AU650098B2

AU650098B2 - Oil spillage retrieval apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU650098B2
Application number: AU11168/92A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Philip Andrew Gordon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-02-22
Filing date: 1992-02-21
Publication date: 1994-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2012-02-21
Also published as: AU1116892A

Description

650 0 J a F Ref: 204446

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

S

Name and Address of Applicant: Philip Andrew Gordon 59 Woodward Street Merewether Heights New

AUSTRALIA

South Wales 2291 t

I

Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Philip Andrew Gordon Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Oil Spillage Retrieval Apparatus ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION DETAILS [313 Application No(s) [331 Country E321 Applicatiun Date PK4758 AU 22 February 1991 The following statement is a full description of this Invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- -2 OIL SPILLAGE RETRIEVAL APPARATUS This invention relates to devices for the removal of oil slicks within a body of water. Such oil slicks may arise as a result of shipwreck or onshore accident.

While methods for the containment of oil slicks do exist, there are limitations to methods which actually gather the oil, in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which provides for the removal and storage of oil or other pollutant, or the surface pollutant/water mixture, from an oil or other pollutant slick.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of the invention in one broad form comprises: an external hull; an internal settling region; a plurality of passages between the settling region and the external hull adapted to aliow the flow of oil or other pollutant-ridden water from outside the hull to the settling region; a collection bowl located within the settling region being oriented 20 to allow the flow of the oil or other pollutant layer on top of the pollutant-ridden water to the inside of the bowl; s adjustment means adapted to change the height of the collection bowl within the settling region; and outlet means connected to the base of the collection bowl, adapted 25 to provide for the removal of the collected oil or other pollutant, or the surface pollutant/water mixture, contained therein.

Typically, the external hull is adapted to be towed through the SOS.. water by a ship.

Typically, the passages are adapted to restrict the flow of the pollution-ridden water so that water within the settling region is free from turbulence.

Preferably, the passages are othe than straight in order to restrict flow therethrough. This prevents waves from entering the settling region.

Preferably, the passages are of rectangular cross-section with the long axis of the rectangle at least substantially normal to the surface of the water, allowing the level at which the water passes through the 3 passage to change when the hull moves up or down relative to the water's surface as the collection bowl is respectively lowered or raised.

Typically, the outlet means connect to pumps, then to a storage tank on board a ship.

Typically, the adjustment means is comprised of three hydraulic pistons adapted to raise and lower the collection bowl.

Typically, the level of the bowl may be monitored via video, and adjusted with reference thereto.

Typically, the outlet means may connect to an oil return line which provides fluid transit to a ship.

Typically, the oil return line may be supported between the apparatus and the ship via one or more floats.

Typically, hydraulic lines may be connected to the oil return line, so that the pressure controlling the hydraulic piston adjustment means may be controlled from outside the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRANINGS A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a top view of the preferred embodiment.

20 Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the preferred embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic renresentation of the preferred embodiment, illustrating its operation.

Fig. 5 illustrates use of apparatus according to this invention in conjunction with a ship and a tug.

Fig. 6 illustrates use of the apparatus according to the invention in conjunction with a ship and two tugs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the illustrations, the apparatus 1 has an outside hull 2 and an internal settling region 3. Passages 4 connect the region 3 and hull 2, so allowing a fluid connection between the region 3 and ocean 2a outside. Passages 4 need not be straight, but rather may provide a number of bends to facilitate breakdown of exterior wave and wind turbulance. A collection bowl 5 is located inside the region 3, and is supported by hydraulic adjustment means 7. Outlet means 6 is connected to the bowl 5 and is adapted to allow the removal of the oil. The hull 2 is provided with tie-off points 8 to allow towing of the apparatus.

TMS/30041 -4- In use, oil-laden water in a turbulent state 9 passes through the passages 4 and enters the collection area 3 in a non-turbulent state having a surface layer 11 comprising oil or a water/oil mixture comprising mostly oil. The oil mixture falls over the rim 12 of the bowl 5 and is removed by the outlet means 6. The height of the bowl is adjusted by hydraulic means 7 to achieve an optimum position (based on consideration such as the thickness of the top layer and buoyancy of the water).

The apparatus may be towed by a ship/tug 13, where an umbilical line 14 allows the apparatus to be towed and provides for connection to the outlet 6 and control (not shown) for the adjustment means 7. The tug 13 may be provided with a video receiver being connected to video camera 17. The video receiver might allow an operator to adjust the hydraulic means 7 as required. The tug 13 might also be provided with an oil return pump and auxiliary motor for removal of oil from bowl 5 and onto the tanker (with possible assistance from the tanker). The oil is stored in a tank 15 contained within the ship 13, or pumped by the ship/tug 13 to a tanker 16.

Where the conditions may render it necessary to maintain thA 20 apparatus 1 within an oil spill by employing a pair of tugs 13 as illustrated in Fig. 6. The pair of tugs 13 may be manoeuvred so as to maintain the apparatus 1 In a generally centralised location of the oil spill 16.

As an advantage of the apparatus disclosed herein, it should be appreciated that the same does not rely on being drawn through an oil spill 16. To the contrary, as oil is actually drawn toward the apparatus 1 the oil to be collected Is drawn to the pump throughout a 3600 range so as to confine the oil spill's disbursement. That is to say, the oil comes to apparatus, rather than the apparatus going 30 after or chasing the oil and spreading it. As a result of lowering of the collection bowl 5, the effect is such that the bowl is continually filled with surface material (oil) whilst being continuously emptied causing a flow of surface fluid (oil) toward the apparatus large circumference of the collection bowl 5 enhances the "drawing" power on the oil at the surface.

A further advantage Is that the apparatus herein can remain on-site and does not need to be returned to port with collected oil. Once TMS/30041 5 manoeuvred into place, the retrieved oil is simply pumped to the tug 13 and tanker 16, these vessels thus not spreading the oil further.

Possibly, oil may be pumped directly to shore from one of the tugs 13.

The apparatus 1 need not be manned. Monitoring of the operation of the apparatus may be undertaken by way of a video camera 17. This may be particularly advantageous where the pollution being retrieved is toxic.

The size of the outside hull 2 is typically dependent on the vessels intended use. For example, the vessel may be typically of 10 to metres in length for off-shore operation, whereas for harbour or river use, the overall length might be reduced to 3 metres or even less.

The apparatus 1 may be provided with a number of outrigger stabilizers, capable of being lowered when nearing the sk site if required.

The video equipment may not be necessary. As an alternative, the three hydraulic rams 7 if adapted to operate in unison thus keeping the collection bowl parallel to the deck might render it unnecessary to provide video equipment. Equipment on-board tug 13 may also include a flotation separation tank as some water may be taken in initially as a result of heavy rolling for example of apparatus 1.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, the provision of hydraulic means 7 may not be necessary, as the collection bowl 5 may be provided in a fixed relationshp to hull 2.

*0*

S

e.

TMS/30041

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising: an external hull; an internal settling region; a plurality of passages between the settling region and the external hull adapted to allow the flow of oil or other pollutant-ridden water from outside the hull to the settling region; a collection bowl located within the settling region being oriented to allow the flow of the oil or other pollutant layer on top of the pollutant-ridden water to the inside of the bowl; adjustment means adapted to change the height of the collection bowl within the settling region; and outlet means connected to the base of the collection bowl, adapted to provide for the removal of the collected oil or other pollutant, or the surface pollutant/water mixture, contained therein.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the external hull is adapted to be towed through the water by a ship.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the passages are 0*04. adapted to restrict the flow of the pollution-ridden water so that water 20 within the settling region is substantially free from turbulence.

4. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the passages are other than straight in order to restrict flow therethrough.

5. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the passages are of rectangular cross-section with the long axis of the rectangle at least substantially normal to the surface of the water, allowing the level at which the water passes through the passage to change when the hull moves up or down relative to the water's surface as the collection bowl is respectively lowered or raised.

6: Apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the outlet means connect to pumps, then to a storage tank on board a ship.

7. The apparatus of any one of the precqding claims wherein the s.e adjustment means is comprised of three hydraL. pistons adapted to raise and lower the collection bowl.

8. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the level of the bowl may be monitored by a video, and adjusted with reference thereto. -7-

9. The apparatus of any one of The preceding claims wherein the outlet means is connected to an oil return line which provides fluid transit to a ship.

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the oil return line may be supported between the apparatus and the ship via one or more floats.

11. The apparatus of claims 9 or 10 when appended to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein hydraulic lines are connected to the oil return line, so that the pressure controlling the hydraulic piston adjustment means may be controlled from outside the apparatus.

12. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of removal of pollutant from pollutant-ridden water, the method comprising drawing the apparatus of any one of the preceding claims through said pollutant-ridden water, such that in operation of the apparatus, pollutant is removed therefrom.

14. A method of removal of pollutant from pollutant-ridden water, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reFerence o. to the accompanying drawings. DATED this SEVENTH day of APRIL 1994 Philip Andrew Gordon Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON *0 0 4 /0041 .y 1 011 Spillage Retrieval Apparatus ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An oil spillage retrieval apparatus comprises an external hull an internal settling region and a number of passages (4) between the settling region and the external hull adapted to allow the flow of oil or other pollutant-ridden water (2a) from outside the hull to the settling region A collection bowl is located within the settling region being oriented to allow the flow of the oil or other pollutant layer on top of the pollutant-ridden water (2a) to the inside of the bowl and an outlet at the base of the collection bowl is adapted to provide for the removal of the collected oil or other pollutant, or the surface pollutant-water mixture, contained therein. A further feature of the invention is hydraulic means adapted to alter the height of the collection bowl within the settling region lbe Fig. 1 see*.: C TMS/30041