DE2224095A1 - Method and apparatus for containing and recovering spilled oil - Google Patents

Description

Patent attorneys DIpJ. 'r'q- Π. ~ ■■ :. β. τ Z
DIpJ--. -. ^J A ..: P7iEiCHT

Dr.-l. · -. : - '■ - ' Γ Z Jr.
β Münehen ^ 2, Scsinsdorfetr. 10 0 90 / HQC

588-18.771P (18.772H) May 17, 1972

BENNETT POLLUTION CONTROLS Ltdc. Vancouver 1st B.C.

(Canada)

Method and apparatus for containment and recovery spilled oil

The invention relates to improvements in methods and apparatus for containment and recovery of petroleum oil and the like that is on the surface leaked from oceans, bays and other bodies of water.

Are known from the ÜS-PS 3 537 587 from November 3, 1970 a A method and apparatus or system employing a flexible filter boom. According to the description in this patent a cantilever is for use to encompass an area of oil floating on the water constructed from a flexible loaded net, which is supported by elongated Float units held in a vertical position <Wt, Td, mounted on one or both sides of the net, where-

588- (SN 143 997) -Tp-r (7)

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a part of the network as a splash or ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ell barrier protrudes above the surface of the water while the rest of the net is immersed in the water. The network exists under the surface of the water made of a filter material with hydrophobic and oleophilic Properties that allow water to flow through, but the passage of liquid hydrocarbons.

The invention is based on the object, proceeding from this basic floating boom type a method and to provide a device for the containment and recovery of spilled liquid hydrocarbons and the like, thus a higher percentage of containment and recovery than before and under more variable and less favorable Conditions that affect the effectiveness of the known processes and facilities, is available and in In urgent cases, action can be taken more quickly if, for example, B. strong currents, stormy weather or similar unfavorable Conditions prevail »The invention aims at an oil containment and recovery system which is a recovery 90 percent or more of the leaked material in water with a wave height of about 1.83 m and a nearly 100pi> ocent recovery under more favorable conditions, such as B. in a body of water with a swell of O, 6i-m. In addition, the invention is intended to result in such a boom system that is safe and effective in conjunction with a Oil collector barge or other vessels and associated Means for lifting the oil from the surface of the sea and introducing it into the tank or container of the barge can be used is, such as B. Canadian Patent 735 25 ^ of May 31, 1966, or related to can use other devices as they currently exist. The system aimed at by the invention is intended to

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have relatively low manufacturing costs and a have such a structure that the device can be conveniently stored in a compact form and quickly deployed in an emergency can be. Alternatively, the system according to the invention also for permanent systems using moored buoys or other anchoring devices as permanent protective devices can serve against the spread of oil areas in danger zones, To this end, it is within the scope of the invention, to think of a device for the containment and recovery of spilled liquid hydrocarbons, the is permanent and for the materials and construction techniques due to which they can withstand prolonged exposure to storms and other adverse conditions can, but at the same time convenient and repeated expansion and storage without damage to the structure or the materials allow. In addition, the invention is based on the object of creating such a system, whose Propagation and transport to the oil areas can be carried out quickly and reliably even under adverse conditions and which is particularly suitable for limiting and collecting pools of oil that have already spread quite widely or stretched out by currents. It is also provided in the framework of the object of the invention that the to be developed Device and the process to be developed in conjunction with conventional tugs, barges or other work ships can be used without these especially need to be converted. This is intended according to the invention System to be developed only usual nautical knowledge and relatively little training and only the usual Existing ships require so that there is a standard facility and barge provision for practically all danger zones where offshore oil wells are located. or oil shipping operations occur.

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The object of the invention, with which this object is achieved, is initially a method for isolating and recovering of liquid hydrocarbons Ue that have leaked into the water, the like. Using elongated floating booms each with an overwater barrier part and an adjoining underwater barrier part which is essentially oleophilic and is hydrophobic and lets water through, but blocks the passage of liquid hydrocarbons, with the label, that one spreads two elongated booms side by side in floating position and to one generally converging towards one another Layer stretches out, with its diverging ends leaked out a relatively wide entrance for inflow Hydrocarbon and its converging ends form a relatively narrow recovery throat into which in the leaked hydrocarbon through the boom is concentrated and that the concentrated in the recovery neck liquid hydrocarbon by creating relative movement between the booms and the water in a the direction causing the concentration process from the Removed water surface.

The creation of the relative movement can be achieved so that at each of the diverging ends of the boom one Towing a tugboat or a corresponding towing device, while maintaining the opening angle of the boom, while the converging ends of the boom, for example, with a barge or equivalent connected downstream of the oil surface. An oil jack mounted on or near the barge, such as such as disclosed in the aforementioned Canadian patent is, is placed in a systematically favorable place where the inflowing oil for the purpose of effective function of the

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Oil lifting device is concentrated «Because of the special properties of the type of boom structure described the seemingly unsolvable problem of overflowing and underflowing at the upper edge or «, the lower edge of the boom at their converging ends due to the hydraulic forces, ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ le and concentration of oil on this Position effectively solved «Thanks to the new type of full utilization of the special effect of the physical barrier above the water surface together with the filtration properties With the boom construction below the surface of the water, the oil is successful despite high relative flow velocities held together, and the oil jack is therefore capable of recovering up to $ 98 of the oil that is in the narrow recovery throat penetrates, to win back »One finds with one such a system that such high levels of recovery with currents up to 8 knots relative to the boom, more or less, and in gust strengths, the waves up to 3 »66 - 4.27 ni height are possible.

Some additional features in the improved boom structure including the pulling ends and the wall design of the boom as a barrier and filtering device from the description of the exemplary embodiments.

The invention is illustrated with reference to the in the drawing Embodiments explained in more detail; therein ze i

Fig. I is a plan view of the device according to the invention;

2 shows a schematic section of the fiI trie boom used according to the invention;

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Figure 3 is a perspective view of the improved boom illustrating some features of the invention;

Figures h, 5 and 6 are top, side and end views of a combined tow bar and float assembly for use as the guide or divergent end of each boom;

7 shows a mooring arrangement with which the converging ends of the two arms are held at longitudinal spacings against spreading apart; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the arrangement in which the tail ends of the boom are attached to the skimming or receiving means ₉ in a manner that allows relative pitching and rolling movement without substantial oil leakage.

Without extensive explanation, it should be noted that the type of boom structure disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,537,587 is an upright one fence-like structure used, which is held by one or more floating bodies vidrd, being a part of the fence-like Structure protrudes above the surface of the water and part of it hangs down below the surface of the water. The part above that Surface is suitably covered or provided with a tape strip or film, which is preferably both against water as well as impervious to liquid hydrocarbons is and thus serves as a splash or wave barrier, while the part hanging below the surface of the water a has a hydrophobic, oleophic layer or filter layer which allows water to flow through without further

BATH ORIGINAL

ger hydrocarbons, such as ζ. Bo crude oil, locks. The lower Part of the fence-like structure is stabilized so that it hangs or maintains a vertical position in the water, and in this position, a stream of water can flow through the underwater part, while oil is within the area according to the patent provided enclosure area is limited.

In the simplified representation according to FIG. 2 it can be seen that the upper part of the boom B is designated with Ba and the lower part with Bb. B ₀ for an application remote from the coast in heavy seas, the upper part protrudes approximately 76 cm above the water surface, while the lower part extends approximately 1.07 m below the water surface Flowing through of seawater, while the upper part is impermeable to this and any throughflow and preferably has a vinyl or similar cover layer. The floating bodies P1 and P2 on the two sides of the boom hold it in the above-mentioned relative height position and extend horizontally on the water surface, while suitable stabilizing means, such as. B ₀ Weights, which are mounted on the lower edge part of the boom, keep it stable in the described upright position «

In Fig. 1 it can be seen that the expansion of the two mutually converging arms B1 and B2 is caused by the converging ends B1 'and B2 ¹ attached to an oil barge I ^ od. The like B1 "and B2", respectively, are attached to tow steamers 1 and 2, respectively. In the. Figure it is assumed that the oil pool moves with a flow relative to the boom system in the direction of the arrow, and the function

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the tugs 1 and 2 are the divergent ends the boom spread apart at the appropriate distance Tind to keep the booms stretched even under some tension, thus their funnel shape against the flow forces of the Current is maintained «At the downstream end, where the two booms converge to each other, a skimmer or oil lifter 10 is mounted as in the above Canadian patent is shown and this promotes their discharge through a pipe or conduit 12 into the Oil barge 14. The oil barge itself can be in its Position can be held by means of a tugboat 3, in order to maintain tension in the whole boom system against the forces exerted by the tugs 1 and 2 and thus also a means for coordinating the position of the device with respect to the position and movement of the oil pool occupy.

In a typical situation, the puddle of oil spreads from a given point of origin, e.g. B. a leak, offshore oil well or pipeline or from a damaged tanker. In almost all waters there is a current and the puddle of oil will soon move away from the point of origin in a downstream direction and is spread over a great distance. It is therefore an essential task and function of the present system, to intercept the moving puddle of oil using a technique that takes account of the fact that it is in In most cases it is not practical or useful to cover a spreading puddle of oil, but that it is in the in most cases it is possible to intercept them or cut them off or to move along stretches that take them to and subdivided into, and the oil is collected according to segments or zones

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mine until practically all of the oil is recovered and put at risk for the surrounding area isto

Therefore, according to the invention, if an oil leak occurs, the system workers immediately fasten the front ends B1 "and B2" of the two booms in the towing position to the tugs 1 and 2 by means of ropes or cables 18 which are connected to the tow bar elements 20 of the booms, and when the oil barge 14 and the associated devices are attached to the convergent ends B1 · and B2 ^1, the unit of the boom and of the corresponding barge 1 is driven k to the oil lead-out area, wherein the tugboat 3 is attached to the barge 14 or not; however, it is preferably connected to control the position of the rear end of the unit when it is to be brought into position by countercurrent and sometimes narrow canals with curves, requiring attention and guidance at both ends of the towed unit. As soon as the unit reaches the initial working area, the spread angle X in FIG. B. from one of the tugs or from the oil barge, determines from where the operations and maneuvers of the other ships are directed by radio link.

It has been found that the relative flow rate of the water determines the best choice of the angle of divergence between the booms. For example, it is found that the angle X should be about 60 at 3 knots relative flow velocity, about k5 ° at 5 knots and about 30 ° at 8 knots. Under these conditions, the setting tension in the boom is reasonable, but not unduly under

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Taking into account the fact that a boom arrangement that diverges too much for a given flow rate tends to increase the chances of oil leakage, and an insufficient splay angle, of course The intake width at the entrance of the funnel is unnecessarily restricted.

Connection cables 21 are provided in Fig. 1 to connect the two arms near their converging ends, e.g. B. at the points 3.05 m, 9.15 m, 21.35 m and 30.1 m. m from the oil skimmer 10 to connect each other, with each cross-connecting cable attached to one of the boom rods that are still is attached by means of a string attached to the upper and lower ends of the boom bars is attached. Thus, at the funnel or converging end of the boom system, the angular relationship of the two booms becomes precisely controlled and through the cross-connection cables at a relatively flat or narrow angle of convergence, such as On the order of 30, more or less, for a distance along the two arms of held approximately 30.5 m. The definition of the angle in this way gives a reliable guarantee that the concentrating oil flow in a steady, predictable pattern iri de., inlet opening of the skimming or lifting device 10 concentrated, which removes the oil from the surface of the water and releases it into the collecting barge 1 * f.

In the construction of the boom itself, according to the improvement according to FIG. 3, the entire height of the boom is essentially held and reinforced by galvanized vinyl covered steel chain link fence material 30 that between galvanized strong tubular steel boom rods, which are arranged at intervals of 0.91 m along the boom, in section

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“Typically, the boom consists of 30” 5 m long Parts, measured from end to end of the stringer cable 24, which pass through tubular sockets 26 at the respective upper and lower ends of the boom rods and against relatively sliding, stamped or pressed bushings 28 are held. An inter-string cable 32 extends similarly by corresponding sockets 28 at points at an intermediate height on the boom bars, thereby making this cable substantially is held at the surface of the water where the boom is intended to float. Long polyethylene or similar foamed ones Synthetic peat floats 36 lie along the boom on both sides and are attached to the rods 22 by means of rope connections 38 and associated sockets ^ iO (Fig. 2), the details of which may vary and are of no particular importance here, weights or stabilizers in the form of lead pieces 4 3 (Figo 7 »8) are attached to the lower edge of the boom at longitudinal distances to a To secure swimming of the boom in the upright position as shown in the figure.

The upper or above water fence barrier part of the boom is covered with a folded sheet or band of vinyl material kZ, which lies approximately with its center line on the upper stringer cable 2h and the chain link fence 30. The bottom or filter portion of the boom includes oleophilic, hydrophobic panels hha and Mfb on the two opposite sides of boom fence formation 30 which are cut and sized to hold the lower edges of the folded vinyl material ^ 2 in place. The floats are attached to the bars and reinforcement fence panels at intermediate members S along the boom.

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At the towing or leading end of each boom, the rod 22 L, which is attached to the leading ends of the cables 2k, 32 and to the leading edge of each foremost chain link fence panel, passes through a boat-shaped hollow float k6 . The front or bow end of this float is provided with a tow bar k6a with holes 46a 'therein which can optionally come into engagement with a shackle pin to connect the float for towing purposes to a tow cable 18 which is attached to one of the tugs 1, 2 is. The rod 22 L is suitably fastened by welding or in some other way to a receiving collar k6h which passes through the floating body k6 from its top to the bottom. The float is made of 3 »175 mm thick weldable steel welded together in the shape of a boat and galvanized. Its job is to float and stabilize the front end of the boom when it is pulled by one of the two tugs 1 and 2 »

In Fig. 8, the skimming or oil pick-up device 10 is shown, which has two coupling collars 50 in upright, mutually aligned positions on each side next to its front end. A short length 5k of the boom has an upright stiffener 56 at its rear end, along which a length of coupling tube 58 is welded. A locking pin 60 each can be inserted through the atis-directed collar 50 and coupling tubes 58 in order to connect the closing part of the boom firmly to the side of the skimming device. The opposite end of the boom part 5k is provided with a stiffener which is connected with a suitable clamping device 62 to the rear end of the boom B to be pulled. The towing force, however, is primarily absorbed by the towing bar 6k , which is the case with universal

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Pivoting is coupled at its rear end (at 66) for pivoting by shackle 68 with the tow bar float of the boom.

In operation, in some situations it will be possible for tugs 1 and 2 to be replaced by anchored buoys which are firmly anchored in place, or by anchor buoys (dolphins), assuming that the current is steady and during use flows in the same direction. However, according to practical experience, ocean and other tidal water currents vary in their direction and current speed, so that for most practical applications it is expected that the practice of the invention will almost always be carried out with movable steamers, e.g. B. Tug steamers 1 and 2, which are connected to the tow bar elements 20 of the two booms. It is also assumed that because of the variability of the speed and direction of the currents and the changing positions of the 01 pools to be narrowed down and recovered, maneuverability at the converging end the boom, where the oil barge or other oil collection device and the associated lifting or suction device are located, should also be kept under control and set up according to geographical coordinates and direction by a tugboat or another ship with propulsion power and control capability. In this way, it is possible to adjust the position, orientation, and the divergence angle of the two cantilevers of the flow speed and direction at any time and to trap a maximum _n A part of the entire oil spilled characterized coordinated with the aid of maneuvering the ships. If, in one pass through the leaked oil, all of the

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If the spread of oil is not detected, then it is possible to maneuver the entire unit around the oil pool overtake and repeat the procedure for the part missed the first pass. This can be one or more Times until the entire oil lump is covered, but can also be done with two or more device units, which are similar to that shown in Figo 1, in staggered Standing or side by side to intercept a relatively wide puddle of oil.

In any case, the maneuverability of the device makes and the flexibility of the technology made the invention suitable for emergency applications in almost all waters. The boom are readily suitable for storing in the folded or rolled up state in docks or on Tugs ready for immediate spread and use. The materials are durable and suitable for long and repeated contact with the sea and the atmosphere. Decrease the coupling devices Leakage very strong. Flexibility to control swells up to 3t66 m or more is achieved. The properties of the boom avoid losses through a flow that occurs below the lower edge of the boom, because the relatively free water flow that flows through the boom, even at the higher flow velocities at the converging Samia end of the boom proves adequate to avoid excessive accumulation and a downward flow of the concentrating oil with water currents at this point due to a To avoid pressure build-up of the water through the funnel effect. Likewise is the protrusion of the impermeable

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Part of the boom acts as a barrier above the water surface sufficient to prevent splashing due to the wave effect or an accumulation of water due to the relative flow movement and convergence of the two booms to prevent.

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Claims (11)

Claims 1 <· Process for the containment and recovery of liquid hydrocarbons which have leaked into the water and the like using elongated floating booms each with an overwater barrier part and an adjoining underwater barrier part which is essentially oleophilic and hydrophobic and allows water to pass through, against the passage of liquid hydrocarbons blocks, characterized in that two elongated booms are spread out side by side in the floating position and stretched out to a generally converging position, their diverging ends forming a relatively wide entrance for the inflow of leaked hydrocarbon and their converging ends forming a relatively narrow recovery neck into which ^v the leaked hydrocarbon is concentrated by the boom, and that the concentrated liquid hydrocarbon in the recovery throat by creating a relative movement between the booms and the Water is removed from the surface of the water in a direction that causes the concentration process. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the diverging ends of the two booms in tow are held by two special ships, which are propelled and steered to the relative position of the Outriggers and to maintain the relative movement between the outriggers and the water, and that the converging Ends of the boom towed by a third ship 209fU9 / 0835 that will work with the first two ships « 3 * method according to claim 2, characterized in that that the angle of convergence (x) of the boom as a function of the relative speed between the booms and approximates the following to the water? Speed angle 3 knots. 6ö ° 5 knots 45 ° 8 knots 30 ° « 4. The method of claim 3 »characterized in that the booms are quefverbunden by cables at certain locations that these are located at the diver cast ends of the convergent ends by a fraction of the distance to the divergence angle? Between the arms close to their convergent ends to be limited to the diverging ends regardless of the divergence angle between the arms beyond these points. 5 «A device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 4 in _{r t} by a pair of long flexible arms (Bt, B2) with tiberwaöserbarrierenteilen (Ba) and underwater barrier members (Bb), the latter parts being oleophilic and hydrophobic, and permeating water , on the other hand, block the passage of oil, means (floats 36, 46) on the booms for floating the same with the parts mentioned in an upright position 209849/0835 ment, means (tow bar elements 2O) at one end of the boom for the independent towing of the extended boom in mutually converging position, the boom at their opposite ends at a relatively small distance connecting means with an oil recovery device (10) and storage means (barge lh) for receiving the recovered oil from between the booms. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the means at the first-mentioned ends of each arm (BI, B2 ) comprise an upright rigid rod (22 L) and a float (h6) on which the rod is mounted. 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the float (h6) is boat-shaped and has a fastening element (tow bar 46a) at its front end for fastening a tow cable (18) from a tow steamer (1 or 2). 8. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the boom (BI, B2) has a length of metal chain link fence structures (30) has a width which essentially extends over the full height of the combined surface and underwater parts (Ba, Bb), a band (42) of being impermeable to both water and oil Material is draped over the top edge of the fence pattern in an even fold, the sides of which are turned approximated downwards over the distance of the floating boom from the upper edge substantially to the 209849/0 835 Extending water level, and strips or plates khh) of oleophilic, hydrophobic material are provided, which are attached to the lower edges of the sides of the upper band (42) and from there down to essentially the lower edge of the fence structure (3O) on the two opposite sides extend that the boom also upright rods (22), which extend from the top to the bottom of the boom at intervals along the same, further reinforcement stringer cables (24, 32), which extend along the boom to the upper - and lower edges of the fence structure (3O) and extend at an intermediate height approximately at water level, and finally has floats (36) which lie along the boom and are attached to it at this intermediate height. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the means at the first-mentioned ends of each boom (BI, B2) comprise an upright rigid rod (22 L) and a float (46) on which the rod is mounted. 10. The device according to claim 5 »further characterized by a plurality of cables (21), the corresponding points on the two arms (B1, B2) at points in successive Connect distances along the boom from their converging ends transversely to the distance between the booms along that part of the total length occupied by these cross-connections, regardless of the angle of divergence (x) limit the boom beyond this part. 11. System to contain and recover oil spills and the like, characterized by two swimming 209849/0836 222AQ9B Mende boom (BI, B2) with hanging underwater parts (Bb) made of oleophilera, hydrophobic material that lets water through, but blocks the passage of oil, tow steamers (1, 2), which are attached to the corresponding ends of the two booms, a third steamer (3) »which is fastened together at the opposite ends of the two arms, where they are at a relatively small distance, together with means (10, 12, lh) which can be actuated in the distance between the arms at these latter ends Sucking up oil from the surface of the water and collecting the oil, and characterized in that the first two mentioned tugs are operated under propulsion in order to extend the two booms in a position diverging from the driven third steamer and directed against the oil-carrying water flow in the neck, which is formed by the boom at its converging end, so that the oil pool in the relatively narrow Zw Ischenraum is driven for the purpose of concentration in the work area of the suction device (1O). 2 0 9 8 A 9 / η fl 3 b