Abstract: A skimmer assembly is provided having an inlet member, a transfer conduit and a floatation means. The skimmer assembly acts to draw a fluid from a surface of a body of the fluid. The floatation means provides continual buoyancy to at least the inlet member of the skimmer assembly. Various configurations of inlet member are explained. Typically, the inlet member, trailing the transfer conduit, will be free to float relative to the surface of the body of fluid. Various placements of pumps and filter members are disclosed. A churning of the fluid entering the skimmer assembly provides for foam fractionation wherein solids within the fluid may be separated from the fluid for subsequent removal prior to return of the fluid to the body of fluid. Various methods are disclosed to remove air bubbles containing the trapped solids from the fluid stream.

Abstract: A skimmer assembly is provided having an inlet member, a transfer conduit and an opened based air cavity positioned in close proximity to the inlet member. The skimmer assembly acts to draw a fluid from a surface of a body of the fluid. The air cavity provides buoyancy during operation of the skimmer assembly to retain the inlet member slightly below the surface of the fluid. Various configurations of inlet member are explained. Typically, the inlet member, trailing the transfer conduit, will be free to float relative to the surface of the body of fluid. Various placements of pumps and filter members are disclosed. A churning of the fluid entering the skimmer assembly provides for foam fractionation wherein solids within the fluid may be separated from the fluid for subsequent removal prior to return of the fluid to the body of fluid. Various methods are disclosed to remove air bubbles containing the trapped solids from the fluid stream.