GB2257926A - Picking up floating material - Google Patents
Picking up floating material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2257926A GB2257926A GB9115023A GB9115023A GB2257926A GB 2257926 A GB2257926 A GB 2257926A GB 9115023 A GB9115023 A GB 9115023A GB 9115023 A GB9115023 A GB 9115023A GB 2257926 A GB2257926 A GB 2257926A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- body member
- unwanted material
- surface region
- tongue
- aqueous medium
- 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- Withdrawn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
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
- E02B15/048—Oil collectors moved over the water skimming the water surface
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
- Y02A20/20—Controlling water pollution; Waste water treatment
- Y02A20/204—Keeping clear the surface of open water from oil spills
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Physical Water Treatments (AREA)
Abstract
Floating oil or algae is removed from the surface of water by a scoop 1 mounted on a boat 4 and presenting a sharp loading edge 14 from which extends an upper convex surface 10 extended by an adjustable tongue 11 and loading the unwanted material in a laminar flow manner into collecting well 8. Well 8 has two sets of holes in floor and rear wall to discharge water. Collected material is removed by lifting and tilting the scoop (Fig. 4) or by suction means. Sprays (not shown) may assist collection by discharging liquid nitrogen on to the material ahead of the scoop. Polymeric bonding agent may also be applied to the material before or after collection. <IMAGE>
Description
Apparatus and Method for Treating Aqueous Media
The present invention is concerned with an apparatus and method for removing unwanted material from the surface region of aqueous media.
A problem often encountered during removal of surface materials from aqueous media is dispersion of the former by, for example, wave action induced during attempted removal. Typical surface materials often required to be removed are oil spillages or algae floating below the surface of the aqueous medium. It has previously been proposed to treat such materials with "bodying" agents such as straw, newspaper, or cryogenic refrigerants. Although these do aid in the "collection" of unwanted materials there is still a need for method and apparatus which for successfully removing surface materials of the type described from aqueous media.
We have now developed an apparatus and method capable of successfully carrying out such removal, which apparatus and method are particularly suitable for use in removing algae (such as blue-green algae) floating just below the surface of the aqueous medium, but which can also be used for other surface pollutants, such as oil-slicks and the like.
According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for removing unwanted material from the surface region of an aqueous medium, which apparatus comprises: a) a body member comprising a collector region capable of receiving and retaining said
unwanted material therein; b) a convex curved surface region disposed proximate to a leading edge of said body
member, said curved surface region being such that fluid flowing thereover is urged
to flow in a substantially laminar manner; and c) attachment means for securing said device to a watercraft.
Preferably the body member comprises, in the order specified: a leading edge, a collecting well and an upwardly extending rear wall which can, in use, protrude out of the aqueous medium. Preferably the attachment means are provided on the rear wall for securing the apparatus to the bow of the water craft; typically the attachment means are such that they can engage with complementarily engaging means provided on the watercraft.
Preferably the curved surface region comprises a head provided on the leading edge of the body member. It is further preferred that a curved tongue extends from the head so as to define a recess between the tongue and the body member. Preferably the tongue is provided with means which enable it to be pivotably movable relative to the body member.
In a first embodiment of the invention, the tongue is provided with a integral or separately formed hinge. In a second embodiment, the tongue is provided with resilient mounting means which are typically such that the tongue's position relative to the body member is dependent on the pressure exerted on the tongue, that is, the greater the depth to which the apparatus is introduced into the aqueous medium, the greater extent to which the tongue is biased towards the body member. Preferably the tongue overhangs the collecting region and is profiled so as to have a curved surface which substantially corresponds to the curvature of the adjacently located wall of the body member. Typically the free end of the tongue overhangs the collecting well in such a way that any unwanted material flowing over the tongue drops into the well.
It is preferred that the apparatus is provided with drainage means for removing any excess liquid collected in the body member. Preferably, the drainage means comprise a first and second plurality of apertures. The first plurality is preferably provided through the base of the collecting well, the second plurality being provided through the rear wall.
Preferably a ridged protrusion is provided on an outwardly facing wall of the body member, the protrusion being capable of effecting substantially turbulent flow of a fluid passing thereover. Typically the ridged protrusion is arranged downstream (in the direction of fluid flow relative to the apparatus) from the leading edge of the body member. It is beneficial that the first plurality of apertures is arranged adjacent to and downstream (again in the direction of fluid flow) with respect to the ridged protrusion; the latter arrangement is preferred because the turbulent flow conditions produced (which result in low pressure vortices occurring in the aqueous medium adjacent to the apertures) aid the drainage process.
Preferably the apparatus is provided with means for removing unwanted material retained in the collecting well of the body member and which enable deposition of the material in a suitable storage container. Suitable removal means may comprise hinge means which allow the body member to be lifted out from the aqueous medium and arranged in an inclined fashion such that the material can simply be tipped out of the collecting well into a storage container. Alternatively the removal means may comprise a suction device capable of sucking out the material and transmitting it to the storage container.
There is also provided by the present invention a water vessel provided with apparatus as hereinbefore described.
There is further provided by the present invention a method of removing from an aqueous medium unwanted material present in a surface region thereof, which method comprises: a) contacting said surface region with at least one cryogenic refrigerant so as to cause
substantial bodying of unwanted material present in said surface region; b) introducing apparatus as hereinbefore described into said aqueous medium; c) effecting movement of said apparatus relative to said surface region such that said
unwanted material present in said surface region is urged into said body member of
said apparatus; and d) removing said unwanted material from said apparatus.
Preferably operation of a method as described above is such that the curved surface region of the appararus skims just below the unwanted material (the latter typically being present as a sub-surface layer) thereby causing separation of the aqueous medium and urging the unwanted material to slide undispersed into the collecting well of the body member.
Preferably the cryogenic refrigerant comprises liquid nitrogen, but other cryogenic refrigerants such as liquid carbon dioxide, liquid halogenated hydrocarbons or liquid noble gases could, of course, be used. Introduction of the cryogenic refrigerant into the aqueous medium preferably causes substantial solidification of the surface region containing the unwanted material so as to form a substantially semi-solid zone such that the main body of the unwanted material remains substantially undispersed.
Preferably, contacting of the cryogenic refrigerant with the surface region of the aqueous medium is achieved by spraying of the refrigerant via spray nozzles arranged below the surface region. It is preferred that the spray nozzles are mounted on the apparatus in such a way so as to extend a greater distance in front of the leading end region of the apparatus. Alternatively, the spray nozzles may be capable of spraying the refrigerant at a surface region located in front of the appararus. Consequently, the cryogenic refrigerant will preferably cause substantial solidification of the surface region of the aqueous medium prior to collection of the unwanted material in the apparatus.
The collected material is then removed from the apparatus and retained in storage containers which preferably allow drainage of the aqueous medium (when melted) therefrom. In some embodiments the storage containers are present in the hold of the watercraft.
It is preferred that the method further comprises addition of a polymeric bonding agent to the unwanted material. It is preferred that the nature of the bonding agent is such that it is capable of substantially reducing the toxicity of algae such as blue green algae when the latter is exposed to air. The addition can either involve contacting the unwanted material with the bonding agent prior to collection of the latter in the apparatus.
If this is the case the bonding agent is preferably sprayed from a position above the unwanted material and is preferably sprayed in such a way that the binding reaction is sufficiently advanced before collection of the unwanted material commences. Alternatively the bonding agent may be added to the unwanted material after collection of the latter in the storage containers.
There is further provided by the present invention a kit for use in removing unwanted material from the surface region of an aqueous medium, which kit comprises: a) apparatus as hereinbefore described; and b) at least one cryogenic refrigerant material suitable to be used in a method as
hereinbefore described.
The invention will now be further illustrated by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of exemplary apparatus according to the present invention attached to the bow of a boat;
Figure 2 illustrates flow of sub-surface algae into apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 3 illustrates the typical flow pattern of the aqueous medium induced by apparatus according to the present invention; and
Figure 4 illustrates positioning of apparatus according to the present invention for transferring debris contained therein into the hold of a boat.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a scoop generally designated 1 for removal of algae 2 from the surface region of an aqueous medium 3 (typically a lake, pond or the like). Scoop 1 is attached to the bow of boat 4 by fastener 5 which complementarily engages with fixing rod 6 provided on boat 4. Scoop 1 comprises a rear wall 7, collecting well 8 and curved leading edge 9. Convex curved surface 10 (which effects substantially laminar flow of any liquid flowing thereover) is provided on leading edge 9. Tongue 11 extends from leading edge 9 whereby the free end thereof is located above collecting well 8 such that any unwanted material such as algae 2 can drop into collecting well 8. Ridge 12 is provided on the undersurface of collecting well 8 and effects substantially turbulent flow of any liquid flowing thereover.Although not visible in Figure 1, scoop 1 is further provided with a series of drainage apertures therethrough for removing any excess liquid collected in scoop 1. Typically a first set of drainage apertures is provided through the base 13 of collecting well 8, a second set of apertures being provided through rear wall 7.
As seen in Figure 1, scoop 1 is located just below the surface region of aqueous medium 3 containing the algae such that the pointed front 14 can separate the aqueous medium in region 15 which urges algae 2 to flow over convex surface 10 and slide into collecting well 8. It is preferred that pointed front 14 of scoop 1 should be located just below the surface of the algae as shown; if pointed front 14 actually penetrated the algae layer it would cause dispersion of the latter, conversely if scoop 1 is too deep in the aqueous medium, the majority of the algae would not be collected.
Referring to Figure 2, there is shown the flow of algae 2 into scoop 1. As shown, the algae is maintained as a substantially continuous layer as it flows over curved surface 10 and tongue 11. The algae is maintained as a substantially continuous layer during its passage into collecting well 8 by means of the surrounding sleeve 15 of substantially frozen liquid.
Referring to Figure 3, the aqueous medium is shown to be flowing in a substantially laminar fashion in zone 16 (effected by convex surface 10) and in a substantially turbulent fashion in zone 17 (effected by ridge 12).
Referring to Figure 4, scoop 1 is removed from the aqueous medium and arranged in a substantially upstanding arrangement relative to boat 4 so that any debris contained in scoop 1 can slide therefrom (in the direction of arrow A) into storage tanks present in the bow of boat 4.
Claims (35)
1. Apparatus for removing unwanted material from the surface region of an aqueous
medium, which apparatus comprises:
(a) a body member comprising a collector region capable of receiving and
retaining said unwanted material therein;
(b) a convex curved surface region disposed proximate to a leading edge of said
body member, said curved surface region being such that fluid flowing
thereover is urged to flow in a substantially laminar manner; and
(c) attachment means for securing said device to a watercraft.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said body member comprises, in the order
specified: a leading edge, a collecting well and an upwardly extending rear wall which
can, in use, protrude out of the aqueous medium.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said attachment means are provided on said
rear wall for securing said apparatus to the bow of said watercraft.
4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said attachment means are such
that they can engage with complimentarily engaging means provided on the
watercraft.
5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said curved surface region
comprises a head provided on said leading edge of said body member.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a curved tongue extends from said head so
as to define a recess between said tongue and said body member.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said tongue is provided with means which
enable it to be pivotably movable relative to said body member.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said tongue is provided with an integral or
separately formed hinge.
9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said tongue is provided with resilient
mounting means.
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein said tongue overhangs said
collecting region and is profiled so as to have a curved surface which substantially
corresponds to the curvature of the adjacently located wall of said body member.
11. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 10 as dependant on claim 2, wherein the
free end of said tongue overhangs the collecting well in such a way that any unwanted
material flowing over said tongue drops into said collecting well.
12. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein said apparatus is provided with
drainage means for removing any excess liquid collected in said body member.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said drainage means comprise a first and
second plurality of apertures.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, as dependant on claim 2, wherein said first
plurality is provided through the base of said collecting well, said second plurality
being provided through said rear wall.
15. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein a ridged protrusion is provided
on an outwardly facing wall of said body member, said protrusion being capable of
effecting substantially turbulent flow of a fluid passing thereover.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said ridged protrusion is arranged
downstream, in the direction of fluid flow relative to said apparatus, from said leading
edge of said body member.
17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16 as dependant on either claim 13 or 14, wherein
said first plurality of apertures is arranged adjacent to and downstream, in the
direction of fluid flow relative to said apparatus, with respect to said ridged protrusion.
18. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein said apparatus is provided with
means for removing unwanted material retained in said collecting region of said body
member.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said removal means comprise hinge means
which allow said body member to be lifted out from said aqueous medium and
arranged in an inclined fashion.
20. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said removal means comprise a suction
device capable of sucking out said unwanted material and transmitting it to a storage
container,
21. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 20, wherein said apparatus is provided with
spray nozzles mounted thereon.
22. Apparatus according to claim 21, as dependant on claim 2, wherein said nozzles
extend a greater distance in front of said leading edge of said apparatus.
23. Apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said nozzles are capable of spraying
said refrigerant at a surface region located in front of said apparatus.
24. A water vessel provided with apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 23.
25. A method of removing from an aqueous medium unwanted material present in a
surface region thereof, which method comprises:
(a) contacting said surface region with at least one cryogenic refrigerant so as to
cause substantial bodying of unwanted material present in said surface region;
(b) introducing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 23 into said aqueous
medium;
(c) effecting movement of said apparatus relative to said surface region such that
said unwanted material present in said surface is urged into said body member
of said apparatus; and
(d) removing said unwanted material from said apparatus.
26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the cryogenic refrigerant comprises liquid
nitrogen.
27. A method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein contacting of said cryogenic
refrigerant with said surface region of said aqueous medium is achieved by spraying
of said refrigerant at said surface region.
28. A method according to any of claims 25 to 27, which method further comprises
addition of polymeric bonding agent to said unwanted material.
29. A method according to claim 28, wherein said bonding agent is capable of
substantially reducing the toxicity of algae such as blue green algae when the latter
is exposed to air.
30. A method according to either claim 28 or 29, wherein addition of said bonding agent
involves contacting said unwanted material with said bonding agent prior to collection
of the former.
31. A method according to claim 30, wherein said bonding agent is sprayed from a
position above said unwanted material.
32. A method according to either claim 28 or 29, wherein said bonding agent is added
to said unwanted material after collection of the former.
33. A kit for use in removing unwanted material from the surface region of an aqueous
medium, which kit comprises:
(a) apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 23;
(b) at least one source of cryogenic refrigerant material suitable to be used in a
method according to any of claims 25 to 32.
34. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
35. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9115023A GB2257926A (en) | 1991-07-10 | 1991-07-10 | Picking up floating material |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9115023A GB2257926A (en) | 1991-07-10 | 1991-07-10 | Picking up floating material |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9115023D0 GB9115023D0 (en) | 1991-08-28 |
| GB2257926A true GB2257926A (en) | 1993-01-27 |
Family
ID=10698230
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9115023A Withdrawn GB2257926A (en) | 1991-07-10 | 1991-07-10 | Picking up floating material |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2257926A (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103015386A (en) * | 2013-01-11 | 2013-04-03 | 上海海洋大学 | Crank connecting rod type waterweed collecting device for handy-sized ship |
| GB2521585A (en) * | 2013-09-30 | 2015-07-01 | Rosemary Jones | Surface pollutant vacuum technology |
| CN111535281A (en) * | 2020-05-11 | 2020-08-14 | 黄添添 | Folding extrusion formula duckweed salvages clearing device |
| FR3094993A1 (en) | 2019-04-11 | 2020-10-16 | Joel Lesser | Device now covered with drifting photosynthetic hydrobionts, depriving them of light, and associated removal and harvesting processes. |
| NL2026075B1 (en) * | 2020-07-16 | 2022-03-21 | Andromeda Holding B V | Semi-submersible ramp, a system, a vessel and a method for removing plastic materials from a body of water |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1357138A (en) * | 1970-06-29 | 1974-06-19 | Trw Inc | Surface tension method of and apparatus for separating immiscible liquids |
| GB1450111A (en) * | 1972-09-25 | 1976-09-22 | Rafael J | Devices for cleaning water polluted by oil |
| GB1515660A (en) * | 1976-04-01 | 1978-06-28 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Apparatus for collecting effluent oil floating on a water surface |
| US4136030A (en) * | 1977-02-21 | 1979-01-23 | Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for collecting effluent oil |
-
1991
- 1991-07-10 GB GB9115023A patent/GB2257926A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1357138A (en) * | 1970-06-29 | 1974-06-19 | Trw Inc | Surface tension method of and apparatus for separating immiscible liquids |
| GB1450111A (en) * | 1972-09-25 | 1976-09-22 | Rafael J | Devices for cleaning water polluted by oil |
| GB1515660A (en) * | 1976-04-01 | 1978-06-28 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Apparatus for collecting effluent oil floating on a water surface |
| US4136030A (en) * | 1977-02-21 | 1979-01-23 | Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for collecting effluent oil |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103015386A (en) * | 2013-01-11 | 2013-04-03 | 上海海洋大学 | Crank connecting rod type waterweed collecting device for handy-sized ship |
| CN103015386B (en) * | 2013-01-11 | 2015-04-08 | 上海海洋大学 | Crank connecting rod type waterweed collecting device for handy-sized ship |
| GB2521585A (en) * | 2013-09-30 | 2015-07-01 | Rosemary Jones | Surface pollutant vacuum technology |
| FR3094993A1 (en) | 2019-04-11 | 2020-10-16 | Joel Lesser | Device now covered with drifting photosynthetic hydrobionts, depriving them of light, and associated removal and harvesting processes. |
| CN111535281A (en) * | 2020-05-11 | 2020-08-14 | 黄添添 | Folding extrusion formula duckweed salvages clearing device |
| CN111535281B (en) * | 2020-05-11 | 2021-11-12 | 湖南衡兴环保科技开发有限公司 | Folding extrusion formula duckweed salvages clearing device |
| NL2026075B1 (en) * | 2020-07-16 | 2022-03-21 | Andromeda Holding B V | Semi-submersible ramp, a system, a vessel and a method for removing plastic materials from a body of water |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9115023D0 (en) | 1991-08-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |