GB2275208A - Oil-collecting boom - Google Patents

Abstract

A boom for enclosing an oil spill and collecting the oil comprises an upright wall 6 with lower weights 11, a buoyant inflated tube 7 and an upper tube 1, with oil inlet openings, to which suction is applied. Lengths of boom are coupled together as required. Oil-water mixture drawn into tube 1 is directed into two storage tanks alternately and therefrom into an oil-water separator, from which oil is directed to a further storage tank, for collection by tanker, and water back into the sea. <IMAGE>

Description

VACUUM I Z E D O I L B BOOM This invention relates to a vacuumized oil pollution recovery boom.

Oil weir booms are known for assisting in pollution of oil spills on water.

Problems arise in effective means of harvesting the pollution and returning water to its original environment.

According to the present invention the vacuumized oil boom is comprised of a vacuum boom line, manufactured from PVC type of material. The vacuumized boom is attached horizontally or incorporated to a semi submersible synthetic weir.

Thus enabling the polluted water to be syphoned unobstructed, at a controllable volume through the boom adaptors, then safely carried under vacuum to a collection/treatment plant located on a barge, tanker, or land station.

A specific embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example to the accompanying drawings and descriptions in which: Figure. 1. Illustrates the vacuumized oil boom.

2. Shows a weir, with the vacuumized oil boom incorporated.

3. Displays a sample of design adaptors.

4. Gives an end view of the vacuumized oil boom and weir.

5. Features the Snaplock connector used for joining lengths of the oil boom.

6. Displays a unitized receiving/separation plant.

7. Depicts the receiving suction manifold.

8. Depicts the discharge manifold.

9. Sketches a possible oil spill salvage operation.

DESCRIPTIONS.

1. Vacuumized oil boom.

2. Flanged ports - female thread.

3A. Adaptor - male thread - round.

B. Adaptor - male thread - elongated.

C. Adaptor - male thread - blank.

4A. Snaplock connector - male.

B. Snaplock connector - female.

5. Relief valve.

6. Weir.

7. Buoyancy tube.

9. Steel cable.

10. Cantilever- locking - cable connector.

11. Weights.

12. Relief valve.

13. Suction line.

14. Suction manifold 15. Valve - full opening.

16. Vacuum receiving tank - twin.

17. Sand/flotsam trap.

18. Vacuum pump.

19. Float valve.

20. Discharge manifold.

21. Centrifugal transfer pump.

22. Oil/water separator.

23. Oil/pollution tank.

24. Marine vessel.

25. Tanker.

Referring to the drawings the vacuumized oil boom Fig 1. can be attached to, or manufactured as an integral part of a synthetic weir boom Fig. 2 and 4.

To receive the syphoned polluted water there are twin vacuum receiving tanks 16 at the collection/treatment plant Fig. 6. These tanks being under vacuum alternatively provides vacuum to the oil boom 1. that has designated flanged ports 2. in which design adaptors Fig. 3, are secured prior to the launch of the weir boom Fig. 2. thus maintaining a feature of the boom in having no mechanical moving parts.

In order to utilize the vacuumized oil boom to its operational potential, the mentioned design adaptors be of various orifices, depending on the gravity, viscosity, and volume of pollution.

In order to achieve unrestricted flow along the oil boom Snaplock connectors Fig. 5. are used in joining each length of the boom, these and the manifold valves have full bore openings.

In order to assist the buoyancy of the vacuumized oil boom and maintain the boom at its optimum level, the weir 6 has an inflatable tube 7.

To maintain the weir boom in a vertical position during hazardous nautical conditions weights 11 can be secured to the base of the weir.

In order to maintain the boom and weir taut, a steel cable 9 runs the full width of deployed weir with locking cantilever cable connector joining each length. This same steel cable is used to tow or anchor the weir.

A possible oil spill salvage operation Fig 9.

describes a typical journey of the polluted water.

The seagulls view shows the vacuumized oil boom/weir Fig 2. deployed between two marine vessels 24.

Polluted water is syphoned through the orifice of the pre set design adaptors 3 and into the vacuumized boom 1. Continues its journey via the suction line 13 to the suction manifold 14. that directs the polluted water to the selected vacuumized receiving tank 18 on line. Any sand or flotsam is gathered in a trap 17.

When one receiving tank is filled vacuum is transferred to the second tank, thus keeping constant vacuum on the oil boom and maintaining a constant harvest of polluted water.

At this stage, tank one is de-vacuumized, and the oil polluted water enters the discharge manifold Fig.8.

and is boosted by a centrifugal pump 21 while being transferred to the oil/water separator 22.

Uncontaminated fluids return to source, while the oil falls into the pollution tank 23 before being discharged to an awaiting tanker 25.

In the event of flotsam blocking the adaptor ports on the vacuumized oil boom it is possible to reverse the vacuum and insert pressure along the boom to disperse any obstacle.

In required areas an optional feature - not illustrated - is for the open orifice section of the vacuumized boom to be housed with steel mesh. Thus flotsam penetrating the steel mesh will be syphoned through the adaptors with polluted water and caught at the sand/flotsam trap.

Vacuumized oil weir boom can also be deployed in waters of potential hazard areas. In the event of a spill the contamination is curtailed while waiting the arrival of support equipment in the form of a mobile collection/treatment plant.

Claims (3)

C LA I MS

1. Vacuumized oil boom provides unrestricted flow of marine pollution from source to the safe haven of a collection/treatment plant.

2. Vacuumized oil boom as claim 1 can be attached to an existing weir or as an integral part of purpose built vacuumized oil weir boom.

3. Vacuumized oil boom operates on vacuum and with the pre set adaptors Fig 3. eliminates any moving mechanical equipment deployed on boom.