EP1192317A1 - Method and device for the collection of underwater spills and for covering the sea bed - Google Patents
Method and device for the collection of underwater spills and for covering the sea bedInfo
- Publication number
- EP1192317A1 EP1192317A1 EP00911495A EP00911495A EP1192317A1 EP 1192317 A1 EP1192317 A1 EP 1192317A1 EP 00911495 A EP00911495 A EP 00911495A EP 00911495 A EP00911495 A EP 00911495A EP 1192317 A1 EP1192317 A1 EP 1192317A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- canvas
- oil
- sack
- covering
- saddle
- 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- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 11
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 208000018747 cerebellar ataxia with neuropathy and bilateral vestibular areflexia syndrome Diseases 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 28
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 231100000614 poison Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 239000003440 toxic substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- -1 ammunition Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000295 fuel oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003305 oil spill Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000135 prohibitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B15/00—Cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water; Apparatus therefor
- E02B15/04—Devices for cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water from oil or like floating materials by separating or removing these materials
- E02B15/08—Devices for reducing the polluted area with or without additional devices for removing the material
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/01—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
- E21B43/0122—Collecting oil or the like from a submerged leakage
-
- 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
- E02B2015/005—Tent-like structures for dealing with pollutant emissions below the water surface
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method and a device which enable the covering and collection, with all the necessary precautions, of oil, chemicals, decomposed organic and mineral substances on the sea bed.
- the invention is intended for the covering of effluents which it is not desirable to dump in an unrestricted manner, and for the collection of toxic substances.
- the invention is intended for the collection, sealing under control, protection of waste tipping and storage, protection of existing landfills, dumping areas, wrecks, war remains of all types, such as gas containers, chemicals, ammunition, toxic substances.
- Wrecked ships are the source of significant environment problems as they contain oil in their tanks, whether that oil is fuel oil for consumption on the vessel itself, or a product carried by the wrecked vessel in the case of an oil tanker. Wrecked ships lie on the bottom of the sea and, if they are damaged, they may leak oil in various quantities, such oil rising to the surface of the ocean. The oil will then present a danger to the marine fauna and must be collected and dealt with, taking all necessary precautions.
- the object of the present invention is to cover, seal and if necessary collect liquids, gases and volatile products or particles released from spills on the sea bed or from sources on the sea bed or partially on it.
- the method is suitable for the purpose of emptying the oiltanks of a wreck under controlled conditions and in a safe manner.
- Figures la and b illustrate the device of the invention intended for the collection of oil leaking from shipwrecks, in perspective and in cross sectional view.
- Figures 2a and b show the device of the invention intended for the collection of oil leaking from pipelines, in perspective and in cross sectional view.
- a first canvas 1 is stretched over a shipwreck 2 which lies at the bottom of the sea.
- the first canvas 1 can be given any appropriate shape suitable to cover a wreck of any shape.
- the first canvas 1 is given a general saddle roof shape, with a variable curvature.
- anchoring elements 3 such as mooring blocks or any other type of mooring to the bottom of the sea.
- Several floating elements 4 are provided and attached to the first canvas 1 between its outer edges so as to create a roof over the wreck, and the oil which is leaking from the wreck will rise under this roof and slide up to a highest point.
- an outlet 5 is provided at the level of this highest point.
- a sack 6 is provided which fills up and can be closed off by tying together over its inlet 7.
- the sack 6 can be replaced by an empty sack, while the full sack is taken to the surface where the oil can be dealt with in a safe manner, or alternatively the sack 6 is moored high up in the water and divers can effect the emptying manoeuvre without the necessity of a diver support vessel.
- the sack 6 can also be emptied with the help of a hose connected to a boat or a barge.
- the sack 6 must have some form of venting device so that gas or air which follows with the oil and collects in the sack 6 does not create undesirable buoyancy.
- a level gauge must be provided in the sack 6 to indicate when optimal level has been reached. Such a device can for example give an acoustic signal.
- a second canvas 8 can also be placed across the first canvas 1 , the second canvas 8 being anchored in the same manner as the first.
- the canvases are saddle-roof shaped, and the curvature may vary.
- the method of the invention for the collection of oil leaks can also be used in the cases when the leak occurs in a pipeline 9 running on the sea bed.
- Figures 2a and b illustrate how the principle may be applied to such a case.
- the material used for the canvas may be weaved material, fiber, polyester- weaved canvas with or without reinforcement, and coated with a rubber film. This provides the necessary strength and tightness for use as canvas material for the canvases 1 , 8 and for the sack 6.
- the method and the device of the invention may be used to cover over sources of emission of liquids and/or gases, chemicals, decomposing organic or mineral substances at the bottom of the sea or from sources which are entirely or partially on the sea bed. Furthermore, it will possible not only to cover over such sources, but also to collect and contain collected products for a chosen period of time, as well as remove the collected products from the sea under controlled circumstances and transfer them for example to a boat or the like.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Removal Of Floating Material (AREA)
- Cleaning Or Clearing Of The Surface Of Open Water (AREA)
Abstract
A first canvas (1) stretched over the source of a spill or an emission on or from the sea bed, with mooring elements (3) attached to the outer edges, and floating elements (4). Outlet (5) with sack (6). A second canvas (8) stretched over the first canvas (1).
Description
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE COLLECTION OF UNDERWATER SPILLS AND FOR COVERING THE SEA BED
The present invention relates to a method and a device which enable the covering and collection, with all the necessary precautions, of oil, chemicals, decomposed organic and mineral substances on the sea bed. In addition, the invention is intended for the covering of effluents which it is not desirable to dump in an unrestricted manner, and for the collection of toxic substances. The invention is intended for the collection, sealing under control, protection of waste tipping and storage, protection of existing landfills, dumping areas, wrecks, war remains of all types, such as gas containers, chemicals, ammunition, toxic substances.
Wrecked ships are the source of significant environment problems as they contain oil in their tanks, whether that oil is fuel oil for consumption on the vessel itself, or a product carried by the wrecked vessel in the case of an oil tanker. Wrecked ships lie on the bottom of the sea and, if they are damaged, they may leak oil in various quantities, such oil rising to the surface of the ocean. The oil will then present a danger to the marine fauna and must be collected and dealt with, taking all necessary precautions.
Oil spills from wrecks present a serious problem for the environment and for people. In many cases, the choice is made not to empty the oil remaining in the tanks of the wreck due to the prohibitive costs which such an operation entails.
From a number of wrecks, only small quantities of oil will leak over a year, and such leakage occurs mainly in special circumstances such as heavy weather with very rough seas.
In wrecks containing oil in undamaged tanks, it is in certain cases possible to empty the tanks under controlled conditions by connecting new valves to the tanks and pumping the oil up to a vessel on the surface. In the cases when the tanks are damaged and the oil seeps out and rises to the surface, it must then be collected on the surface and removed. Oil booms and other equipment such as skimmer and the like are used to this effect.
A method of collecting oil which requires that leaking oil must first rise to the surface in order to be collected is at best a makeshift solution. A small quantity of leaking oil will mix with the water and pollute it before it reaches the surface. In addition, this requires a continuous monitoring of wrecks in order to be ready to place oil booms to contain the oil when the leakage finally occurs. There is a real risk that such oil spills will cause damage to sea birds or other creatures on the surface before there are discovered and contained. There also exist other potential sources of contamination on the sea bed itself or partially on it, which can release gas, liquids or particles of organic or mineral origin, which it is desirable to control, contain and remove. Examples of such sources may be ammunition depots, special waste dumps and the like.
The object of the present invention is to cover, seal and if necessary collect liquids, gases and volatile products or particles released from spills on the sea bed or from sources on the sea bed or partially on it. In addition, the method is suitable for the purpose of emptying the oiltanks of a wreck under controlled conditions and in a safe manner.
This is achieved with the help of a least one canvas which covers an oil spill and is attached at certains points to the sea bed and at other points to floating elements, so that the shape given to the canvas provides at least one collection point for the oil.
Further details of the invention appear from the following description with reference to the illustrations of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figures la and b illustrate the device of the invention intended for the collection of oil leaking from shipwrecks, in perspective and in cross sectional view.
Figures 2a and b show the device of the invention intended for the collection of oil leaking from pipelines, in perspective and in cross sectional view.
A first canvas 1 is stretched over a shipwreck 2 which lies at the bottom of the sea.
The first canvas 1 can be given any appropriate shape suitable to cover a wreck of any shape. The first canvas 1 is given a general saddle roof shape, with a variable curvature. Along the outer edge of the first canvas 1, are provided anchoring elements 3 such as mooring blocks or any other type of mooring to the bottom of the sea. Several floating elements 4 are provided and attached to the first canvas 1 between its outer edges so as to create a roof over the wreck, and the oil which is leaking from the wreck will rise under this roof and slide up to a highest point. At the level of this highest point, an outlet 5 is provided. Above this outlet 5, a sack 6 is provided which fills up and can be closed off by tying together over its inlet 7.
The sack 6 can be replaced by an empty sack, while the full sack is taken to the surface where the oil can be dealt with in a safe manner, or alternatively the sack 6 is moored high up in the water and divers can effect the emptying manoeuvre without the necessity of a diver support vessel. The sack 6 can also be emptied with the help of a hose connected to a boat or a barge.
The sack 6 must have some form of venting device so that gas or air which follows with the oil and collects in the sack 6 does not create undesirable buoyancy. In addition, a level gauge must be provided in the sack 6 to indicate when optimal level has been reached. Such a device can for example give an acoustic signal.
To increase the oil-capturing surface and therefore ensure that all the oil will be collected, a second canvas 8 can also be placed across the first canvas 1 , the second canvas 8 being anchored in the same manner as the first. The canvases are saddle-roof shaped, and the curvature may vary.
The method of the invention for the collection of oil leaks can also be used in the cases when the leak occurs in a pipeline 9 running on the sea bed. Figures 2a and b illustrate how the principle may be applied to such a case.
The material used for the canvas may be weaved material, fiber, polyester- weaved canvas with or without reinforcement, and coated with a rubber film. This provides the necessary strength and tightness for use as canvas material for the canvases 1 , 8 and for the sack 6.
The method and the device of the invention may be used to cover over sources of emission of liquids and/or gases, chemicals, decomposing organic or mineral substances at the bottom of the sea or from sources which are entirely or partially on the sea bed. Furthermore, it will possible not only to cover over such sources, but also to collect and contain collected products for a chosen period of time, as well as remove the collected products from the sea under controlled circumstances and transfer them for example to a boat or the like.
Claims
1. Method for covering, sealing and collecting liquids, gases, chemicals, organic and mineral substances, characterized in that at least one canvas which covers the spill or emission is attached at certain points to the bottom and at other points to floating elements, in such a manner that the canvas is given a shape with at least one collection point for the oil.
2. The method for covering, sealing and collecting liquids, gases, chemicals, organic and mineral substances of claim 1 , characterized in that the outer edges of the canvas are fastened and tightened to the bottom.
3. The method for covering, sealing and collecting liquids, gases, chemicals, organic and mineral substances of claim 1, characterized in that the canvas, at the points of collection, is provided with devices which enable release of the collected products, and that such collected products may be led to a partitioned-off compartment in view of transport to the surface.
4. A device for the implementation of the method of claims 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that a first canvas (1) is stretched over a spill on the sea bed or rising from the sea bed and anchored to the bottom with the help of mooring elements (3) attached to its outer edges and, in places between the outer edges, to floating elements (4), said first canvas (1) being given a saddle-roof shape, the curvature of the saddle-roof shape being variable.
5. The device of claim 4 characterized in that from at least one of the highest points on the first canvas (1) an outlet (5) is provided to which a removable sack (6) is mounted.
6. The device of claim 4 characterized in that the sack (6) can be tightened shut and replaced.
7. The device of claim 4 characterized in that the sack (6) can, with the help of a hose, be emptied into a boat or a barge.
8. The device of claim 4 characterized in that the sack (6) is provided with a venting device for gas or air and a level gauge for oil.
9. The device of claim 4 characterized in that a second canvas (8) is stretched over the first canvas (1), said second canvas (8) being given a saddle-roof shape, and the curvature of the saddle-roof shape being variable.
10. The device of claim 8 characterized in that the outlet (5) from the canvases (1, 8) coincide.
11. The device of claim 8 characterized in that the source of the spill or of the emission may be any or several of the following: shipwreck, oil pipeline, special waste dump, bulk dump, accumulation of ammunition.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO991282 | 1999-03-17 | ||
| NO991282A NO991282D0 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-03-17 | Method and apparatus for collecting oil from discharges under water |
| PCT/NO2000/000091 WO2000058564A1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2000-03-16 | Method and device for the collection of underwater spills and for covering the sea bed |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP1192317A1 true EP1192317A1 (en) | 2002-04-03 |
Family
ID=19903097
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP00911495A Withdrawn EP1192317A1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2000-03-16 | Method and device for the collection of underwater spills and for covering the sea bed |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1192317A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3336100A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO991282D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2000058564A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2804935B1 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2002-06-07 | Bouygues Offshore | PROCESS AND PLANT FOR RECOVERING EFFLUENTS AT SEA |
| ES2217951A1 (en) * | 2002-12-16 | 2004-11-01 | Francisco Novo Martinez | Recuperator for oil from vessel sunk in deep water includes valved collector bag and riser pipe with electromagnets facilitating feed to tanker |
| GB2396335B (en) * | 2002-12-21 | 2007-07-04 | Dominic Michaelis | Shipwreck cover |
| ES2212757T3 (en) * | 2002-12-23 | 2011-09-19 | Richard J. Lazes | SUBMARINE CRUDE COLLECTOR. |
| DE60301779D1 (en) * | 2003-02-21 | 2005-11-10 | Saipem Sa | Process and installation for outflow recovery by sea using a shuttle reservoir |
| ATE398068T1 (en) * | 2003-04-14 | 2008-07-15 | Stefan Tarkovacs | AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER STATION |
| FR2853673B1 (en) * | 2003-04-14 | 2006-01-21 | Stefan Tarkovacs | COLUMN OF UNDERWATER RECOVERY |
| DE10323556B4 (en) * | 2003-05-26 | 2008-03-20 | Thomas Schwalb | Method and arrangement for catching submerged media |
| FR2858966A1 (en) * | 2003-08-20 | 2005-02-25 | Jacques Flichy | Device for recovering oil leaks from a wreck by placing a receiver cone with a diameter greater than that of the wreck a small distance above the bottom to ensure all oil leaks are recovered |
| FR2860810B1 (en) * | 2003-10-13 | 2005-12-30 | Technip France | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RECOVERING PETROLEUM FROM A RESERVOIR DISPOSED ON A MARINE BOTTOM, IN PARTICULAR A POULTRY |
| ATE417783T1 (en) * | 2003-10-15 | 2009-01-15 | European Community | DEVICE FOR COLLECTING LIQUIDS LEAKED FROM AN UNDERWATER SOURCE |
| RU2268338C1 (en) * | 2004-09-07 | 2006-01-20 | Рудольф Львович Гроховский | Device for aqueous environment protection against pollutions incoming from underwater sources |
| BRPI1002594B1 (en) * | 2010-05-14 | 2022-01-04 | Engenhoca 18 Administração De Patentes Ltda | OIL LEAK COLLECTOR DEVICE |
| CA2804737A1 (en) * | 2010-06-22 | 2011-12-29 | Adrian Kaegi | Method for fighting an oilspill in the aftermath of an underwater oil well blowout and installation for carrying out the method |
| GB201011445D0 (en) * | 2010-07-07 | 2010-08-25 | Kirkby Alan D | Underwater oil and gas collection system |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2368581A1 (en) * | 1976-10-25 | 1978-05-19 | Keruzore Francois | Sea-bed oil spill collecting device - comprising flexible plastic funnel sliding on cables anchored to sea:bed |
| FR2463835A1 (en) * | 1979-08-23 | 1981-02-27 | Chastan Bagnis Lucien | Reclaiming light liquids as oil for sea-bed - where liq. lighter than water flows naturally upwards through flexible pipe into floating tank |
| WO1982001387A1 (en) * | 1980-10-22 | 1982-04-29 | Enn Vallak | Equipment for the recovery of oil flowing out of sub-water ground |
| NO914738D0 (en) * | 1991-12-03 | 1991-12-03 | Hans Seternes | HANGING OIL COLLECTOR / LENS / TRAAL |
| NO176813C (en) * | 1993-01-22 | 1995-06-14 | Leif Andreassen | oil collector |
-
1999
- 1999-03-17 NO NO991282A patent/NO991282D0/en unknown
-
2000
- 2000-03-16 AU AU33361/00A patent/AU3336100A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-03-16 WO PCT/NO2000/000091 patent/WO2000058564A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-03-16 EP EP00911495A patent/EP1192317A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| See references of WO0058564A1 * |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2000058564A1 (en) | 2000-10-05 |
| NO991282D0 (en) | 1999-03-17 |
| AU3336100A (en) | 2000-10-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| 17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20011017 |
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| 17Q | First examination report despatched |
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| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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| 18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20040414 |