Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for collecting a lighter fraction floatable liquid from a heavier fraction liquid, such as a lighter fraction floating oil from a heavier fraction water, the apparatus comprising: a floatable collecting container and a cover placed above the collecting container leaving a continuous passage slot free; wherein the opening of the passage slot is adjustable by an inlet adjustment ring. The invention also provides a method to operate such an apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing floating waterbourne debris. The apparatus includes a capture section comprising a carrier and a motive member mounted on the carrier, with the motive member adapted to contact and direct floating debris rearwardly. The apparatus further includes a collection and pumping section positioned rearward of the capture section for collecting and removing debris directed from the capture section. The collection and pumping section includes a hopper having opposed first and second ends, the first end thereof positioned adjacent the motive member and comprising an opening adapted to receive debris directed by the motive member, and the second end presenting a port for passing debris therethrough, and a pump mounted to the hopper adjacent the port and in fluid communication with the hopper for transporting the debris received from the hopper to a remote location.

Abstract: An oil skimming water vessel having a hull and deck forming one or more interior compartments, wherein the hull comprising a bow or forward section, a mid-section, a stern or aft section, and an oil skimmer assembly, and wherein either or both of the bow or aft section constructed having a rake bottom shell. The oil skimmer assembly having first and second separated side walls (SKEG) extending vertically down from the rake bottom shell, a skimmer bottom plate extending between and affixed at the lower end sections of each of the side walls (SKEG) wherein the skimmer bottom plate having at least one discharge opening in its leading edge section, and an adjustable weir assembly. The rake bottom shell having at least one standpipe opening to which a standpipe attaches and extends vertically to a corresponding vessel deck opening.

Abstract: A skimmer device for removal of debris and other contaminants from the surface of a body of liquid; said device including a central debris and contaminant collection element supported by outrigger buoyancy elements; said buoyancy elements ballasted by controlled charging of each of said elements with a volume of ballast liquid, and wherein an adjustment of buoyancy is provided by varying a volume of residual air retained in said buoyancy elements.

Abstract: A wave energy conversion device including a first pontoon configured to respond to an incident wave by operating in at least a first mode of motion and a second pontoon movably attached to the first pontoon by attachment means and configured to respond to an incident wave by operating in at least one mode of motion different from the first mode of motion. The relative motion of the first pontoon to the second pontoon in response to an incident wave is converted into a desired form of energy.

Abstract: A device has a gate portion for recovering floating materials on liquid surfaces and for following vertical movement of the liquid level. Gate floats around and rotatable about the gate portion retain the gate portion near the liquid level. Main floats outside the gate floats support a recovery portion. A blade-shaped projection on an outer circumferential part will rotate along the liquid level. A driving device rotates the gate float, with loads of the driving device being supported by the main floats.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for the concentration of slurry, especially mineral containing slurry. The invention provides a system comprising an electrophoresis unit and a separation unit, where the separation unit comprises a recipient, preferably of half cylindrical form, with adjusted flanks for separating the solid material or cake from the rotating anodes and a sliding carriage suitable for closing the recipient and stripping resting solid material from the flanks into the recipient before the solid material or cake is pressed out of the recipient by a piston.

Abstract: A pollutant collector retrofit for a marine vessel or the like for collecting and removing pollutants from the surface of a body of water, and in particular a modular skimmer system configured to be mounted to the hull of a conventional marine vessel, to facilitate same for use in oil spill skimming operations or the like. The present invention also includes a method for converting a marine vessel for use in skimming operations, utilizing a unique skimmer system configured for mounting to one or both outer sides of a marine vessel, along its hull.

Abstract: An oil boom skimmer member for oil spill recovery, in particular for collecting oil from a water surface, has a skimmer arrangement integrated into an oil boom member. An oil recovery system, in particular for collecting oil from a water surface, includes a plurality of such oil boom skimmer members connected in series to form an oil spill recovery boom apparatus. A guiding boom is connected to each of the outermost oil boom members, and the guiding booms are also connected to a vessel for operating the system. Through the use of trawl technology the skimmer oil boom apparatus can be operated by only one vessel when needed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and removing oil from a body of water with equipment using rod and film technology, which includes a streamlined oil tank that moves in the water and collects surface oil from an attached skimmer, arrays of inverted funnels lowered into the water to concentrate oil for removal, and containment tents to capture leaking fuel or cargo oil from a sunken ship or any underwater oil leak and channel it into a partially submerged rod and film storage tank at the surface.

Abstract: An oil containment system aboard a vessel which includes a pneumatic system to provide power to a winch and reel assembly containing boom whereby the pneumatic supply is capable of simultaneously powering the winch-reel assembly for boom deployment through inflatable gas fed to a pneumatic motor while also inflating the boom. The system would be utilized to confine a discharge of a floating material such as hydrocarbons floating on the surface from a vessel or structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for separating a first substance from a mixture of the first substance and a liquid. The apparatus comprises inlet means adapted to receive a portion of the mixture into a separator tank; a separator tank for holding a collected portion of the mixture and allowing the first substance to separate from the liquid due to the first substance having a different specific gravity to the liquid; and outlet means adapted to discharge the separated liquid and/or the first substance from the separator tank.

Abstract: A drop-in cell for the electrolytic purification of water, for example bathwater or service water, with an electrolysis cell that can carry a flow of water, is built into an oblong, e.g., cylindrical, electrically insulating sheath or jacket, and has two contact electrodes mutually positioned a distance apart from each other. A float is situated at least at the one end region of the jacket.

Abstract: An oil spill cleanup device is described. The device includes a container and at least one flexible hollow elongated member extending from the container. The device floats in water and can be used to collect and separate oil from the contaminated water. Water is collected by the elongated member, which has several exterior one-way valves that allow contaminated water to enter the member. The contaminated water is pushed towards and into the container by the wave motions of the surrounding water. The elongated member has internal one-way valves that help to direct the contaminated water towards the container. Once in the container, the contaminated water can separate into water and oil due to differences in specific gravity. Multiple devices can be connected together to form a barrier for containing the contaminated water within a limited area.

Abstract: An oil spill cleanup system has a vessel, a separator within the vessel for separating oil and water, a pump for pumping an oil/water mixture into the separator, and one or more probes and submersibles having hoses connected to the pump, for collecting the oil/water mixture. The separator has two or more adjacent tanks, for containing the oil/water mixture. Gravity separates the oil from water in the first tank and the water is evacuated from the bottom, while the oil overflows in the second tank, having an increased oil concentration, and so on, until the pure oil is evacuated. A mobile oil platform is also disclosed, having a subsea well connected to a hose, the hose carrying oil to a vessel, wherein the vessel receives the oil and is exchangeable with an empty vessel when full. When the vessel drops the hose, floats maintain the location thereof.

Abstract: An oil spill skimmer for removing heavy hydrocarbons from bodies of water, having a plurality of oleophilic oil separation devices, a housing and frame structure that is suitably supported above a body of water, an adjustable wave damper supported by the housing at a front of the skimmer, an at least one flow inducer supported by the housing at a rear of the skimmer, and ballast-adjustable tanks. The at least one flow inducer for inducing inflow such that water is pulled at the front of the skimmer and directed out a bottom of the skimmer while collecting the spillage in a collection area. The ballast can be moved in and out of the tanks to increase or decrease buoyancy and influence the wave riding or wave heave of the skimmer.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to products and processes, and more specifically, to systems and method for recovering oil from water. In one embodiment, a towed net system is provided which has the ability to collect free floating oil to one or more end points from which either/both hydrodynamics and/or one or more powered pumps are used to deliver channeled and collected oil to one or more receiving vessels. In some embodiments, two wing nets are provided, either/each towed by one or more vessels, connected to one or more end receptacle nets. From the one or more end receptacles, the channeled and collected oil is delivered to one or more receiving containers also connected to the one or more end receptacles. The system can be scaled based on the horsepower of the two or more towing vessel.

Abstract: An oil spill clean-up apparatus and method, and more specifically to a self-contained oil spill clean-up vessel with ice displacement capabilities. One preferred oil spill clean-up system includes a vessel subsystem, an ice displacement subsystem, and an oil spill skimming subsystem. Preferred oil spill clean-up systems may include at least one storage subsystem. Preferred oil spill clean-up systems may include an oil/water separation and removal subsystem.

Abstract: An oil and water separating structure is provided. The oil and water separating structure mainly uses a pump to drive a fluid to form a jet flow in high flow velocity so as to produce a suction force. Oil floating on the water surface will be sucked into a tube and discharged along with the fluid. A mixed fluid discharged contains a high proportion of oil, so it is convenient to deal with the discharged oil. The oil and water separating structure can effectively separate oil from water.

Abstract: A floatable modular device for absorbing oil from a surface, includes a generally disk-shaped floatable cage tapering towards the periphery of the cage in a peripheral region thereof; and a water-repellent strip- or chip-shaped oil absorbent accommodated in the cage, wherein the cage further includes at least one connector, element configured for joining plural ones of the modular devices together, to form an articulate oil absorber in which the individual cages are oriented in parallel to one another. A method of manufacturing the device includes providing a first, grid-like sheet made of plastics, positioning a water-repellent strip- or chip-shaped oil absorbent on the first grid-like sheet, positioning a second sheet on the oil absorbent, and welding the first and second sheets together at their peripheries, with the oil absorbent in between, wherein peripheral regions of the first and second sheets are bent towards one another.

Abstract: An oil collecting apparatus is provided to recover polluted nature environment and to keep nature environment clean in such a way that oil leaked over river or ocean is effectively collected on the spot, and only the oil is removed by separating water and oil, wherein the volume of the water tank configured to separate water and oil can be reduced in half, so the present invention may be applied to a small size ship, and only the oil leaked over river and ocean may be separated and collected on the spot. A water surface cleaner with an excellent oil connecting capacity may be built using the present invention.

Abstract: Oil boom (1) having an elongated buoyancy body (8) carrying a skirt (9) that is hanging down in the sea as a barrier against water surface pollution. The boom (1) is arranged for being towed by its ends, in a U shape, for collecting pollution, in particular mechanically dispersed oil. The boom is designed in such a way that conditions for concentrating the pollution arise in the inner area of the boom, and in that at least parts of said inner area are provided with a means (6, 10) for coalescence of pollution drops.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for recovering floating materials on the liquid surface, arranged as the gate portion for recovering floating materials on the liquid surface is installed at the recovery portion in a state of following vertical movement of the liquid level and being able to move freely in a vertical direction, and the float is composed of a plurality of gate floats which are disposed around and in the vicinity of the gate portion and which float and retain the gate portion near the liquid level, and a plurality of main floats which are disposed further outside than the gate floats to float and support the recovery portion, in which the gate floats are arranged in such a manner that they rotate around and in the vicinity of the gate portion, thereby raking and gathering floating materials to the gate portion, and the main floats are arranged in such a manner that at least a part installed with a blade-like projection is provided on an outer circumferential part will move rotationally

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for picking up particles from the surface of a water system, in particular particles of dirt, with a float (1), in which a particle separation chamber (8) is formed, into which particle-containing water can flow via an inflow opening (7), and out of which water at least partially freed from the particles can flow via an outflow opening (9), wherein the inflow opening (7) is provided with an inflow flap means and the outflow opening (9) is provided with an outflow flap means for opening and closing of the opening (9).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and removing oil from a body of water with equipment using rod and film technology, which includes a streamlined oil tank that moves in the water and collects surface oil from an attached skimmer, arrays of inverted funnels lowered into the water to concentrate oil for removal, and containment tents to capture leaking fuel or cargo oil from a sunken ship or any underwater oil leak and channel it into a partially submerged rod and film storage tank at the surface.

Abstract: A floating oil collecting system which can collect floating oil containing a very small amount of water is provided. The system includes a liquid-level following type suction apparatus having an intake pipe in which one end is an inlet side end opening upwardly and the other end is connected with an inlet port of a pump, a float which causes the inlet side end to closely follow a liquid level within liquid in a storage tank, and an adjustment pipe which is loosely fitted to the inlet side end of the intake pipe so as to be movable up and down movement, in which an upper end opening edge is an inlet opening; a separation tank which receives an oil/water mixture from the storage tank to separate the mixture into oil and water; a pump for sucking up the oil/water mixture from the storage tank so as to be supplied to the separation tank; and a deaerator for removing air in the oil/water mixture sucked up from the storage tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oil combating boom (1), which comprises an elongated boom part, which at its first end is connectable to an oil combating vessel (10). At least one pontoon member (5) and a number of turnable transfer members (6) equipped with rotating blade members (9) have been arranged in connection with the elongated boom part. The invention further relates to a method for collecting oil from a polluted shore area, in which method an oil combating vessel is steered to the vicinity of the shore, the oil combating boom (1) is arranged to extend onto the polluted shore area, oil is transferred from the shore area into the water and steered in the water towards the final collecting space (11) by rotating the blade members (9) of the transfer members (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for collecting a lighter fraction floatable liquid from a heavier fraction liquid, such as a lighter fraction floating oil from a heavier fraction water, the apparatus comprising: a floatable collecting container and a cover placed above the collecting container leaving a continuous passage slot free; wherein the opening of the passage slot is adjustable by an inlet adjustment ring. The invention also provides a method to operate such an apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating on skimmed oil/water picked up from a body of water to separate the oil from the water and discharge the oil-free water back into the body of water, first feeds the skimmed oil/water into a gravity settling tank wherein the oil tends to settle above the water, removing relatively oil-free water from the bottom of the tank and measuring its oil content with an oil concentration sensor, and either returning the oil/water flow to the settling tank for further processing if the measured concentration of oil exceeds predetermined limits or discharging the water back into the body of water if the oil concentration is measured to be less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: In an oil spill response system, oil on the water surface is collected into an oil combating vessel having at its side an inlet at the water level and a water flow conduit extending from the inlet, the flow conduit having an oil separating unit separating the oil present on the surface, and the flow conduit leading to a return conduit provided with an outlet. The oil separating unit includes a first separator installed in the flow conduit in the flow direction of water and formed by a brush cassette constituting a separating surface obliquely rising from the water in the flow direction of water, and following the brush cassette a framework module disposed in the flow conduit, to which framework module the brush cassette is supported. The framework module has a second separator with a rotating drum brush, and water outlets directing the cleaned water to the return conduit.

Abstract: The oil recovery boom of the present invention is designed to collect great amounts of oil if used in conjunction with many other booms. The oil recovery boom includes a set of eductors, and removes the adjacent oil for extraction from the sea. A high pressure pump placed at one end of the boom takes water from the sea and pumps it through a flexible manifold. The manifold in turn provides water pressure to each eductor and, the oil carried with the water is then pumped into a barge or containment with overflow sections, which will then separate the oil from the water for later processing. Embodiments of the present invention adopts an array of eductors which can be positioned either in series or in parallel. The oil recovery boom of the present invention provides for the immediate and large-scale removal of oil from the sea.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and removing oil from a body of water with equipment using rod and film technology, which includes a streamlined oil tank that moves in the water and collects surface oil from an attached skimmer, arrays of inverted funnels lowered into the water to concentrate oil for removal, and containment tents to capture leaking fuel or cargo oil from a sunken ship or any underwater oil leak and channel it into a partially submerged rod and film storage tank at the surface.

Abstract: An oil spill recovery vessel (10) is provided that comprises a catamaran bow section (12) with twin hulls between which an oil skimmer unit (11) is arranged for displacement between a lowered, operating, position in oil-polluted water and a raised, non-operational, position clear of the water. Aft of the catamaran bow section (12) is a trimaran main section (13) made up of a central hull interposed between two outer hulls formed by aft continuations of the twin hulls of the catamaran bow section (12); the three hulls of the trimaran main section have conjoined upper portions. A propulsion unit (53) is operative to move the vessel (10) forward at slow speed for skimming operations, and, with the skimmer unit (11) in its raised position, at a fast speed in which the vessel planes on its trimaran main section (13).

Abstract: An oil spill skimmer for removing heavy hydrocarbons from bodies of water, having a plurality of oleophilic oil separation devices, a housing and frame structure that is suitably supported above a body of water, an adjustable wave damper supported by the housing at a front of the skimmer, an at least one flow inducer supported by the housing at a rear of the skimmer, and ballast-adjustable tanks. The at least one flow inducer for inducing inflow such that water is pulled at the front of the skimmer and directed out a bottom of the skimmer while collecting the spillage in a collection area. The ballast can be moved in and out of the tanks to increase or decrease buoyancy and influence the wave riding or wave heave of the skimmer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering contaminated water from an oil or gas well.

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: A conveyor system for transporting material from an origin to a destination includes a conveyor surface that moves a plurality of pivotal flight members along a continuous, predetermined path. The pivotal flight members allow the conveyor surface to freely travel along rollers positioned both within and outside of the conveyor loop for various applications. For example, various obstructions along the predetermined path pivot the flight members in either of two directions to trap, transport and release the material at desired locations. The flight members may be scraped and compressed to remove residual fluids if the conveyor system is used to collect liquids, such as released oil or other contaminants.

Abstract: A subsurface hydrocarbon capture apparatus having a filtration member connected to a mouth frame, wherein the filtration member is composed of a material that is hydrophobic and lipophilic, the apparatus having buoyancy and weight members to maintain the apparatus in a subsurface disposition when pulled by a boat.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing oil or other pollutants from the surface of water, comprising a platform having a left side wall, aright side wall, a rear wall, a front opening, a floor, and a bottom, one or more ballasts which adjust the platform floor relative to a level of oil on the water surface, wherein the oil flows from the front opening across the floor to the rear wall, a rear location near the rear wall to collect the oil from the platform floor; and a pump connected to the rear location that removes the oil from the rear location to a storage area which does not affect the ballast of the platform. The skimmer vessel can work stationary in the water, and does not require a propellor means, as the oil will continue to flow into the skimmer as the oil is pumped out of the rear by the gravity flow to the rear of the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for picking up particles from the surface of a water system, in particular oil, algae or dirt particles, comprising a particle separation space, which is connected to an inflow opening through which water that contains particles can enter the particle separation space, a particle-collecting space into which particles that have been separated from the water that contains particles reach from the particle separation space via a separation mechanism and an adjustment mechanism, which is configured to regulate a filling level of the water that contains particles in the particle separation space. In addition, the invention relates to a method for picking up particles, in particular oil, algae or dirt particles, from the surface of a water system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and removing oil from a body of water with equipment using rod and film technology, which includes a streamlined oil tank that moves in the water and collects surface oil from an attached skimmer, arrays of inverted funnels lowered into the water to concentrate oil for removal, and containment tents to capture leaking fuel or cargo oil from a sunken ship or any underwater oil leak and channel it into a partially submerged rod and film storage tank at the surface.

Abstract: An oil skimmer system on a marine vessel. The preferred embodiment contemplates a pickup wing pivotally mounted between two hulls in the forward section of the marine vessel, which is formed to collect and direct the oil to the pickup wing. The pickup wing is dynamically repositionable, the pickup wing mount having provided a mechanism for vertically positioning the unit in real time such that the front of the pickup wing is situated just below the water surface, to provide maximum collection of contaminants (in this case, hydrocarbons) floating thereupon. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pickup wing has a “teardrop” cross sectional profile, and is configured such that fluid motion over the its forward section, either from vessel motion or fluid current, provides a skimming action, so as to urge the surface contaminants over the wing and into a recovery area, where it is separated from the water and pumped into a collection tank.

Abstract: A device for cleaning up spilled oil from the surface of a body of water, including a vessel adapted to float on the body of water and to pass over the oil, wherein the vessel has an inclined bow surface for directing the oil downwardly beneath the vessel. The device includes an oil/water separation column carried on the vessel having an inner cavity with a lower end forming a bottom opening oriented substantially parallel to the surface of the body of water in fluid communication with the water and spilled oil such that oil directed downwardly beneath the vessel by the bow surface is directed to the bottom opening. At least a substantial portion of the oil/water separation column is narrowed with increasing height beginning at least at a height approximately corresponding to the water line.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a spill collection system comprising a boom for surrounding a spill area and a method for using the boom. In addition, the invention includes several embodiments of extractors for removing fluid from a material such as the boom.

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 device for picking up floating objects on the water, such as hydrocarbons, has an envelope made of a flexible material impervious to water and to the floating objects, having a mouth at the upstream end and a discharge orifice at the downstream end, a folding rigid framework, arranged inside the envelope and attached thereto at the mouth and at the discharge orifice, at least one inflatable tube attached to the envelope and running along the length of the envelope, and a compressed-gas generation device designed to inflate the or each inflatable tube.

Abstract: A storage device for retaining an extended length of floating oil boom therein and a method of using the same. The storage device is made from a sheet of material that is foldable to define and surround an interior cavity in which the oil boom is received. A closure mechanism is engaged to secure the folded storage device about the oil boom. A lifting mechanism on the storage device is engaged with a cable extending from a suspension assembly mounted on a vessel for use on a large body of water. The suspension assembly maintains the storage boom adjacent a side wall of the vessel and a distance above the surface of the water until the oil boom retained therein is needed in an emergency.

Abstract: Skimmers, barges and related methods recover heavy oil or bitumen from contaminated water environments such as tailings ponds. The skimmer has an articulated mesh-like conveyor driven around a drum by a drive sprocket. A pusher mechanism discharges bitumen or heavy oil from cavities in the conveyor. In one embodiment, the skimmer includes an automatic depth control system. In other embodiments, knife-edged shear plates remove heavy oil or bitumen adhering to the conveyor and drum. A barge may incorporate multiple parallel skimmers. The barge may include a bitumen-transfer pump having an annular fluid-injection flange that generates an annulus of lubricating fluid inside a discharge hose. A method of skimming heavy oil or bitumen involves using a skimmer that automatically adjusts its elevation or depth based on a control signal generated by a depth sensor. Another method recovers and transfers bitumen by lubricating the discharge hose using the annular fluid-injection flange.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating liquids during agitation includes a support and a honeycomb cellular structure supported by the support. The cellular structure has a top and a bottom. It is formed from a plurality of enclosed cells, which limit and re-direct liquid movement in all directions so that agitation of the support has a negligible co-mingling effect enabling a liquid separation interface to be established within the cellular structure. Each cell has an inlet and an outlet, which are out of register creating a non-linear migration path from the bottom to the top of the cellular structure. A capture assembly is provided to capture less dense liquids after separation has occurred.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating oil and debris from an aqueous fluid disposed in a bath includes a separator assembly including a tank defining an interior chamber, and a separator coupled to the tank, the separator including an inlet in fluid communication with the bath and an outlet. A rotary positive displacement pump has a pump inlet in fluid communication with the separator outlet and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the bath.