Skim Tank Sizing Calculator

Vertical or Horizontal Gravity Skim per API Publication 421

Size a simple atmospheric skim tank for bulk oil removal from produced water — typically the first stage after a free-water knockout or as a slop-handling vessel. Stokes settling for 150 µm design droplet (API 421 default), with Hazen overflow check for vertical tanks and retention-time check for horizontal.

Process Stream

BWPD
mg/L
mg/L
µm
°API
°F
cP

Vessel

min

Method

Stokes (ft/s):

Vt = 1.78 × 10−6 · dm2 · ΔSG / μw

Vertical (Hazen): A = Q / Vt

Horizontal: d² · L = 1.42 · Q · tr