ES2715293A1 - System for reducing the velocity on the water surface for collecting floating materials (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

System for reducing the velocity at the water surface for collecting floating materials, with relative displacement between the fluid and the system defining a direction of fluid entry into the system, formed by walls (1) arranged at a constant height on the fluid, with a reservoir (3) at the end opposite the fluid inlet, and comprising braking modules (5, 6) of the relative velocity of the fluid, such as transverse and inclined shock barriers (5) or barriers floats (6) constituted in one or more floating panels on the surface of the fluid. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

System for reducing the velocity on the water surface for collecting floating materials

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The present invention relates to a system for reducing the speed on the water surface for collecting floating materials for collecting and storing spills and / or floating solid waste, by means of a braking system for the relative speed of the floating material and the water with respect to the collection system.

The system, motive of the present invention, from the point of view of its general characteristics is included in the sector of the cleaning of floating material in large tanks and extensions of fluids, generally of water: lakes, rivers, seas, etc.

STATE OF THE ART

When there is a large volume of discharges, waste and floating materials in the sea, such as that caused by an accident of a ship or a spill of hydrocarbon, the difficulty and delay in collection generates a huge rejection, social alarm and significant socio-economic impacts on the affected population, and develops significant environmental impacts on flora and bordering fauna. In addition, substantial management expenses are required in the continuous collection and transfer of discharges to the shore, as well as in their subsequent treatment.

The spills and floating waste appear increasingly in marine areas, and not only arise near large coastal cities, but in almost any coastal zone, whether populated or not, in ports, beaches, river deltas, cliffs, in areas of special natural protection, in areas far from the coast, on the high seas. That is to say, the invasion of marine and fluvial floating discharges and residues originated and provoked by the human being seems to have no limits and is expanding in a growing and very significant way all over the world.

The variety, size and quantity of the spills and floating marine and fluvial residues that have to be collected and cleaned are increasingly varied. Among other types, hydrocarbons and oil spills, microalgae pests, microplastics, plastic bags, containers and other floating garbage, etc. stand out. This variety complicates its collection, management and subsequent treatment.

As the type of floating material that is going to be collected and managed is extremely variable, when you want to define an on-board collection and management system, there are numerous variants that make it practically necessary to have an individualized model for that spill or floating waste. All this implies a significant increase in the complexity of the design and in the final cost of the system to be implemented.

In order to eliminate spills and floating debris in the sea and in fluvial zones, different active systems have been created that are manned floating vessels or artifacts, intended for the collection of floating marine solids located generally near the coast and in protected waters. They have a transitory storage to carry and deliver on the shore, before the boat can return to the area where the waste is located and continue its collection work. An example can be seen in ES2611147T3.

It is also possible to arrange the collection of waste and discharges by a floating element dragged by a boat. An example will be the product called "Sweep Skimmer MOS 15" from Lamor Corporation (Finland).

Currently, most of these systems are based on a deposit that collects the floating waste for its extraction to a deposit external to the system, located in a boat, on land or at sea so that it can be taken to land. However, if the relative velocity between the fluid and the reservoir is high, too much fluid accumulates in the reservoir and the residue is not properly retained.

However, if the surface velocity of the water and that of the reservoir is high, too much fluid and floating debris accumulates in the reservoir. This makes it difficult to retain the waste inside the tank, it is difficult to extract it to an external tank when mixing a lot with water inside the tank, and a large quantity of water must be extracted together with the floating waste, quickly filling the capacity of treatment and storage of the external deposit. However, if the boat has to move very slowly, or the amount of dirty water that is being diverted to the static cleaning system is reduced, the time for collection increases, because more time is required to clean the same surface or volume of water.

The applicant does not know a solution to this problem that may be comparable with the invention.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a system for decreasing the relative speed of the water surface for collecting floating materials for integral cleaning of spills and floating debris according to the claims.

The system or device for decreasing the relative velocity of the surface of the water for collecting floating materials is intended for situations in which there is relative displacement between the fluid and the system. This displacement defines an input direction of the fluid in the system. The system is formed by walls, preferably parallel and straight, fixed in height or depth with respect to the surface of the fluid, for example, by means of a flotation means. It has a waste deposit at the opposite end to the fluid inlet and, in particular, braking modules of the relative speed of the fluid with respect to the system.

In a first preferred embodiment, the braking module is formed by a shock barrier that avoids waves and turbulence and is constituted in one or more rigid porous panels arranged between the walls and with an inclination of between 45 and up to 90 ° (without reach that upper limit value) with respect to the horizontal. The lower end of the shock barrier will be farther from the reservoir than the upper end, facilitating the rise of the waste to the surface.

Preferably, the inclination of the shock barrier is adjustable to suit the type of waste and the relative speed of the fluid.

Likewise, it is preferred that it be mobile in a vertical direction, to vary the depth or withdraw it from the fluid for maintenance or when other braking modules are sufficient.

A second preferred example of braking module is formed by a floating barrier constituted in one or more floating panels, preferably porous, on the surface of the fluid. The union of the floating barrier with the rest of the system will allow, preferably, the automatic adjustment of position (height).

To reduce the risk of waves or turbulence placing debris on the floating barrier, it is preferred that the end furthest from the reservoir of the floating barrier is tilted upward. In a second embodiment, that end is tilted downward, to help bind the waste.

When the floating barrier is used, it is possible to arrange a porous inclined conveyor belt, which performs the functions of the shock barrier and also removes the larger material or debris.

Once the braking modules have been overcome, it is preferred to arrange a channel for driving the waste towards the tank, formed by a rigid porous panel with the end furthest from the tank below the surface or level of the fluid.

Preferably both ends will be submerged, but maintaining that inclination.

In use, it is especially advantageous that at least one wall corresponds to the hull of a vessel, for example, the two walls can be the contiguous hulls of a multihull vessel. In any case, it may be preferred that removable walls of the helmet are maintained to stiffen the assembly during assembly and maintenance operations.

Other variants will be described in different parts of the memory.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, the following figures are included.

Figure 1 is a schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment in which the system is dragged.

Figure 2 is a schematic top view of a second embodiment in which the system is coupled to the side of a boat.

Figure 3 is a schematic side section of a third embodiment, in which the system is arranged between the hulls of a catamaran.

Figure 4 is a schematic top view of a fourth embodiment, in which the system is fixed in the current of a river.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, a series of exemplary embodiments of the invention, illustrative and non-limiting, will be briefly described in various applications. These embodiments will be described as if the system is fixed, but equally applicable for mobile systems or for situations in which there is movement of both elements with respect to any fixed point (for example, in the cleaning of marine currents, channels or rivers by means of systems). embarked). For the invention, a movement or relative speed between both elements is sufficient.

Figures 1 and 2 show an example pair of application of the system in which the relative movement between the fluid, water, and the system is carried out by means of a vessel (8). In one case, the system is dragged by the boat (8), while in the other it is fixed on both sides.

The system represented comprises two walls (1), generally vertical and parallel. These walls (1) will be arranged at a fixed height above the water, for example by means of flotation means (2), such as buoys or the vessel (8), so that the lower part of the walls (1) ) is located at a depth that it will depend on the type of waste to be collected, especially the depth at which the waste is located in the fluid. For most of the cases, a depth of 60 cm will be adequate.

The walls of the system (1) have a closed end by means of a deposit (3), generally porous, whose size of passage also depends on the type of waste, being able to be variable according to the height or position with respect to the wall. The tank (3) may also have no soil. In this deposit (3) the waste is stored, while the excess water is eliminated through the pores. If desired, to be able to work continuously, a suction equipment (4) or skimmer removes residues from the tank (3). Another possibility of removing discharges from the tank (3) or collector is by means of absorbent plates. The tank (3) can be formed by two or more nested and interconnected tanks, the suction equipment (4) normally being placed in the innermost nested tank.

The end opposite the tank (3) is open and that is where the fluid will enter the system. To avoid that the relative speed between both is very high and the fluid enters too much energy to the tank, braking modules (5,6) that reduce the speed difference to a more adequate amount will be available.

It is very advantageous that the walls (1) are parallel, except perhaps in their entry section, and vertical, to properly direct the water with the desired loss of speed in the braking modules (5,6). A decrease in the separation between the walls (1) in the area of the tank (3) can lead to a loss of material dragged below it.

In FIG. 3, preferred braking modules (5, 6) are better appreciated, which can be presented in combination or independently. In any case, they will be described cooperating because it is the most preferred solution.

As the system has no floor, the excess water goes down, passing under the braking modules (5,6), but without dragging the material by the smooth reduction of the speed.

The first type of braking module (5,6) with which the fluid contacts is an approximately transverse shock barrier (5), which allows drastic reduction of the swell. It is a rigid porous panel that allows the passage of fluid and waste. The shock barrier (5) is attached to the walls (1) or to the flotation means (2) and is arranged with an inclination of between 45 (inclusive) and 90 ° (exclusive) with the horizontal, so that the part lower is more forward (away from the closed end of the walls (1)) than the top except in the 90 ° position. The inclined disposition of entry to The panels prevent the surface floating material from being dragged down with the water that comes out of the flow.

Preferably, the inclination of the impact barrier (5) is adjustable. If desired, the shock barrier (5) can correspond to several consecutive panels, which can be removed from the fluid as desired.

As this shock barrier (5) performs an agitation of the fluid, it is preferred to then provide a floating barrier (6) attached to the walls (1) but with freedom of vertical movement to be able to stay on the surface. For example, it may be attached to the walls (1) or the flotation means (2) by straps or ropes. This floating barrier (6) corresponds to floating panels, for example plastic meshes or floating nets whose mission is to reduce the relative speed progressively while agglutinates the residue that has dispersed after the encounter with the shock barrier ( 5). The floating barrier (6) can have a front end raised to prevent waves from passing over it, or lowered to favor the agglutination of the residue. Also, it is preferred that it can be removed from your work area if it is not necessary, depending on the type of spill. It is preferred that the floating barrier (6) is also porous.

The combination of the shock barrier (5) and the floating barrier (6), offers an optimal result to capture all the waste.

An alternative to the shock barrier (5), optimized for collecting waste with a large part of large material, comprises a conveyor belt (9), also porous, with its front end submerged in the water, and with its end back out of the water. The conveyor belt (9) is ready to pour that waste in the right place (figure 2). For this, the front part (farthest from the tank (3)) of the conveyor belt (9) performs the upward movement.

The fluid braked by the braking modules (5,6) has to be led to the tank, for which a channel (7) corresponding to a rigid, porous panel, which directs the already braked waste towards the tank (3), will generally be applied. ) with the minimum drag fluid.

The system can be autonomous, as in figures 1 and 4, carrying its own flotation means (2) or being locked to the ground if a high variation of fluid level is not expected. It can also be carried by a boat (8) (figures 2 and 3), in which case the hull thereof, can act as one or both walls (1). For example, the system can be placed between the contiguous hulls of a catamaran or another multihull vessel (8), which act as walls (1). In that case, the helmets should be as parallel and vertical as possible to their proper functioning, as justified.

In any case, if the hulls are not sufficiently parallel and vertical, it will be preferred to have intermediate walls (1) between the hull and the braking modules (5,6), which also assist in the maintenance operations by allowing the separation of the boat system.

If the system is associated with a boat, it is preferable that it be lifted to remove it from the water in long trips, so that it does not affect the cruising speed of the boat.

Figure 4 shows how the constitution of the system can be different in the same application, according to the speed of the fluid. In this case, applied to a river or channel. In this case, being able to be the relative speed and the lower input swell, the shock barrier (5) may not be necessary, and even the length of the floating barrier (6) is variable.

The walls (1) may comprise stiffening elements, such as tie rods, beams ... which ensure the relative position.

Claims (1)

1- System for decreasing the velocity at the water surface for collecting floating materials, with relative displacement between the fluid and the system that defines a direction of fluid entry into the system, formed by walls (1) arranged at a constant height on the fluid, with a reservoir (3) at the opposite end to the fluid inlet, characterized in that it comprises braking modules (5,6) of the relative speed of the fluid. 2- System, according to claim 1, comprising a braking module (5,6) formed by a shock barrier (5) transverse to the entrance direction constituted in one or more porous meshes arranged with an inclination of between 45 and 90 °, the lower end of the shock barrier (5) being furthest from the tank (3) or at the same height as the upper end. 3- System, according to claim 2, wherein the inclination of the shock barrier (5) is adjustable. 4- System, according to claim 2, whose shock barrier (5) is movable in a vertical direction. 5- System, according to claim 1, comprising a braking module (5,6) formed by a floating barrier (6) formed in one or more floating panels on the surface of the fluid. 6- System, according to claim 5, wherein the floating panels of the floating barrier (6) are porous. The system according to claim 5, wherein the end furthest from the reservoir (3) of the floating barrier (6) is inclined upwards. 8- System according to claim 5, wherein the end furthest from the reservoir (3) of the floating barrier (6) is inclined downward. 9- System according to claim 1, comprising a channel (7) for driving the waste to the tank (3) formed by a rigid porous panel with the end furthest from the tank (3) below the fluid level. 10 - System, according to claim 1, wherein at least one wall (1) corresponds to the hull of a vessel (8). 11 - System, according to claim 10, wherein the walls (1) correspond to two contiguous hulls of a multihull vessel (8). 12 - System according to claim 1, comprising a flotation means (2) configured to maintain the walls (1) at constant height on the fluid. 13 - System, according to claim 5, comprising a porous conveyor belt (9), with its front end submerged in the water, and with its rear end out of the water, arranged further away from the tank (3) than the floating barrier (6) 14- System, according to claim 1, whose walls (1) are parallel and vertical.