FR2645888A1 - Device for rapidly recovering hydrocarbons floating on the sea or any other expanse of liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention, the device includes a collecting system 1 at the front, always placed a little above the level of the sea. The collector 1 directs and concentrates the hydrocarbons 2 towards the inlet to a leaktight connection 3 connecting the collector 1 to the bottom of a tanker boat 4. The tanker boat 4 is always filled with water, filling takes place through openings 5 located in the bottom. The overall device is active only when it is moving 11. The tanker boat 4 therefore generates a dynamic thrust which forces the hydrocarbons 10 and water into the opening of the collector 1 which is always located above the level of the water 8. They therefore rush into the forced pipeline 3 which connects the collector and the bottom of the tanker boat 4; when they arrive at the bottom, the lighter hydrocarbons 10 rise to the surface of the tank of the tanker boat 4 as the storage layer of hydrocarbons 10 increases. An equivalent quantity of water is discharged through the water circulation openings at the bottom 5. The principle of the device is applicable for all bigger or smaller models intended for the rapid recovery of expanses of hydrocarbons floating on the water.

Description

Device for rapidly recovering floating oil
on the sea or any other liquid layer.

The invention relates to a device intended to quantitatively recover in a simple and efficient manner the oil floating on the sea.

The methods currently known consist either in sucking or pumping the hydrocarbons as close as possible to the floating layer, or in dispersing chemicals on the hydrocarbons to transform them into products which are less polluting for marine fauna and flora.

In the first case, the use of rotating equipment (pumps, vacuum cleaners) is often low compared to the extent of the pollution.

According to the invention, the method comprises a collection device (1) at the front always placed a little above sea level.

The collector (1) directs and concentrates the hydrocarbons (2) towards the entry of a tight connection (3) connecting the collector (1) to the bottom of a tanker boat (4) filled with water. The complete filling of water at the start is ensured by openings (5) located at the bottom and which allow a permanent circulation of water. Valves or doors (6) under the hull (7) open or close at will after filling with hydrocarbons.

The entire device is only active during its movement; at rest the tanker is filled with water up to the waterline (8). It goes without saying that if the tank boat (4) is watertight at its upper part (9), the vents must be open, the tank boat (4) can simply be covered.

Under the dynamic thrust generated by the movement of the tanker, according to arrow (11), the two hydrocarbon and water phases trapped by the walls of the collector (3) rush into the penstock of the connecting channel (3) and reach at the bottom of the tanker (4). The lighter hydrocarbons (10) rise to the surface. The layer of hydrocarbons <10) increases in thickness, while an equivalent volume of water is evacuated from the bottom. It should be noted that the position of the collector (1) is always located a little above sea level. This additional height allows hydrocarbons lighter than water to constantly descend through the connecting channel (3) to join the bottom water.

Finally, as proof to this assertion, we can make the following demonstration
The tanker (4) being stopped, only hydrocarbons are poured into the inlet of the collector (1); depending on the volume poured, they gradually penetrate the connecting pipe (3) full of water, and descend to the bottom of the tanker (4) after having pumped the water contained in this pipe (3). This phenomenon can only occur if the inlet of the collector (1) is located above the water level. At the same level, at a standstill, or at low speed, the penetration of hydrocarbons into water is not possible. Thus, whatever the speed of the tanker (4), the descent of the lightest water is guaranteed while respecting the height of the collector (1).

By necessity, a tanker must have its waterline as close to the deck as possible and be wide enough so that the collection system can be fitted with a recovery device having the widest span. If necessary, the tank barge seems to be the most easily transformed for urgent recovery operations.

Claims (1)

 Claims I Device for quickly recovering floating oil  on the sea or any other liquid layer.  Characterized in that it includes a collection system (1) to  the front of which the entrance must always be placed above the  sea level. (8) The collector (1) directs and concentrates the  hydrocarbons (2) towards the entry of a tight connection (3) connecting  the collector (1) at the bottom (7) of a tank boat (4) filled with water  The complete filling of water at the start is ensured by  openings (5) located at the bottom which allow circulation  of permanent water, so this water is the medium that allows  for hydrocarbons (2) to quickly rise to the surface in the  tanks of a tanker (4), the storage layer increasing  regularly (10) II Device according to claim (I) characterized in that  valves or doors are provided under the shell (7) intended to  open or close at will after filling in  hydrocarbons (10). III Device according to claims (I) and (II) characterized in that  that the inlet of the collector (1) connected by a penstock (3)  with the bottom of the tanker (4) must always be located at the  above the water level (8) so that this position is the  means which allows them to penetrate deep into the water  hydrocarbons (2), lighter, even at low boat speed  tank (4).