INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR KLEER® REMEDIAL SUPPORT PASSIVE SKIMMERS RSS25L/50L/75L MEMBRANE
- read prior to installation-
METHOD OF OPERATION
KLEER® Remedial support skimmers remove gasoline and diesel from water using our filter membrane inside the slotted filter hydrocarbon recovery section near the top of your skimmer. The three standard skimmers (equipped with lifting cables) are designed to float when empty, the slotted section intersecting the fluid surface. As the skimmer fills it will sink lower. You should limit the distance the skimmer can sink by setting the cable (or custom chain) length to a distance demanded by your current fuel and water levels. If the fluid elevation changes, simply adjust the cable or chain so that some of the recovery section slots contact your floating hydrocarbon.
To operate most efficiently the fuel/water interface will be at the lower portion of the slotted filter to allow as much hydrocarbon as possible to contact the slotted section. This is approximately where a standard empty skimmer floats. The filter is designed to recover a fuel layer of any thickness floating on water when it enters the slotted section. The KLEER® reservoir is always below the fluid surface; ensure that you have sufficient depth of total fluids to accommodate the length of your reservoir.
We have developed your skimmer, often called a passive bailer, downhole oil/water separator or fuel recovery bailer, through three decades of field use. If you have site challenges, call us any time.
ATTACH permanently your cable or custom length stainless chain to the wellhead ensuring you will not lose your KLEER® downhole! DO THIS FIRST! An eyebolt is included for this attachment.
Your standard passive KLEER® Remedial Support Skimmers (RSS25, RSS50, RSS75) will float prior to recovering hydrocarbon fluid. Skimmers sink as they fill: cable or chain length must be set according to your current hydrocarbon elevation, to limit the descent of the slotted filter section downward into the water table. The highest point on your skimmer that the interface can be skimmed is near the top of the slotted filter section, skimming 0.35 metre [13-14"] below the top of the uppermost 1" diameter vent tube on standard KLEER® skimmers.
It is important that you know the depth 'DEPTH' below wellhead of your stabilized fluid surface. Subtract the nominal 0.35 metre vent tube from that depth; the result is CABLE LENGTH, the length of your cable/chain including eyebolt, above the vent tube. Remember to include the length of eyebolts, hooks, etc at the wellhead which are part of CABLE (or chain) LENGTH.
**** CABLE (or chain) LENGTH (above vent) plus 0.35m = 'DEPTH' ****
Adjust the cable length by simply loosening but not removing the two securing nuts on the cable clamp. Slide the cable-end loop up or down and re-attach it with the clamp to the cable.
Adjust chain length using any fastener such as the stainless s-hook included with your skimmer. You may permanently attach one end of the fastener to the upper section of the chain to avoid losing fastener. (Use pliers to squeeze one end of the s-hook onto the chain or wellcap)
Ensure the drain valve at base of skimmer is closed prior to installation. Lift your skimmer and collected fluid to the surface. Empty it through the drain valve. RSS25 and RSS50 skimmer values open anti-clockwise viewed from below. Our RSS75 (4") skimmer standard valve opens when the handle is pushed sideways in the receiving vessel by the weight of the skimmer.
To dissipate any static electricity while emptying, firmly attach a grounding wire between the bottom brass valve and your container prior to opening valve, or ensure the valve or metal skimmer base is in constant contact with your container.
If covered in mud, the filter chamber exterior may need to be hose-rinsed with fresh, room temperature WATER only. Avoid detergents, alcohol, waxes, solvents, surfactant or water jets.
There is no need to open the slotted filter cartridge; there are no serviceable parts. Opening the slotted section may damage the filter assembly.
Q: My skimmer does not collect any fuel, why?
A: Cable too short or too long. Recalculate distance for CABLE LENGTH and re-install your skimmer. If this doesn't help, there is no more gasoline/diesel downhole!
Q: My skimmer fills up only partially with fuel while water table is static, why?
A: Cable too long. If your KLEER® skimmer only partially fills, and hydrocarbon fluid remains in the well, the maximum cable length should be shortened a few centimeters because your skimmer was allowed to sink too far. (similar problem if water elevation drops during collection but the cable would need to be extended!) Excessive cable length may also allow water into your skimmer through the top! (feel free to extend the 1" o.d. vent tube)
Q: What maintenance do you recommend?
A: BEST MAINTENANCE IS NO MAINTENANCE. If your fluid has suspended solids and trash; if the well diameter allows, wrap any polypropylene "oil-only" mat around the slotted filter, securing with string or copper wire etc.. Unwrap and replace if it becomes clogged.
Water can not harm your skimmer, but avoid the damaging debris of well floods.
Q: What about warranty?
A: Your skimmer filter is guaranteed for two years to repel water and collect gasoline & diesel. If you need information, we welcome your call. Just ask us.
Canada/U.S.A. 1-800-463-8043
International: 519-657-4937
Email skimmer@siterem.com
