 percent, dependent upon the operating conditions. Further investigation of a multiple disc arrangement lead to conclusions about interference effects between adjacent discs which have a bearing on the design of practical skimmer systems.