Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for separating mixtures of materials having different densities. The apparatus of the present invention is well suited for separating oil from water, and includes a separation tank defining a cylindrical water inlet chamber and a frustroconical separation chamber spaced above an adjoining the input inlet chamber. An oil leg is spaced above the separation chamber, and an adjustable oil overflow unit is provided adjacent the oil outlet for controlling the height of oil in the oil leg. A water leg is provided in parallel with the separation tank, and the elevation of the water outlet controls the height of water in the water leg. The oil leg overflow unit allows the head pressure in the oil leg relative to the head pressure in the water leg to maintain the interface within the separation chamber. Sensing devices are provided for monitoring the elevation of the oil/water interface within the separation chamber.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for separating mixtures of materials having different densities. The apparatus of the present invention is well suited for separating oil from water, and includes a separation tank defining a cylindrical water storage chamber and a frustroconical separation chamber spaced above an adjoining the water storage chamber. Fluid is input to the separation tank at the level of the oil/water interface. An oil leg is spaced above the separation chamber, and an adjustable oil overflow unit is provided adjacent the oil outlet for selectively varying the head pressure of oil in the oil leg. A water leg is provided in parallel with the separation tank, and an adjustable water overflow unit is provided adjacent the water outlet for selectively varying the head pressure of water in the water leg. The adjustable overflow units allow the head pressure in the oil leg relative to the head pressure in the water leg to maintain the interface within the upper portion of the separation chamber.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for separating mixtures of materials having different densities. The apparatus of the present invention is well suited for separating oil from water, and includes a separation tank defining a cylindrical water storage chamber and a frustroconical separation chamber spaced above an adjoining the water storage chamber. Fluid is input to the separation tank at the level of the oil/water interface. An oil leg is spaced above the separation chamber, and an adjustable oil overflow unit is provided adjacent the oil outlet for selectively varying the head pressure of oil in the oil leg. A water leg is provided in parallel with the separation tank, and an adjustable water overflow unit is provided adjacent the water outlet for selectively varying the head pressure of water in the water leg. The adjustable overflow units allow the head pressure in the oil leg relative to the head pressure in the water leg to maintain the interface within the upper portion of the separation chamber.

Abstract: A skimming vessel is provided for collecting hydrocarbons or other floating materials, from the surface of a body of water. The floating vessel has an engine driving a prop and is provided with a skimming mode and a traveling mode. A dual skimmer system is provided for skimming the surface of a body of water for collecting hydrocarbons from the surface of the water. The surface of the water is skimmed to capture the floating hydrocarbons by drawing the water through the skimmer with the vessel drive propeller when the vessel is in its skimming mode and to block the passage of water through the skimmer when the vessel is in its travel mode, so that the vessel drive is used to improve the removal of hydrocarbons from the surface of the body of water. The vessel has a passageway or tunnel formed in the bottom thereof for the passage of water and has the prop mounted in the tunnel for drawing water through the tunnel to pull water into the skimming system.

Abstract: A portable system is disclosed for collecting hydrocarbons, or other floating materials, from a body of water, such as a bilge. A pump, such as a vacuum pump, collects the water and hydrocarbons and conveys same to an oil/water separator. The oil/water separator receives the water and hydrocarbons and separates the mixture. The oil/water separator has a housing with two tanks connected by a passageway. For separation, the oil/water mixture is fed into one of the tanks of the housing of the oil/water separator. The water then passes through the passageway having a plurality of baffles and, optionally, other separating mechanisms mounted therein and into the second tank. An oil outlet allows the removal of separated oil from the top portion of the second tank while a water outlet allows the removal of water from the bottom portion of the second tank. Optionally, a pair of check valves may also be mounted between the first tank and the passageway.