GB929167A - Apparatus for removing a surface layer from a body of liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

929,167. Floating booms. J. MULLER. Jan. 22, 1962 [Jan. 31, 1961; Aug. 17, 1961], No. 2263/62. Class 68 (2). [Also in Group XXXIII] A device for removing a surface layer from a body of liquid, comprises a flexible pipe surrounded by buoyant material and an outer sheath, e.g. 4, 6 and 8, a plurality of suction nozzles, e.g. 11, communicating with the pipe and adapted to dip into the surface layer, a suction pump to draw the surface layer liquid through the suction nozzles and the pipe, and a filter for separating the liquid of the surface layer from the liquid of the body of liquid. In one embodiment described two flexible pipes 4 and 5, surrounded by buoyant material 6 and 7 and waterproof outer sheaths 8 and 9, respectively, are connected by spacer bars 10 which also support a third flexible pipe 13. At spaced intervals along the sides of the pipes 4 and 5 are nozzles 11 and 12 connected to the pipes 4 and 5 by pipes 19a and 19, respectively. The nozzles 11 and pipe 4 are connected to a pump and filter (not shown) on the ship 3 which sucks the surface layer (e.g. oil) together with some of the body of liquid (e.g. the sea) and separates them. The separated oil is retained within the ship and the separated sea water is returned along the pipe 5 and nozzles 12, to the sea. The position of the nozzles 11 and 12 with respect to the surface layer is adjusted by pumping, e.g., water into the third pipe 13 through an internal pipe 16 having openings 17 formed along its length. The two ends of the device may be disposed in different ships or they may be disposed on shore. A further embodiment describes a baffle, disposed alongside the flexible pipe, which serves to break any waves. The third pipe 13 may be omitted and all the pipes may be in sections. The nozzle supporting pipes 19, 19a may be disposed at an angle to the pipes 5, 4 respectively. The pipe 16 may be disposed outside the pipe 13.