A large increase in continuous skimming time and recovery has been demonstrated for total water (free and emulsified water) separation. Assuming a 200 m3 storage tank, 100 m3 h−1 skimmer capacity, 25% skimmer effectiveness, and 80% water content in the emulsion, the time of continuous operation (before discharge of oil residue is needed), increases from 2 to 40 h and recovery of oil residue from 10 to 200 m3.