EP0113188A1 - Procédé et appareil pour évacuer des polluants - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil pour évacuer des polluants Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0113188A1
EP0113188A1 EP83307273A EP83307273A EP0113188A1 EP 0113188 A1 EP0113188 A1 EP 0113188A1 EP 83307273 A EP83307273 A EP 83307273A EP 83307273 A EP83307273 A EP 83307273A EP 0113188 A1 EP0113188 A1 EP 0113188A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
recovery
units
pollutant
vessel
water
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP83307273A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Harry Millener
Leslie Albert Walker
Edward Pope
Cecile Margaret Holman
Original Assignee
WALKER LESLIE ALBERT
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by WALKER LESLIE ALBERT filed Critical WALKER LESLIE ALBERT
Publication of EP0113188A1 publication Critical patent/EP0113188A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • E02B15/047—Collection of oil using vessels, i.e. boats, barges provided with an oil collecting boom arranged on at least one side of the hull

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to a method of, and apparatus for, clearing pollution from water.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide a method of, and apparatus for, controlling oil pollution that is both simple and economic, and which at least mitigates the problems of the prior art.
  • the invention provides a method of clearing pollution from water in which a recovery unit, having means for picking-up water borne pollutant, is moved by a powered vessel, wherein said recovery unit and vessel are arranged in side-by-side configuration and a deflector shield is provided to direct water and pollutant towards the recovery unit as the towing vessel moves through the water.
  • a deflector shield is carried by the vessel.
  • At least two recovery units are provided, one on either side of the vessel, and the shield is arranged to deflect water towards both recovery units.
  • the recovery units are such as to be operable in both a forward and reverse direction.
  • a deflector shield may be provided at each end of the vessel, as this means that the vessel does not need to turn around at the end of a sweep.
  • the or each deflector shield is generally V-shaped.
  • the pollutant picked-up is passed to tanks for treatment and or storage. These tanks may be provided on the recovery unit, on the vessel and/or on a separate recovery vessel.
  • the means for picking-up pollutant are powered by diesel engines having suitable heat recovery units to improve the operating efficiency of the engines.
  • the heat recovered from the engines is used to heat the pollutant to aid recovery.
  • apparatus for performing the invention comprises a pair of floatable recovery units I each adapted to be resiliently attached to a towing vessel 2 by means of suitable mounting means 3.
  • a deflector shield 4 is provided at one (or both) ends of the towing vessel.
  • the deflector shield 4 is preferably V-shaped, having its apex aligned with the centre line of the towing vessel, and is of a size to extend downwardly into the water so as to deflect water towards each of the recovery units I as it is moved through the water.
  • a "stern trawler" could be used as the towing vessel, such trawlers being equipped with equipment suitable to mount a deflector shield.
  • each recovery unit I comprises a catamaran-type vessel having connected twin hulls 7 and 8.
  • each of the hulls, 7, 8 has a trapezoidal profile. As shown in Figure I, when the recovery unit is assembled for operation, the hulls 7, 8 are so arranged that the shorter of the parallel sides of each hull face each other and a mouth 16 is formed. However, in some circumstances, such as for transportion, it may be desirable to reverse this arrangement.
  • each hull may be so positioned and locked adjacent each other that an effective "mono-hulled" vessel is formed having a more conventional "pointed” bow shape.
  • This enables the recovery unit I to be moved more swiftly through the water and it will be appreciated that this greatly facilitates rapid deployment of the craft.
  • the hulls may be preferable for the hulls to have a more "pointed" shape, at least at one end thereof. Such alternative may be particularly useful when the unit is to be used in situations where the unit has to move through the water against a current, for example in a river or estuary.
  • a current for example in a river or estuary.
  • Figure 9 One such alternative embodiment is illustrated in Figure 9.
  • the hulls 7 and 8 are identical and are thus interchangeable. This provides significant advantages in the maintenance and repair of the recovery units. As is shown schematically in Figure 5, the hulls 7, 8 are internally divided to provide storage tanks 12 for oil/water and buoyancy tanks 13. Suitable pumps are provided to facilitate the filling and emptying of these tanks.
  • two rotatable drums 9, 10 are mounted laterally between the twin hulls 7, 8, their axes of rotation being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the units.
  • Motors (not shown) are provided to rotate the drums, the pair of drums being adapted for both contra-rotation and pro-rotation.
  • the speed and direction of rotation of each drum can be varied independently.
  • At least a portion of each drum lies on, or just beneath, the surface of the water and the axes of rotation of the drums are so spaced apart that rotation of the drums causes the surface layer lying between the drums to be lifted between the adjacent surfaces of the drums from where it is passed into a storage tank or tanks 12, provided in the hull or hulls of the recovery unit. It will be appreciated that by appropriate filling/emptying of the buoyancy tanks the position of the drums 9, 10 with respect to the surface of the water can be controlled.
  • drums 9, 10 when in the "mono-hull" configuration the drums 9, 10 may be removed and supported in suitable cradles carried on the connected hulls. Alternatively, the drums may be transported separately, for example, by the towing vessel.
  • each drum 9, 10 is preferably lightly rusted to facilitate the lifting of the surface water and oil.
  • sleeves of absorbent, or matter attracting material could be fitted over one or both of the drums 9, 10. The provision of such sleeves is of particular benefit, as it allows the recovery unit to be easily adapted to cope with a wide variety of pollutants. For example different sleeves may be used when clearing oils fo different viscosities.
  • a scraper 14 is associated with each of the drums 9, 10.
  • the scrapers 14 are attached between the twin hulls 7, 8 and are positioned so that a leading edge 15 of the scraper lies closely adjacent the outer surface of its respective drum.
  • the scrapers 14 are resiliently mounted so that the leading edge 15 remains closely adjacent the drum irrespective of distortions in the outer surface of the drum.
  • the scrapers 14 should be of an alloy to reduce the possibility of sparks.
  • a secondary roller (not shown) may be associated with the scraper to squeeze absorbed matter from the sleeve.
  • each of these drums could be the same or different, and that the surfaces may be coated with any material suitable for picking up a desired pollutant.
  • Suitable channels are provided to direct the removed matter to the storage tanks 12.
  • any form of motor may be used to drive the drums
  • diesel engines having heat recovery units in order to increase their efficiency
  • Suitable heat recovery units are described in U.K. Patent Specification No. 1,191,473. It is envisaged that at least some of the heat recovered from the motor drives will be used to heat the pollutant being collected, either directly or indirectly by heating the rotating drums. This feature will be particularly advantageous where the recovery units are being employed for collecting oil products in cold environments, for example, in the sea passages around the North of Canada and Scandinavia.
  • Each engine controls the operation of hydraulic pumps, and cargo and ballast pumps.
  • the pollutant e.g, oil/water mixture, that is scraped from the surface of the drums 9, 10, is passed directly to the storage tanks 12 located within the twin hulls 7 and 8.
  • the oil/water mixture may then be separated within the storage tanks, and the separated "free-water” discharged from the tanks and returned to the sea.
  • auxiliary recovery devices (not shown) are supplied to enable separation of the emulsions.
  • air-mats may be fitted to the bottoms of the tanks 12 so that air can be used to effervesce matter to the surface. This has been found to be particularly effective in the separation of mercaptans. Heat recovered from the motor and cargo pumps may also be channelled to the tanks 12 to facilitate separation of the pollutant/water mix and pumping of the separated pollutant.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates two possible positions for each of the drums 9, 10. Either or both of the rotating drums 9, 10 may be adjustable to vary the distance between the drums.
  • a hydraulic jacking means (not shown) is provided to shift the position of the or each drum as required. Using a suitable sensing device such a hydraulic jacking means may actuate automatically to move the drums apart and thus prevent damage to the surface of the drums should a potentially damaging piece of flotsam be taken up during operation.
  • the drums may also be resiliently mounted, so that the drums yield when pieces of flotsam are picked up and serious damage of the drums and mounting equipment is avoided.
  • a grill may also be provided beneath the water surface to filter flotsam from the water between the twin hulls 7, 8 so that potentially damaging flotsam is not taken up by the rotating drums.
  • the outer surfaces of the drums may be modified so that the recovery unit can be used for the recovery of solid wastes such as plastics and/or wood.
  • the recovery unit I is of a size and shape suitable for loading into a standard shipping container to facilitate rapid loading and transport of the unit or units to the scene of a disaster.
  • Such rapid deployment capability means that recovery units may be stored at any suitable location and can be distributed as desired. For instance a centralised store could be established by a National Organisation, units being provided for local authorities on request or en masse in disaster situations.
  • the hull may also be convenient for the hull to be formed in suitably sized engageable sections that can readily be assembled for use but may be stored in either assembled or disassembled form. Such arrangement provides an additional advantage in that repair or replacement of damaged parts of the hulls may be effected by replacement/repair of discrete sections.
  • the two recovery units I are secured either side of the towing vessel 2, the deflector shield 4 being positioned to deflect water towards mouths 16 formed between the twin hulls of the recovery units I.
  • the propulsion units of the towing vessel the recovery units can be manoeuvred through an oil slick or other area of pollution.
  • the trawlers standard propulsion and control units will provide the required manoeuvrability.
  • the safe operation of the individual recovery units can be monitored and controlled from the bridge of the towing vessel.
  • Sensors in the storage and buoyancy tanks can provide a continuous monitor of the levels in respective tanks. This information can be used to control the pumping of ballast into and/or out of the buoyancy tanks as the storage tanks are loaded with recovered pollutant/water mix, so that the unit maintains a substantially constant draught throughout the clearing operation.
  • FIG. 6 a number of tines or hooks 17 can be provided around the cylindrical surface of the drums, the tines 17 being so positioned that the tines of adjacent drums 9 and 10 pass between each other without contact.
  • This embodiment is particularly suitable for use in harbours and river estuaries where a high level of solid pollutants is present in the water as well as oil and chemical waste.
  • FIG 7 shows a further modification of the drums 9 and 10 that is particularly suitable for clearing heavy debris such as baulks of timber, such as are typically found floating in tidal rivers (e.g. the river Thames).
  • the drums 9 and 10 are rotated in the same direction, timber being picked up and passed over both drums to be conveyed to storage barges 18 towed aft of the direction of movement of the unit I.
  • the drums may be provided with resilient tines 19 to avoid damage by the heavy timber.
  • an optional conveyor belt (not shown) is provided on each of the hulls.
  • the conveyor belts are powered by the same motor that operates the rotating drums.
  • the two belts may be arranged to convey recovered material either in the same direction, to a single storage vessel, or in opposite directions, to a pair of storage vessels. It will be appreciated that the direction of movement of each conveyor may be matched to the direction of rotation of one or both of the drums. This is particularly useful when the drums are spaced apart to act individually.
  • Each recovery unit may be provided with self-propulsion units, such as outboard motors for use when clearing pollution in confined areas such as harbours where there is inadequate space for a towing vessel to easily manoeuvre the recovery units.
  • self-propulsion units such as outboard motors for use when clearing pollution in confined areas such as harbours where there is inadequate space for a towing vessel to easily manoeuvre the recovery units.
  • an alternative form of a recovery unit 100 comprises a pair of spaced apart, connected hulls 107 and 108. As distinct from the hulls 7 and 8 described above, each of the hulls 107, 108 is formed to define an apex portion 107a, 107b and 108a and 108b, respectively, at each end thereof. When arranged as shown in Figure 9, a side of the apex portion of each of the hulls 107, 108 act to define an entry or mouth 116 at each end of the unit for directing water and pollutant to rotatable drums 109, 110.
  • the recovery units 100 are similar in other detail to the recovery units I described above and thus further detailed description will not be given here.
  • recovery units 100 may be used in operation in a manner similar to that described above.
  • the more pointed shape of the hull units of this embodiment allow the recovery units to move through the water at a faster speed, although in some circumstances it may be desirable to use additional boom elements (not shown) to control directing of the water and pollutants.
  • Preferred forms of recovery units of the invention provide significant advantages in that they may conveniently be used for other purposes when not required for pollution clearing operations.
  • This facility means that the expense of purchase and storage of specialised pollution clearing equipment may be offset by making use of the equipment during periods when conventional equipment is routinely stored.
  • the pumping capacity, winches and power drives may be employed in a variety of operations in harbours and docks.
  • One convenient use of the unit is a mobile "dry dock". In such use unnecessary drums and other peripheral equipment may be removed from the unit.
  • a boat, for example, a yacht could then be secured between the hulls, with the hulls positioned low in the water, by suitably adjusting the buoyancy of the hulls as described above.
  • the buoyancy of hulls i.e. pumping water out of the tanks in the hulls, the hulls can be caused to rise, lifting the yacht from the water to enable inspection and maintenance of the hull of the yacht.
  • the unit includes use as a fire float, helicopter pad, as a ferry (e.g. for cars, etc.) or in dredging operations, or other harbour service operations.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning Or Clearing Of The Surface Of Open Water (AREA)
EP83307273A 1982-11-30 1983-11-29 Procédé et appareil pour évacuer des polluants Withdrawn EP0113188A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8234156 1982-11-30
GB8234156 1982-11-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0113188A1 true EP0113188A1 (fr) 1984-07-11

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EP83307273A Withdrawn EP0113188A1 (fr) 1982-11-30 1983-11-29 Procédé et appareil pour évacuer des polluants

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4575426A (en) * 1984-06-19 1986-03-11 Exxon Production Research Co. Method and apparatus employing oleophilic brushes for oil spill clean-up
FR2589496A1 (fr) * 1985-10-30 1987-05-07 Ferec Pierre Dispositif flottant, sous forme de deux catamarans, amenages pour augmenter, de part et d'autre de l'etrave d'un petrolier, l'epaisseur d'une nappe de petrole (permettant ainsi son pompage)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3539508A (en) * 1968-11-29 1970-11-10 Standard Oil Co Method and apparatus for separating oil and the like from a liquid
GB1515592A (en) * 1975-05-02 1978-06-28 Petroclearance Ltd Floating oil storage vessel for recovering oil spills
FR2454403A1 (fr) * 1979-04-19 1980-11-14 Alsthom Atlantique Perfectionnement a un appareil du type cyclone pour l'enlevement de produits flottant sur l'eau
FR2490260A1 (fr) * 1980-09-18 1982-03-19 Dormy Marcel Dispositif de lutte contre les marees noires et de recuperation sur mers, cours d'eau, lacs, etangs, de produits flottants polluants ou autres, liquides ou solides, et embarcation ou bateau comportant ce dispositif

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3539508A (en) * 1968-11-29 1970-11-10 Standard Oil Co Method and apparatus for separating oil and the like from a liquid
GB1515592A (en) * 1975-05-02 1978-06-28 Petroclearance Ltd Floating oil storage vessel for recovering oil spills
FR2454403A1 (fr) * 1979-04-19 1980-11-14 Alsthom Atlantique Perfectionnement a un appareil du type cyclone pour l'enlevement de produits flottant sur l'eau
FR2490260A1 (fr) * 1980-09-18 1982-03-19 Dormy Marcel Dispositif de lutte contre les marees noires et de recuperation sur mers, cours d'eau, lacs, etangs, de produits flottants polluants ou autres, liquides ou solides, et embarcation ou bateau comportant ce dispositif

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4575426A (en) * 1984-06-19 1986-03-11 Exxon Production Research Co. Method and apparatus employing oleophilic brushes for oil spill clean-up
FR2589496A1 (fr) * 1985-10-30 1987-05-07 Ferec Pierre Dispositif flottant, sous forme de deux catamarans, amenages pour augmenter, de part et d'autre de l'etrave d'un petrolier, l'epaisseur d'une nappe de petrole (permettant ainsi son pompage)

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