Skimmer, Pump, Power Unit, Temporary storage: What a Complete Recovery Package Looks Like

A recovery package has to work as a system

Buying oil spill response equipment one piece at a time can look efficient on paper. A skimmer gets quoted. A pump gets added later. A power unit is borrowed from another trailer. Temporary storage is handled by whatever tank or tote is available. That approach can work during a drill, but it is a poor way to build confidence for a real spill.

A complete recovery package should be sized and purchased as a working system. The skimmer has to match the oil and the waterway. The pump has to move the recovered product without breaking the operation apart. The power unit has to run the skimmer and pump at the right flow and pressure. Temporary storage has to be ready before the first gallon is recovered. Hoses, fittings, controls, spares, and transport all need to fit the same plan.

For OSROs, terminals, refineries, pipeline operators, ports, and industrial facilities, the goal is not simply to own equipment. The goal is to deploy a package that can be moved, started, operated, maintained, and documented by the people who will actually use it.

This guide walks through the main pieces of a mechanical recovery package and how they fit together.

The four core parts of a recovery package

A practical recovery package starts with four core items:

Skimmer – the equipment that collects oil from the water surface.
Pump – the transfer equipment that moves recovered oil and water from the skimmer to temporary storage.
Power unit – the hydraulic, pneumatic, diesel, or electric source that runs the skimmer and pump.
Temporary storage – tanks, bladders, barges, trailers, or other containers that hold recovered product until it is transferred or disposed of.

Those four items are the heart of the package, but they are not the whole package. A field-ready system also includes hose, camlocks or fittings, valves, strainers, controls, lifting gear, anchor points, tools, spare wear parts, absorbents for housekeeping, and a way to move everything to the response site.

If one piece is undersized or mismatched, the whole system slows down. A high-capacity skimmer is not much help if the pump cannot move viscous oil. A good pump will not help if the temporary storage tank fills in twenty minutes. A strong power unit can still cause trouble if the crew cannot safely control speed at the skimmer head.

Start with the spill scenario, not the equipment list

Before choosing a package, define the operating scenarios it needs to cover. A terminal with docks, sumps, and protected water has a different response need than a pipeline operator working on creeks and farm ditches. An OSRO covering terminals, rivers, industrial ponds, and nearshore work may need a modular package that can be split into smaller response teams.

A useful sizing conversation should cover:

Likely oil type: diesel, crude, fuel oil, lube oil, weathered oil, emulsified oil, or mixed product.
Expected viscosity range: light product that flows easily, medium oils, or heavy oils that need screw or lobe pumping.
Operating location: dock, harbor, refinery pond, tank, creek, river, lake, shoreline, or offshore staging area.
Access: truck, trailer, forklift, crane, small boat, workboat, ATV, or hand-carry deployment.
Water conditions: calm water, current, debris, shallow draft, waves, ice, vegetation, or restricted access.
Recovery objective: fast knockdown of a slick, continuous cleanup, shoreline support, tank cleaning, or standby compliance.
Crew size and training level: experienced OSRO team, terminal response crew, contractor team, or mixed labor.

This step keeps procurement honest. The right package is the one that fits the response plan, not the one with the biggest number on a specification sheet.

1. Skimmer: match the head to the oil and location

The skimmer is the most visible part of the package, but it should not be selected by capacity alone. Recovery rate matters, but so does water pickup, debris tolerance, draft, access, setup time, and the type of oil the skimmer will face.

For protected water, inland response, terminals, and industrial sites, Elastec drum skimmers such as the TDS118 and TDS136 are common examples of oleophilic recovery. The drum surface attracts oil, the wipers remove it, and the recovered product flows to the pump or collection area. These systems are useful where low water content is important and where the oil can be brought to the skimmer face.

For larger volumes or thicker slicks, grooved disc and drum systems may be a better fit. For nearshore and harbor response, models such as the Magnum 100 can provide a larger floating skimmer platform than a small portable unit.

Weir skimmers, such as Elastec SeaSkater style systems, may be useful where oil is pooled and can flow over a weir lip. They can be simple and effective, but the operator must pay attention to water pickup, freeboard, and wave action.

When selecting the skimmer, ask these questions:

Will the skimmer work with the lightest and heaviest products we may handle?
Can it operate in the shallowest likely water depth?
Can it tolerate the debris, vegetation, or trash normally found at our site?
Can our crew deploy it with the equipment we keep on hand?
Does the pump mount with the skimmer, sit onshore, or stay on a vessel?
Can the skimmer be run at variable speed to improve oil pickup and reduce water intake?
Is the skimmer easy to clean, inspect, and return to service after a drill or spill?

A skimmer that fits the site will usually outperform a larger skimmer that is hard to launch, hard to feed, or hard to support.

2. Pump: size for the recovered product, not just clean water

The pump is where many recovery packages succeed or struggle. Recovered oil is rarely a clean, predictable liquid. It may contain water, debris, vegetation, sand, emulsified oil, or weathered product. It may pump easily in the morning and thicken as temperature drops.

A pump for oil spill response should be selected for the product it will actually move. Light fuels may transfer through a smaller pump. Heavy oils often need a positive displacement pump, screw pump, lobe pump, or other pump style that can handle viscosity without losing prime or shearing the recovery process apart.

Elastec packages often pair skimmers with pumps such as the ES400 recovered oil transfer pump or E150 pump, depending on the skimmer, power source, and oil type. The point is not that one pump fits every job. The point is that the pump must be matched to the skimmer and expected product.

Pump selection should consider:

Viscosity range of likely oils.
Solids and debris tolerance.
Required transfer distance and elevation lift.
Hose diameter and friction loss.
Suction-side limitations and prime reliability.
Whether the pump needs to be reversible or easy to clear.
Compatibility with hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric power.
Ease of maintenance in the field.

Do not size the pump only from the skimmer’s maximum nameplate rate. Look at the whole path from skimmer to temporary storage. Long hose runs, undersized hose, thick oil, and vertical lift can reduce practical transfer rates. A good package leaves enough pumping capacity to keep the skimmer working without constantly stopping to clear hoses or change tanks.

3. Power unit: make control and compatibility part of the purchase

The power unit should be treated as part of the recovery system, not as an afterthought. Many response packages use hydraulic power because it provides variable control and can run skimmers, pumps, and other response tools. Diesel hydraulic power units are common for remote or mobile response. Electric hydraulic units may be preferred inside facilities where shore power is available, and explosion-proof electric options may be needed in hazardous locations.

Elastec hydraulic power units range from compact diesel units, such as the D7, to larger diesel and electric units used with higher-capacity skimmers and pumps. Elastec manufactures the D9, D10, D22, D23S, D37, D50, D100, E7, E10, and E25 power units. The “D” designation for these models denotes diesel power, while the “E” designation denotes electric. These are examples of how packages can scale with the job. The right choice depends on hydraulic flow, pressure, number of circuits, transport method, duty cycle, sound requirements, and site restrictions.

A power unit should be checked for:

Hydraulic flow and pressure needed for the skimmer and pump at the same time.
Single-circuit or dual-circuit operation.
Variable speed control for skimmer drums, discs, or weirs.
Fuel type and run time.
Starting method and cold-weather reliability.
Noise limits at terminals or near public areas.
Hazardous location requirements.
Forklift pockets, lifting points, wheels, tracks, or trailer mounting.
Service access for filters, belts, fluids, and common repairs.

Power control matters because skimming is not a one-speed job. Operators may slow the skimmer in thin sheen, increase speed in heavier oil, adjust pump flow to match temporary storage, or reduce turbulence around the skimmer. A package with proper controls lets the crew tune the system instead of fighting it.

4. Temporary storage: plan for recovered product before the first barrel is collected

Temporary storage is often the limiting factor in mechanical recovery. Every gallon recovered has to go somewhere. If temporary storage is too small, too far away, or not ready for transport, the skimmer may sit idle while the crew solves a logistics problem.

Temporary storage choices may include portable tanks, frame tanks, pillow tanks, towable bladders, vacuum trucks, frac tanks, barges, roll-off containers, workboat-mounted tanks or Elastec QuickTanks (also known as TSBs or temporary storage bladders). Terminals may already have access to fixed temporary storage, but the response plan still needs transfer points, hose routing, valves, grounding or bonding where required, and waste handling procedures.

When sizing temporary storage, consider:

Expected recovery rate from the skimmer and pump.
Oil-to-water ratio of the recovery method.
How long the package must operate before offloading.
Truck access and turnaround time.
Secondary containment needs.
Compatibility with recovered oil, water, debris, and emulsions.
How product will be sampled, measured, transferred, and disposed of.
Whether temporary storage must travel with the trailer or be staged separately.

A package that recovers low water content can reduce temporary storage demand. Even so, planners should be conservative. Field conditions are rarely ideal, and temporary temporary storage fills faster than expected when crews are learning, waves are present, or oil is mixed with debris.

The supporting pieces that make the package field-ready

The core four pieces do the main work, but the supporting items often determine whether the crew can operate without delay. A complete oil spill response equipment package should include a documented list of accessories that stay with the system.

Hose and fittings

Hose should be sized for the pump and product. Too-small hose creates friction loss, slows transfer, and can make heavy oil nearly impossible to move. Fittings should be standardized where possible. Camlocks, reducers, adapters, caps, plugs, gaskets, and spare clamps should be labeled and stored where the crew can find them.

Controls and gauges

Operators need to see and adjust what the system is doing. Hydraulic pressure gauges, flow controls, pump controls, emergency stops, fuel level, hour meters, and clear labels help crews troubleshoot quickly. Controls should be positioned where an operator can use them safely without standing in a bad spot.

Deployment gear

Lifting slings, tow bridles, tag lines, anchors, mooring lines, stakes, boat hooks, and hand tools should be part of the package. If the skimmer is deployed from a dock, small boat, workboat, or shoreline, the crew should know the exact lifting and connection points before the incident.

Spares and maintenance items

Wear parts should be purchased with the package. Common spares may include wipers, scrapers, belts, filters, hydraulic oil, fittings, gaskets, O-rings, shear pins, pump wear parts, and basic tools. A skimmer parked in a trailer for three years is not ready unless the crew has a way to service it.

Documentation

A good package includes laminated quick-start instructions, full manuals, hydraulic diagrams, pump curves where useful, inspection checklists, maintenance logs, and a packing list. OSROs and terminals should be able to show what they own, where it is, how it is maintained, and when it was last exercised.

Example oil spill recovery package layouts

The exact equipment list should be built around the site risk and response plan. These examples show how different packages can be organized.

Portable inland package: Creeks, ponds, docks, and small terminals. Built around a TDS118 or similar drum skimmer, compact power unit, transfer pump, hose, and portable tank. Best where fast loading, shallow water, and small crews matter.
Terminal/harbor package: Protected water, docks, and industrial basins. Often built around a TDS136 or Magnum 100 style skimmer, matched pump, D22/E25 or comparable power unit, and a frame tank or vacuum truck connection.
High-volume response package: Larger slicks, OSRO staging, and nearshore work. May include a grooved disc or larger floating skimmer, higher-capacity pump, larger diesel hydraulic power unit, and large temporary temporary storage.
Multi-skimmer package: OSROs covering varied sites. Uses several skimmer heads, a common power unit, lobe or screw pump, shared hose, and standardized fittings so one trailer can support several spill types.

Packaging for trailers, terminals, and OSRO response centers

Once the equipment list is chosen, the package still has to be organized. A trailer or response container should be laid out for deployment, not just temporary storage. The first items needed should be accessible first. Hoses should be drained, capped, and secured. Heavy equipment should be positioned for safe loading and unloading. Small parts should be labeled and inventoried.

For OSROs, modularity is valuable. A trailer may carry one complete recovery package, or it may carry several smaller modules that can be split between crews. For terminals, the package may be stored near the most likely deployment point, with additional temporary storage tanks staged elsewhere on site. For ports and refineries, equipment may need to integrate with workboats, cranes, forklifts, vacuum trucks, and existing emergency response procedures.

A well-packaged system should answer these practical questions:

Can one crew locate every item without calling the person who bought it?
Can the skimmer be launched without unloading the entire trailer?
Are hose lengths and fittings matched to the actual deployment points?
Is the temporary storage plan obvious and documented?
Can the power unit be fueled, started, and serviced where it sits?
Are spare parts protected from weather and easy to inventory?
Can the package be inspected quickly before hurricane season, audit season, or a drill?

Common procurement mistakes

Most package problems show up because the equipment was purchased as separate items instead of one system. Watch for these common mistakes:

Buying the skimmer first and choosing the pump later.
Assuming clean-water pump performance applies to heavy recovered oil.
Forgetting hose friction, suction lift, and elevation changes.
Under-sizing temporary storage or leaving temporary storage out of the quote.
Using a power unit with too few circuits for simultaneous skimmer and pump operation.
Mixing fittings from several suppliers without adapters.
Buying equipment that requires a forklift, crane, or boat the site does not have.
Leaving spare parts, training, and maintenance out of the budget.
Not testing the whole package under realistic drill conditions.

These are not small details. They are the difference between a package that sits in compliance paperwork and a package that helps a crew recover oil.

A simple checklist for a complete recovery package

Use this checklist when reviewing a quote, building a trailer, or preparing a budget request.

Skimmer selected for oil type, location, water depth, debris, and deployment method.
Pump selected for viscosity, solids, transfer distance, hose size, and temporary storage connection.
Power unit matched to skimmer and pump hydraulic requirements, with proper controls.
Temporary storage sized for realistic oil-water recovery and offload timing.
Hose, fittings, valves, adapters, caps, and strainers included.
Deployment gear included for dock, shoreline, boat, or trailer use.
Spare parts and maintenance supplies included.
Trailer, skid, container, or temporary storage layout planned for field access.
Quick-start guide, manuals, inspection checklist, and packing list included.
Crew training and full-system drill scheduled after delivery.

Training should prove the package

A recovery package should be exercised as a complete system after delivery. Do not stop the drill after the skimmer starts turning. Put the skimmer in the water. Run the pump. Move product or clean test fluid through the hose. Fill the temporary storage connection. Practice shutting down, draining, cleaning, repacking, and documenting the system.

Training will show whether the hose is too short, the fittings are wrong, the temporary storage tank is hard to reach, or the controls are not clear. Finding those problems during a drill is normal. Finding them during a real spill is expensive.

The bottom line

A complete oil spill response equipment package is more than a skimmer. It is a matched system built around the spill scenarios a crew is most likely to face. The skimmer, pump, power unit, and temporary storage plan should be selected together, then supported with the hose, fittings, controls, spares, documentation, and training needed to make the system work.

For OSROs and terminals, that system approach makes procurement clearer. It helps buyers compare quotes fairly, reduces surprises during deployment, and gives crews a better chance of recovering oil without losing time to missing parts or mismatched equipment.

The best package is not always the biggest. It is the one that fits the oil, the site, the crew, and the job. Contact us today for more information.