CA1117440A - Oil spill retrieval system - Google Patents
Oil spill retrieval systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1117440A CA1117440A CA000328232A CA328232A CA1117440A CA 1117440 A CA1117440 A CA 1117440A CA 000328232 A CA000328232 A CA 000328232A CA 328232 A CA328232 A CA 328232A CA 1117440 A CA1117440 A CA 1117440A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- water
- oil
- collecting
- boat
- separating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000003305 oil spill Substances 0.000 title abstract description 10
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 174
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 85
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 37
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims 6
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 70
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-ZSJDYOACSA-N Heavy water Chemical compound [2H]O[2H] XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-ZSJDYOACSA-N 0.000 description 16
- 239000000295 fuel oil Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 101150087426 Gnal gene Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 239000002352 surface water Substances 0.000 description 2
- VOXZDWNPVJITMN-ZBRFXRBCSA-N 17β-estradiol Chemical compound OC1=CC=C2[C@H]3CC[C@](C)([C@H](CC4)O)[C@@H]4[C@@H]3CCC2=C1 VOXZDWNPVJITMN-ZBRFXRBCSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010734 process oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B15/00—Cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water; Apparatus therefor
- E02B15/04—Devices for cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water from oil or like floating materials by separating or removing these materials
- E02B15/046—Collection of oil using vessels, i.e. boats, barges
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/32—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for collecting pollution from open water
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
- Y02A20/20—Controlling water pollution; Waste water treatment
- Y02A20/204—Keeping clear the surface of open water from oil spills
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Cleaning Or Clearing Of The Surface Of Open Water (AREA)
- Removal Of Floating Material (AREA)
Abstract
OIL SPILL RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An oil spill retrieval system for retrieving spilled oil from the surface of a body of water and including a boat having means for collecting the oil from the water surface and having means for processing the collected oil and water collected therewith to remove the oil from the water and to return the cleaned water to the body of water.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An oil spill retrieval system for retrieving spilled oil from the surface of a body of water and including a boat having means for collecting the oil from the water surface and having means for processing the collected oil and water collected therewith to remove the oil from the water and to return the cleaned water to the body of water.
Description
4~0 SUMMA~ BACKGRDUNI) OF THE INVENrION
. _ The present ;.nvention relates to a system on a boat for retr;.eving oil spi.lls and more particularly to such a system includ;.nq means on the boat for separat:ing the oil and water collected therefrom.
m e risks of oil spills is considerable in view of the increase in offshore drilling and the shipment of oi.l vi.a large tankers; the problem is ccmpounded because of the large volumes of oil involved.
The system of the present i.nvention provides a means for collecting the oil from the surface of the water and processing the collected oil so as to remove the water therefro.m. The system includes a boat which carries the collecting and processing apparatus. In the retrieval portion of the process the oil is picked up frcm the surface of the water and as thi.s is done a substanti.al quantity of the surface water is also picked up. While the boat has a selected storage capacity to hold the retrieved oil this capacity w~uld be quickly exhausted since a significant amount of water would be picked up along with the oil. At the same time the combination of water and oil would have to eventually be disposed of at some suitable facili.ty. In the present invention the boat is equipped with processing apparatus operable for separating the water from the oil. The water as it is processed would be monitored to determine the quantity of oil remaining in the water. When the water has been processed to a satisfactory )( ~F
flO
point whereby the oil has been essentially removed, it can then be expelled back into its source. The re~oved oil w~uld be stored. With the removal of the water the storage capacit~ can be devoted solely to the retrieved oil whereby the storage efficiency of the system is greatly enhanced. The significant feature here is not processing to provide clean oil but rather processing the mixture such that the removed oil has a minimum of water content to reduce the volume required to be stored until the boat can unload either at shore or to a sister ship.
The other significant feature is to process the removed water until its contaminant level (with oil) is low enough to permit its discharge back to its source.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an oil spill retrieval system including apparatus for collecting the oil frcm the surface of a body of water and for processing the collected oil to remove the water collected with it and to return the cleaned water back to its source.
It is another object of the present invention to p~rovide an improved oil retrieval system.
The above objects are met by the present invention which broadly provides an oil retrieval system for retrieving oil spills and the like from bcdies of water such as seas, lakes or the like and being operable from a boat, the system comprising: collecting means operatively connected with ~117~40 the boat for collecting the oil from the surface of the water, the collecting means collecting a mi.xture of o;l and water, receiving tank means located on the boat for receiving the mixture of oil and water, separat;.ng means operatively connected with the receiving tank means for separating the oil and water, storage means for receivi.ng and holding the separated oil, discharge means for d;.scharging the water back to the body of water, monitor means for analyzing the water to be discharged and providing a first signal when the quanti.ty of o;.l .in the water is at a preselected low level and a second signal when the quantity of oil in the water is above the low level, the discharge means operable for d;.scharging the water in response to the first s;.gnal and response to the second s;.gnal for transmitting the water to the separating mean~s for an additional cycle, screen means including a screen structure located in front of the collecti.ng means to block out debris fran the collecting means, the screen means further cc~prising guide means for providing a funnel like construction for guiding the fluid into an area in front of and along the one side of the boat m relative prox.imity therewith and to the screen structure, the guide means having at least one gate and with the screen structure defining a V-shape and cooperating wi.th the one gate for directing debris thereto whereby debris can be exited.
Gther objects, features, and advantages of the present inventi.on will become apparent from the subsequent 44~
descr;ption and the appended claims, taken ;n conjunct;.on w;.th the accompanying drawings, in whi.ch:
Figure 1 is a p.ictorial view of a boat including one embodiment of the system of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view to increased scale of the front end of the boat of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a schemat:ic diagram of a portion of the system of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a plan view to increased scale of the front end of a boat including another embcdiment of the system of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative configuration of the embodiment shown in Figure 4.
Looking now to Figure 1, a boat 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown on a body of water 12 and is adapted to collect and process the oil from an oil spill 14. The boat 10 is preferably of a pontoon or split hull type and includes two separated body sections 16 and 18. A belt conveyor 20 is located between the sections 16 and 18 and is operable for conveying the surface water including the oil up from the water level into holding tanks for further processing.
The belt conveyor 20 can include a belt 22 having a waffled outer surface defined by a plurality of pockets 24 such that the water and oil can be more readily picked up and conveyed.
In operation the boat 10 is moved along the edge ~117~0 of the oil spill 14 such that the o;.l will be guided between the body sections 16 and 18 and towards the belt conveyor 20. A
pai.r of diverging guides 19 and 21 extend fram the front of boat 10 and act as a funnel for directing the oil spill 14 between the sections 16 and 18. A relatively large mesh screen assembly 26 is secured at the forward port.ion of boat 10. Thus floating debris will not be permitted access to the belt conveyor 20.
The screen assembly 26 is arranged to def;.ne a V shape such that debris will tend to be deflected to one side or the other. The screen assembly 26 is preferably a self-cleaning screen 28. A
pair of gates 27 and 29 are located near the juncture of guides 19 and 21 and the adjacent screen assembly 26 and are selectively actuable to an open position to permit collected debris to be exlted when the gates 27 and 29 are opened.
The belt conveyor 20 collects a combination of water and oil from the surface of the flu.id between the body sections 16 and 18 and conveys the same to a primary receiving and holding tank 30. m e receiving tank 30 is separated from a second holding tank 32 by means of a wall 34. m e conveyor 20 includes a ringer roll 35 located on the return side of belt 22 and is actuable to apply pressure to the belt 22 to squeeze therefrom the remaining oil and water m;.xture which will be more heavily concentrated with oil. Thus the tank 30 will hold a mixture of predaminantly water with oil while the second tank 32 will hold a mixture having more oil with the water. The 74~
rece;.v;.ng tanX 30 is preferably larger in capacity than the second tank 32.
In the present invention, the mixture of oil and water i.n tanks 30 and 32 is processed separately in parallel systen~s. In the following discussi.on flu;d from tank 30 shall be referred to as heavy water while the fluid from tank 32 shall be referred to as heavy oi.l. Thus the fluid in receivi.ng tank 30 is transm;.tted to a plurality of heavy water processing tanks 36a-36h via a pump 38 and fluid line 40. At the same time heavy oil is transmitted from receiving tank 32 to a lesser plural;.ty of heavy oil processing tanks 42a-42f via a pump 44 and fluid line 46. The tanks 36a-36h and 42a-42f are sequentially filled and, as will be seen, the fluid therefrom is sequent;.ally processed. Note that a greater number of tanks 36a-36h (and hence greater capacity) are provided for the heavy water storage than are prov.ided by tanks 42a-42f for the heavy oil storage.
The heavy water from tanks 36a-36h is first processed via a centrifugal separating section 48 wh.ich comprises a plurality of centrifugal separators 50a-50h. Each separator 50a-50h is separately connected to one of the heavy water tanks 36a-36h and this connection is schemat;.cally shown as a single line 52. Fluid is pumped from each tank 36a-36h to its associated centrifugal separators 50a-50h via pumps 54a-54h, respectively. The pumps 5~a-54h are located between one half and two thirds of the distance from the top of the tanks ~7~
36a-36h so that the heavier concentratlons of fluid with oil is taken off. At the same t;me pumps 56a-56h in tanks 36a-36h, respect;vely, are separately connected to a fluid line 58 connected to another centrifugal separator 60. me pumps 56a-56h are located proximate the bott~m of tanks 36a-36h whereby fluid which is lower .in oil content will be transmi.tted.
In operation pumps 54a-54h are actuated first and the fluid pumped down to a level proximate the individual pumps. Next the pumps 56a-56h are actuated and the remaini.ng fluid .is pumped out for processing. The above pumping and processing sequen oe can be done for the separate tanks 36a-36h in a selected order such that processi.ng can be a continous operati.on. m us note that both in the original collection tanks 30 and 32 a rough natural separation of water and oil is provi.ded and this is continued in the subsequent holding tanks 36a-36h for the heavy water from tank 30 and, as will be seen, is also continued in the holding tanks 42a-42h for the heavv oil from tank 32.
Thus the m~re concentrated oil at lines 52 are processed in centrifugal separators 50a-50h. Each separator has separate outputs 62a-62h for the oil and 64a-64h for the water.
The water outputs 64a-64h are connected to a fluid line 66 which in turn is connected to the inlet of a clean tank 68 via l;.ne 67. Note, it is important that the water before being returned to its source of origin be adequately cleaned of its oil content and hence a final separation stage is provi.ded for the fluid in clean tank 68. The water in clean tank 68 can be returned to the sea or lake of origination via lines 70, 72 and 74. First, h~wever, the water is sent through a final separator stage including centrifugal separator 75. The water being discharged at line 70 is monitored for oil content via a fluid monitor 76 (which can be a turbidimeter of known construction) and if the water is sufficiently free of oil it will be then pumped out to the sea, etc. A tWD way valve 78 is operative with monitor 76 and in the event the water to be discharged is not sufficiently free of oil, valve 78 will be actuated to block passage to discharge line 72 but will return the water to the clean tank 68 via line 80 for another cycle of separation. The oil separated by separator 75 will be transmitted to another clean tank 88 for processing oil via line 81.
At the same time, the oil æ parated frcn the separators 50a-50h is transmitted via lines 82, 84 and 86 to the second clean tank 88 for final filtering. Here a final separation of oil from the water ta~kes place and the re9ultant oil is transmitted to oil storage tanks 90 via a oe ntrifugal separator 92 and line 94. The water from the separator 92 is transmitted to the clean water tank 68 via line 96.
Going back to the fluid from heavy water tanks 36a-36h, the lower oil concentration fluid transmitted to separator 60 is processed and the oil transmitted from line 98 to line 86 and thence to the clean oil tank 88 where it is processed as previously described. The water from separator 60 is transmitted via line 100 and may be clean enough for discharge. Hcwever, a monitor 102 (like monitor 76) cooperates with a tWD way valve 104 (in the same manner as valve 783. Thus if the water is adequately free of oil, valve 104 will connect line 100 to discharge line 74 if not, the valve 104 will block discharge and connect line 100 to line 67 for transmission to the clean water tank 68 where it is processed as previously described.
The heavy oil at tanks 42a-42h is processed via separator stage 101 in a manner similar to that described above for the heavy water at tanks 36a-36h. Each tank 42a-42h is separately connected to a centrifugal separator 106a-106f via separate lines schematically shown as a single line 108.
Separators 106a-106f have oil outlets llOa-llOf all of which are connected to the inlet of clean oil tank 88 via fluid lines 112, 114 and 116. Note again that the fluid at line 108 to the inlets of separators 106a-106f is taken from the upper one half to tWD thirds of tanks 42a-42f via pumps 118a-118f, respectively. This again provides for a course separation of fluid from tanks 42a-43f.
At the same time, however, fluid frcm proximate the bottom of the tanks 42a-42f is taken off via pumps 120a-120f and lines 122. This fluid, having a lower oil concentration, is tran~mitted to the inlet of a centrifugal separator 124. Again ~174~aO
the pumps 118a-118f are operated first and then the pumps 120a-120f are operated. The separated oil from separator 124 is transmitted to the clean oil tank 88 via line 126 where it is processed in the manner described. At the same time the water ~;eparated at separator 124 may be in a condition for discharge.
Hence the water at line 128 is transmitted via a monitor 130 (similar to monitor 26) and to a tw~ way valve 132 (similar to valve 78). If the water is sufficiently free of oil, monitor 130 will place valve 132 in its discharge condition connecting line 128 with the line 134 and outlet line 74. If it is not sufficiently free of oil, valve 132 will block discharge and connect the fluid to clean water tank 68 via lines 136 and 67 for further processing as described.
The separators 106a-106f also have outlets 138a-138f for the separated water. These outlets are also connected to the clean water tank 68 via lines 140, 136 and 67.
With the system as shown it is significant that the discharged water is substantially free of oil. It is also significant that the water content in the oil eventually stored, as an oil storage tank go, has been drastically reduced whereby the storage capacity of the boat 10 can be effectively utilized.
Another embodiment of the present invention is set forth in Figure 4. This embodiment comprises a single hull boat 140 adapted to collect and process oil frcm an oil spill by way of tw~ separate and independently operable belt convey~rs, ~ 10 -~174~0 141 and 142 respectively, located on opposite sides of the boat 140. ~elt conveyors 141 and 142 are constructed and operate in a manner in accordance with belt conveyor 20 previously described. In this embodiment, the boat 140 includes tw~ guide ~nbers 143 and 144 situated along each side of the boat 140 near the front section. Guide members 143 and 144 are comprised of containment members, 145 and 146 respectively, which are substantially parallel to the sides of the boat 140, and diverging guides 147 and 148, which extend beyond the front end of the boat 140. A relatively large mesh screen assembly 150 is secured at the forward portion of the boat 140 and is arranged to define a v-shape extending between guide members 143 and 144 across the front end 151 of the boat 140. Ihe screen assembly 150 preferably comprises a self-cleaning screen 152. A pair of gates 153 and 154 are located near the juncture of diverging guides 147 and 148 and the adjacent screen assembly 150 and are selectively actuable to an open position to Fermit oollected debris to be exited when the gates 153 and 154 are opened.
Along hull sections 155 and 156, adjacent to and in front of belt conveyors 141 and 142, the boat 140 is provided with flow deflectors 157 and 158 which serve to direct the flow of oil located adjacent to hull sections 155 and 156 toward and onto belt conveyors 141 and 142. An additional pair of flow deflectors, 159 and 160, are provided along containment members 145 and 146 adjacent to and in front of belt conveyors 141 and :,, 4~
142 to direct the flow of fluid near containment members 145 and 146 in a similar fashion.
In operation the boat 140 is moved through the oil spill such that the oil will be guided into areas 162 and 164 and toward belt conveyors 141 and 142, areas 162 and 164 being defined by the containment members 145 and 146 and hull sections 155 and 156 of the boat 140, respectively. Diverging guides 147 and 148 act as a funnel for directing the oil spill into areas 162 and 164. The flow deflectors 157, 158, 159 and 160 further tend to aid in directing the oil spill through areas 162 and 164 toward and onto belt oonvey~rs 141 and 142. & reen assembly 150 operates to p~revent floating debris from gaining access to belt conveyors 141 and 142. The v-shape of screen assembly 150 will tend to deflect debris to one side or the other along the screen assembly 150 such that such debris may be exited through gates 153 and 154.
The belt conveyors 141 and 142 collect a conbination of water and oil from the surface of the fluid residing in areas 162 and 164 and convey the same to primary receiving and holding tanks 171 and 172, respectively.
Receiving tanks 171 and 172 are separated from respective second receiving and holding tanks 173 and 174 by means of walls 175 and 176, respectively. As previously noted, belt conveyors 141 and 142 are constructed and operate in a manner as hereinabove described (i.e. Figures 1 and 2), the result being that tanks
. _ The present ;.nvention relates to a system on a boat for retr;.eving oil spi.lls and more particularly to such a system includ;.nq means on the boat for separat:ing the oil and water collected therefrom.
m e risks of oil spills is considerable in view of the increase in offshore drilling and the shipment of oi.l vi.a large tankers; the problem is ccmpounded because of the large volumes of oil involved.
The system of the present i.nvention provides a means for collecting the oil from the surface of the water and processing the collected oil so as to remove the water therefro.m. The system includes a boat which carries the collecting and processing apparatus. In the retrieval portion of the process the oil is picked up frcm the surface of the water and as thi.s is done a substanti.al quantity of the surface water is also picked up. While the boat has a selected storage capacity to hold the retrieved oil this capacity w~uld be quickly exhausted since a significant amount of water would be picked up along with the oil. At the same time the combination of water and oil would have to eventually be disposed of at some suitable facili.ty. In the present invention the boat is equipped with processing apparatus operable for separating the water from the oil. The water as it is processed would be monitored to determine the quantity of oil remaining in the water. When the water has been processed to a satisfactory )( ~F
flO
point whereby the oil has been essentially removed, it can then be expelled back into its source. The re~oved oil w~uld be stored. With the removal of the water the storage capacit~ can be devoted solely to the retrieved oil whereby the storage efficiency of the system is greatly enhanced. The significant feature here is not processing to provide clean oil but rather processing the mixture such that the removed oil has a minimum of water content to reduce the volume required to be stored until the boat can unload either at shore or to a sister ship.
The other significant feature is to process the removed water until its contaminant level (with oil) is low enough to permit its discharge back to its source.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an oil spill retrieval system including apparatus for collecting the oil frcm the surface of a body of water and for processing the collected oil to remove the water collected with it and to return the cleaned water back to its source.
It is another object of the present invention to p~rovide an improved oil retrieval system.
The above objects are met by the present invention which broadly provides an oil retrieval system for retrieving oil spills and the like from bcdies of water such as seas, lakes or the like and being operable from a boat, the system comprising: collecting means operatively connected with ~117~40 the boat for collecting the oil from the surface of the water, the collecting means collecting a mi.xture of o;l and water, receiving tank means located on the boat for receiving the mixture of oil and water, separat;.ng means operatively connected with the receiving tank means for separating the oil and water, storage means for receivi.ng and holding the separated oil, discharge means for d;.scharging the water back to the body of water, monitor means for analyzing the water to be discharged and providing a first signal when the quanti.ty of o;.l .in the water is at a preselected low level and a second signal when the quantity of oil in the water is above the low level, the discharge means operable for d;.scharging the water in response to the first s;.gnal and response to the second s;.gnal for transmitting the water to the separating mean~s for an additional cycle, screen means including a screen structure located in front of the collecti.ng means to block out debris fran the collecting means, the screen means further cc~prising guide means for providing a funnel like construction for guiding the fluid into an area in front of and along the one side of the boat m relative prox.imity therewith and to the screen structure, the guide means having at least one gate and with the screen structure defining a V-shape and cooperating wi.th the one gate for directing debris thereto whereby debris can be exited.
Gther objects, features, and advantages of the present inventi.on will become apparent from the subsequent 44~
descr;ption and the appended claims, taken ;n conjunct;.on w;.th the accompanying drawings, in whi.ch:
Figure 1 is a p.ictorial view of a boat including one embodiment of the system of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view to increased scale of the front end of the boat of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a schemat:ic diagram of a portion of the system of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a plan view to increased scale of the front end of a boat including another embcdiment of the system of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative configuration of the embodiment shown in Figure 4.
Looking now to Figure 1, a boat 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown on a body of water 12 and is adapted to collect and process the oil from an oil spill 14. The boat 10 is preferably of a pontoon or split hull type and includes two separated body sections 16 and 18. A belt conveyor 20 is located between the sections 16 and 18 and is operable for conveying the surface water including the oil up from the water level into holding tanks for further processing.
The belt conveyor 20 can include a belt 22 having a waffled outer surface defined by a plurality of pockets 24 such that the water and oil can be more readily picked up and conveyed.
In operation the boat 10 is moved along the edge ~117~0 of the oil spill 14 such that the o;.l will be guided between the body sections 16 and 18 and towards the belt conveyor 20. A
pai.r of diverging guides 19 and 21 extend fram the front of boat 10 and act as a funnel for directing the oil spill 14 between the sections 16 and 18. A relatively large mesh screen assembly 26 is secured at the forward port.ion of boat 10. Thus floating debris will not be permitted access to the belt conveyor 20.
The screen assembly 26 is arranged to def;.ne a V shape such that debris will tend to be deflected to one side or the other. The screen assembly 26 is preferably a self-cleaning screen 28. A
pair of gates 27 and 29 are located near the juncture of guides 19 and 21 and the adjacent screen assembly 26 and are selectively actuable to an open position to permit collected debris to be exlted when the gates 27 and 29 are opened.
The belt conveyor 20 collects a combination of water and oil from the surface of the flu.id between the body sections 16 and 18 and conveys the same to a primary receiving and holding tank 30. m e receiving tank 30 is separated from a second holding tank 32 by means of a wall 34. m e conveyor 20 includes a ringer roll 35 located on the return side of belt 22 and is actuable to apply pressure to the belt 22 to squeeze therefrom the remaining oil and water m;.xture which will be more heavily concentrated with oil. Thus the tank 30 will hold a mixture of predaminantly water with oil while the second tank 32 will hold a mixture having more oil with the water. The 74~
rece;.v;.ng tanX 30 is preferably larger in capacity than the second tank 32.
In the present invention, the mixture of oil and water i.n tanks 30 and 32 is processed separately in parallel systen~s. In the following discussi.on flu;d from tank 30 shall be referred to as heavy water while the fluid from tank 32 shall be referred to as heavy oi.l. Thus the fluid in receivi.ng tank 30 is transm;.tted to a plurality of heavy water processing tanks 36a-36h via a pump 38 and fluid line 40. At the same time heavy oil is transmitted from receiving tank 32 to a lesser plural;.ty of heavy oil processing tanks 42a-42f via a pump 44 and fluid line 46. The tanks 36a-36h and 42a-42f are sequentially filled and, as will be seen, the fluid therefrom is sequent;.ally processed. Note that a greater number of tanks 36a-36h (and hence greater capacity) are provided for the heavy water storage than are prov.ided by tanks 42a-42f for the heavy oil storage.
The heavy water from tanks 36a-36h is first processed via a centrifugal separating section 48 wh.ich comprises a plurality of centrifugal separators 50a-50h. Each separator 50a-50h is separately connected to one of the heavy water tanks 36a-36h and this connection is schemat;.cally shown as a single line 52. Fluid is pumped from each tank 36a-36h to its associated centrifugal separators 50a-50h via pumps 54a-54h, respectively. The pumps 5~a-54h are located between one half and two thirds of the distance from the top of the tanks ~7~
36a-36h so that the heavier concentratlons of fluid with oil is taken off. At the same t;me pumps 56a-56h in tanks 36a-36h, respect;vely, are separately connected to a fluid line 58 connected to another centrifugal separator 60. me pumps 56a-56h are located proximate the bott~m of tanks 36a-36h whereby fluid which is lower .in oil content will be transmi.tted.
In operation pumps 54a-54h are actuated first and the fluid pumped down to a level proximate the individual pumps. Next the pumps 56a-56h are actuated and the remaini.ng fluid .is pumped out for processing. The above pumping and processing sequen oe can be done for the separate tanks 36a-36h in a selected order such that processi.ng can be a continous operati.on. m us note that both in the original collection tanks 30 and 32 a rough natural separation of water and oil is provi.ded and this is continued in the subsequent holding tanks 36a-36h for the heavy water from tank 30 and, as will be seen, is also continued in the holding tanks 42a-42h for the heavv oil from tank 32.
Thus the m~re concentrated oil at lines 52 are processed in centrifugal separators 50a-50h. Each separator has separate outputs 62a-62h for the oil and 64a-64h for the water.
The water outputs 64a-64h are connected to a fluid line 66 which in turn is connected to the inlet of a clean tank 68 via l;.ne 67. Note, it is important that the water before being returned to its source of origin be adequately cleaned of its oil content and hence a final separation stage is provi.ded for the fluid in clean tank 68. The water in clean tank 68 can be returned to the sea or lake of origination via lines 70, 72 and 74. First, h~wever, the water is sent through a final separator stage including centrifugal separator 75. The water being discharged at line 70 is monitored for oil content via a fluid monitor 76 (which can be a turbidimeter of known construction) and if the water is sufficiently free of oil it will be then pumped out to the sea, etc. A tWD way valve 78 is operative with monitor 76 and in the event the water to be discharged is not sufficiently free of oil, valve 78 will be actuated to block passage to discharge line 72 but will return the water to the clean tank 68 via line 80 for another cycle of separation. The oil separated by separator 75 will be transmitted to another clean tank 88 for processing oil via line 81.
At the same time, the oil æ parated frcn the separators 50a-50h is transmitted via lines 82, 84 and 86 to the second clean tank 88 for final filtering. Here a final separation of oil from the water ta~kes place and the re9ultant oil is transmitted to oil storage tanks 90 via a oe ntrifugal separator 92 and line 94. The water from the separator 92 is transmitted to the clean water tank 68 via line 96.
Going back to the fluid from heavy water tanks 36a-36h, the lower oil concentration fluid transmitted to separator 60 is processed and the oil transmitted from line 98 to line 86 and thence to the clean oil tank 88 where it is processed as previously described. The water from separator 60 is transmitted via line 100 and may be clean enough for discharge. Hcwever, a monitor 102 (like monitor 76) cooperates with a tWD way valve 104 (in the same manner as valve 783. Thus if the water is adequately free of oil, valve 104 will connect line 100 to discharge line 74 if not, the valve 104 will block discharge and connect line 100 to line 67 for transmission to the clean water tank 68 where it is processed as previously described.
The heavy oil at tanks 42a-42h is processed via separator stage 101 in a manner similar to that described above for the heavy water at tanks 36a-36h. Each tank 42a-42h is separately connected to a centrifugal separator 106a-106f via separate lines schematically shown as a single line 108.
Separators 106a-106f have oil outlets llOa-llOf all of which are connected to the inlet of clean oil tank 88 via fluid lines 112, 114 and 116. Note again that the fluid at line 108 to the inlets of separators 106a-106f is taken from the upper one half to tWD thirds of tanks 42a-42f via pumps 118a-118f, respectively. This again provides for a course separation of fluid from tanks 42a-43f.
At the same time, however, fluid frcm proximate the bottom of the tanks 42a-42f is taken off via pumps 120a-120f and lines 122. This fluid, having a lower oil concentration, is tran~mitted to the inlet of a centrifugal separator 124. Again ~174~aO
the pumps 118a-118f are operated first and then the pumps 120a-120f are operated. The separated oil from separator 124 is transmitted to the clean oil tank 88 via line 126 where it is processed in the manner described. At the same time the water ~;eparated at separator 124 may be in a condition for discharge.
Hence the water at line 128 is transmitted via a monitor 130 (similar to monitor 26) and to a tw~ way valve 132 (similar to valve 78). If the water is sufficiently free of oil, monitor 130 will place valve 132 in its discharge condition connecting line 128 with the line 134 and outlet line 74. If it is not sufficiently free of oil, valve 132 will block discharge and connect the fluid to clean water tank 68 via lines 136 and 67 for further processing as described.
The separators 106a-106f also have outlets 138a-138f for the separated water. These outlets are also connected to the clean water tank 68 via lines 140, 136 and 67.
With the system as shown it is significant that the discharged water is substantially free of oil. It is also significant that the water content in the oil eventually stored, as an oil storage tank go, has been drastically reduced whereby the storage capacity of the boat 10 can be effectively utilized.
Another embodiment of the present invention is set forth in Figure 4. This embodiment comprises a single hull boat 140 adapted to collect and process oil frcm an oil spill by way of tw~ separate and independently operable belt convey~rs, ~ 10 -~174~0 141 and 142 respectively, located on opposite sides of the boat 140. ~elt conveyors 141 and 142 are constructed and operate in a manner in accordance with belt conveyor 20 previously described. In this embodiment, the boat 140 includes tw~ guide ~nbers 143 and 144 situated along each side of the boat 140 near the front section. Guide members 143 and 144 are comprised of containment members, 145 and 146 respectively, which are substantially parallel to the sides of the boat 140, and diverging guides 147 and 148, which extend beyond the front end of the boat 140. A relatively large mesh screen assembly 150 is secured at the forward portion of the boat 140 and is arranged to define a v-shape extending between guide members 143 and 144 across the front end 151 of the boat 140. Ihe screen assembly 150 preferably comprises a self-cleaning screen 152. A pair of gates 153 and 154 are located near the juncture of diverging guides 147 and 148 and the adjacent screen assembly 150 and are selectively actuable to an open position to Fermit oollected debris to be exited when the gates 153 and 154 are opened.
Along hull sections 155 and 156, adjacent to and in front of belt conveyors 141 and 142, the boat 140 is provided with flow deflectors 157 and 158 which serve to direct the flow of oil located adjacent to hull sections 155 and 156 toward and onto belt conveyors 141 and 142. An additional pair of flow deflectors, 159 and 160, are provided along containment members 145 and 146 adjacent to and in front of belt conveyors 141 and :,, 4~
142 to direct the flow of fluid near containment members 145 and 146 in a similar fashion.
In operation the boat 140 is moved through the oil spill such that the oil will be guided into areas 162 and 164 and toward belt conveyors 141 and 142, areas 162 and 164 being defined by the containment members 145 and 146 and hull sections 155 and 156 of the boat 140, respectively. Diverging guides 147 and 148 act as a funnel for directing the oil spill into areas 162 and 164. The flow deflectors 157, 158, 159 and 160 further tend to aid in directing the oil spill through areas 162 and 164 toward and onto belt oonvey~rs 141 and 142. & reen assembly 150 operates to p~revent floating debris from gaining access to belt conveyors 141 and 142. The v-shape of screen assembly 150 will tend to deflect debris to one side or the other along the screen assembly 150 such that such debris may be exited through gates 153 and 154.
The belt conveyors 141 and 142 collect a conbination of water and oil from the surface of the fluid residing in areas 162 and 164 and convey the same to primary receiving and holding tanks 171 and 172, respectively.
Receiving tanks 171 and 172 are separated from respective second receiving and holding tanks 173 and 174 by means of walls 175 and 176, respectively. As previously noted, belt conveyors 141 and 142 are constructed and operate in a manner as hereinabove described (i.e. Figures 1 and 2), the result being that tanks
Claims (36)
1. An oil retrieval system for retrieving oil spills and the like from bodies of water such as seas, lakes or the like and being operable from a boat, said system comprising:
collecting means operatively connected with the boat for collecting the oil from the surface of the water, said collecting means collecting a mixture of oil and water, receiving tank means located on the boat for receiving the mixture of oil and water, separating means operatively connected with said receiving tank means for separating the oil and water, storage means for receiving and holding the separated oil, discharge means for discharging the water back to the body of water, monitor means for analyzing the water to be discharged and providing a first signal when the quantity of oil in the water is at a preselected low level and a second signal when the quantity of oil in the water is above said low level, said discharge means operable for discharging the water in response to said first signal and response to said second signal for transmitting the water to said separating means for an additional cycle, screen means including a screen structure located in front of said collecting means to block out debris from said collecting means, said screen means further comprising guide means for providing a funnel like construction for guiding the fluid into an area in front of and along said one side of said boat in relative proximity therewith and to said screen structure, said guide means having at least one gate and with said screen structure defining a V-shape and cooperating with said one gate for directing debris thereto whereby debris can be exited.
collecting means operatively connected with the boat for collecting the oil from the surface of the water, said collecting means collecting a mixture of oil and water, receiving tank means located on the boat for receiving the mixture of oil and water, separating means operatively connected with said receiving tank means for separating the oil and water, storage means for receiving and holding the separated oil, discharge means for discharging the water back to the body of water, monitor means for analyzing the water to be discharged and providing a first signal when the quantity of oil in the water is at a preselected low level and a second signal when the quantity of oil in the water is above said low level, said discharge means operable for discharging the water in response to said first signal and response to said second signal for transmitting the water to said separating means for an additional cycle, screen means including a screen structure located in front of said collecting means to block out debris from said collecting means, said screen means further comprising guide means for providing a funnel like construction for guiding the fluid into an area in front of and along said one side of said boat in relative proximity therewith and to said screen structure, said guide means having at least one gate and with said screen structure defining a V-shape and cooperating with said one gate for directing debris thereto whereby debris can be exited.
2. The system of claim 1 with said boat being of a single hull construction with said collecting means comprising a first collecting unit on one side of said boat.
3. The system of claim 2 with said collecting means comprising a second collecting unit located on the other side of said boat, said guide means further providing a funnel like construction for guiding the fluid into an area in front of and along said other side of said boat in relative proximity therewith and to said screen structure.
4. The system of claim 3 with said separating means comprising fluid separating means for separating the oil and water, a clean oil tank and a clean water tank, and conduit means for transmitting the oil from said separating means to said clean oil tank and for transmitting the water from said separating means to said clean water tank.
5. The system of claim 4 with said separating means comprising means for separating the mixture of oil and water into a first mixture and a second mixture with said first mixture having a heavier concentration of oil than said second mixture, said fluid separating means comprising first fluid separating means for receiving said first mixture and for separating the water and oil from said first mixture and transmitting the oil to said clean oil tank and the water to said clean water tank, and second fluid separating means for receiving said second mixture and for separating the water and oil from said second mixture and transmitting the oil to said clean oil tank and the water to said clean water tank.
6. The system of claim 5 with said separating means comprising third fluid separating means connected to said clean water tank for separating the water and oil and transmitting the oil to said clean oil tank and the water to said discharge means.
7. The system of claim 4 with said receiving tank means comprising a first receiving tank means and a second receiving tank means and initial coarse separation means operatively connected with said collecting means and with said first and second receiving tank means for coarsely separating the oil and water from said collecting means and for transmitting said second receiving tank means a mixture more heavily concentrated with oil than said first receiving tank means.
8. The system of claim 7 with said first receiving tank means comprising two first receiving tanks and said second receiving tank means comprising two second receiving tanks, said initial coarse separation means further comprising a first initial coarse separation unit operatively connected with said first collecting unit of said collecting means and with one of said two first receiving tanks and one of said two second receiving tanks, and a second initial coarse separation unit operatively connected with said second collecting unit of said collecting means and with the other of said two first receiving tanks and the other of said two second receiving tanks.
9. The system of claim 7 with said fluid separating means comprising first and second fluid separating means operatively connected with said first receiving tank means and third and fourth fluid separating means operatively connected with said second receiving tank means, said first, second, third and fourth fluid separating means operative on the mixture of water and oil received to separate the water and oil and to transmit the oil to said clean oil tank and the water to said clean water tank, said first and second fluid separating means operative to receive the mixture of oil and water from said first receiving tank means and said second and third fluid separating means operative to receive the mixture of oil and water from said second receiving tank means, and first coarse separating means for coarsely separating the oil and water in said first receiving tank means and transmitting a mixture of fluid more heavily concentrated with oil to said first fluid separating means and a mixture of fluid less heavily concentrated with oil to said second fluid separating means and second coarse separating means for coarsely separating the oil and water in said second receiving tank means and transmitting a mixture of fluid more heavily concentrated with oil to said third fluid separating means and a mixture of fluid less heavily concentrated with oil to said fourth fluid separating means.
10. The system of claim 9 with said monitor means comprising a first monitor means operatively connected with said second fluid separating means for analyzing the water therefrom and for providing said first and second signals, first valve means responsive to said first signal for transmitting the water to said discharge means and responsive to said second signal for transmitting the water to said clean water tank.
11. The system of claim 10 with said monitor means comprising second monitor means operatively connected with said fourth fluid separating means for analyzing the water therefrom and for providing said first and second signals, second valve means responsive to said first signal for transmitting the water to said discharge means and responsive to said second signal for transmitting the water to said clean water tank.
12. The system of claim 11 with said fluid separating means comprising a fifth fluid separating means operatively connected with said clean water tank for separating the oil and water and transmitting the oil to said clean oil tank and the water to said discharge means, said monitor means including third monitor means operatively connected with said fluid separating means for analyzing the water therefrom and for providing said first and second signals, third valve means responsive to said first signal for transmitting the fluid to said discharge means and responsive to said second signal for transmitting the water back to said clean water tank.
13. The system of claim 12 with said fluid separating means comprising a sixth fluid separating means operatively connected with said clean oil tank for separating the oil and water and transmitting the oil to said storage means and the water to said clean water tank.
14. The system of claims 1, 2 or 3 with said screen structure being self-cleaning.
15. The system of claim 2 with said guide means comprising a flow deflector means operatively connected with said collecting means for directing the fluid toward and onto said collecting means.
16. The system of claim 15 with said guide means further comprising a containment member, said containment member extending between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure, and said flow deflector means comprising a flow deflector disposed on said containment member.
deflector means comprising a flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat.
deflector means comprising a flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat.
17. The system of claim 15 with said flow deflector means comprising a flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat.
18. The system of claim 15 with said guide means comprising a containment member, said containment member extending between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure, and said flow deflector means comprising a first flow deflector disposed on said containment member and a second flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat.
19. The system of claim 3 with said guide means comprising a flow deflector means operatively connected with said collecting means for directing the fluid toward and onto said collecting means.
20. The system of claim 19 with said guide means comprising containment means, said containment means including a first containment member extending between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure and a second containment member extending between said second collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure, and said flow deflector means comprising a first flow deflector disposed on said first containment member and a second flow deflector disposed on said second containment member.
21. The system of claim 19 with said flow deflector means comprising a first flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat and a second flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said second collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat.
22. The system of claim 19 with said guide means comprising containment means, said containment means including a first containment member extending between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure and a second containment member extending between said second collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure, and said flow deflector means comprising a first flow deflector disposed on said first containment member, a second flow deflector disposed on said second containment member, a third flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat and a fourth flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said second collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat.
23. An oil retrieval system for retrieving oil spills and the like from bodies of water such as seas, lakes or the like and being operable from a boat, said system comprising:
collecting means operatively connected with the boat for collecting the oil from the surface of the water, said collecting means collecting a mixture of oil and water, receiving tank means located on the boat for receiving the mixture of oil and water, separating means operatively connected with said receiving tank means for separating the oil and water, storage means for receiving and holding the separated oil, discharge means for discharging the water back to the body of water, monitor means for analyzing the water to be discharged and providing a first signal when the quantity of oil in the water is at a preselected low level and a second signal when the quantity of oil in the water is above said low level, said discharge means operable for discharging the water in response to said first signal and response to said second signal for transmitting the water to said separating means for an additional cycle, said separating means comprising fluid separating means for separating the oil and water, a clean oil tank and a clean water tank, and conduit means for transmitting the oil from said fluid separating means to said clean oil tank and for transmitting the water from said fluid separating means to said clean water tank, said receiving tank means comprising a first receiving tank means and a second receiving tank means, an initial coarse separation means operatively connected with said collecting means and with said first and second receiving tank means or coarsely separating the oil and water from said collecting means and for transmitting to said second receiving tank means a mixture more heavily concentrated with oil than said first receiving tank means, said fluid separating means comprising first and second fluid separating means operatively connected with said first receiving tank means and third and fourth fluid separating means operatively connected with said second receiving tank means, said first, second, third and fourth fluid separating means operative on the mixture of water and oil received to separate the water and oil and to transmit the oil to said clean oil tank and the water to said clean water tank, said first and second fluid separating means operative to receive the mixture of oil and water from said first receiving tank means and said second and third fluid separating means operative to receive the mixture of oil and water from said second receiving tank means, and first coarse separating means for coarsely separating the oil and water in said first receiving tank means and transmitting a mixture of fluid more heavily concentrated with oil to said first fluid separating means and a mixture of fluid less heavily concentrated with oil to said second fluid separating means and second coarse separating means for coarsely separating the oil and water in said second receiving tank means and transmitting a mixture of fluid more heavily concentrated with oil to said third fluid separating means and a mixture of fluid less heavily concentrated with oil to said fourth fluid separating means, said monitor means comprising a first monitor means operatively connected with said second fluid separating means for analyzing the water therefrom and for providing said first and second signals, first valve means responsive to said first signal for transmitting the water to said discharge means and responsive to said second signal for transmitting the water to said clean water tank, said monitor means comprising second monitor means operatively connected with said fourth fluid separating means for analyzing the water therefrom and for providing said first and second signals, second valve means responsive to said first signal for transmitting the water to said discharge means and responsive to said second signal for transmitting the water to said clean water tank, said fluid separating means comprising a fifth fluid separating means operatively connected with said clean water tank for separating the oil and water and transmitting the oil to said clean oil tank and the water to said discharge means, said monitor means including third monitor means operatively connected with said fluid separating means for analyzing the water therefrom and for providing said first and second signals, third valve means responsive to said first signal for transmitting the fluid to said discharge means and responsive to said second signal for transmitting the water back to said clean water tank, said fluid separating means comprising a sixth fluid separating means operatively connected with said clean oil tank for separating the oil and water and transmitting the oil to said storage means and the water to said clean water tank, screen means including a screen structure located in front of said collecting means to block out debris from said collecting means, said screen means further comprising guide means for providing a funnel like construction for guiding the fluid into an area in front of and along said one side of said boat in relative proximity therewith and to said screen structure, said guide means having at least one gate and with said screen structure defining a V-shape and cooperating with said one gate for directing debris thereto whereby debris can be exited.
collecting means operatively connected with the boat for collecting the oil from the surface of the water, said collecting means collecting a mixture of oil and water, receiving tank means located on the boat for receiving the mixture of oil and water, separating means operatively connected with said receiving tank means for separating the oil and water, storage means for receiving and holding the separated oil, discharge means for discharging the water back to the body of water, monitor means for analyzing the water to be discharged and providing a first signal when the quantity of oil in the water is at a preselected low level and a second signal when the quantity of oil in the water is above said low level, said discharge means operable for discharging the water in response to said first signal and response to said second signal for transmitting the water to said separating means for an additional cycle, said separating means comprising fluid separating means for separating the oil and water, a clean oil tank and a clean water tank, and conduit means for transmitting the oil from said fluid separating means to said clean oil tank and for transmitting the water from said fluid separating means to said clean water tank, said receiving tank means comprising a first receiving tank means and a second receiving tank means, an initial coarse separation means operatively connected with said collecting means and with said first and second receiving tank means or coarsely separating the oil and water from said collecting means and for transmitting to said second receiving tank means a mixture more heavily concentrated with oil than said first receiving tank means, said fluid separating means comprising first and second fluid separating means operatively connected with said first receiving tank means and third and fourth fluid separating means operatively connected with said second receiving tank means, said first, second, third and fourth fluid separating means operative on the mixture of water and oil received to separate the water and oil and to transmit the oil to said clean oil tank and the water to said clean water tank, said first and second fluid separating means operative to receive the mixture of oil and water from said first receiving tank means and said second and third fluid separating means operative to receive the mixture of oil and water from said second receiving tank means, and first coarse separating means for coarsely separating the oil and water in said first receiving tank means and transmitting a mixture of fluid more heavily concentrated with oil to said first fluid separating means and a mixture of fluid less heavily concentrated with oil to said second fluid separating means and second coarse separating means for coarsely separating the oil and water in said second receiving tank means and transmitting a mixture of fluid more heavily concentrated with oil to said third fluid separating means and a mixture of fluid less heavily concentrated with oil to said fourth fluid separating means, said monitor means comprising a first monitor means operatively connected with said second fluid separating means for analyzing the water therefrom and for providing said first and second signals, first valve means responsive to said first signal for transmitting the water to said discharge means and responsive to said second signal for transmitting the water to said clean water tank, said monitor means comprising second monitor means operatively connected with said fourth fluid separating means for analyzing the water therefrom and for providing said first and second signals, second valve means responsive to said first signal for transmitting the water to said discharge means and responsive to said second signal for transmitting the water to said clean water tank, said fluid separating means comprising a fifth fluid separating means operatively connected with said clean water tank for separating the oil and water and transmitting the oil to said clean oil tank and the water to said discharge means, said monitor means including third monitor means operatively connected with said fluid separating means for analyzing the water therefrom and for providing said first and second signals, third valve means responsive to said first signal for transmitting the fluid to said discharge means and responsive to said second signal for transmitting the water back to said clean water tank, said fluid separating means comprising a sixth fluid separating means operatively connected with said clean oil tank for separating the oil and water and transmitting the oil to said storage means and the water to said clean water tank, screen means including a screen structure located in front of said collecting means to block out debris from said collecting means, said screen means further comprising guide means for providing a funnel like construction for guiding the fluid into an area in front of and along said one side of said boat in relative proximity therewith and to said screen structure, said guide means having at least one gate and with said screen structure defining a V-shape and cooperating with said one gate for directing debris thereto whereby debris can be exited.
24. The system of claim 23 with said boat being of a single hull construction with said collecting means comprising a first collecting unit on one side of said boat.
25. The system of claim 24 with said collecting means comprising a second collecting unit located on the other side of said boat, said guide means further providing a funnel like construction for guiding the fluid into an area in front of and along said other side of said boat in relative proximity therewith and to said screen structure.
26. The system of claim 25 with said first receiving tank means comprising two first receiving tanks and said second receiving tank means comprising two second receiving tanks, said initial coarse separation means further comprising a first initial coarse separation unit operatively connected with said first collecting unit of said collecting means and with one of said two first receiving tanks and one of said two second receiving tanks, and a second initial coarse separation unit operatively connected with said second collecting unit of said collecting means and with the other of said two first receiving tanks and the other of said two second receiving tanks.
27. The system of claims 23, 24 or 25 with said screen structure being self-cleaning.
28. The system of claim 24 with said guide means comprising a flow deflector means operatively connected with said collecting means for directing the fluid toward and onto said collecting means.
29. The system of claim 28 with said guide means further comprising a containment member, said containment member extending between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure, and said flow deflector means comprising a flow deflector disposed on said containment member.
30. The system of claim 28 with said flow deflector means comprising a flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat.
31. The system of claim 28 with said guide means comprising a containment member, said containment member extending between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure, and said flow deflector means comprising a first flow deflector disposed on said containment member and a second flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat.
32. The system of claim 25 with said guide means comprising a flow deflector means operatively connected with said collecting means for directing the fluid toward and onto said collecting means.
33. The system of claim 32 with said guide means comprising containment means, said containment means including a first containment member extending between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure and a second containment member extending between said second collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure, and said flow deflector means comprising a first flow deflector disposed on said first containment member and a second flow deflector disposed on said second containment member.
34. The system of claim 32 with said flow deflector means comprising a first flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat and a second flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said second collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat.
35. The system of claim 32 with said guide means comprising containment means, said containment means including a first containment member extending between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure and a second containment member extending between said second collecting unit of said collecting means and said screen structure, and said flow deflector means comprising a first flow deflector disposed on said first containment member, a second flow deflector disposed on said second containment member, a third flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said first collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat and a fourth flow deflector disposed on the hull of said boat between said second collecting unit of said collecting means and the front end of said boat.
36. An oil retrieval system for retrieving oil spills and the like from bodies of water such as seas, lakes or the like and being operable from a boat, said system comprising:
collecting means operatively connected with the boat for collecting the oil from the surface of the water, said collecting means collecting a mixture of oil and water, receiving tank means located on the boat for receiving the mixture of oil and water, separating means operatively connected with said receiving tank means for separating the oil and water, storage means for receiving and holding the separated oil, discharge means for discharging the water back to the body of water, monitor means for analyzing the water to be discharged and providing a first signal when the quantity of oil in the water is at a preselected low level and a second signal when the quantity of oil in the water is above said low level, said discharge means operable for discharging the water in response to said first signal and response to said second signal for transmitting the water to said separating means for an additional cycle, said boat being of a single hull construction with said collecting means comprising a first collecting unit located on one side of said boat and a second collecting unit located on the side of said boat opposite the side on which said first collecting unit is located, said first and second collecting units operable independently of each other for transmitting the mixture of oil and water to said receiving tank means.
collecting means operatively connected with the boat for collecting the oil from the surface of the water, said collecting means collecting a mixture of oil and water, receiving tank means located on the boat for receiving the mixture of oil and water, separating means operatively connected with said receiving tank means for separating the oil and water, storage means for receiving and holding the separated oil, discharge means for discharging the water back to the body of water, monitor means for analyzing the water to be discharged and providing a first signal when the quantity of oil in the water is at a preselected low level and a second signal when the quantity of oil in the water is above said low level, said discharge means operable for discharging the water in response to said first signal and response to said second signal for transmitting the water to said separating means for an additional cycle, said boat being of a single hull construction with said collecting means comprising a first collecting unit located on one side of said boat and a second collecting unit located on the side of said boat opposite the side on which said first collecting unit is located, said first and second collecting units operable independently of each other for transmitting the mixture of oil and water to said receiving tank means.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US930,411 | 1978-08-02 | ||
| US05/930,411 US4178247A (en) | 1977-05-31 | 1978-08-02 | Oil spill retrieval system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1117440A true CA1117440A (en) | 1982-02-02 |
Family
ID=25459303
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000328232A Expired CA1117440A (en) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-05-24 | Oil spill retrieval system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1117440A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2026883B (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3134208A1 (en) * | 1981-08-29 | 1983-04-28 | Fried. Krupp Gmbh, 4300 Essen | "WATER VEHICLE WITH DEVICES FOR SUCTIONING AND RECEIVING SUBSTANCES DRIVING ON THE WATER SURFACE" |
| FR2661652B1 (en) * | 1990-05-07 | 1992-11-13 | Tollet Daniel | MULTI-HULL BOAT. |
| GB2360002B (en) * | 2000-03-07 | 2003-11-26 | Kenneth James Watkins | Slick sweep - oil sea rescue vehicle |
| SK6426Y1 (en) | 2012-03-28 | 2013-05-03 | Univ Tech Kosiciach | Mechanism for collecting garbage in backwater |
| CN111635083B (en) * | 2020-07-03 | 2025-01-28 | 山东省淡水渔业研究院（山东省淡水渔业监测中心） | Freshwater aquaculture tailwater biological integrated purification system |
-
1979
- 1979-05-24 CA CA000328232A patent/CA1117440A/en not_active Expired
- 1979-06-01 GB GB7919164A patent/GB2026883B/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2026883A (en) | 1980-02-13 |
| GB2026883B (en) | 1982-09-02 |
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| MKEX | Expiry |