Trolley, trailer or truck: choosing a vacuum system for oil recovery

Vacuum recovery is the most direct way to pick up oil from places a skimmer cannot easily reach: pits, trenches, floors, drains, shallow water and shorelines. The right unit depends on how much liquid you need to move, how far the unit has to travel, and how quickly it has to arrive.

How vacuum recovery works

A vacuum pump draws air out of a sealed tank. The lower pressure pulls liquid up the suction hose and into the tank, so the oil and water never pass through the pump itself. The hose can end in a hand tool for floors and pits, or in a floating skimmer head that takes mainly oil from the surface of water. Once the tank has settled, water drained from the bottom (where permitted) frees space for more oil.

The options

Option	How it moves	What it carries	Best for
Trolley mounted vacuum system	Pushed by one person around a plant	Stainless steel collection tank and vacuum pump on wheels	Workshops, pits, sumps, trenches, machine shops and coolant tanks
MOSRU mobile oil spill recovery unit	Towed on a trailer	Recovery tank, vacuum pump, hose reel and floating skimmer head	Refineries, terminals, ports, industrial estates, highway and pipeline spills
Truck mounted vacuum system	Its own vehicle	Larger tank	Large volumes, longer distances and regular collection

For quick response on site we also make a portable vacuum system and a portable oil spill recovery unit.

Safety points

• Where the liquid is flammable, use equipment suited to the hazardous area, and bond and earth hoses and tanks to control static.

• Do not mix incompatible liquids in the same tank.

• Store and dispose of recovered oil and sludge in line with your local waste rules.

• Check that the suction hose and tools are rated for vacuum and for the liquid.

Checklist: what to send us

• Liquids handled: oil type and viscosity, water content and solids

• Typical and largest volume per event

• Distances and access: doorways, ramps and roads

• Power available: electric, diesel or compressed air

• Hazardous area classification, if any

• Where recovered liquid will be stored and how it will be disposed of

Frequently asked questions

Can a vacuum system pick up heavy oil?

Viscosity matters. Heavy and cold oils need a suitable pump, larger hoses and sometimes heating. Tell us the oil type and temperature.

Can it recover oil from water?

Yes, with a floating skimmer head on the suction hose. The MOSRU includes one.

Do I need a skimmer as well?

For oil that collects continuously on a tank or basin, a permanent oil skimmer is more efficient. Vacuum units suit spills and intermittent clean-up.

We will match the unit to the liquids and distances on your site. Send us your details and we will come back with a proposal. Customers in the European Union can also order through our European company, VDT Europa OÜ in Tallinn, Estonia.

Related guide: ASTM standards for oil skimmers, and how Vens skimmers comply.