GB2600490A

GB2600490A - Oil capturing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2600490A
Application number: GB2017403.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Ablett Brian
Original assignee: Oil Containment Systems Inc Ltd
Current assignee: Oil Containment Systems Inc Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-03
Filing date: 2020-11-03
Publication date: 2022-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-03
Also published as: GB2600490B; GB202017403D0

Abstract

An oil capturing apparatus (100) for containment and/or capture of oil from a surface, allowing for the subsequent removal of the oil. The oil capturing apparatus comprises at least one oil capturing area (102) and an internal pocket (104). The oil capturing area consists of a flexible, oleophilic/hydrophobic sheet, preferably made from polyethylene, which has a plurality of apertures (106). This material is configured so that oil is attracted though the holes and into the pocket where it is retained. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a 4-ply material of opposed sheets (fig 1b), joined together by heat-sealed seams (108a &108b, fig. 1b) featuring gussets (124a & 124b, fig. 2). These seams act to at least partially defined a plurality of pockets between the two sheets. This lightweight sheet may be stored on a cylindrical roll (fig. 3) from which it can be dispensed. In the event of an oil spill, this apparatus is designed such that a wide area can quickly be covered, and the hydrocarbon pollutant removed from the surface of the contaminated water/shoreline.

Description

Oil capturing apparatus

Technical field

The invention relates to an oil capturing apparatus for containment and/or capture of oil from a surface and for subsequent removal of the oil from the surface.

Background

Oil spills are becoming increasingly more frequent. It is now well know that the damage caused to ecosystems by oil spills may be felt for decades afterwards.

One approach used to prevent the damage caused by oil spills is to prevent the spreading of spilled oil by confining the oil to a small area close to its discharge. Oil may be confined by booms, which form a barrier around the oil to prevent the spread out of the area defined by the barrier. The oil may then be removed from the contained area. For example, some booms or barriers may be configured to absorb the oil, to allow subsequent removal of the oil from the contaminated surface.

However, known booms or barriers are expensive to manufacture, bulky, heavy and may be difficult to deploy and store compactly. There therefore exists a need to provide an improved oil capturing apparatus that addresses these problems.

Summary

According to the invention in a first aspect, there is provided an oil capturing apparatus for containment and/or capture of oil from a surface and for subsequent removal of the oil from the surface, the oil capturing apparatus comprising: at least one oil capturing area comprising an oleophilic material configured to attract and retain the oil thereto; and at least one internal pocket configured to receive and retain the oil therein, wherein the at least one oil capturing area comprises a plurality of apertures configured to allow ingress of oil into the at least one internal pocket.

Optionally, the oil capturing apparatus comprises a plurality of oil capturing areas.

Optionally, the oil capturing apparatus comprises opposed oil capturing areas.

Optionally, each of the opposed oil capturing areas comprise a plurality of apertures configured to allow ingress of oil into the at least one internal pocket.

Optionally, the plurality of apertures are evenly distributed across the corresponding oil capturing area(s).

Optionally, the plurality of apertures are distributed over substantially all of the corresponding oil capturing area(s).

Optionally, the at least one internal pocket is formed between the opposed oil capturing areas.

Optionally, each of the opposed oil capturing areas comprise an oleophilic material configured to attract and retain the oil thereto.

Optionally, each of the opposed oil capturing areas comprises an oleophilic internal oil capturing surface configured to pull oil through the plurality of apertures and into the internal pocket.

Optionally, each of the opposed oil capturing areas comprises an external oil capturing surface configured to attract and retain oil thereto.

Optionally, the oil capturing apparatus comprises a plurality of internal pockets.

Optionally, the oil capturing apparatus further comprises sealing seams between the opposed oil capturing areas, and wherein adjacent sealing seams at least partially define the at least one pocket therebetween.

Optionally, the oil capturing apparatus further comprises a series of sealing seams, wherein a series of discrete internal pockets are formed between adjacent sealing seams of the series of sealing seams.

Optionally, the sealing seams comprise heat sealed sealing seams.

Optionally, the oil capturing area(s) further comprise a hydrophobic material configured to resist ingress of water into the at least one pocket.

Optionally, the oil capturing apparatus further comprises a gusset configured to reinforce the oil capturing apparatus.

Optionally, the gusset is disposed between the opposed oil capturing areas.

Optionally, the gusset extends at least partially along a length of the oil capturing apparatus.

Optionally, the gusset extends along substantially a whole length of the oil capturing apparatus.

Optionally, the oil capturing apparatus comprises a pair of opposed gussets.

Optionally, the gusset comprises a plurality of apertures configured to allow ingress of oil into the at least one internal pocket.

Optionally, the oil capturing apparatus comprises a flexible sheet.

Optionally, the oil capturing apparatus comprising a 4 ply material.

Optionally, the oil capturing apparatus comprises a polymer material.

According to the invention in a further aspect, there is provided a roll of oil capturing apparatus comprising: a cylindrical core; and the oil capturing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 24 rolled around the cylindrical core for dispensing therefrom.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure la shows a perspective view of an exemplary oil capturing apparatus; Figure lb shows a section view of the exemplary oil capturing apparatus shown in Figure la; Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a cross-section of an exemplary oil capturing apparatus; Figure 3 shows an exemplary roll comprising an exemplary oil capturing apparatus, and Figure 4 shows a cross-section of an exemplary oil capturing apparatus.

Detailed description

The inventors have realised that there exists a need to provide an oil capturing apparatus that allows capture of large volumes of oil. Further, the inventors have realised that it is advantageous if the oil capturing apparatus is light enough to allow for rapid and easy deployment in response to an oil spill, while still being strong enough to support the additional weight from the captured oil during removal of the apparatus after oil capture.

Generally disclosed herein is an oil capturing apparatus configured to capture oil from a surface, such as a surface of water (e.g. oceans or inland water) or a surface of land (e.g. beaches). The oil capturing apparatus may be configured to retain the captured oil, such that removal of the oil capturing apparatus from the surface also removes the captured oil from the surface. The oil capturing apparatus may therefore be considered as "sorbent".

Exemplary oil capturing apparatus comprise at least one oil capturing area configured to attract and retain the oil thereto. The at least one oil capturing area comprises a plurality of apertures configured to allow ingress of the oil attracted thereto into an internal pocket of the oil capturing apparatus. The oil may be retained within the internal pocket of the oil capturing apparatus such that removal of the oil capturing apparatus from the surface also results in the removal of the oil from the surface. In exemplary arrangements, the at least one oil capturing area may comprise an oleophilic, or oil-attracting, material configured to attract and retain oil thereto.

Figure la shows a perspective view of an exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 and Figure lb shows a section view of the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100.

The exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 shown in Figures la and lb may be flexible.

The term "flexible" may encompass the ability of the oil capturing apparatus 100 to be non-destructively manipulated into different shapes or profiles. In particular, the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be configured to conform to the shape or profile of the surface on which it is placed, and from which it is configured to capture oil. In exemplary arrangements, the oil capturing apparatus 100 may alternatively or additionally be folded, scrunched, twisted or otherwise manipulated without the function or structure of the oil capturing apparatus being destroyed. For example, the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be folded, scrunched, twisted or otherwise manipulated into a different shape or profile before placement on the surface from which it is to capture oil from.

Substantially the whole of the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 shown in Figures la and lb is flexible. However, the skilled person will appreciate that in alternative arrangements only a portion of the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be flexible. For example, in alternative arrangements, only a portion of the oil capturing apparatus 100 configured to abut a contaminated surface may be flexible.

The oil capturing apparatus 100 shown in Figures la and lb comprises a flexible sheet. The flexible sheet may be substantially planar, or flat, in a first configuration, as shown in Figures la and lb. As discussed above however, the flexible sheet may be manipulated into different shapes or profiles, for example for storage, deployment or capture of oil. As will be described in more detail below, exemplary oil capturing apparatus may comprise a flexible polymer sheet.

The exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 shown in Figures la and lb comprises an oil capturing area (or oil capturing portion) 102, at least one internal pocket 104 (best shown in Figure lb) and a plurality of apertures 106a-n The exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 shown in Figures la and lb comprises a first oil capturing area (or portion) 108a and a second oil capturing area (or portion) 108b. In the arrangement shown in Figure la and 1 b, the first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b are opposed. In the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100, the internal pocket 104 is formed between the opposed oil capturing areas 108a, 108b.

The first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b may extend across substantially the whole of the oil capturing apparatus 100. In the exemplary apparatus 100 shown in Figures la and lb, the first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b extend across respective opposed sides of the oil capturing apparatus 100. The skilled person will appreciate that alternative arrangements may comprise a single oil capturing area. For example, one of the first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. In such arrangements, the single oil capturing area may extend across a first side of the oil capturing apparatus, and a second side, which may be opposed to the first side, may not comprise an oil capturing area.

The skilled person will be able to envisage further alternative arrangements to that shown in Figures la and lb. For example, in alternative arrangements the first and second oil capturing areas may extend partially across the respective sides of the oil capturing apparatus 100. In such arrangements, portions of the oil capturing apparatus may not comprise oil capturing areas. In further alternative arrangements, the oil capturing apparatus may comprise alternative numbers of oil capturing areas. For example, alternative oil capturing apparatus may comprise a single oil capturing area configured to extend partially across the oil capturing apparatus 100. In further alternative arrangements, the oil capturing apparatus may comprise a plurality of discrete oil capturing areas, separated from one another and configured to extend across the oil capturing apparatus. The skilled person will be able to envisage further arrangements.

The exemplary oil capturing areas 108a, 108b comprise oil capturing surfaces. Each oil capturing area 108a, 108b may comprise an external oil capturing surface 112. The external oil capturing surface 112 may be configured to contact the contaminated surface from which the oil is to be removed.

Each oil capturing areas 108a, 108b may comprise an internal oil capturing surface 114.

The internal oil capturing surfaces 114a, 114b may be configured to attract oil into the internal pocket 104 for retention therein. The internal oil capturing surfaces 114a, 114b may define respective walls of the internal pocket 104.

The oil capturing areas 108a, 108b are configured to capture and retain oil. In exemplary oil capturing sheets 100, the oil capturing areas are oleophilic. The term "oleophilic" encompasses the property of attracting and/or absorbing oil. In exemplary arrangements, the oil capturing areas may comprise an oleophilic material. In exemplary arrangements, such as the arrangement shown in Figures la and lb, the oil capturing area 102 may be formed from an oleophilic material.

In the exemplary arrangement shown in Figures la and 1 b, the external oil capturing surfaces 112a, 112b are oleophilic. As such, the external oil capturing surfaces 112a, 112b may be configured to attract and retain oil thereto. The internal oil capturing surfaces 114a, 114b may be oleophilic. As such, the internal oil capturing surfaces 114a, 114b may be configured to attract and retain oil thereto. As will be described in more detail below, the internal oil capturing surfaces 114a, 114b may be configured to pull oil into the internal pocket 104 of the oil capturing apparatus 100.

The oil capturing areas 108a, 108b may be hydrophobic. That is, the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b may be water repellent. In exemplary arrangements, one or both of the external oil capturing surfaces 112a, 112b and the internal oil capturing surfaces 114a, 114b may be hydrophobic. In the exemplary arrangement shown in Figures la and lb, the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b are oleophilic and hydrophobic such that oil is attracted and retained by the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b, but water is repelled and not retained by the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. The skilled person will appreciate in alternative arrangements, the oil capturing areas may not be hydrophobic.

As described above, the oil capturing apparatus 100 may comprise at least one internal pocket 104. The at least one internal pocket 104 may be configured to retain therein, oil captured from a contaminated surface.

In the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100, the at least one internal pocket 104 is formed between the opposed oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. As described above however, alternative oil capturing apparatus 100 may comprise alternative configurations, and in such arrangements, the at least one internal pocket 104 may be formed between a single oil capturing area and a further portion of the apparatus. The skilled person will be able to envisage further arrangements.

The oil capturing apparatus shown in Figures la and lb comprises a plurality of internal pockets 104a-c. The plurality of internal pockets 104a-c may be discrete. That is, each of the plurality of internal pockets 104a-c may be separate. Oil may not be able to travel between the internal pockets 104a-c.

In the particular arrangement depicted in Figure la, the oil capturing apparatus 100 comprises three internal pockets 104a-c, however the skilled person will appreciate that alternative oil capturing apparatus may comprise substantially any number of internal pockets The plurality of internal pockets 104a-c may be arranged in series. In the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100, the plurality of internal pockets are arranged in series along the length of the oil capturing apparatus 100. Each pocket of the plurality of internal pockets 104a-c may extend across substantially the entire width of the oil capturing apparatus. The skilled person will appreciate however that alternative arrangements are possible. For example, the plurality of pockets may be arranged in a grid configuration, in which case, each of the plurality of pockets may extend partially across the width of the oil capturing apparatus 100.

In the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100, the opposed oil capturing areas 108a, 108b are joined together along sealing seams 118 to define the plurality of internal pockets 104a-c. Each internal pocket of the plurality of internal pockets 104a-c may be defined between adjacent sealing seams. For example, the internal pocket 104a is formed between sealing seams 118a and 118b. The sealing seams 118 may extend across substantially the whole of the width of the oil capturing apparatus 100. In alternative arrangements, such as the grid arrangement discussed above, the sealing seams may extend across the length and width of the oil capturing apparatus 100 to form the grid. The skilled person will appreciate that further arrangements and patterns of the sealing seams 118 to create further configurations of the internal pockets 104 are possible.

The sealing seams may comprise heat-sealed sealing seams. That is the sealing seams may be formed by heat sealing, or fusing, the opposed oil capturing areas 108a, 108b together. In alternative arrangements, the sealing seams may comprise alternative seams. For example, a discrete seal may be attached between the opposed oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. This skilled person will be able to envisage further arrangements.

In exemplary oil capturing apparatus, the oil capturing areas may comprise a perforated portion. The perforated portion may comprise a plurality of apertures 106a-n through which oil may ingress into at least one of the internal pockets 104a-c. The apertures may comprise holes and/or slits. In the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 shown in Figures la and lb, each of the opposed oil capturing areas 108a, 108b comprises a plurality of apertures 106a-n. In alternative arrangements, only one of the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b may comprise apertures 106a-n. The plurality of apertures 106a-n may extend through the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. In the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 shown in Figures la and 1 b, the plurality of apertures extend between the external oil capturing surfaces 112a, 112b and the internal oil capturing surfaces 114a, 114b.

The plurality of apertures 106a-n may be arranged such that at least one of the internal pockets 104a-c comprises a plurality of apertures. That is, at least one of the internal pockets 104a-c of the oil capturing apparatus 100 may have multiple points through which oil may be received located on the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. Oil may be received into the at least one internal pocket 104a-c through multiple apertures located on each of the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. That is, oil may be received in the at least one internal pocket 104a-c through multiple apertures on the first oil capturing area 108a and through multiple apertures on the second oil capturing area 108b.

In the exemplary arrangement shown in Figures la and lb, the perforated region of each of the first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b extends between adjacent sealing seams 118. That is, a plurality of apertures 106a-n are provided between adjacent sealing seams 118 on each of the first and second oil capturing areas 106a-n. In exemplary arrangements the plurality of apertures are arranged such that multiple entry points into each internal pocket 104a-c are provided via both the first oil capturing area 108a and the second oil capturing area 108b. For example, in the arrangement shown in Figures la and lb, a portion of the first oil capturing area 108a that extends between the adjacent sealing seams 118a and 118b comprises a plurality of apertures, such that a plurality of entry points into the internal pocket 104a are provided by the first oil capturing area 108a. Alternatively or additionally, a portion of the second oil capturing area 108b that extends between the adjacent sealing seams 118a and 118b may comprise a plurality of apertures, such that a plurality of entry points into the internal pocket 104a are provided by the second oil capturing area 108b. A similar arrangement may be provided in respect of the internal pockets 104b and 104c, which extend between the sealing seams 118b and 118c, and 118c and 118d respectively.

The plurality of apertures may be equally spaced across the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. In the exemplary arrangement shown in Figures la and lb, the plurality of apertures 106a-n are arranged in a grid. For example in one exemplary arrangement, the plurality of apertures may be arranged in a 20 mm x 40 mm grid along the length of the oil capturing apparatus 100. That is, in one exemplary arrangement, the plurality of apertures 106a-n may be separated by substantially 20 mm along the width of the oil capturing area and separated by substantially 40 mm along the length of the oil capturing area. The skilled person will appreciate that this is an exemplary arrangement only and alternative dimensions for the grid may be used in alternative arrangements. The skilled person will also appreciate that alternative patterns or arrangements of the apertures are possible.

In the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 shown in Figures la and lb, the plurality of apertures on the first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b may be concentrically arranged (as shown in Figure lb). That is, the plurality of apertures 106a-n may be concentrically arranged when the oil capturing apparatus is in the flat configuration shown in Figures la and lb. The skilled person will appreciate that the plurality of apertures 106a-n may not be concentrically arranged when the oil capturing apparatus in in alternative configurations (for example, when scrunched, folded, twisted, etc.).

The plurality of apertures may be spaced across substantially the whole of the oil capturing area 108a, 108b. That is, the plurality of apertures may extend across substantially the whole width and length of the oil capturing area 108a, 108b. In the exemplary arrangement shown in Figures la and lb, the plurality of apertures 106a-n are arranged to extend over substantially the whole of the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b between adjacent sealing seams.

In the exemplary arrangement shown in Figure 1, each pocket comprises approximately 162 apertures: 81 apertures on the first oil capturing area and 81 apertures on the second oil capturing area. The skilled person will appreciate that substantially any number of apertures may be used however, and the arrangement shown in Figure 1 is exemplary only. In alternative arrangements, each pocket 104a-c may comprise a different number of apertures.

Advantageously, providing increased numbers of apertures allows for greater absorption of oil and therefore a greater volume of oil may be removed from the contaminated surface. The inventors have realised however, that increasing the number of apertures may decrease the strength of the apparatus.

Exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 comprises gussets 124a, 124b configured to increase the strength of the oil capturing apparatus 100. The gussets 124a, 124b may be configured to reinforce the oil capturing apparatus 100. This may provide structural reinforcement of the apparatus to allow the weight of the captured oil to be supported.

The gussets 124a, 124b may be opposed.

The gussets may extend between the first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. The gussets 124a, 124b may extend along the entire length of the oil capturing apparatus 100. The gussets 124a, 124b may be substantially v or u-shaped. In the exemplary arrangement shown in Figure 1, the gussets 124a, 124b are folded between the first and second oil capturing areas, such that a v or u-shaped profile is formed. The gussets 124a, 124b may define opposed walls of the internal pocket 104a. As such, each internal pocket 104a-c may comprise walls defined by the opposed first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b and the opposed gussets 124a, 124b. The skilled person will appreciate that in arrangements in which no gussets 124a, 124b are present, each internal pocket 104a-c may comprise walls defined by the opposed first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b only.

As shown in Figure 1 b, a gap 128 may be formed between the opposed gussets 124a, 124b.

The seal seams 118 may extend over the gussets 124a, 124b. The seal seams 118 may retain the gussets 124a, 124b in the folded configuration between the first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. The portions of the gussets 124a, 124b located between the sealing seams 118 may be expandable to increase the volume of the internal pocket 104. For example, the gussets 124a, 124b may be moveable from the folded configuration into an expanded configuration. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a cross-section of the oil capturing apparatus located between sealing seals 118a and 118b in the expanded configuration. The cross sectional area of the cavity 104 is increased in comparison to the cross sectional area of the cavity in when the oil capturing apparatus is in a flat configuration, as shown in Figures la and 1 b.

The gussets 124a, 124b may comprise an oil capturing area. As such, the gussets 124a, 124b may be oleophilic and configured to attract and retain oil thereto. In exemplary arrangements the gussets 124a, 124b may be hydrophobic. The exemplary gussets 124a, 124b may comprise an external surface and an internal surface. One or both of the external surface and internal surface may be oleophilic. One or more of the external surface and the internal surface may be hydrophobic.

In the exemplary arrangement shown in Figures la and lb, the gussets 124a, 124b may comprise a plurality of apertures configured to allow ingress of oil into the internal pocket 104. As such, in exemplary arrangements, in addition to increasing the strength of the oil capturing apparatus 100, the gussets 124a, 124b may increase the area available for oil capture and retention.

In exemplary arrangements, the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b and the gussets 124, 124b may be integral. That is, the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b may be formed from a single piece of material. In exemplary arrangements, the oil capturing apparatus may be formed from a tube of flexible material. The tube of flexible material may be folded into the cross section shown in Figure lb, and seal seams 118 may be formed across the width of the material to define the internal pockets 104. In alternative arrangements, the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be formed from separate sheets of material joined together. For example, a first sheet of material may form the first oil capturing area, and a second sheet of material may form the second oil capturing area, and the sheets may be joined together to define the pockets.

Advantageously, the reinforcement provided by the gussets allows the thickness of the oil capturing apparatus 100 to be reduced, and therefore the weight of the oil capturing apparatus to be reduced, while still allowing a large number of apertures to be present on the oil capturing areas to increase the volume of oil absorbed. This is because the reinforcement provided by the gussets allows for larger volumes of oil to be supported by the oil capturing apparatus during removal from the contaminated surface.

In the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100, the thickness of the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be one of substantially 10 microns; substantially 11 microns and substantially 12 microns. In further exemplary arrangements, the thickness of the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b may be one of substantially 10 microns; substantially 11 microns and substantially 12 microns. In arrangements in which the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b and the gussets 124, 124b may be integral, and may be formed from a sheet of material, the thickness of the sheet may be one of substantially 10 microns; substantially 11 microns and substantially 12 microns. The skilled person will appreciate that alternative thicknesses may be used. However, the inventors have realised that thicknesses such as those presented above allow for large volumes of the oil capturing apparatus 100 to be stored compactly. Additionally, large volumes of the oil capturing apparatus may be conveniently loaded and deployed due to the reduced overall weight.

The oil capturing apparatus 100 may be of substantially any length. In exemplary arrangements, the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be stored in a roll 300, as shown in Figure 3. The roll 300 may comprise a cylindrical core 302 and the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be rolled around the cylindrical core 302. The oil capturing apparatus 100 may be dispensed from the roll 300 by unravelling the oil capturing apparatus 100 from around the cylindrical core, and severed from the roll 300 once the required length has been dispensed. Advantageously, this allows the oil capturing apparatus 100 to be conveniently stored and transported to oil spills. Exemplary rolls 300 may comprise one of: at least 400 m of oil capturing apparatus 100; at least 500 m of oil capturing apparatus 100; at least 600 m of oil capturing apparatus 100; at least 700 m of oil capturing apparatus; and at least 800 m of oil capturing apparatus 100.

The oil capturing apparatus 100 may be of substantially any width. The exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 may be one of at least 30 cm in width; at least 38 cm in width; at least 40 cm in width or at least 50 cm in width. The skilled person will appreciate that the width of the oil capturing apparatus may be altered in dependence on the size of the oil capturing area desired, or in dependence on the size of the oil capturing apparatus desired.

The oil capturing apparatus 100 may comprise a polymer material. The polymer material may be oleophilic. The exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 may comprise a polymer film. The polymer film may be flexible. For example, exemplary arrangements may comprise a polyethylene film. The exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 may be formed from a polyethylene film. As such, substantially the whole of the oil capturing apparatus 100 may comprise a polyethylene film. In alternative arrangements, a portion of the oil capturing apparatus may comprise a polyethylene film. For example, the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b may comprise a polyethylene film. The skilled person will appreciate that alternative oil capturing apparatus 100 may be comprise, or be formed from, alternative materials that are oleophilic. The density of the polyethylene film may be substantially 0.7 g/cm2.

The oil capturing apparatus may comprise a 4-ply material. For example, in arrangements in which the oil capturing apparatus comprises a polyethylene film, the polyethylene film may comprise a 4-ply polyethylene film. Alternative arrangements may comprise a 2-ply or 3-ply material. In arrangements in which the plurality of apertures 106a-n of the oil capturing apparatus comprises slits, the slits may be orientated along the grain of the ply material. This allows the slits to be formed in the oil capturing apparatus without tearing the material.

In exemplary arrangements, the oil capturing apparatus 100 may comprise an indicator configured to allow identification of the oil capturing apparatus 100 in low visibility conditions, or when the oil capturing apparatus 100 is in place on the contaminated surface (for example, on the surface of the water). The indicator may comprise a high visibility or luminescent portion of the oil capturing apparatus 100. For example, at least a portion of the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be dyed a high visibility colour, such as orange. Exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 may be formed substantially entirely of a dyed material, such as a dyed polyethylene film.

In exemplary arrangements, at least a portion of the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be transparent or translucent. Substantially all of the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 may be transparent or translucent. Advantageously, this allows a user to see the volume of oil captured within an internal pocket of the apparatus. The skilled person will appreciate however that in alternative arrangements, the oil capturing apparatus may be substantially opaque.

Operation of the oil capturing apparatus 100 will now be described with reference to Figures 1-4.

The oil capturing apparatus 100 may be placed on a surface contaminated with oil (the contaminated surface) and from which the oil is desired to be removed. As described above, the contaminated surface may be substantially solid (such as a beach) or may be a surface of water.

In arrangements in which the oil capturing apparatus is stored on a roll 300, the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be unravelled from the cylindrical core 302 until a desired length has been dispensed. The desired length of oil capturing apparatus may then be severed from the roll 300.

In exemplary methods, the oil capturing apparatus 100 is placed on the contaminated surface such that at least a portion of the oil capturing area 102 is in contact with the contaminated surface, and specifically, the oil on the contaminated surface. For example, the oil capturing apparatus may be placed on the contaminated surface in a flat configuration, as shown in Figure 1. That is, the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be placed on the contaminated surface such that one of the first or second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b is substantially flush with the contaminated surface. In alternative methods, the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be folded, scrunched, twisted or otherwise manipulated into a shape or configuration different from the flat configuration, and placed on the contaminated surface in the different configuration. In such arrangements, portions of each of the first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b may be in contact with the contaminated surface.

The exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100 comprises a flexible sheet, as described above. The profile and/or shape of the oil capturing apparatus 100 may therefore conform to the profile and/or shape of the contaminated surface on which it is placed. As such, the surface area of the oil capturing apparatus, and specifically the surface area of the oil capturing areas, in contact with the contaminated surface is maximised.

The oil capturing apparatus 100 may be placed on the contaminated surface such that the spread of the oil is resisted. For example, the oil capturing apparatus may be used as a barrier on shorelines, or placed on the surface of water such that a contaminated area is encircled or enclosed to trap the oil within the barrier formed by the oil capturing apparatus 100.

Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a cross-section of a portion of the exemplary oil capturing apparatus 100. The oil capturing apparatus 100 shown in Figure 4 has been placed on a contaminated surface The oil capturing areas 108a, 108b of the oil capturing apparatus 100, attract oil from the contaminated surface. The oil may be attracted to and retained by the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b due to the oleophilic properties of the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b.

For example, oil may be attracted to and retained by an external surface 112a, 112b of the first and/or second oil capturing area(s) 108a, 108b. Oil droplet 402, for example, has been attracted to the external surface 112a of the first oil capturing area 108a and is retained thereto.

Oil may be attracted into an internal pocket 104a and retained therein. Oil may be attracted into the internal pocket 104 through the plurality of apertures 106a-d located on each of the first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. The oil is pulled into the internal pocket 104a through one of the apertures 106a-d due to the oleophilic properties of the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. As described above, in exemplary arrangements, the oleophilic internal oil capturing surfaces 114a, 114b may be configured to pull oil through the apertures 106a-n and into the internal pocket 104. In exemplary arrangements, the internal oil capturing surfaces 114a, 114b may be configured to pull oil retained by the external oil capturing surfaces 112a, 112b through the apertures 106a-n and into the internal pocket 104. The oil is pulled into the internal pocket 104 because it seeks to maximise contact with the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. As such, when the oil encounters an aperture, it seeks to maximise contact with the internal oil capturing surfaces 114a, 114b and so is pulled into the internal pockets 104a-c. For example, oil droplet 404 of Figure 4 has been pulled into the internal pocket 104a through aperture 106b since the oil droplet 404 seeks to maximise contact with the internal oil capturing surface 114a.

Advantageously, oil is more securely retained within the internal pocket 104a. While oil may be retained to an external surface of the oil capturing apparatus 100, such as external surfaces 112a, 112b, the oil may be dislodged by an opposing force. For example, when the oil capturing apparatus 100 is used to remove oil from a surface of an ocean, wave action may dislodge oil retained on an external surface of the oil capturing apparatus 100 if the force exerted by the wave exceeds the adhesion force of the oil capturing area 108a, 108b. In contrast, it is more difficult for a wave force to dislodge the oil from within the internal pocket 104a.

A similar process may occur via substantially all of the apertures 106a-n of the oil capturing apparatus 100. As such, oil may be attracted to and retained within the plurality of internal pockets 104a-c of the oil capturing apparatus 100.

The gussets 124a, 124b may move into an expanded configuration, for example as shown in Figure 2, as the volume of oil received in the internal pocket 104 increases. This may increase the surface area of the oil capturing areas as more of the gussets 124a, 124b are exposed to the contaminated surface. As described above, the gussets 124a, 124b may comprise oil capturing areas configured to attract and retain oil thereto.

Oil may be attracted to external oil capturing surfaces of the gussets 124a, 124b similarly to as described above in respect of the external oil capturing surfaces 112a, 112b of the first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. Oil may be pulled into the internal pockets 104a-c through apertures located in the oil capturing areas of the gussets 124a, 124b. For example, oil may be pulled into the internal pockets 104a-c through the apertures located on the gussets 124a, 124b by the internal oil capturing surfaces of the gussets 124a, 124b, similarly to as described above in respect of the internal oil capturing surfaces 114a, 114b of the first and second oil capturing areas 108a, 108b.

The oil capturing apparatus 100 may be left in place on the contaminated surface for a period of time. For example, the oil capturing apparatus 100 may be left in place on the contaminated surface until substantially all of the oil from the contaminated surface has been captured by the oil capturing apparatus, until the oil capturing apparatus has absorbed the maximum amount of oil it is able to, or until a predetermined time period has expired. The oil capturing apparatus 100 may be removed from the contaminated area after expiry of the period of time.

As described above, the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b may be hydrophobic. As such, water droplets may not be attracted to or retained by the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b. Water is therefore not pulled into the internal pockets 104a-c and retained therein. This may be advantageous when the oil capturing apparatus 100 is used to remove oil from the surfaces of water. Since water is not retained on a surface of the oil capturing apparatus or within the internal pockets 104a-c, the weight that the oil capturing apparatus needs to support during removal is reduced. This is because the additional weight comprises only oil, and not water.

As the oil capturing apparatus 100 is removed from the contaminated surface, the captured oil retained on the external surfaces of the oil capturing areas 108a, 108b and/or the internal pockets 104a-c is removed with it.

The additional weight of the captured oil is supported during removal by the gussets 124a, 124b. The gussets 124a, 124b reinforce the structure of the oil capturing apparatus so that the oil capturing apparatus does not break during removal. For example, the gussets may increase the area over which the weight is distributed. As described above, this allows increased volumes of oil to be collected by the oil capturing apparatus for a given thickness, and as such an increased number of apertures may be provided on the oil capturing areas.

The above-described oil capturing apparatus provides an easily manufactured, cheap an lightweight solution to removing large volumes oil from surfaces.

Furthermore, the exemplary oil capturing apparatus may be manufactured more cost effectively than other widely available oil capturing solutions. Furthermore, the costs associated with clean up and disposal of the exemplary oil capturing system may be reduced in comparison to other widely available oil capturing solutions. This is at least partially due to the structural design, the low weight and the materials used for the oil capturing apparatus.

The skilled person will be able to envisage further embodiments to those described above, which are intended only as examples, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An oil capturing apparatus for containment and/or capture of oil from a surface and for subsequent removal of the oil from the surface, the oil capturing apparatus comprising: at least one oil capturing area comprising an oleophilic material configured to attract and retain the oil thereto; and at least one internal pocket configured to receive and retain the oil therein, wherein the at least one oil capturing area comprises a plurality of apertures configured to allow ingress of oil into the at least one internal pocket.
2. An oil capturing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of oil capturing areas.
3. An oil capturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising opposed oil capturing areas.
4. An oil capturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the opposed oil capturing areas comprise a plurality of apertures configured to allow ingress of oil into the at least one internal pocket.
5. An oil capturing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of apertures are evenly distributed across the corresponding oil capturing area(s).
6. An oil capturing sheet according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of apertures are distributed over substantially all of the corresponding oil capturing area(s).
7. An oil capturing apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the at least one internal pocket is formed between the opposed oil capturing areas.
8. An oil capturing apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein each of the opposed oil capturing areas comprise an oleophilic material configured to attract and retain the oil thereto.
9. An oil capturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of the opposed oil capturing areas comprises an oleophilic internal oil capturing surface configured to pull oil through the plurality of apertures and into the internal pocket.
10. An oil capturing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the opposed oil capturing areas comprises an external oil capturing surface configured to attract and retain oil thereto.
11. An oil capturing apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of internal pockets.
12. An oil capturing apparatus according any of claims 3 to 11, further comprising sealing seams between the opposed oil capturing areas, and wherein adjacent sealing seams at least partially define the at least one pocket therebetween.
13. An oil capturing apparatus according to any claim 12, when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 3, further comprising a series of sealing seams, wherein a series of discrete internal pockets are formed between adjacent sealing seams of the series of sealing seams.
14. An oil capturing sheet according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the sealing seams comprise heat sealed sealing seams.
15. An oil capturing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the oil capturing area(s) further comprise a hydrophobic material configured to resist ingress of water into the at least one pocket.
16. An oil capturing apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a gusset configured to reinforce the oil capturing apparatus.
17. An oil capturing apparatus according to claim 16, when directly or indirectly independent on claim 3, wherein the gusset is disposed between the opposed oil capturing areas.
18. An oil capturing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the gusset extends at least partially along a length of the oil capturing apparatus.
19. An oil capturing apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the gusset extends along substantially a whole length of the oil capturing apparatus.
20. An oil capturing apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 19, comprising a pair of opposed gussets.
21. An oil capturing apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the gusset comprises a plurality of apertures configured to allow ingress of oil into the at least one internal pocket.
22. An oil capturing apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the oil capturing apparatus comprises a flexible sheet.
23. An oil capturing apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a 4 ply material.
24. An oil capturing apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a polymer material.
25. A roll of oil capturing apparatus comprising: a cylindrical core; and the oil capturing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 24 rolled around the cylindrical core for dispensing therefrom.