- Coolant Types
- When to change sump coolant
- Sump coolant bacterial growth
What is tramp oil?
Tramp oil refers to oils and other contaminants that can accumulate in metalworking fluid systems and is usually composed of cutting oils, lubricants, coolants, and other substances used in metalworking processes. The oils can come from various sources, such as machine tool sumps, parts washing systems, or leaky machinery. Tramp oil can negatively impact the performance of metalworking fluids by reducing their effectiveness, promoting bacterial growth, and leading to the formation of sludge. In order to maintain the quality of metalworking fluids, it is important to have it removed on a regular basis. This can be done using tramp oil skimmers, centrifuges, or other separation methods.
How Skimmers and Coalescers Function
Skimmers are used to separate the oils from the coolant. These are typically slowly rotating disks, tubes or belts that are partially submerged below the coolant level. As these moving parts rotate through the coolant, tramp oils cling to them and passes through a separator or wiper before returning to the coolant sump. Theses wipers also direct the tramp oil to a container where it is collected for disposal.
To remove tramp oils, Zebra Skimmers manufactures disk, tube, and belt skimmers as well as the Muscle™ coalescer that uses a floating oil skimmer for tramp oil removal from the surface of metalworking coolants.
Zebra skimmers are designed as simple, trouble-free, economic solutions for removing free floating and mechanically dispersed tramp oils from individual machine sumps. Based on gravity flow and coalescence, Zebras disc, tube and belt skimmers can reduce these oils to less than 1% in a single pass.
In the picture below we see a Zebra Belt Skimmer with the Diverter and lockjaw accessories mounted to a machine sump skimming coolant. With the attached diverter it is separating the oil and dispersing that into the bucket and returning clean coolant to the sump tank.
The full line of skimmers extend the productive life of soluble oil, semi-synthetic and synthetic coolants, as well as the cutting tool. The Zebra line of skimmers are backed by our lifetime warranty and is proudly manufactured in the United States.
Benefits of using Zebra Skimmers:
- Most Inexpensive Way to Remove Oil from Coolant
- Reduces Bacterial Growth and Foul Sump Odors
- Prolongs Coolant Life, Reducing Raw Material Costs
- Extends Tool Life and Improves Part Quality
- Prevents Plugging of Spray Heads and Filters
- Reduces Disposal Costs
- Minimal Maintenance