Oil recovery system and apparatus

• US 5,075,014 A
• Filed: 05/04/1990
• Issued: 12/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IMC ( Australia)
• Original Assignee: Imc-International Marketing of Canada Corporation
• Inventors: Sullivan, Fred M. G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Silverman, Stanley S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Upton, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US07/519,880
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 210/242.3, 210/776, 210/923, 210/104, 210/415, 210/86, 210/122, 210/739, 210/747
• US Class Current: 210/747.6
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 15/106 Overflow skimmers with suction heads; suction heads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/204 Keeping clear the surface of open water from oil spills
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 210/923 using mechanical means, e.g. skimmers, pump

Abstract

The present invention provides a self-propelled remote-controlled liquid hydrocarbons recovery or liquid hydrocarbons skimming vehicle (ROV) with an on-board liquid hydrocarbons/water separation apparatus, and a liquid hydrocarbons spill cleanup system incorporating the ROV. The ROV has a gimballed funnel for skimming liquid hydrocarbons from the surface of the water and directing it to a centrifugal separator. The ROV forms part of an oil spill cleanup system which can be deployed by aircraft and remotely operated.

Claims

1. Apparatus for collecting and separating liquid hydrocarbons from the surface of a body of water comprising:

a) a housing having side walls and a bottom forming an interior space for receiving a volume of liquid and provided with floatation means, said housing having an entrance aperture whereby in operation said aperture is adapted to admit an uppermost layer of liquid hydrocarbons and water from said surface of said body of water to the interior of said housing, and an exit aperture adapted to permit the flow of water from said housing at a location spaced downwardly from said entrance aperture, said volume of liquid in the interior of said housing forming a second liquid surface;

b) a liquid hydrocarbons/water separator mounted in said housing;

c) first pump means for pumping a liquid hydrocarbons/water mixture to said separator;

d) means within said housing for collecting a flow of liquid hydrocarbons/water mixture from said second liquid surface in the interior of said housing and directing said liquid hydrocarbons/water mixture to said first pump means, wherein said means for collecting comprises a basin opening upwardly and having an upper lip disposed in a generally horizontal plane;

e) means for adjustably maintaining said means for collecting at a selected depth relative to said second liquid surface; and

f) water evacuation means for evacuating water from said exit aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining said collecting means at said depth comprises flotation means secured to said collection means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for maintaining said collecting means at said depth comprises a plurality of flotation means secured adjacent said upper lip of said collecting means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for maintaining said collecting means at said depth further comprises an arm pivotally mounted in said housing at a first end thereof and pivotally connected at the other end thereof to said collecting means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said connection between said arm and said collecting means is a universal connection.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for maintaining said collecting means at said depth further comprises power means for moving said arm.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for maintaining said collecting means at said depth further comprises control means for controlling the operation of said power means, and means for sensing the levels of water or liquid hydrocarbons adjacent said second liquid surface, generating one or more signals indicative of said levels and conveying said signals to said control means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising motive means for moving said housing in the water.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said motive means are remotely operated.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising spray means for directing a spray of water at said second liquid surface in the interior of said housing to move a portion of said liquid towards said collecting means, and means for providing a supply of water under pressure to said spray means.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for adjusting the level of said entrance aperture in relation to said water surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said separator comprises a centrifugal separator.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising first debris screening means arranged to cover said entrance aperture.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising second debris screening means arranged to cover said upward opening of said basin.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said second debris screening means further comprises automatic screen sweeping means for maintaining said second debris screening means free from debris.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said entrance aperture extends around all sides of said housing.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upper lip of said basin is adapted to pivot freely about perpendicular axes lying in the generally horizontal plane.

18. A method of collecting liquid hydrocarbons from a surface of water, and separating said liquid hydrocarbons from said water comprising:

a) providing a liquid hydrocarbons collection and separation apparatus, floating liquid hydrocarbons retention boom means and floating liquid hydrocarbons storage means;

b) moving said liquid hydrocarbons boom means to contain said liquid hydrocarbons;

c) moving said liquid hydrocarbons collection and separation apparatus into said contained liquid hydrocarbons and operating said apparatus to separate said liquid hydrocarbons from said water; and

d) pumping said separated liquid hydrocarbons into said floating liquid hydrocarbons storage means;

wherein said liquid hydrocarbons collection and separation apparatus comprises;

e) a housing having side walls and a bottom forming an interior space for receiving a volume of liquid and provided with floatation means, said housing having an entrance aperture whereby in operation said aperture is adapted to admit an uppermost layer of liquid hydrocarbons and water from said surface of said body of water to the interior of said housing, and an exit aperture adapted to permit the flow of water from said housing at a location spaced downwardly from said entrance aperture, said volume of liquid in the interior of said housing forming a second liquid surface;

f) a liquid hydrocarbons/water separator mounted in said housing;

g) first pump means for pumping a liquid hydrocarbons/water mixture to said separator;

h) means within said housing for collecting a flow of liquid hydrocarbons/water mixture from said second liquid surface in the interior of said housing and directing said liquid hydrocarbons/water mixture to said first pump means, wherein said means for collecting comprises a basin opening upwardly and having an upper lip disposed in a generally horizontal plane;

i) means for adjustably maintaining said means for collecting at a selected depth relative to said second liquid surface; and

j) water evacuation means for evacuating water from said exit aperture.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said liquid hydrocarbons boom means, liquid hydrocarbons collection and separation apparatus and liquid hydrocarbons storage means are dropped onto said surface of water from the air.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of locating said floating liquid hydrocarbons by means of remote hydrocarbon sensing means prior to providing said liquid hydrocarbons collection and separation apparatus, floating liquid hydrocarbons retention boom means and floating liquid hydrocarbons storage means at said location of said floating hydrocarbons.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said liquid hydrocarbons collection and separation apparatus further comprises remotely controlled propulsion means.