EP0007933A1

EP0007933A1 - Method and apparatus for oil skimming

Info

Publication number: EP0007933A1
Application number: EP78900011A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Charles Ii Mclellan
Original assignee: OIL MOP Inc; Oil Mop International Inc
Current assignee: OIL MOP Inc; Oil Mop International Inc
Priority date: 1977-06-08
Filing date: 1978-12-28
Publication date: 1980-02-20
Also published as: WO1978000014A1; JPS5433488A; DK255278A; NL7806198A; NO782003L

Abstract

Procede et appareil pour prelever le petrole de la surface de l'eau comprenant un navire autopropulse dont la coque (10, 12), du type catamaran, definit, entre ses deux elements, un canal (16) de ramassage du petrole. Une serie de bandes continues (38), flexibles, disposees parallelement entre elles et maintenues de facon lache, constituees d'un materiau se pretant au ramassage du petrole flottant, sont mues dans le canal (16) dans la direction opposee au mouvement du navire de facon telle que leur vitesse par rapport a la surface de l'eau soit sensiblement nulle afin qu'elles puissent operer le ramassage du petrole a la surface. Les bandes (38) flottent librement sur la surface de l'eau et sont libres de se mouvoir verticalement et longitudinalement sous l'action de l'eau. Le deport lateral des bandes sous l'action des debris ou d'autres obstacles est egalement possible. Le fait que les bandes flexibles (38) puissent flotter librement permet d'eviter l'effet contraire du a la creation de vagues d'etrave lors du contact initial avec la surface de l'eau et autorise des vitesses de deplacement du navire relativement elevees.Method and apparatus for removing oil from the surface of the water comprising a self-propelled vessel, the hull (10, 12) of the catamaran type, defines, between its two elements, a channel (16) for collecting oil. A series of flexible continuous bands (38) arranged parallel to one another and loosely held together, made of a material suitable for picking up floating oil, are moved in the channel (16) in the direction opposite to the movement of the ship. in such a way that their speed relative to the surface of the water is substantially zero so that they can operate the gathering of oil on the surface. The bands (38) float freely on the surface of the water and are free to move vertically and longitudinally under the action of water. The lateral offset of the strips under the action of debris or other obstacles is also possible. The fact that the flexible bands (38) can float freely makes it possible to avoid the opposite effect due to the creation of bow waves upon initial contact with the water surface and allows relatively high vessel displacement speeds. .

Description

Method and Apparatus for.Oil Skimming Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for remov¬ ing oil from a water surface and particularly to an improved method and apparatus for effecting the continuous removal and recovery of large quantities of oil from extended area water surfaces.

2. General Background and Prior Art.

Pollution of natural waterways and defining marginal land masses, such as harbors, rivers, lakes and defining shore lines and even open seas by oil floating on the water surface is of primary environmental significance. Recent years have witnessed ever increasing quantities of oil spillage from tanker or barge damage, drilling accidents, tank cleaning or other sources with attendant environmental damage to both land and water. Such has been accompanied by an ever increasing public concern both with the problem and with the apparent inability of current technology to ameliorate, much less to solve, the problem of large volume oil spillage.

Although many expedients have been proposed for effecting the removal and collection of oil floating on water prior to adjacent land mass contamination, such as dispersion, skimming, absorbtion, burning and the like, such efforts have been gener¬ ally ineffective, at least insofar as oil spills of any large quantity and consequent areal size are concerned or where water surface turbulence of anything over minimal character is in¬ volved.

Prior attempts at the design of skimmers, crafts which move throughout an oil slick and collect the oil therefrom, have pro¬ ved to have very limited effectiveness. An inherent problem with these devices is that they all present a rigid structure, usually in the form of a belt assembly with a rigid support, to the on¬ coming oil. When such a moving rigid structure is presented to an oil slick a "headwave" is formed in the oil near the structure. At very low relative velocities of the headwave becomes hydro- dynamically unstable. Studies have shown that at relative speeds in excess of approximately 1.25 knots the headwave breaks up, a entrained droplets of oil are swept past the oncoming structure

Studies have also shown that this phenomenon occurs even the structure is provided with a continuously moving belt of o collecting material. Thus, a serious limitation of ^"prior skimm designs has been that they can only operate at speeds of t order of 1 knot if they are to have any significant collecti efficiency at all.

A further complication that has materially militated again prompt resolution of oil spill problems is the totally unpredic able nature of the causes thereof and the widespread geograph areas within which which such spills may occur. As a practic matter, the necessary time that passes between the initiation- an oil spill and the physical availablity of any collection mea at the locus thereof usually permits the spread of the spill oil over an area that far exceeds the ability of any present d techniques for collecting or otherwise handling the same. As corollary to the above, all problems attendant oil removal a markedly accelerated as the gallonage of the spill increase both with respect to the geograpic ' areas involved and wi respect to disposition of the collected oil itself.

Prior patents of possible interest are cited below:

PRIOR ART PATENTS

U.S. Patent No. Patentee(s) Issue Date

3,643,804 D. E. Sharpton 2/22/72

3,668,118 H. M. Rhodes 6/6/72

3,670,896 F. E. Hale, Jr. 6/20/72

3,744,257 W. F. Spanner 7/10/73

3,968,041 E. A. De Voss 7/6/76

4,061,569 J.A. Bennett, ETAL 12/6/77 General Discussion of the Invention

This invention may be briefly described as an improved me¬ thod and apparatus for removing oil from a water surface and which, in its preferred embodiment, includes a modularly asse b- lable, self-propellable catamaran type vessel defining a longi¬ tudinal oil collection channel of inverted U-shape. Large surface areas of oil collecting material for example, polypropylene, in the form of elongate endless belts or ropes are freely and loosely supported on the water surface to move therewith and are abvanced through the inverted U-shaped channel countercurrent to the direction of vessel advance and preferrably at a zero differential velocity relative to the water surface to maximixe oil collection. The preferred oil collecting material is polypro¬ pylene, formed in thin strips and radially disposed about a core belt or rope. Although oil collecting material in continuous flat wide belt or sheet form is possible and contemplated in the present invention, a series of independent rope belts is greatly preferred because it allows further freedom of movement in the lateral direction between the individual belts due to the presence of debris or other obstacles.

Associated therewith and disposed upon a deck structure bridging the catamaran hulls are means for advancing the oil collecting material concurrently with the movement of the catama¬ ran vessel through the water and for removing the collected oil prior to the reintroduction of the material into the oil collec¬ tion channel. In its narrower aspects, the subject invention includes the conjoint usage of the catamaran hulls or sections thereof to temporarily store the oil removed from the water sur¬ faces.

Among other advantages of the subject invention is the pro¬ vision of a self-propellable oil collection vessel that serves to maximize the collection of oil and the separation efficiency of the oil collecting material employed with respect to the quantity of oil exposed to collection and the time of explosable contact therebetween. Further advantages accrue in oil collection and efficiency when the multiple strip poypropylene ropes used. Still further advantages include provision of a collect method and apparatus that is effectively operative independent sea conditions both with respect to surface turbulence and to presence of floating debirs thereon. Still other advanta include the provision of increased oil storage facilities with detrimental diminution of oil collection efficiency and provision of a readilly assemblable modular structure that easily transportable for rapid assembly at the locus of intended use thereof^

An object of this invention is the provision of impro method and apparatus for effecting the collection of oil from surface of water in calm waters as well as in relativ turbulent waters when needed and at relattively high speeds.

Other objects and advantages of the subject invention w become apparent from the following specification and from appended drawings which illustrate, in accord with the mandate the patent statutes, a certain presently preferred embodiment oil collection apparatus embodying the principles of this inv tion.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an improved oil collec¬ tion apparatus incorporating the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a vertical section as taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings there is provided a catamaran t vessel formed of a pair of elongate spaced hull sectio.ns 10, spanned by a deck section 14 suitably constituted, at least part, of metal grating or the like and supported by a plural of cross beams removably securable to the hull sections 10, The transversely spaced hull sections 10 and 12 and the overly deck assembly generally define an inverted generally U-shaped collection channel 16 running the full length of the vessel w the surface of the water disposed intermediate the hull sectio The hull section 10, 12 and overlying decking may be pref ricated in easily assemblable modular sections of, for examp readily transportable 20 foot lengths, and detachably joined at 18 to form an assembled structure. Further, the hull secti 10, 12 are of multi-co partmented construction. Some of th compartments may be filled with buoyant foam material wh others may be utilized for storage of collected oil.

As will hereinafter become apparent, and is clear from F ure 2, the oil collecting material herein employed is slack loose when the vessel is at rest and thus floats loosely upon water surface and allows substantial "give" or movement of t material under water action; hence particular depth of catamar hull section immersion is not a critical or determinati operative parameter and additionally this looseness allows oper tion of the vessel at higher speeds as discussed more ful below.

Mounted in the stern portion of each of the catamaran hu sections 10, 12 in an inboard motor 20 controllable both as speed and helm response from an operating console 22 mounted the deck section 14. Although having the vessel being sel propellable is preferred, it is of course possible to utili some of the basic principles of the present invention in a tow type or other type movable vessel. Peripherally disposed abo the deck section 14 is a guard rail assembly 24. The oil collecting material employed in the practice of the herein described invention may be any of a number of types of materials. For example, sponge may be used, in a sheet or other continuous belt configuration, for collection by absorbtion. However, the material preferred for use in the present invention is polypropylene, formed into the structure disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,668,118. Such structure is essentially comprised of an elongate core strand having a multiplicity of thin guage narrow polypropylene strips extending generally radially there¬ from and constituting a relatively loose mass of individually discrete strands or strips that compositely provide a markedly extensive or expanded surface area for the oleophilic attraction and adherence of oil. As is apparent from the disclosure of such patent, the composite structure is both easy to handle and effective in removing the olepohilically adherent- oil from the oleophilic material prior to its reexposure to oil . Such material will hereinafter be termed an "elongate oleophilic rope element" or "elongate oleophlic rope material."

Mounted on the fore portions of the deck section 14 are a pair of oleophlic rope element driving and oil separation assem¬ blies, generally designated 30 and 32 respectively. As best shown in Figure 2, each of these assemblies includes a pair of compres- sively engaged drive rollers 34, 36, adapted to advance an assem¬ blage of a plurality of elongate oleophilic rope elements, for example, three endless belt type oil ropes 38a, 38b, and 38c in the direction indicated by the directional arrows 40. Associated therewith are a plurality of guide rollers 44 and 46 to direct the path of travel of the elongate oleophlic rope elements from the drive rollers 34, 36 downwardly into loose, floating disposi¬ tion on the water surface intermediate the catamaran hull sections 10 and 12 adjacent to the bow of the vessel. As can be seen in Figure 2, the lowermost bow guide roller 46 is located substantially above the water line "W.L." (for example three feet above in an exemplary vessel of forty feet in length) with the ropes having several extra feet of slack which allows the slack oil collecting material 38 to contact and ride onto the init contacted water surface freely or loosely with substantial " permitting it (note 38') to be easily moved longitudinal vertically in response to wave or other water action, as we laterally. Additionally preferably no further guide roll other longitudinal or vertical movement restriction mean provided along the length of the oil collection material 38 it is in the water or close thereto. The rope elements 38 float freely on the wate surface without being taut or ri presented or under any substantial tension or restraint ad to the water surface contact and its contemplated movement.

Suitable spacing means, such as vertically disposed ba mounted at each end to a housing 54, are desirably includ maintain the elongate oleophilic rope elements,* for example 38b and 38c, in a desired laterally spaced relation .during travel through the drive asemblies 30 and 32.

Mounted on the rear of the deck section 14 and prefe well above the water level "W.L." is a guide roll assemb adapted to elevate the oil saturated oleophilic rope ele from engagement with the water surface and to direct them an elongate catch pan 52 on which they are supported during advance as effected by the drive rollers 34, 36. Suitable such as radially extending plates or flanges are included i guide rolls assembly 50 to maintain the oil rope belt laterally spaced relation. The catch pan 52 drains towar driving and separation assemblies 30, 32. Each of the oleopo rope element driving and oil separation assemblies 30 includes a housing 54 and an oil sump from which collected o transferred via schematically illustrated conduit 58 and pu are also utilized to transfer collected oil from the compart 62 to other storage vessels.

In using the described unit, the separated modular co ents thereof are adapted to be shipped via air or other means of transportation to the locus of their intended us there assembled. By way of example, the main modular compo thereof may comprise the illustrated two catamaran hull sections, the deck gratings, the oleophilic rope clement driving and oil sepoaration assemblies, the control console assemblies and the like, or may include further sub-assemblies thereof. At^" or near the locus of use, the readily transportable modules are readily assembled to form the structure depicted in the drawings. The assembled structure is then towed to or drive under its own power to the locus of spillage.

In operation, the illustrated vessel is adapted to be ad¬ vanced through the oil spill at a predetermined speed. For the purposes of explanation, such rate of advance may be considered as the water moving from the bow to the stern at a rate of Vw knots. Concurrently therewith, the oleophilic rope element driv¬ ing and oil separation assemblies 30 and 32 are adjusted to ef¬ fect a displacement of those portions of the endless belt elong- gate oleophilic rope elements floating upon the water and dis¬ posed within the oil collection channel intermediate the cata¬ maran hull sections 10 and 12 in the bow to stern direction at a predetermined speed, for example, at a rate of V knots. As best shown in Figure 1, each of the oleophilic rope element driving and oil separation assemblies serves a plurality of separate and discrete endless belt type elongate oleophlic rope elements and whose composite transverse extend substantially fills the trans¬ verse space between the hull sections 10 and 12. As will now be apparent, if the speed of displacement V of the elongate oleophilic rope elements is substantially equal to or slightly in excess of that of V of the elongate oleophilic rope elements is substantially equal to or slightly in excess of that of V , optimum conditions will be established with respect to dwell time for oleophlic pick up of the oil on the strands of the oleophlic rope material. Thus, if the transverse extent of the channel formed between the hull sections is substantially filled with the floating oleophilic mop material and the differential speed relation between such material and the water surface is main¬ tained at a minimal or zero value as described above, essentially optimum conditions, effectively, independent of water surface condition or the presence of^' floating debris, can be established and maintained for enhanced oil pick up on a quantitative basis. As is also now apparent, each set of the elongate oleophilic rope elements, for example, 3aa, 38b, 28c, will sclective- ely and preferentially entrain oil from the water surface an they pass upwardly and over the guide roll assembly 50 effe vely separate appreciable quantities of the oil from the w surface. The guide roll assembly 50 directs the elongage o philic rope elements 38 on to the surface of the catch pan 5 support the same as it is advanced into the bite of the pressively engaged drive rollers 34 and 36. The drive roller and 36, which preferably have a surface of elastically deform material, serve both to advance the endless belts of elon oleophilic rope material in the manner described and to pressively squeeze or otherwise displace most of the entra oil from the surfaces of the elongate oleophilic rope materia it advances therepast. Such separated oil is collected in sumps from which it is removed and stored in the tank section of the catamaran hull sections 10 and 12. As will no apparent, the depth of immersion of the catamaran hull sect 10 and 12 is not critical since all collection activity t place on the water surface within the channel marginally def by such hull sections. The loose floatation of the oil collec materials, such as the elongate oleophilic rope elements 38, only maintains the same contact with the floating oil but renders the unit effectively impervious to floating debris or in the water, and within limits, to the degree of turbulenc the water surface since the free floating oleophilic mate will travel over and around any debris and will generally con to the water surface contour.

The permitted control of the differentiated velocity bet the floating elongate oleophilic rope elements and the ve velocity permits high efficiency utilization of the oleoph capabilities of the rope elements and consequent high volume high efficiency oil separation from the water surface in a mobility vehicle under widely varying conditions of operation

Exemplary dimensions for a vessel as illustrated and actually buit, tested and successfully used are a forty (12.2m) aluminum catamaran vessel for inland waters use. Such a vessel can be disassembled and the total vessel stored in two eight-foot-by-eight-foot-by-twenty-foot standard containers. The vessel was powered by two diesel engine driven outdrives and was designed for recovery rates of up to one hundred and seventy-five gp (662 1/m) .

Each hull had its own plant and oil recovery system and was capable of operating independently of each other. The vessel had an on-board storage capability of two thousand gallons (7,570 1) and its own discharge pumps for unloading purposes. Further specfications and exemplary details are outlined below:

-DIMENSION SPECIFICATIONS-

LOA 39'- 8" ( 12 .1 m)

Beam 13' - 2" ( 4.01 m)

Draft (empty) 1' - 0" ( .305m)

Endurance Time 16 hours

Radius Operation 125 N.M. (231 km)

Engines ( 2) GM 3-53 N

Fuel 200 gal. (750L)

Oil Recovery Rate 175 gpm (662 1/m) -

-OIL RECOVERY SYSTEM-

(2) "Oil Mop" Mark 11-9 recovery systems

(6) Continuous loop "Oil Mop" 10" (254 mm) ropes 35' (10.7m) long ea.

(2) 135 GPM (511 1/m) independent sump/discharge pumps

(6) Independent oil tanks (2000 gal. [7,570.1] total)

(2) Manifolds for -fill and discharge

(6) Manholes (one into each tank).

A vessel at least generally identical to the foregoing was successfully tested for effective oil recovery at speeds up to five kts.

The foregoing details and examples are merely exemplary, and subject to great variation within the scope of the present invention. Thus the vessel land its oil collecting materials can be of various sizes and configurations from for example a single hull with the oil collecting materials hung off its side to the preferred multi-hull configurations with centrally defined chan¬ nels. Thus, while the fundamental novel features of -invention been shown and described, it should be undrstood that var substitutions, modifications and variations may be made wit departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordin all such modifications and variations are included in the sop the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A vessel suitable for removing and collecting oil float¬ ing oh the surface of water comprising:

(a) an elongate hull defining at least in part an oil coll¬ ection area and having means for advancing the hull through the water; and

(b) support means associated with said hull supporting at least one oveable belt or pliant, water floatable oil collecting material to float loosely upon the water surface in the oil collecting area to collect oil floating upon the water surface with the material's initial water surface contact area being free to move vertically and longitudinally under the action of the water.

2. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein there is further included drive means associated with said hull for moving the oil collecting material longitudinally through the oil collecting area and wherein said drive means includes control means for controlling the speed* of advance of the oil colleting material through the oil collection channel.

3. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 2 wherein said drive means also serves as separating means for separating the oil _>from the oil collecting material after the oil collecting material is removed from the surface of the water and wherein the drive means and the separating means comprise at least one pair of compress- ively engaged rollers.

4. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 including stronger means associated with said hull for storing the separated oil on the water.

5. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said oil collecting material comprises multiplicities of thin strips of oleophilic material suitably arranged on said belt to present- a fibrous mass to said oil covered water surface. 6. Apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said belt endless and comprises a continuous rope-like formation of s oil collecting material.

7. The appartatus as set forth in Claim 6^" wherein s rope-like formation of oil collecting material comprises m plicities of thin strips of oleophilic material generally ra ally disposed about a central rope-like belt.

8. The apparatus as set forth in Claims 5 or 7 wherein s oleophilic material comprises polypropylene.

9. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 6 wherein said s port means includes means for supporting a series of said be disposed in parallel, side-by-side disposition in the oil co ecting area.

10. A vessel for removing and collecting oil floating the surface of water comprising: a. a pair of laterally spaced elongate hull sections fining a longitudinally disposed oil channel therebetween; b. deck means bridging said laterally spaced hull secti and overyling said oil collection channel; c. means for advancing said vessel at a predetermined sp through water having oil on the surface thereof; d. a series of parallel, side-by-side endless belts pliant water floatable oleophilic material each having a port thereof disposed within said oil collection channel substantia parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, the oleophilic ma rial of each belt being adapted to float loosely and freely u the water surface within the oil collection channel and to c lect oil floating upon said water surface by holding such oil it at adherent interfacial relation therewith; e. a guide roll assembly disposed at the stern.of the v sel; c. controlling said speed of hull section advance and collecting material to render the differential therebetween s stantially zero; 11. 45. The method of Claim 9 further comprising the steps of: a-. introducing said oil collecting material to the water surface at a generally forward location in said collection chan¬ nel; ^*

b. removing said oil collecting material from the water surface at a generally rearward location in said collection chan- ne1; and c. removing the collected oil from said oil collecting ma¬ terial. , ,

12. 44. The method of Claim 1-5- wherein said belt is endless and there is further included the steps of:

1) advancing said belt as it slackly floats on the water said surface in s-as-i-B water collection section as said vessel moves across the water in a direction countercurrent to the direction of the vessel movement; and ii) controlling the relative longitudinal speeds of said vessel and of the floating belt portion to render the difference therebetween substantially zero.

11

13. t . The invention claimed in Claims 1, 5, 9 or i5 wherein oil the portion of said belt in said et collection section or channel extends longitudinally along the water surface in contact there¬ with a substantial distance of the order of some feet.

AMENDED CLAIMS (received by the International Bureau on 20 November 1978 (20.11.78)

What is Claimed is:

1. A marine vessel suitable for removing and collec ing oil floating on the surface of water comprising:

(a) an elongate hull defining at least in part extended oil collection area and having means associat with the vessel for advancing the hull through the wate and

(b) support means associated with said hull for su porting at least one moveable belt of pliant, water floa able oil collecting material to float at least in pa loosely and slackly upon the water surface in the o collecting area to collect oil floating upon the water _^su face with the material's initial water surface contact ar being free to move by itself vertically and longitudinal under the action of the water.

2. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein the is further included drive means associated with said hu for moving the oil collecting material longitudinal through the oil collecting area and wherein said drive mea includes control means for controlling the speed of advan of the oil collecting material through the oil collecti area.

3. The apparatus of Claim 2 including separating mea associated with said hull for separating the oil from t oil collecting material after the oil collecting material removed from the surface of the water by said drive means. 4. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 3 wherein said drive means also serves as said separating means, and wherein the drive means and the separating means comprise at least one pair of compressively engaged rollers.

5. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 3 including storage means associated with said hull for storing the separated oil on the vessel.

6. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 including said belt(s) being freely supported on said support means from the initial contact area and back therefrom a substan¬ tial distance.

7. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 6 wherein said belt(s) of oil collecting material comprise(s) multiplici¬ ties of thin strips of oleophilic material suitably arranged on said belt to present a fibrous mass to the water surface.

8. Apparatus as set forth in Claim 6 wherein said belt(s) comprise(s) endless belt(s).

9. Apparatus as set forth in Claim 8 wherein said belt(s) comprise(s) a continuous, rope-like formation of said oil collecting material.

10. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 9 wherein said rope-like formation of oil collecting material com¬ prises mutiplicities of thin strips of oleophilic material at least generally radially disposed about a central rope-like belt.

11. The apparatus as set forth in Claims 7 or 1 wherein said oleophilic material comprises polypropylene.

12. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 1 wherein sai support means includes means for supporting a series of sai belts disposed in parallel, side-by-side disposition in th extended oil collecting area.

13. A marine vessel for removing and collecting oi floating on the surface of water comprising: a. a pair of laterally spaced elongate hull section defining a longitudinally disposed, extended oil collectio channel therebetween; b. deck means associated with said hull sections an overlying said oil collection channel for bridging an connecting together said laterally spaced hull sections; c. propulsion means associated with said hull section for advancing said hull sections through water having oil o the surface thereof; d. support means associated with said hull sections for supporting movable belts and a set of parallel, side-by-side endless belts of pliant, water floatable oi collecting material mounted on and supported by said suppor means with each belt having a portion thereof dispose within said extended oil collection channel substantiall parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, the oil col lecting material of each belt being supported by sai support means to float loosely, slackly and freely upon th water surface within said oil collection channel with th material's initial water contact area being free to move b itself vertically and longitudinally under the action of the water and being adapted to collect oil floating upon the water surface by holding the oil on it in adherent inter- facial relation therewith; e. guide assemblies associated with said hull sec¬ tions and disposed aft of the initial water contact area and of said drive means; f. drive means associated with said hull sections for advancing the endless belts of oil collecting material through said oil collection channel in a direction such that the portions of the endless belts of oil collecting material disposed within said oil collection channel are advanced countercurrent to the direction of vessel advance through the water and for further advancing the endless belts of oil collecting material over the guide assemblies elevating the oil collecting material from engagement with the water surface; and g. separating means associated with said hull sections for separating the oil from the oil collecting material prior to the reintroduction of the oil collecting material back into the oil collection channel.

14. The apparatus as set forth in Claim. 13 wherein the drive means includes control means for controlling the speed of advance of the oil collecting material through said oil collecting channel.

15. The apparatus as set^' forth in Claim 13 wherein th drive means and separating means are at least in par combined and comprise at least one pair of compressivel engaged rollers.

16. The apparatus as set forth in Claim 13 furthe comprising catch pan means associated with said deck mean and disposed under said oil collecting material in it return path from said guide assemblies for supporting sai oil collecting material and catching oil falling therefro as it is advanced from said guide assemblies to said driv means.

17. The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein said oi collecting material is oleophilic material.

18. The apparatus of Claim 17 wherein said oleophli material presents a fibrous mass to the water surface.

19. The apparatus of Claim 18 wherein said fibrou mass comprises a rope-like formation having multiplicitie of thin strips of oleophilic material at least generall radially disposed about a central rope-like belt.

20. In the emoval of oil from a water surface method comprising the steps of:

(a) advancing a marine vessel having a longitudinall disposed, extended oil collection area through the oi covered water;

(b) supporting and concurrently advancing at least o elongate, pliant belt of oil collecting material counter current to the direction of vessel advance through the water while slackly and flexibly suspending it on the water -surface in..said oil collection area and while allowing^"the oil collecting material in at least the initial portion of said area to freely move by itself vertically and longi¬ tudinally under the action of the water; and

(c) removing the oil collecting material from the water surface to separate the collected oil from the material.

21. The method of Claim 20 further comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing said oil collecting material to the water surface at a generally forward location in said collection area and allowing it to remain in contact with the water over an extended distance of some feet;

(b) removing said oil collecting material from the water surface at a generally rearward location from said collection area; and

(c) removing the collected oil from said oil collec¬ ting material on the vessel and returning the material to the water in said air collection area for further oil collecting.

22. The method of removing oil floating on a water surface comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a vessel defining at least one side of a longitudinally disposed, extended oil collection area having at least one floatable, pliant belt of pliant, water floatable oil collecting material adapted to float slack and flexibly upon the water in said area;

(b) moving the vessel in the longitudinal directi across the water while supporting said material of sa belt(s) in said area to float loosely and slackly upon t water surface with its initial water/oil contact porti being free to move vertically and longitudinally by itse in said oil collection area under the action of the water said oil collection area as the vessel moves across t water; and

(c) retrieving said belt(s) from the water at generally rearward location from said collection area.

23. The method of Claim 22 wherein said belt(s) endless and there is further included the steps of:

(i) advancing said belt(s) as it slackly floats on t water surface in said water collection area .as said vess moves across the water in a direction countercurrent to t direction of vessel movement; and ii) controlling the relative longitudinal speeds said vessel and of the floating belt portion in sa collection area to render the difference therebetween su stantially zero.

24. The invention claimed in Claims 1, 13, 20 or wherein the portion of said belt(s) in said oil collecti STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19

Enclosed are substitute claim pages (pages 13-20 ) for the originally filed pages 13-15 for the above-identifie patent application.

"New" claims 1-24 are very similar to the originally filed claims 1-17 in substantitve content and scope, but are rewritten versions of the original claims to put them in better form and to more clearly define applicant's inventive concept.

The "new", substitute claims do not include any new matter not found in the original specification and claims as filed.

area or channel extends longitudinally along the wate surface in contact therewith a substantial distance, of th order of-some feet.