Oil skimmer belts: widths, lengths and NT or HT material

The belt is the part of a belt oil skimmer that does the work. It is made of an oleophilic (oil-attracting) polymer, runs down through the surface into the liquid, and carries oil up to wiper blades that scrape it into the discharge spout. The width, length and material of the belt decide how much oil the skimmer lifts and how long the belt lasts.

At a glance

• Width: 50 mm on the compact skimmer, 100 mm on single, double and triple belt skimmers, 1,000 mm on the Mega belt skimmer, and 40 to 80 mm on the Mini.

• Length: 400 mm to 5,000 mm, measured centre to centre between the pulleys.

• NT belts for liquids up to 60 °C; HT belts up to 120 °C.

• To order: send the width, the length, NT or HT, and the skimmer model.

Belt width and the skimmer model

Oil pick-up rises with the width of belt passing through the oil layer, so a wider belt, or more belts, lifts more oil. The belt width is set by the skimmer model.

Skimmer	Belt
Mini belt skimmer	40 to 80 mm wide, 300 to 700 mm long
Compact belt skimmer	One 50 mm belt
Single belt skimmer	One 100 mm belt
Double belt skimmer	Two 100 mm belts
Triple belt skimmer	Three 100 mm belts
Mega belt skimmer	One 1,000 mm belt

Belt length

The belt must reach below the lowest level the oil will fall to, with a margin, while the head unit sits on the tank edge or on a bracket above it. Belt length is quoted centre to centre: the distance between the centre of the head pulley at the top and the bottom of the belt loop. Vens stocks 50 mm and 100 mm belts from 400 mm to 5,000 mm in this measure. For other lengths, ask us.

NT or HT

Belt	Maximum operating temperature	Typical uses
NT (normal temperature)	60 °C	Machine coolant, kitchen waste oil, sewage and effluent treatment plants
HT (high temperature)	120 °C	Hot wash and process tanks, and effluent that runs warm

Running an NT belt above its rating shortens its life. If the liquid temperature varies, choose the belt for the highest temperature it reaches.

When to replace a belt

A worn belt picks up less oil and brings up more water. Signs include cracking, stretching, glazing and frayed edges. Our guides on when to replace a skimmer belt and how to make belts last longer cover this in detail.

What to send when you order

• Skimmer model, or a photo of the nameplate

• Belt width

• Centre-to-centre length

• NT or HT, and the liquid temperature

• Quantity

Common sizes can be ordered directly from our store, for example the 50 mm x 400 mm NT belt, the 100 mm x 1,000 mm NT belt and the 100 mm x 1,000 mm HT belt.

Frequently asked questions

Does a longer belt pick up more oil?

Not by itself. Pick-up depends mainly on the width and number of belts passing through the oil layer. The length only has to reach the oil at its lowest level.

Why does the belt bring up some water?

A little water always clings to a moving belt. Oleophilic belts keep it low, and a skimmer oil concentrator returns most of the remaining water to the tank.

I do not know the length of my old belt. What should I send?

Send the skimmer model and a photo, or measure the full loop of the old belt laid flat. We will match it.

Need a belt or a new skimmer? Send us your details and we will confirm the right belt. Customers in the European Union can also order through our European company, VDT Europa OÜ in Tallinn, Estonia.