The present invention provides a method for removing an oil contaminant
from a surface of an aqueous solution, comprising manually controlling a
surface skimmer from a remote location to remove a layer or a batch of an
oil contaminant from an oil-aqueous solution mixture by the skimmer,
where the aqueous solution is contaminated by the oil as a result of an
industrial process. The present invention also provides a system for
carrying out the method, which comprises a surface skimmer, a collection
means which is preferably a separator, a conduit connecting the skimmer
to the collection means in an airtight fashion, and means for creating
negative pressure in the skimmer, where the skimmer is capable of manual
control from a remote location; in further embodiments, the system
further comprises an air filtering means.