FR2471450A1 - Oil slick collector with endless skimmer belt - has blades on belt discharging into adjustable depth variable capacity duct (NL 2.1.80) - Google Patents

Abstract

The oil slick collecting appliance has a trough-like chamber open on one side to take in the oil/water mixture. The trough contains a blade conveyor, moving the mixture to the back, towards a downward extending duct, which has an open end and oil removal elements. In the duct, oil and water are separated, due to their differing specific gravities. The depth of the duct is adjustable, to alter its capacity. Adjustment is via a tubular telescopic wall.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device mobile on the surface of water, which aims to separate a layer of oil from the surface of water; this device comprises a means resembling a trough, one side of which is open to allow the introduction of the mixture of water and oil and which contains a system for transporting the mixture, such as a bucket conveyor, for conveying the mixture in the rear part of the trough where there is a downwardly extending well, the lower end of which is open, the oil and the water being separated by their difference in density, and the organs of oil extraction being provided in the well.

 The object of the present invention is to provide a device which is simpler than the devices of the prior art. The device according to the present invention is characterized in that the depth of the well is adjustable so as to allow the adjustment of its volume. Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to collect the oil floating on the water, both in the case of deep water, in the open sea, and of shallow water.

 The present invention is particularly advantageous in that the volume of the well can be adjusted by means of a telescopic tubular wall which is mounted inside. In shallow waters, the telescopic wall is raised to a height sufficient to allow the device to move freely without touching the bottom. In deep water, the telescopic wall is lowered to its lowest position where the volume of the oil-containing well is maximum. The volume of the oil-containing well is also adjusted to its maximum value when there is an interruption in the transfer of oil out of the well.

The present invention will be clearly understood on reading the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the present invention
Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device shown in Figure 1; and
FIG. 3 is a top view of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The means comprises a part 1 resembling a trough, one side of which is open so as to allow the entry of a mixture 2 of oil and water. In order to allow the mixture 2 to be transported, the trough 1 contains a bucket conveyor 3, which conveys the mixture to its rear part where a well 4 is placed, open at its two ends, and in which the oil and water are separated due to their difference in density. The well 4 is also equipped with an oil removal member 5, which allows the oil to be pumped into a separate container. The volume of the well 4 can be adjusted by means of a telescopic tubular wall 6 which is placed inside.

 The device according to the present invention can be a separate auxiliary device which can be stored on the deck or in the hold of a ship and be quickly mounted in the event of the appearance of oil, for example, at the bow or on the side of the ship to separate the oil layer from the water surface. The device according to the invention is on site at the time of the accident causing the presence of oil, which allows immediate action to be taken. The device according to the invention can also be mounted on a special vessel, specially designed for combating oil pollution.

 As the water is continuously conveyed into the trough collecting the oil and equivalent quantities emerge from it, a circulation of water is established. The effect of this circulation is to bring to the surface any heavy oil that may be under the ice or under the surface of the water, and makes it easier to collect.

The device according to the present invention can be used to collect the oil present on the surface of the water, both in deep water at sea and in shallow water. In the case of shallow water, the telescopic wall 6 will be raised to a height sufficient to allow the device to move freely without touching the bottom. In deep water, the telescopic wall 6 is lowered to the maximum, as a result of which, the volume of the oil receiving well 4 has its maximum value.

 The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described, it is on the contrary liable to variants and modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art. Apart from the oil, layers of other floating materials comprising liquid or solid particles can also be collected by the device according to the invention.

Claims (2)

1 - Mobile device on water for separating a layer of oil from the surface of the water, comprising a means resembling a trough (1) one side of which is open for the introduction of the mixture of oil and water, the trough containing a means of conveying the mixture such as a bucket conveyor (3) for conveying the mixture into the rear part of the trough where there is a well extending downwards, open to its lower end, in which the oil and water are separated and which is equipped with oil extraction members, characterized in that the depth of the well is adjustable in order to adjust its volume. 2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the volume of the well can be adjusted by means of a telescopic tubular neroi which is arranged inside this well.