Self leveling suction skimming device

A method for separating preferred layers in a fluid body so as to substantially exclude the topmost layer of the fluid body from entering the flow of fluids skimmed from a vessel for discharge from the vessel via a fluid outlet of the vessel, the method comprising:

• providing a skimmer comprising a skimming sleeve body member having a first end, a second end, and a fluid flow passageway extending through at least a portion of the body member in open communication with the second end of the body member, a flotation means adjustably engaged to the skimming sleeve body member, a means of adjusting and affixing the vertical position of the inlet of the skimming sleeve body member relative to the flotation means and a means for guiding skimming sleeve body member to provide substantially vertical orientation for the body member and disposed to provide substantially laminar flow of liquid through the fluid flow passageway of the skimming sleeve member into the fluid flow passageway of the sleeve guide member;
• connecting the second end of the sleeve guide body member to the vessel such that the fluid flow passageway of the sleeve guide body member is in fluid communication with the outlet of the vessel and the first end of the sleeve guide body member and disposing the skimming sleeve member on the sleeve guide body member to be slidably movable such that the inner peripheral surface of the skimming sleeve member is slidably movable along the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve guide member;
• withdrawing preferred layers of the fluid body, substantially excluding the topmost layer from the vessel by passing the preferred layers through the second end of the skimming sleeve member and through the fluid flow passageway of the skimming sleeve member and through the fluid flow passageway of the sleeve guide member and the outlet of the vessel;
• and
• adjusting the flotation assembly, engaged with the skimming sleeve member to provide a distance between the inlet first end of the skimming sleeve member and the surface of the fluid body such that the inlet first end is disposed above the surface of the fluid body to substantially exclude the topmost upper layer of the fluid body from entering into the fluid flow passageway of the skimming sleeve member and the fluid flow passageway of the sleeve guide body member.