Abstract: A system and method for remediating a body of water and collecting suspended and dissolved solids therefrom are provided. The system includes a water-impervious lining positionable in a depression in or adjacent a body of water. The lining and depression define a treatment vessel, which includes a treatment portion, an outlet portion for containing treated water, and an outflow weir between the treatment portion and the outlet portion. Water to be treated is transported from the water body to the treatment portion. An entrapment element is delivered and mixed into the transported water, the entrapment element for capturing suspended and dissolved solids in the transported water and effecting a separation between the captured solids and water cleansed therefrom. The captured solids can be removed from the treatment basin, and the cleansed water can move through a channel in the outflow weir into the outlet portion.

Abstract: Apparatus to treat pollution in rivers, streams, lakes, bays, ports and all bodies of water, employing as methodology wetland plants or macrophytes growing atop a wire or rigid frame basket filled with polygons or other irregular shaped objects of various configurations. The root system of the macrophytes are merged with and grow down amid the substrate composed of small polygons, other irregular shaped hollow, plastic, ceramic objects or other materials. The substrate provides nutrients, oxygen and sanctuary to bacteria, thereby reducing and eliminating pollutants in all bodies of water.

Abstract: An assembly and system for recovering spilled oil from water includes a water vessel such as a boat having a hull, a deck and vessel propelling means and a liquid gathering means and a water discharging means and a centrifugal liquid gathering and separating assembly mounted for separating oil from water and delivering separated oil into an oil retaining reservoir and delivering separated water into a water discharge conduit discharging the water back into the body of water. The liquid gathering and separating assembly includes an inlet end having a liquid gathering means preferably in the form of a skimmer to gather and receive unprocessed water from the body of water. The liquid gathering means can be in any location around the vessel.

Abstract: An aeration and microbial reactor system for use in decontaminating water including a housing adapted to float within the medium such that a top portion thereof remains adjacent a top surface of the contaminated water while the bioreactor containing inoculated carrier media is attached below. Beneficial microbial populations thrive and spread throughout the liquid medium, and consume or fix the contaminant such that the contaminant is removed from the water.

Abstract: A skimmer system for removing a substantially liquid substance such as oil floating on the surface of a body of water has a reservoir body defining an collected fluid reservoir and having a primary weir edge. A weir tube extends upwardly within the reservoir and provides a secondary weir edge being of less height than the primary weir edge and defines a vortex chamber. A plurality of buoyancy members support the reservoir body in relation to the surface of the body of water and are adjustable relative to the reservoir body by power operated or mechanical devices for selective positioning of said primary weir edge relative to the water surface. A pump having a suction inlet is in communication with the vortex chamber and has a discharge outlet conducting recovered oil to a collection barge. A power source such as a hydraulic fluid supply is connected in driving relation with the pump.

Abstract: Removing contaminated water and pollutants from a body of water. Apparatus includes marine particle skimmers that can pull contaminated water through filter units or otherwise direct contaminated water or pollutants to a collection point. Emergency extraction lines can remove contaminated water and pollutants by conducting water to an extraction point. Emergency extraction lines include multiple emergency extraction line components connected to each other. The marine particle skimmers and emergency extraction lines typically float on the surface of the water but can be configured to extract contaminants below the water surface.

Abstract: A method and device for removing floated matter such as sludge located near the surface of a fluid body is contemplated that employs pneumatic force to remove the floated matter. The contemplated device employs pneumatic force for lifting and blowing the floated matter into an inlet channel. The device is configured to provide uniform airflow across the inlet channel. The inlet channel of the device may also include an adjustable section, or a fixed section and an airflow damper, which allows air flow along the channel to be controlled in a periodic fashion. There are also portable devices for removing such floated matter from the surface of a body of water.

Abstract: An oil collecting apparatus and a corresponding method for collecting oil from the surface of water, the oil collecting apparatus includes a set of oil booms (3) coupled to form a long line of oil booms. The line of oil booms includes, at a distance from each other, a number of anchorage points (4) for anchoring the oil boom (3) onto the sea bed and, in addition, between the anchorage points and in conjunction with the oil boom there is an oil collecting station (5) for collecting the oil directed by the booms from the surface of water.

Abstract: The invention is a portable external modular filtering and contamination removal system for a ship. A plurality of non-fixed position modular filter assemblies filter and remove macro-, micro- and nano-particle contaminates ship-side. The filter assemblies may be vessel-based or port based. A floating access and maintenance unit provides easy access to the filter assemblies. The filter assemblies move in cooperation with each other to spread the discharge over multiple units. A flow collecting and diverting apparatus seals against the ship to prevent discharge from running down the side of the ship with a directional discharge to divert discharge to waiting filter assemblies. The filter assemblies may provide their own buoyancy, obtain some buoyancy from vertical support lines from the deck of the ship or shift the buoyancy needs partially or wholly to the floating access and maintenance unit.

Abstract: A ballast water treatment system for treating ballast water for a vessel has a pathway for navigable raw water to the tank and a discharge for discharging water back to the body of navigable raw water. A back washable filter in the pathway receives the raw water and screens sediment from the raw water to produce initially processed water which contains at least some marine organisms. A UV or other biocidal device is connected between the filter and the ballast tank, for disabling or killing the marine organisms in the initially processed water to produce treated ballast water for the main outlet to the ballast tank.

Abstract: Systems and method for floating a capillary filter system in a fluid and filtering the fluid via capillary action are described. The floating filter system may include one or more floatation devices configured to provide suitable buoyancy to cause the floating filter system to float within the fluid to be filtered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aeration device for use in a liquid medium. The device includes a housing adapted to float within the medium such that a top portion thereof remains above a top surface of the medium. The housing has a bottom portion and an open side portion. The device further includes a hose affixed to the bottom portion of the housing substantially parallel to the surface of the liquid medium. The hose has a wall with a plurality of pores formed therein. The device further includes a gas-supplying pipe affixed to the hose and means for supplying a gas to the pipe such that the gas passes through the pipe and into the hose.

Abstract: The waterborne vessel, in one embodiment, utilizes an underwater tunnel through which passes flowing water, an ozone gas generator, an ozone plus hydroxyl radical gas generator and a source of atmospheric oxygen. A manifold mixer mixes pressurized water independently with the ozone, the ozone plus hydroxyl radical gas and the atmospheric oxygen to produce corresponding oxygenated water mixtures. Each of these oxygenated water mixtures are fed via a conduit system into the confined flow of water passing through the tunnel. A diversion channel with reverse flow channel permits super saturation of diverted flow from the primary underwater tunnel channel to provide super saturated oxygenated water with ozone plus hydroxyl radical gases and atmospheric oxygen water mixtures. A decontamination method is also provided.

Abstract: A seawater filter is disclosed. A driving unit is disposed on a main body and penetrates into the accommodating space thereof with a rotating axis. The rotating axis is provided with pumping fans, centrifugal fans, and pressurizing fans. A floating object is interposed between the driving unit and the main body. The main body has fresh water inlets, seawater inlets, and seawater outlets.

Abstract: A floating streambed comprising a circulation pump having an inlet hose or pipe, an inlet hose or pipe depth adjuster, and one or more treatment channels comprised of permeable matrix. The floating streambed floats on a water body. Water enters the inlet hose or pipe from the water body and is pumped by the circulation pump into the treatment channels. The treatment channels are comprised of permeable matrix, and water entering the treatment channels flows both horizontally through the treatment channel and into the water body and also vertically downward through the permeable matrix of the treatment channels.

Abstract: An apparatus having flotation ballasts, a flotation platform and on the flotation platform, an intake equipment, such as a screen, check valve and/or pump intake and a coupling for a discharge pipe. In an embodiment of the present invention comprises, there are a plurality of substantially symmetrical flotation ballasts, each having a ballast chamber. The composition of the flotation ballast may be made of a material having a density appropriate for the fluid in which it is to be submerged. The method includes the steps of using an apparatus as herein described to ascend and descend intake equipment.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus (10), for removing buoyant pollutants having oil and debris atop a body of coolant, includes a pollutant collecting device (11), a pump (12) and a controlling module (13). The pollutant collecting device includes a hollow tub (12) and a collecting module (113). The collecting module is partially received in the hollow tub and is slidable relative to the hollow tub. The pump communicates with the hollow tub. The controlling module is configured for controlling the pump to draw coolant, oil or a mixture of coolant and buoyant pollutants into the hollow tub or out of the hollow tub.

Abstract: A circulation system for bodies of water. In one set of embodiments for larger bodies of water, modified horizontal plate designs are provided at the entrance of the draft hose. The plate designs have sections that pivot downwardly as the flotation platform and depending draft hose are rapidly raised in high wave conditions to let the water escape downwardly out of the hose. Adaptations to the floats for the elongated arms of the platform are also made to essentially eliminate the creation of any damaging torques on them from high waves. Another set of embodiments are particularly adapted for smaller systems in municipal water tanks for thorough mixing of the water and treatment to kill undesirable ammonia oxidizing bacteria and prevent or at least inhibit their return.

Abstract: A ballast water intake and treatment system is disclosed, the system including a membrane treatment unit arranged in or on a ship hull for the separation of microorganisms of no smaller than a given size and organized to execute filtration during the intake of sea water or fresh water outside the hull into ballast tanks by the use of an intake pump installed consecutively with the membrane treatment unit. The system checks the invasion of microorganisms, etc. of no smaller than a given size during the intake of ballast water and allows ballast water free of microorganisms, etc. of no smaller than a given size to be fed into ballast tanks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled water vehicle (1) for introducing alkaline materials into bodies of water. The invention is characterized in that the water vehicle (1) has at least one supply container (2) for alkaline materials, at least one intake device (3) for water from the body of water, at least one metering device (4) for producing a suspension, and at least one delivery pump (5) and at least one distributor nozzle (6a, b), connected to the least one delivery pump (5), for spraying the suspension onto the water surface, the water vehicle (1) being dimensioned with regard to dimensions and empty weight such that it can be transported overland to the respective usage location thereof using a transport vehicle (7).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for removing sludge from a liquid reservoir, the apparatus (10) comprising buoyant float means (12), a sludge pump (24) mounted via a support arm (17) and the apparatus (10) having an upper profile so as to allow it in use to operate beneath a membrane covering at least part of the reservoir. The support arm (17) may be oscillated to move the pump in a substantially vertical plane. The buoyancy of the float means (12) may be adjusted to vary the position of floating of the apparatus (10) in the liquid.

Abstract: Offshore hydrocarbon (e.g. oil) production units that produce considerable contaminated water (produced water), are able to repeatedly dispose of the produced water so each production unit requires only a moderate-sized tank to hold the produced water, and most of the tank storage capacity of the production unit can store hydrocarbons. A mobile water-treatment plant is provided on a converted tanker that sails from one production unit to another one, transferring produced water from the oil production units and separating out contaminants as by settling, to leave clean water that can be dumped into the sea and contaminants that cannot be dumped into the sea. The mobile plant occasionally sails to an on-shore facility where it is allowed to dump contaminants.

Abstract: A system for improving the total water qualities in an eutrophicated and contaminated water area utilizes the water purifying functions of various plants and microorganisms. The system takes the form of a floating inland with plants, which have functions of absorbing eutrophication components from the roots and thus purifying water. The system also contains an anchor for fixing the floating island to the bottom, a weight for controlling the floating conditions of the floating island, and a connecting member for connecting the floating island, the anchor and the weight together. An aquatic plant or an aerobic or anaerobic microorganism capable of absorbing eutrophication components is stuck to at least the lower part of the system in a manner suitable for the environmental conditions of the contaminated water area, thereby achieving an effect of improving the water qualities simultaneously at all of the water face, the under water part and the bottom.

Abstract: A floating suction head assembly for use with a hose, for drawing liquid into the hose. The assembly includes a float and a strainer rotatably mounted to the float. The strainer has a coupling portion for coupling to a hose.

Abstract: A floating plant culture system has improved strength and durability and includes a substantially planar platform having a length along opposed sides thereof and a width along front and back thereof generally perpendicular to the sides. The platform is adapted for growing a culture of attached plants including micro- and macrophytes thereon. Beneath the platform are affixed a plurality of cells extending in bridging relation to the sides and open at each end adjacent the sides. The cells are placeable in fluid communication with a body of water desired to be remediated. Affixed along at least a portion of the sides extend a pair of opposed hollow beams, for providing flotation to the platform. The beams are also placeable in fluid communication with the body of water, and an upper surface of the platform is floodable by the body of water from beneath for submerging plants attached thereto.

Abstract: This present invention is related to a method of collecting high-level radioactive contaminated uranium powder underwater. It utilizes a long rod fixed to the pipe of the sewage pump at bottom, and takes another end of the sewage pump to connect to the sediment bag to collect uranium powder which is dispersed and contaminates the pond. Inhaling the pond water contains uranium powder into the sediment bag by sewage pump that is joined to a collecting can under it and waiting for precipitation of the powder. When the uranium powder in the sediment bag is completely precipitated into the collecting can, operator can utilize submersible pump to drain the pond water from the sediment bag. Operator may hold the cable wire of the uranium powder collecting can manually to move it to the collecting shelf and repeat the process several times until the high-level radioactive uranium powder in the contaminated pond are all collected on the uranium powder collecting shelf.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing solids such as sludge from a liquid reservoir comprising a float, a suction head assembly carrying a pump, and elongated guides interconnecting the suction head assembly and float. The float also carries a winch for raising and lowering the suction head assembly. The guides are slidably engaged with the float and serve to indicate the depth of operation of the suction head assembly.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a first fluid channel that can circulate contaminated water in the water body, a first inlet that draws the contaminated water into the first fluid channel, and an outlet that allows the contaminated water to exit the first fluid channel. A second fluid channel installed with a filter therein can filter contaminated water in the water body to produce a filtered water flow. A fluid transport apparatus can draw the contaminated water through the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel. A flow control system allows water to flow in a predetermined angular range while blocking at least a portion of the remaining angular range in at least one of the first inlet and the outlet to achieve mixing coverage with different aspect ratio. The position of the outlet can be adjusted to optimize the flow rate and pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for removing and treating contaminated materials on a bottom of a body of water and introducing growth packets to revitalize the treated bottom of the body of water. The structure may comprise a vessel with an open face. The vessel may be lowered down to the bottom of the body of water with the face facing down. As a result, the vessel and the bottom form an isolated space. The structure may comprise at least one agitating device(s) for stirring up the materials inside the vessel so as to form a mixture containing the sediment materials which in turn contain the contaminants. Multiple at least one pipe(s) may be coupled to the vessel for transporting the mixture out of the vessel for processing (filtering, treating with chemicals, etc.) so as to neutralize or eliminate the contaminants in the mixture. Then, the treated mixture can be returned to the inside of the vessel via the at least one pipe(s).

Abstract: A vacuum skimmer for ponds, swimming pools or similar bodies of water has housing with an intake opening and a dirt collecting container arranged downstream for collecting coarse materials. The water to be purified is sucked in through the dirt collecting container by a pump arranged downstream. The intake opening is provided on one housing side. The vacuum skimmer is movable in such a way that the intake opening upon operation of the vacuum skimmer can orient itself in different directions. The vacuum skimmer has an aeration device by means of which air can be blown into the water.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a float configured to float on the surface of a water body, a first fluid channel coupled to the float and configured to circulate contaminated water in the water body, and a second fluid channel coupled to the float and configured to filter contaminated water in the water body. A fluid transport apparatus can draw the contaminated water through the first fluid channel at a first flow rate and through the second fluid channel at a second flow rate.

Abstract: A water treatment and conveyance system includes a plurality of substantially planar membrane elements arranged in a stack. Adjacent membrane elements in the stack are spaced apart from one another by element spacers. The element spacers have one or more openings that are in fluid communication with the permeate sides of adjacent membrane elements. The openings are sealed off from the source water sides of the membrane elements by one or more sealing members. The openings in the element spacers cooperate to define a conduit for the filtered permeate. Methods for treating water and conveying treated water are also provided.

Abstract: Circulation systems for ponds, lakes, or other bodies of water using a flotation platform, dish, and impeller. One embodiment has a connecting arrangement between the drive motor and the impeller that permits the two to be easily and quickly coupled and uncoupled. The connecting arrangement also is designed to accommodate slight misalignments between the shafts. An arrangement to adjust and calibrate the depth of the inlet to the draft tube is disclosed. The system further includes solar panels that can be pivotally swung outwardly to open positions, angularly adjusted about a horizontal axis, and mounted to face toward the central axis of the flotation platform rather than away from it. Arrangements are further provided to monitor and control the components of the system including remotely from shore.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus including a series of pairs of water filtration cells of an upwelling type. Each cell of each pair has a longitudinally extending water conduit in fluid communication between an upper and a lower end of each cell. The first cell of each pair is a fluidized bed type containing a biologically active media, the water entering a bottom of this cell upwelling through the biologically active media to discharge from a discharge port at or near the top of the first cell. The second cell of each pair has the upper end of its water conduit in fluid communication with the discharge port of the paired first cell and contains media which removes nitrates from the water entering and upwelling through the nitrate removing media for discharge from the second cell.

Abstract: A debris collection system is presented. The debris collection system includes a trap and first and second floating guides. The first ends of the floating guides are coupled to corners of the trap for keeping the trap on a surface of a waterway. A release mount is coupled to a second end of the second guide. The release mount enables release of the system, allowing navigation through the waterway while collecting debris.

Abstract: An underwater filtration system or operator which can be floated on and suspended in a river, lake, pond or other water body to filter water from the water body. The underwater filtration operator may be electrically charged with simultaneous introduction of continuous forced air to remove impurities from the water body and increase filtering efficiency and the system includes a split housing having a selected configuration and divided into one or more filtration units, each of which includes a filter medium or mediums for filtering water from the water body. A pump is provided in the interior of the system housing for receiving the filtered water from the filtration units and pumping the filtered water to a collection tank or dispenser, directly to an end user or to a reverse-osmosis water filtration unit for further filtration.

Abstract: A portable filtration device filters water from a body of water within which the device can be buoyantly supported. The device generally comprises an inflatable floatation chamber arranged to support the device to float on the body of water and a filtration housing arranged to be suspended from the floating chamber in the body of water. The filtration housing has an inlet, an outlet, and a filtration medium arranged to filter water passing therethrough from the inlet to the outlet. The inlet is arranged for communication with the body of water and the outlet is arranged for communication with a filtered water reservoir for providing potable water to the reservoir.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the rapid proliferation of floating aquatic plants on a body of water for use in bioremediation are provided. In a particular embodiment, a method includes the steps of affixing a weight to each of a plurality of floating aquatic plants and distributing a plurality of weighted plants across a body of water so that at least some of the plants are sufficiently spatially distributed so as to avoid interfering with each other in an initial growth phase. The weighted plants are permitted to produce daughter plants and to substantially cover a surface of the body of water. Water desired to be treated for excess nutrients is channeled to the body of water for bioremediation by the plants, and treated water is then channeled out from the body of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aeration device for use in a liquid medium. The device includes a housing adapted to float within the medium such that a top portion thereof remains above a top surface of the medium. The housing has a bottom portion and an open side portion. The device further includes a hose affixed to the bottom portion of the housing substantially parallel to the surface of the liquid medium. The hose has a wall with a plurality of pores formed therein. The device further includes a gas-supplying pipe affixed to the hose and means for supplying a gas to the pipe such that the gas passes through the pipe and into the hose.

Abstract: A containment boom guide system for guiding and containing a floating containment boom to a fixed structure such as a pier, ship, column, dock, sea wall, or other like structure. The guide system is made up of one or more boom guide(s) and allows lateral and vertical movement of the floating containment boom while keeping the boom secure to the fixed structure.

Abstract: A water treatment device that chemically treats tidal water. The water may, if desired, be salt water or fresh water. The water treatment device is substantially cylindrical with paddles extending outward from central hubs. The paddles are T-shaped and are perforated. The perforation aids in water treatment by aerating the water as the tide movement turns the paddles. The water treatment device has a central perforated tray that is slidably insertable into the central hubs. The central hubs are open in the center to permit the aerated water from the paddles to come in contact with the water treatment chemicals in the central tray. The perforations of the central tray allow the water treatment chemicals to come into contact with the surrounding area to treat the tidal water.

Abstract: Systems and methods for versatile water purification are provided. A system according to the invention may include a first delivery pump. The first delivery pump may maintain a flow of water into a multi media filter. The multi media filter preferably filters the pumped water. The filtered water may then be pumped by a reverse osmosis pump through a plurality of reverse osmosis columns to produce an osmosis water having less particulate matter than the filtered water. The osmosis water may then be passed to a buffer tank. A second delivery pump for pumping water from the buffer tank may also be used. An ozone system for injecting ozone into water pumped by the second delivery pump may be also implemented. A first output path from the ozone system may pass the ozonated water from the ozone system to the buffer tank via a first valve. A second output path from the ozone system may also be implemented.

Abstract: Devices and methods for producing purified water. The device includes a reverse osmosis subsystem, a dehumidification subsystem and a purified water storage tank fluidly coupled to the subsystems such that purified water produced by each can be locally stored. A vehicular platform, such as a ship, can be used to locate the device adjacent a supply of saline water and humid air. A saline water inlet, membrane and purified water outlet cooperate in the reverse osmosis subsystem to allow preferential passage of water relative to salt in a saline water supply, while the dehumidification subsystem includes a heat exchanger that extracts moisture from the ambient humid air. Purified water produced by each of the subsystems can be used as a potable water source.

Abstract: An underwater filtration system or operator which can be floated on and suspended in a river, lake, pond or other water body to filter water from the water body. The underwater filtration operator may be electrically charged with simultaneous introduction of continuous forced air to remove impurities from the water body and increase filtering efficiency and the system includes a split housing having a selected configuration and divided into one or more filtration units, each of which includes a filter medium or mediums for filtering water from the water body. A pump is provided in the interior of the system housing for receiving the filtered water from the filtration units and pumping the filtered water to a collection tank or dispenser, directly to an end user or to a reverse-osmosis water filtration unit for further filtration.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a float configured to float on the surface of a water body, a first fluid channel coupled to the float and configured to circulate contaminated water in the water body, and a second fluid channel coupled to the float and configured to filter contaminated water in the water body. A fluid transport apparatus can draw the contaminated water through the first fluid channel at a first flow rate and through the second fluid channel at a second flow rate.

Abstract: The water purification apparatus includes a purification tank, which is disposed in water such as a lake, marsh, river or sea and has a structure such that at least the sidewall and the bottom thereof are closed to contain sewage. The apparatus further includes purification devices, which are provided inside or outside the purification tank to purify sewage, and floats and which support the purification tank and the purification devices to prevent them from sinking in the water. Therefore, the present invention can be easily disposed on water through a simple installation process, and can be used in a water treatment system. Furthermore, the present invention can treat sewage more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly manner. Particularly, compared to a land installation method, the present invention can markedly reduce installation expenses and space and makes it easy to install, move and remove the system.

Abstract: A method and a device for collection of floating waste (16), including oil and oil-soiled objects, on a water surface (14) by means of a floating collection arrangement (2) containing at least one waste-receiving portion (8) and at least one collection receptacle (4). An inflow, which consists of the waste (16) and a directly underlying water layer (24), is conducted into the collection receptacle (4) via the receiving portion (8) and separates into an upper waste-containing layer (24) and a lower water layer (26) from which water is conducted out of the collection receptacle (4). The subject matter of the invention is that the inflow (16, 20) is conducted over a threshold (6) that is placed deeper than the water surface (14), and which is provided in the waste receiving portion (8). The water layer (20) acts like a lubricating sliding layer preventing sticky waste (16), for example oil, from adhering to the threshold (6).

Abstract: A floating oil skimmer and gravitational separator system, consisting of a vessel adapted to be submerged in a body of water. Oil/water are drawn through the floating skimmer head by a water pump, pumping water through the skimmer head as water is pumped out of the vessel from the bottom of the vessel. The improved skimmer head design improves control of the skimmer head buoyancy and stability, thereby more consistently bringing oil/water into the vessel. An improved means of coalescence and collection of oil into the top of the inside of the vessel is also disclosed, where the oil once collected is then pumped out of the vessel for storage and the water is returned to the water body. Methods of manufacturing the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A circulation system for bodies of water. In one set of embodiments for larger bodies of water, modified horizontal plate designs are provided at the entrance of the draft hose. The plate designs have sections that pivot downwardly as the flotation platform and depending draft hose are rapidly raised in high wave conditions to let the water escape downwardly out of the hose. Adaptations to the floats for the elongated arms of the platform are also made to essentially eliminate the creation of any damaging torques on them from high waves. Another set of embodiments are particularly adapted for smaller systems in municipal water tanks for thorough mixing of the water and treatment to kill undesirable ammonia oxidizing bacteria and prevent or at least inhibit their return.

Abstract: A floating self-propelled cleaning device (10) for water surfaces, in particular swimming pools, comprises a central floating body (11) and two side floating elements (12) to it connected at opposite sides by two arms (14) to which two net-shaped collecting containers (13) are fastened. The net-shaped containers (13) have openings (17) that allow the inlet of impurities, but prevent the outlet thereof during possible stops or under the action of waves that can occur during the travel on the water surface. The floating device (10) is driven by propelling means (20) and (30) that substantially cause the side floating elements (12) to rotate about an instantaneous centre of rotation located approximately at the central body (11). The rotation of the side floating elements (12) is associated to a shifting movement caused by at least a distribution element (15) movable with respect to the floating body (10).