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
  • E02B15/10—Devices for removing the material from the surface
  • E02B15/106—Overflow skimmers with suction heads; suction heads

Definitions

• TECHNICAL FIELD - The invention relates to devices capable of collecting substances in a liquid medium, and in particular to collecting devices using the energy of the ball in a marine environment.
• This basin has an external ramp on which, to be able to enter the basin, the waves must first rise to a level which is higher than the level naturally reached by the ridges. It is noted that this device can only operate on the condition that the entry edge and the ramp are upstream of the basin relative to the direction of propagation of the swell.
• the filling of the basin is indeed only possible insofar as the device uses the kinetic energy of the water particles entrained on substantially circular trajectories, and not only the variations in the level of the surface of the water by relation to the basin.
• the water which enters the basin can only come from the most superficial region of the liquid medium, and this constitutes a serious drawback, as is the need to orient the ramp and the line very precisely. pool.
• 2390551 describes a device comprising a pump set in motion by the action of the swell on a float and a reservoir which communicates with the surface region of the liquid medium by a set of tubes arranged around it.
• the devices comprising large mobile elements exposed to the effects of waves are poorly suited to the marine environment.
• the invention makes it possible to use vertical movements of ascent and descent of the surface of a liquid medium relative to a reservoir to maintain a circulation of liquid between this medium and this reservoir. These alternative vertical movements can be caused by agitation of said surface not necessarily having the characteristics of a swell.
• the only mobile elements necessary for the operation of the devices according to the invention are closing members, which are fitted with orifices.
• the streams of liquid likely to bring into the reservoir of the substances to be collected can come from any direction, that is to say that the device does not need to be oriented relative to the direction of propagation of a swell. These currents can arise in the region of the surface of the liquid medium and also at deep levels within the liquid medium.
• the device comprises at least one enclosure forming a conduit or reservoir which communicates freely with the atmosphere and which comprises at least two orifices for communication with the liquid medium, either at least one inlet orifice than inlet currents originating in the liquid medium can cross and at least one outlet orifice which outlet currents emerging in the liquid contained in the enclosure can cross.
• Each orifice for communication with the liquid medium is equipped with a movable closure member, or valve, which determines a single direction of circulation of the currents which can pass through the orifice.
• the means for bringing the enclosure into contact with the atmosphere is preferably separate from the orifices for communication with the liquid medium. When the surface of the liquid medium is agitated, this surface rises and falls alternately relative to the device.
• the device can be made integral with the bottom, or, if it is floating, it includes means determining a certain alternative variation of the relative level. So that the vertical reciprocating movements of said surface relative to the device are in themselves sufficient to determine the operation, the lower edge of the inlet orifice is at a level below the highest level which is reached by the said surface, under certain conditions, relative to the device and independently of any possible effect of the device on the vertical movements of said surface.
• the process is as follows: when the surface of the liquid medium, or external surface, rises relative to the enclosure, an input current enters the enclosure by opening the valve of the inlet orifice. The surface of the contained liquid, or internal surface, rises. The valve of the outlet orifice is then closed. When the exterior surface descends relative to the enclosure, the valve of the outlet orifice opens and an outlet current escapes from the enclosure. The inner surface descends. The inlet port valve is closed.
• the inlet may have various positions relative to the average level of the exterior surface relative to the device. It is possible that it is continuously submerged, and also that it is successively at least partially submerged and then fully emerged.
• the outlet may have positions comparable to those of the inlet. The outlet will be located either at the same level as the inlet, at a lower level, or even at a higher level.
• the device comprises at least one means making it possible to capture the substances to be collected which are brought in by the input currents. Said substances can be liquid, semi-liquid and solid, with densities greater than, equal to and less than that of the liquid.
• the relative arrangement of the inlet and outlet orifices constitutes a simple means allowing certain substances to be retained in the enclosure.
• the invention makes it possible to produce devices capable of collecting various floating substances.
• the inlet ports are then arranged so that the inlet streams can arise in the region of the surface of the liquid medium.
• the floating substances entrained by these currents will form a surface layer in the enclosure.
• the lower edges of the inlet openings are located between the upper level and the lower level that the outer surface reaches relative to the enclosure, and the outlet openings open inside the enclosure at a level lower than that passing through the inlet ports.
• the enclosure includes internal partitions which direct the circulation of the contained liquid.
• the output currents originate in the lower part of the enclosure, at a certain depth below the layer formed by the light substances captured.
• the inlet openings are located at a level below the lowest level that the outer surface reaches relative to the enclosure, so that they are continuously submerged, and the lower edges of these openings are located at a certain height above the bottom of the enclosure.
• the outlet openings are located at a level higher than that of the inlet openings and they are arranged so that the outlet currents can arise very close to the surface of the liquid contained in the enclosure.
• the device comprises at least one means giving the input currents a sufficient speed so that they can entrain substances of density greater than that of the liquid.
• a device designed for the collection of floating substances may include inlet orifices having lower edges situated at a level higher than the lowest level reached in the enclosure by the surface of the liquid contained. The interior surface may still be at this level when the exterior surface rises above the level of these lower edges. The input currents can then flow into the enclosure.
• the closing member, or valve, of at least one of the orifices for communication with the liquid medium is equipped with a control means which prohibits the opening of said valve when the difference in level between the external surface and the internal surface is less than a determined value and which authorizes the opening of this valve when said level difference is at least equal to said value.
• the alternative variation in the level of the surface of the liquid medium relative to the enclosure can be determined, when the surface is agitated, by a structure ensuring that the enclosure is almost immobile relative to the average level of the surface.
• the enclosure can also rest on the bottom of an aquatic environment.
• the device comprises at least one volume of very low density which provides it with positive buoyancy in water. This volume also determines, when the surface of the liquid medium is agitated, the said alternative variation of the level of the external surface relative to the enclosure.
• a device may comprise a plurality of compartments, each constituting an elementary enclosure.
• each compartment comprises at least two stages which communicate with each other by means allowing the passage of internal currents moving from the inlet orifices to the outlet orifices.
• each compartment can receive either floating substances provided by inlet currents originating near the external surface, or non-floating substances provided by currents taking birth at a certain depth within the liquid medium.
• the same device can include compartments having different functions. Pumping means will make it possible to evacuate the captured liquid substances.
• At least one of the horizontal dimensions of a floating device comprising several compartments can be chosen so that a certain variation in the level of the external surface is determined, under given conditions, with respect to each compartment.
• the device may have a circular shape, the compartments being separated by radial partitions, or an elongated shape of a ship, the compartments then being arranged one after the other lengthwise.
• Propulsion and steering means are provided, as are means making it possible to assemble several devices while allowing certain relative movements.
• the device is a floating dam capable of capturing hydrocarbons floating on the surface of the sea and also capable of conveying these captured substances to one of its ends, the functioning being maintained by the swell.
• the dam is constituted by a flexible and inflatable floating structure composed of several floats and by pieces of canvas or sheets of flexible material which are connected together and to said structure by means of attachment making it possible to separate these elements. .
• This dam has a plurality of compartments arranged one after the other in the lengthwise direction. Each compartment comprises two superimposed stages which communicate with each other through orifices fitted with valves which allow the passage of currents of downward direction and oppose the passage of currents of opposite direction. All of the upper extinguishers communicate with the liquid medium by inlet orifices close to the waterline, and all of the lower stages communicate with this medium by outlet orifices located in the lower part.
• the lower floors communicate with each other through orifices which are fitted with valves allowing the passage of longitudinal internal currents of determined direction from one to the second end of the dam. These valves oppose the passage of currents of opposite direction.
• Said second end of the dam has at least one discharge orifice.
• the barrier is flexible, but the flexibility is however limited enough so that vertical movements of ascent and descent of the outer surface relative to each compartment are determined when said surface is agitated. Under the effect of these movements, quantities of liquid coming from the external surface layer are entrained in the upper stages, then in the lower stages where the substances to be collected separate from the liquid contained and float on the surface of this liquid. The water supplied by the inlet currents is expelled through the outlet orifices. Longitudinal internal currents appear in the lower stages and entrain the captured substances contained in these stages until the end of the dam having an evacuation orifice. These longitudinal currents are caused by the variable level differences between the quantities of liquid contained in the successive compartments.
• the canvas walls of the lower floors are very deformable and the volume of each of these floors can vary in certain proportions. Certain differences in level between the external surface and that of the liquid contained in each compartment, the shocks of the crests and certain external surface currents may have a favorable effect on the longitudinal circulation of the substances captured.
• the barrier comprises means for adjusting the longitudinal flexibility which make it possible to determine a certain amplitude of the vertical movements of the external surface with respect to each compartment.
• the inflation pressure of the longitudinal floats can be increased or decreased.
• Longitudinal cables are contained and can slide in sheaths secured to longitudinal floats. Their ends are connected to those of the inflatable structure by means allowing them to be stretched more or less.
• the boom also includes means for controlling the buoyancy and the equilibrium position, such as variable volume floats arranged on each of the side walls, the said floats located on any of the sides being able to be inflated and deflated independently. similar floats located on the other side of the dam.
• the movable shutters, or flap which equip the orifices consist, according to one example, of pieces of canvas or sheets of a flexible material associated with nets.
• the deformations of the valves and the threads and the friction between them will counteract the deposit of viscous substances on these elements which will thus be cleaned almost continuously.
• Mooring and hauling means are provided, and also connecting means making it possible to assemble several dams end to end and to form a long dam or a large storage enclosure, the wall of which will be constituted by the dam.
• Such a storage enclosure will be capable of capturing an outer layer of floating substances, or a layer located inside itself, and of conveying these substances to tanks.
• the invention makes it possible to produce simple and robust devices, well suited to the marine environment, and capable of collecting a wide variety of substances using the energy supplied free of charge by the environment. Their operation does not require any fragile mechanical means or sensitive to corrosion.
• the devices according to the invention can maintain a circulation of liquid between various regions of a liquid medium and an enclosure, which can receive currents coming from a surface region of the external liquid and also currents originating at a certain depth within of this liquid.
• the streams of liquid entering the enclosure can reach the inlet openings in any direction.
• the devices according to the invention can therefore operate whatever their orientation, and in particular that of the inlet orifices, relative to the direction of propagation of a swell. This ability facilitates implementation.
• the inlet orifices maintain a precise position relative to the average relative level of the surface of the liquid medium.
• the devices according to the invention can therefore have very varied shapes and dimensions. We can design rigid or deformable devices such as the dam described, capable of operating in very diverse weather conditions, under the effect of a slight agitation of any characteristics of the surface of the liquid medium and also under the effect of 'a strong swell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS - The accompanying drawings, and the corresponding descriptive parts show the invention in more detail. However, the invention is not limited to the examples given.
• Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first exemplary embodiment. They represent a device according to the invention capable of capturing floating substances and comprising at least two collecting compartments operating independently of one another. The part of each figure which represents a compartment also illustrates a phase of operation.
• Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment. They represent a device according to the invention capable of collecting substances with a density greater than that of the liquid. It includes at least two autonomous collecting compartments. The part of each figure which represents a compartment also illustrates a phase of operation.
• Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a third embodiment of a device according to the invention.
• the device is a flexible and inflatable floating dam capable of capturing oil slicks on a rough sea and of transporting the pollutant to tanks or ships.
• the left part of Figure 5 shows the external appearance of one of the sides of the dam, the right part of the same figure shows the internal arrangement.
• Figure 6 is a schematic cross section.
• a floating tank comprises several independent compartments, each of them communicating with the atmosphere through orifices (2), and with the liquid medium through an inlet orifice (3) equipped with a valve (4) and by an outlet (5) equipped with a valve (6).
• Boxes (7) and (8) provide buoyancy.
• Volumes (9) constitute buoyancy reserves.
• a ballast (10) is placed in the lower part of the tank. Ballasts, not shown, allow adjustment of the equilibrium position.
• Each compartment includes an entry stage (11) and a lower stage (12).
• a partition (13) separates these stages which communicate with each other by a large orifice (14) equipped with a grid (16).
• the lower edges (17) of the inlet ports (3) feel very close to the mean level (S o) that the outer surface (S) reaches relative to the reservoir.
• the outlet orifices (5) are situated at a level below the lowest level (S m) reached by the external surface (S) relative to the tank.
• the circulation of the interior currents is directed by internal partitions.
• a certain alternative variation in the level of the surface (S) of the liquid medium, with respect to each compartment, is determined, when this surface is rough, by the very shape of the device. This may include immersed volumes, not shown on the drawings, located at a certain depth below the waterline, so that the amplitude of the vertical movements of the device can be significantly less than that of the swell.
• the device comprises a certain number of collecting compartments, its draft is small, but at least one of its horizontal dimensions is large enough, compared to the wavelength of the swell, so that some variation in the level of the outer surface with respect to each compartment is obtained.
• the device may have a circular shape, the compartments being separated by substantially radial partitions. It can also have the shape of a ship's hull, and include a plurality of compartments arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction, and forming, for example, two parallel series.
• the device can be balanced so that the lower edge (17) of the inlet orifice is slightly above the lower level (S a) of the outer surface (s).
• the interior surface (S ') rises with a certain delay compared to the movement of the exterior surface (s), and the lower edge of the entry orifice (3) forms a weir when the current d entry (a) begins to manifest.
• the input currents (a) entrain floating, dispersed or sheet-like substances in the compartments. Solid bodies will be retained in the input stages (11) by the grids (16). The liquid and semi-liquid floating substances are entrained in the lower stages (12), where they form the upper layer of the contained liquid. These substances (A) are not entrained by the output currents which arise deep enough below the layer they form. Various separation means will also be usable.
• Some devices may include a conduit (18) communicating with the lower stages, and making it possible to evacuate, by pumping, the liquid substances captured, either by an emerging evacuation orifice, or by a second submerged orifice.
• each compartment can be placed in communication with the liquid medium by a filling valve (19).
• FIGS 3 and 4 of Plate 2 illustrate a second embodiment.
• the device shown comprises independent compartments, in each of which two. superimposed stages (11) and (12) are separated by a partition (13).
• the stages of the same compartment communicate with each other through an orifice (14) equipped with a valve (15) which allows the passage of streams of liquid from the lower stage (12) to the upper stage (11).
• the lower stage communicates with the liquid medium through an inlet orifice (3) equipped with a valve (4).
• the lower edge (17) of this orifice (3) is located at a certain height above the wall constituting the bottom (20) of the lower stage.
• the upper floor (11) has an outlet (5) fitted with a valve (6) and communicates with the atmosphere through openings (2).
• Boxes (7) and (9) and submerged volumes (21) ensure the buoyancy of the device and determine, when the surface (s) of the liquid medium is rough, a certain alternative variation in the level of this surface relative to the compartments.
• the draft can be important.
• the valve (15) closes the orifice (14) for communication between the stages.
• the inlet (3) can also be closed by a valve (4).
• An output current (b) arises near the inner surface (S ') which then descends, the output current escapes from the upper stage (11) through the outlet orifice (5).
• the input currents (a) can be fast enough that substances (B) with a density significantly higher than that of the liquid can be entrained in the lower stages (12).
• the ascending currents (ab) manifest themselves in a discontinuous manner, and can be slower than the input currents.
• the said substances (B) can separate from the liquid contained in the lower stages and deposit on the bottom ( 20) of these floors.
• the valve (4) of the inlet orifice comprises a locking system controlled by a small external float which can rise and fall with the surface of the liquid medium, the downward movement of this float being limited by stubborn. In its lower position, the small float is above the lower level of the outer surface, and the opening of the valve is then prohibited. When the float begins to rise with the outside surface, the valve can open suddenly, allowing a fast input current to pass.
• a magnetic closing device can also be placed on this valve, or on the valve (15) of the communication orifice (14) between the two stages of a compartment.
• FIGS 5 and 6 of plate 3 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention.
• the device is a floating recovery dam capable of capturing oil slicks on a rough sea, separating the oil and the water contained in the captured mixture, and transporting the pollutant to a storage enclosure.
• Collector compartments (1 a), (1 b), ... etc, are arranged one after the other from one to the second end of the dam.
• Each compartment comprises two superimposed stages (11) and (12) separated by a horizontal partition (13).
• an inflatable structure comprising: a compartmentalized longitudinal float (22), of the same length as the dam and arranged in its upper part, transverse floats (23), each of them separating two stages upper (11), side floats (24), and variable volume floats (25).
• the walls and partitions consist of fabrics connected to each other and to the inflatable structure by lacings or other removable connecting means. All interior spaces can be opened, for cleaning and various checks.
• Each upper stage (11) communicates with the atmosphere through openings (2) and with the liquid medium via inlet orifices (3), located approximately at the level of the waterline, on one of the side walls (26) .
• the two floors of each compartment communicate with each other through a large orifice (14).
• Each lower stage (12) has an outlet orifice (5), located on a side wall (26), in the lower part of this wall.
• the lower floors (12) communicate with each other.
• the transverse partitions (27), which separate the lower floors, include orifices (28) equipped with valves (29) which allow the circulation of internal currents of determined direction, from one to the second end of the dam.
• the last compartment, located downstream of the other compartments relative to the direction of this internal circulation, has a discharge orifice on each side wall. Connection means making it possible to fix an external evacuation pipe are arranged near each of these orifices. Closing members are also provided.
• the valves are formed, according to an example of construction, by pieces of cloth or sheets of flexible material, approximately rectangular. Each orifice has several similar valves. One of the granas sides of each piece is fixed on a net arranged between the edges of an orifice, the second large side being able to cover, over a small width, either the fixed edge of another piece, or one of the edges of the hole. Deformations and friction of the valves on the threads will cause these elements to be continuously cleaned.
• Cables or ropes of high resistance, contained in sheaths integral with the walls of the dam, are arranged from one to the second end: lateral cables (30), a lower cable (31), whose weight contributes to the stability of the dam, At each of their ends, these cables can be connected to mooring lines or to trailers. A limited slip of each cable in its sheath is authorized.
• Each end of the dam has connecting means making it possible to connect several elementary dams end to end, and opposing the passage of a sheet of oil between the assembled ends.
• the flexibility of the dam is determined by that of the upper float (22), the envelope of which carries longitudinal sheaths containing cables (32).
• each cable is connected to the envelope of the float by a device making it possible to increase and decrease the tension of this cable.
• the flexibility of the barrier is thus limited and can be modified, according to the tension of the cables (32), and according to the inflation pressure of the floats.
• Variable volume floats comprising bellows, are arranged on the side walls (26). Inflation lines make it possible to inflate and deflate separately, from one of the ends of the boom, the floats (25) located on one side and those located on the other side. It is thus possible to modify the level of the buoyancy and also to give the dam a certain inclination, for example to control inclination movements caused by a swell of skew.
• the end compartment located upstream of the other compartments, relative to the direction of the internal discharge current (c), comprises a flexible reserve containing a liquid cleaning product. Under the effect of deformations and variations in volume of the lower stage of this compartment, this product may flow in all the lower stages, either continuously or periodically, up to the discharge orifices, and cause the detachment of viscous deposits which could cover the internal walls.
• Straps placed on the upper inflated structure carry rings or eyelets making it possible to connect the dam to mooring lines and to tow it according to various configurations, Some parts of the side fabrics carry reinforcing parts, so that the wear of the fabrics is avoided, in case of frequent stranding.
• the plurality of independent floating volumes ensures the buoyancy of the dam, in the event that several floats are deflated.
• the flexibility of the dam is limited by the construction means described. It may be modified by the mooring means, the orientation relative to a current, and under the effect of towing. Thus, when the sea is rough, a certain alternative variation in the level of the external surface (s) relative to each compartment is determined.
• the layer of hydrocarbons to be recovered is entrained in the upper stage (11) by an input current (a).
• the captured liquid can contain a fairly high proportion of water.
• the outer surface (S) descends relative to a compartment, the previously captured mixture descends into the lower stage. Oil floats on the surface of the liquid contained in this stage (12), and part of the water contained in the lower part of this stage escapes through the outlet orifice (5) by forming an outlet current ( b).
• the separation of the captured mixture can continue, in all the compartments, during the phases of rise of the external surface relative to these compartments.

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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)
• Removal Of Floating Material (AREA)
• Cyclones (AREA)
• Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (2)

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ID=9284685

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• 1983
  • 1983-05-04 AU AU15130/83A patent/AU1513083A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1983-05-04 WO PCT/FR1983/000086 patent/WO1984004340A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 1983-05-04 DE DE8383901378T patent/DE3377875D1/de not_active Expired
  • 1983-05-04 EP EP19830901378 patent/EP0143776B1/de not_active Expired

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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