Giant Octopus a hit in Marseilles

This powerful skimmer is based on the already powerful Tarantula skimmer, but incorporates an innovative new recovery method. It has a maximum capacity of 250m3 per hour, using two onboard DOP-250 DUAL pumps.

The brush/belt collection system has a small angle of incidence over a large area when the brush/belts make contact with the oil layer. This reduces the disturbance to the oil layer and helps pull more oil into the skimmer’s range.

In Marseille, the stand was assembled and prepared in good time, and on the morning of the 12^th, we unveiled the new skimmer to the public. The Desmi Giant Octopus was very well received and had a mention on French TV, plus a constant stream of visitors and admirers to the stand. The show organisers commented that the Ro-Clean Desmi stand was the busiest at the show, and that everyone was keen to see the new skimmer.

The new skimmer is a combination of and development from Ro-Clean’s proven Tarantula and Helix skimmers and has benefited from a continuing development program over nearly 25 years. The resulting skimmer is their most powerful to date.

It features the unique collection system of 15 belt/brushes in three modules of 5 five each. These allow the skimmer a 360 degree oil recovery range and the maximum possible collection surface area. The DOP-250 Dual pumps can develop discharge pressures up to 10 bar while maintaining nearly maximum flow.

The Desmi Giant Octopus offers high capacity skimming for offshore applications. Measuring 2.785m by 2.83m by 1.55m and weighing 550kg, the machine has an operating draught of 0.59m and is capable of recovering a wide range of oils.

Ro-Clean Desmi also used the Interspill event as a venue at which to announce the retirement of industry veteran Mike Foulds, who has been in the oil spill response business for 30 years, the last 25 with OMI/Ro-Clean International. He is replaced as general manager at the UK office from the start of this month by Leslie P. Andrews.