Abstract: Apparatus for skimming liquid from the surface of a body of liquid which includes a lighter liquid floating on a heavier liquid. The apparatus includes an upwardly opening container having a specific gravity which causes the container to float in the body of liquid with an upper edge of the container in the vicinity of the interface between the lighter and heavier liquids. An elongated suction tube has a lower end extending down into the container. The upper end of the suction tube is connected to a source of suction so liquid is withdrawn from the container through the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting and cleaning brine shrimp eggs on the open water is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention as comprising a buoyant support frame having a collection assembly operably disposed in relation thereto. A concentration member provides a means for collecting a naturally occurring mixture of brine shrimp eggs and debris floating at or near the surface of a body of water. The concentration member provides means for concentrating the mixture of brine shrimp eggs and debris into a concentrated egg/debris mud mixture having a general thickness of about 7.5 cm to 45 cm (3 inches to 18 inches). Engageably disposed in relation to the collection assembly, an extraction apparatus provides a means for transporting the concentrated egg/debris mud mixture introduced into the collection assembly to a filtering/cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A skimmer for the removal of thin surface films of petroleum products from a water's surface. The skimmer uses air suction to effectively increase the volume of petroleum product removed, while at the same time being able to handle very thin films effectively. The skimmer uses a movable inner cover which is adjustable to the thickness of the petroleum product's film to reduce the amount of water drawn into the skimmer. An angled flange is also used to pull and concentrate the petroleum within the skimmer. Two vanes are used to maneuver the skimmer across the surface of the water to bring it into contact with the petroleum film on the surface of the water.

Abstract: An earthen hole drilling device has an elongated tube having first and second ends. A source of vacuum pressure is connected to the first end of the tube. A rotary fluid nozzle is attached to the second end of the tube and is adapted to direct a rotary jet of fluid to intersect the space immediately beyond the second end of the tube. An elongated fluid line has first and second ends with the first end thereof being connected to a source of fluid under pressure, such as water, and the second end of the fluid line is connected to the nozzle. The tube normally has a length of five or six feet with handles thereon so as to be manipulated by a single worker. The method of drilling an earthen hole involves the steps of emitting a rotary jet of fluid into the space behind the second end of the tube to moisten and dislodge particles of earth in the earthen hole being created.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting a substance has a fluid source providing pressurized fluid, a heating device, a heat transferring device and a vacuum producing device. The heating device is coupled to the fluid source and is adapted to cause a first pressurized fluid from the fluid source to become heated. The heat transferring device is coupled to the heating device for receiving the heated first pressurized fluid, and is adapted for transferring heat from the first pressurized fluid to a heatable substance. The vacuum producing device has first and second inlet openings, the first inlet opening is fluidly coupled to the fluid source for receiving a second pressurized fluid from the fluid source and the second inlet opening is adapted for receiving the heatable substance.

Abstract: A plurality of water- and oil-porous sacks are partially filled with a number of generally toroidal bodies of a polymer material that entraps oil and including mesh fragments scattered throughout the bodies. Each sack is sewn with a perimeter stiffening ring, to retain a flat profile, and has a netting that closes to help inhibit outflow of the oil when the sack is retrieved. When deployed from ship or by air onto a spill, the sacks spread into a pancake shape and the polymer matter forms a single layer that retains the oil. The inventive sacks will float indefinitely without releasing the oil or allowing it to emulsify, so the oil can remain in place until collection efforts are feasible. The sacks can be burned in situ, or standard fishing boats or specialized collection boats can be used to retrieve the sacks, and the collected material can be burned to capture the energy content of the oil or processed to separate the oil from the polymer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for separation and collection of substances floating in water by making use of a relative motion between the water containing the substances and a collection container having trapping means associated therewith. In accordance with the invention the water motion relatively to a collection container is made use of to create a circulating movement therein. The circulating movement is obtained by bringing the water to enter the collection container essentially tangentially with respect to the latter. The removal of the substances in question is effected in the circulating water flow. Cleaned water is evacuated along the collection container bottom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for oil spill recovery and more particularly, concerns a catamaran style sea-going vessel capable of lifting an oil spill or slick from the surface of the sea water, separating the oil from the sea water and storing the recovered oil temporarily for transfer to a larger vessel or storage facility. The apparatus utilizes a pair of contra-rotating drums for oil pick-up, the oil being directed to come into contact with the outer surface of the drums by a deflector extending between the hulls of the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the separation of a floating contaminant from a body of liquid has a rectangular planar sheet with upright wall members on each of two opposed edges and has on one of its other edges an inlet manifold. The inlet manifold has a slot aperture through which is directed a high velocity film of liquid over the sheet. The sheet has at the edge remote from the manifold a collecting device. The sheet is positioned in the liquid so that the film of liquid entrains the floating contaminants and carries them to the collecting device.

Abstract: A skimmer for recovering spilled oil plows through the water at relatively high speeds and operates under a variety of weather conditions. To counteract the pitch and roll of the skimmer while traveling through choppy seas, the skimmer is attached to the propelling vessel by a biaxial mount, which has the shaft perpendicular to the center line of the vessel and horizontal to the water line. This allows the nose section of the skimmer to travel in a vertical direction in concert with oncoming swells and waves. The main control frame of the skimmer is hinged perpendicularly to the vessel shaft yoke to allow the main frame to roll in concert with cross waves and swells. This biaxial mounting allows the nose of the skimmer to remain at a fairly uniform depth in the water no matter which direction the waves are approaching, which allows the skimmer to be attached to virtually any vessel with size and characteristics to accommodate the mass of the skimmer.

Abstract: Oil recovery apparatus uses an open mesh conveyor designed to slope from a vessel into the water and to run with its lower flight travelling inboard while sliding on a flat bottomed trough. A container receives the liquid from the upper end of the trough.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering fluid substances floating on a water surface, comprising multiple disks which are arranged on at least one horizontal shaft, are partially immersed in the water, and rotate at different speeds and particularly alternately clockwise and counterclockwise. The partially submerged disks, by using the principle of the higher adhesion of oily substances relative to water, collect these oily substances, which are then removed by scraping systems and conveyed into a containment space.

Abstract: A base fixed to a liquid-containing tank and a float disposed above the base are liquid-tightly secured to lower and upper ends, respectively, of a flexible member comprising a bellows cylinder. The base, the float and the flexible member define a liquid reservoir. The float rises when there is a large quantity of liquid in the reservoir and falls when there is a small quantity of liquid in the reservoir, so that a damming plate provided on the float is moved above and below the surface of the liquid in the tank. When the damming plate is moved below the liquid surface, the liquid on the surface flows into the reservoir through a liquid inlet formed in the float, and the liquid that collects in the reservoir is discharged to the exterior of the tank by a liquid discharge pipe. As the float rises, the damming plate is lifted above the surface of the liquid in the tank, thereby cutting off the flow of surface liquid into the reservoir.

Abstract: An improved boom for use in containing oil spills and the like on water comprises a flotation tube, an upper chain pocket, a skirt, and a lower chain pocket. The skirt may be made to sink by placing a chain in the lower chain pocket. The spill is contained, and buoyancy provided for the boom, by filling the flotation tube with a particulate liquid sorbent. The tube is fabricated of a mesh material pervious to both the oil and water. The skirt may be fabricated of a material pervious to water, and if so desired, to oil.

Abstract: A floating waste oil skimming device comprising a pair of hulls between which is suspended a skimmer box containing a plurality of oleophilic discs. The skimmer box has an outwardly opening bottom door which promotes a draft of water through the skimmer box when the device is in forward motion. Alternately the device can be operated in a stationary mode wherein water is evacuated from the skimmer box by means of a stand pipe inside the box. The skimmer box and oleophilic disc array are demountable and the pair of hulls can be folded together for transportation.

Abstract: An oil/water separator that employs a rotatable drum for separating oil or other contaminants from a fluid, usually water. This drum is partially immersed within the oil containing fluid such that by its rotation therethrough, an oil film adheres to its outer periphery. A blade assembly scrapes or wipes this film from this outer periphery and gathers such film in an adjacent collection trough.

Abstract: For the separation of a contaminated floating top layer of oil or oil substances, a continuous laminer flow is created on or near the surface, by placing a number of baffles (8, 8') in the path of the flowing liquid (V) as it moves through a tank (1). The total amount of liquid flowing through the tank (1) is now adjusted in such a way that the correct control of the upper laminar flow (5) and the dominant more turbulent lower flow near the bottom (9) of the tank (1) produces a controllable constant difference in height (delta h). This total difference in height (delta h) can also be attained by cascade operation.

Abstract: A spill containment system for vessels comprises a curtain capable of extending continuously around the entire vessel and having a vertical dimension sufficient to extend from a height above the waterline to a depth below the waterline. The curtain is stored in canisters on or beneath the deck inboard from the hull or rail but capable of being deployed by articulated arms to a position outboard of the ship where the curtain can be deployed into the water to maintain and control a spill from the vessel.

Abstract: A non-contact floating containment or repelling device used to gather, contain or repel a material such as oil that has been spilled on the surface of a body of water. This device consists of a plurality of paddlewheels serially connected along a shaft secured between distant vessels. This shaft is rotated, thereby rotating the paddlewheels which churn the water, thus repelling the spilled material away from the device and toward a central region. By this arrangement, the device itself never becomes contaminated by the spilled material and is sprayed with the churning water, and therefore, should a fire break out, damage to the device is unlikely.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering floating materials, including a compartment with a weir for receiving the material to be recovered and a system for emptying the compartment. The weir forms at least one clean float at least partially immersed in the recovery compartment. The apparatus is remarkable in that the weir is connected to at least one float borne by a body of water outside the compartment so that it is sensitive both to changes of the level in the compartment and to the relative movement of the body of water outside. The connection between the weir and the outside float is advantageously provided by an assembly enabling relative motion between the weir and the outside float.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering oil-based liquid from a body of liquid including a first layer of the oil-based liquid and a second layer of a second liquid having an interface with the first layer is disclosed. The apparatus includes an endless loop of oil-based liquid absorbent material extending downward a vertical distance into the first layer for absorbing the oil-based liquid therefrom and a drive conveying the absorbent material in a substantially vertical path from the first layer. The apparatus also includes a guide submerged in the body of liquid directing the absorbent material through the first layer. The guide has a buoyancy selected to maintain the absorbent material in the first layer by varying the vertical distance in response to a variation in the level of the interface.

Abstract: Separate devices for removing oil from water where no tank or vessel is required next to the skimmer since the scraper is at an angle from the horizon designed to flow oil away from the skimmer into a tube to a pump and can be used in confined areas, shallow water or for industrial use to remove oil. Skimmers are designed to retrieve oil in any type of weather conditions. The containment boom is made of a flexible material rolled in a tight bundle having 2 compartments where water and air are pumped, having relief valves with flexing joints to insure containments during high waves. The oil is pumped into sacks which are stored in canisters on the sides of the tanker for quick release.

Abstract: A system for removing oil from oil/water or oil/sand or oil/water/sand mixtures. An oil/water mixture is taken from an oil spill on the surface of the water or from other sources such as producing oil wells and is transported to a surge tank where it is agitated and then passed on to a separator which separates the oil from the water. The system also covers separating oil from sand or earth when the spill is on land.

Abstract: An apparatus that takes advantage of the adherence of hydrocarbonates to specific material and its fluidity as influenced by the temperature. The performances of the apparatus are related to the interaction of two horizontal concentric cylinders one rotating around the other and containing both collecting and recovery means, working simultaneously. A three way oil collection is achieved by the cylinder's exterior surfaces, by large conical discs and by oil scoops located between the two cylinders. Said collecting means are integrated with a central heating system and with temperature controlled recovery devices such as oil deflectors with scrapers and oil recovery reservoir with screw, so that any type of oil can be recovered efficiently from or near the water surface even in cold weather.

Abstract: A filter system for removing a material from a layer of water of selected depth beginning at the surface of a body of water. The system is designed to be mounted to a surface vessel specially adapted to receive the system. The surface vessel has an intake area at its bow. A water intake gate acts as a closure to the intake area. The inlet gate can be lowered to admit water to the intake area as the vessel is propelled through the body of water. An endless conveyer type filter screen is supported by rollers in the intake area. Water passing through the filter screen is discharged through ducts passing through the sides of the vessel. Material separated from the water is conveyed by the filter screen to other equipment for further processing.

Abstract: An oil recovery skimmer assembly, mountable on any suitable barge like structure, has means for placing booms so as to direct water to at least one scoop assembly where surface water and oil is skimmed off and pumped to a separator tank where substantially all the oil is separated from the water and the water returned to within the boom area, thereby assuring retreatment of the water and non-return of oil to the environment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a collection and separation apparatus for removing oil and the like from a water surface, the apparatus being provided with two gables, which are stationarily arranged on a shaft, which is rotably arranged in a frame and intended to be driven by a driving motor. The apparatus comprises a trough, which is open upwards and intended to cooperate with a helical means for removing of oil collected in the trough. According to the invention the apparatus comprises at least two shovel-formed collection means, which are arranged between the gables and fastened to these ones. In this connection a first collection means comprises a square-formed or rectangular-formed net or filter cloth, whereas a second collection means comprises a plurality of means, which are like jalousie ribs, and which are positioned one after the other along an imaginary, arched connection line.

Abstract: A waste water treatment system includes a first stage oil separator having a plurality of conically shaped members disposed inside an enclosure. The conically shaped members are preferably made of polypropylene. Oil within the waste water coalesces upon contacting the conically shaped members. Waste water is circulated in vortical flow paths between the conically shaped members to lengthen the flow path of the waste water between the members thereby promoting coalescence of oil. A second stage oil separator involves a bead pack container unit filled with polypropylene beads through which waste water passes to remove residual oil and debris from the waste water coming from the first stage oil separator.

Abstract: Oil-separation and recovery from marine oil spills is carried out by a system which includes a containment boom, a weir and/or foil type skimmer, a separator unit and a second, fire proof containment boom for receiving separated oil in a closed containment area on the surface of the body of water from which the oil has been recovered and wherein the oil may be combusted. The separator unit uses so-called superabsorbent materials including sheets of non-woven fibers or flakes of materials including sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, acrylonitrile grafted starch absorbents, polyacrylates, copolymers of styrene and maleic anhydride and copolymers of unsaturated monomers and recurring units of at least one copolymerizable comonomer comprising about 20% to about 80% pendant carboxylic acid units and about 80% to about 20% pendant carboxylate salt units blended with a monomer containing at least two hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: An oil spill detection system to detect and track oil spills and transmit data to a remote monitoring center comprising a buoyant detection platform including at least one detection sensor to detect the presence of hydrocarbons in the water adjacent the buoyant detection platform and generate a detection signal in response thereto and a communication system operatively coupled to the detection sensor to receive the detection signal and to generate a data signal in response to the detection signal and to transmit the data signal to the remote monitoring center, the data signal including a discrete platform identification signal corresponding to the buoyant detection platform, and a deployable free floating tracking buoy to be deployed when the detection signal is generated to indicate the direction and speed of travel of the oil slick created by the oil spill.

Abstract: A mechanical device is used for separating oil films from the surface of water or for separating any two immiscible phases where the lighter phase forms a thin film on the top of the heavier phase. Both phases flow into the airlift scavenger outer vessel through a strainer which provides easier access to the lighter or oil phase due to larger orifices being located at the top of the strainer. After flowing into the vessel, both phases flow downwards to an expansion zone where the fluid velocities drop. This allows the large oil slugs to rise to the top of the outer vessel. The water phase, containing medium and small sized oil slugs, flows downwards to a baffle that turns the flow upwards. This causes the medium sized oil slugs to reverse their downward motion and rise to the top of the outer vessel to agglomerate at the top. This oil phase is continuously pumped to a storage vessel for recovery.

Abstract: In a searching boat having a searching system for searching a spillage oil on the sea, the searching system comprises a driving device, an oil film appreciating device, and a radio transmitter. The driving device drives the searching boat in a predetermined direction on the spillage oil on the sea. The oil film appreciating device appreciates an edge of an oil film of the spillage oil to produce an oil edge appreciating signal. Supplied with the oil edge appreciating signal, the radio transmitter produces an arrival signal. The driving device may drive the searching boat in a forward direction as a forward mode driving when supplied with a start signal and may drive the searching boat in a backward direction opposite to the forward direction as a backward mode driving when supplied with the oil edge appreciating signal. Furthermore, the driving device may carry out the forward and the backward mode drivings every time when supplied with the oil edge appreciating signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating contaminated, e.g. oily, water including a floating skimmer (3) for skimming the surface of the contaminated water (2). The contaminated water from the skimmer is fed to a hydrocyclone (6) for separation of the water and contaminant. The hydrocarbon rich stream from the hydrocyclone undergoes further separation using a spear (8).

Abstract: A mobile floating surface skimmer is adapted to float in a body of liquid having debris and/or contaminants at the surface. The skimmer comprises a vessel having an inlet through which liquid from the surface of the body of liquid can flow into the vessel together with the debris and/or contaminants. An outlet is adapted to be connected to a pump for removing liquid, together with the debris and/or contaminants from the vessel. Further included is a valve for controlling a flow of liquid into the vessel in response to the level of liquid in the vessel so as to maintain the inlet near the surface of the body of liquid, wherein the valve is provided with a delayed response so as to cause the skimmer to oscillate vertically in the body of liquid so the debris is prevented from becoming lodged at the inlet. Further, the invention includes a method of skimming debris from the surface of a liquid.

Abstract: An oil spill skimmer and processor particularly for offshore oil spill recovery includes a series of features which enable efficient recovery of oil from the water surface, even in the presence of considerable debris. The large ocean going apparatus, which includes two successive floating weirs, affords a great deal of control to the operator. Controls include adjustable water jets for steering oil into the skimmer and deflecting debris, the ability to reverse either of two internal pumps to flutter weirs up and down for the clearing of debris. The first floating weir is adjustable as to buoyancy, permitting the operator greater control over modes of operation and passing of debris through the vessel. A debris grate at the inlet of the skimmer traps debris, and a grinder receives trapped debris from the grate, to be ground up and passed on with recovered oil.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for handling fluids and fluid mixtures such as those which result in pollution spills of substantially non-water soluble substances on a waterway. The invention includes use of a vessel supportable on the body of water and which can be taken to the pollution site. The vessel has a hold into which the spillage can be pumped and the method and apparatus enables the separation of entrained and mixed water with the pollutant to enable concentration of the pollutant in the hold. Concentration is achieved by providing the hold with a controlled outlet which can communicate from a lower portion of the hold to the supporting body of water. As the pollutant separates from the water, the water can be decanted off from beneath, thus concentrating the pollutant in the hold.

Abstract: A controlled floating aspirators system includes floating cages made of latticework and provided on their sides with floats to establish a working level suitable for the cage as a whole. Each cage has two frameworks at the sides thereof. The inner framework has a rolling skid through which the cage can move up and down along a respective slide provided on the ship. Within each cage are provided a front mouth and a rear exit. At least one floating aspirator module is provided on each cage, having floats which allow the cage to float on its own. The module has an aspiration nozzle coupled with a respective pump. The system may include an auxiliary aspirator module located in front of the module formed by the floating aspirator.

Abstract: A land vehicle system for collecting crude oil and other contaminants which have been spilled on snow and ice covered surfaces includes a crawler tractor having an auger type collection and transfer mechanism mounted forwardly thereof for skimming the contaminant and a layer of snow and/or ice from the Earth's surface. The recovered oil and snow and/or ice are transported by a vacuum line to a storage and transport vehicle towed by the tractor. The storage and transport vehicle may be self-propelled and includes an onboard storage tank which is heated to melt the snow and/or ice and a separator for separating air used to transport the contaminated snow and/or ice to the tank. The tractor includes onboard prime movers for operating a vacuum pump for collecting the contaminated snow and/or ice and a prime mover for propulsion and operation of the skimming and collection mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oil containment and recovery system for confining and collecting oil spills wherein the oil spill is surrounded and contained within a floating barrier and the oil is pumped from within the enclosure defined by the floating barrier into floating reservoirs proximate the barrier. The floating barrier utilizes an elongate inflatable buoyant member and an elongate suction conduit depending downwardly from the buoyant member and having a plurality of apertures formed therein through which oil flows into the suction member. The inflatable member is inflated with air to obtain the desired buoyancy. The weight means depends downwardly from the suction conduit to maintain the buoyant member and suction conduit in a desired orientation to facilitate containment and collection of the oil spill.

Abstract: A skimmer device for recovering a first liquid which is floating on a second liquid, e.g. oil on water, uses one or more discs rotating in a plane transverse to the liquid surface (preferably inclined at 70.degree. or less to the liquid surface). Particular benefits accrue, especially when operating in open water, when an inclination angle of 45.degree. or less is used. With a disc inclination angle of 25.degree.-30.degree. to the liquid surface a near optimal compromise is reached between oil take-up rate and ease of collection. Further advantages are obtained with skimmer discs of polymethyl methacrylate resin.

Abstract: A method for collection of oil slicks (20) on a water surface, using a barge (1) or similar vessel, with a rectangular, transversal bow section (4) and which is towed by a towboat (5). There is at least one collection device (8) designed to lead oil in toward the bow section (4) of the barge (1). The water below the oil film (20) in front of the bow section (4) of the barge (1) is set in an upward flow, so that water is led up from the water surface, entraining the oil film (20) and across the forward, transversal bow edge (4) and into a tank room (3) in the barge (1). The water in the lower portion of the tank room (3) is led or flows freely into the surrounding water. Outside the bow section (4) there is fastened a device, e.g.

Abstract: A method for the separation of a less dense liquid from a body of a more dense liquid on which the less dense liquid is floating, especially for the separation of oil floating on water, which includes passing a column of liquid at high velocity substantially vertically from within the body of liquid through the surface thereof thereby to entrain the less dense liquid and carry it away from the surface, and collecting the mixture of less dense liquid and other liquid(s) thereby produced. The apparatus for use in the invention includes a mechanism for generating a high velocity column of carrier liquid, a mechanism for directing the column upwardly through the body of liquid and the floating layer of less dense liquid to entrain the less dense liquid in a surface layer of the column and a device for directing the carrier liquid and entrained less dense liquid to a collector device.

Abstract: A system for removing oil from oil/water or oil/sand or oil/water/sand mixtures. An oil/water mixture is taken from an oil spill on the surface of the water or from other sources such as producing oil wells and is transported to a surge tank where it is agitated and then passed on to a separator which separates the oil from the water. The system also covers separating oil from sand or earth when the spill is on land.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and removing contaminant material floating on the surface of a body of water, e.g., an oil slick. There are first and second boom portions which capture and direct the slick into a skimmer assembly which is mounted at an apex between the booms. The skimmer assembly incorporates three transversely extending cushions which serve as barriers or weirs: The first cushion reduces surface chop and prevents floating material from entering the assembly, the second cushion is partially submerged so as to act as submersion skimmer, increasing the thickness of the oil layer and slowing the current flow, and the third cushion is mostly submerged so as to act as a weir skimmer, over which the oil passes into a collection sump. The combined effect of the transverse barriers enables the system to be operated under adverse weather conditions and at relatively high speeds.

Abstract: Oil recovery apparatus uses an open mesh conveyor designed to slope from a vessel into the water and to run with its lower flight travelling inboard while sliding on a flat bottomed trough. A container receives the liquid from the upper end of the trough.

Abstract: An apparatus to separate two immiscible liquids of different densities that form a two phase mixture comprising an upper layer (10) and a lower layer (12) when together. The apparatus has a main body (14) to receive the two liquids. The main body has a base and an open top. There is an outlet (20) adjacent the base of the main body, arranged tangentially. A pump (22) pumps liquid from the main body through the outlet (20). A jet (24) generally adjacent the center of the main body (14) directs liquid upwardly from the body. The liquid is supplied to the jet (24) by pump (22). Floats (30) allow floating of the apparatus in a mixture of the two liquids. The fluid driven from the outlet (22) draws the two liquids into the body and the liquid from the jet (24) forces the upper layer (10) of liquid upwardly to separate the two liquids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved disk-type oil collector which is provided with at least one alignment of oleophile disks. Each oleophile disk of the at least one alignment of oleophile disks is furnished with at least one surrounding rim whose peripheral edge is provided with a plurality of teeth. The surrounding rim is connected to the periphery of the oleophile disk by means of an annular sector.

Abstract: An oil recovery system includes an inflatable boom wall, a plurality of inflatable storage tanks at spaced intervals along the boom wall, and a plurality of oil catchers adjacent to each of the storage tanks. Selected ones of the oil catchers are attached to the boom wall, adjacent to the storage tanks, while other ones of the catchers are free-floating and attached to corresponding storage tanks by means of a flexible line. The oil recovery system further includes a plurality of plow boats, each of which has adjustable, bow-mounted plates for pushing oil and other surface contaminants into the oil catchers. The material collected by the catchers drains by gravity into the corresponding storage tanks for temporary storage. The storage tanks are pumped out periodically to transfer the contents thereof to permanent storage tanks aboard a barge or other oil collection vessel.

Abstract: An oil skimmer (10) employs a dynamic-inclined-plane module (22) that is retractable so that it can be kept suspended above the water during skimmer travel to and from oil-spill sites. The thrust required of the skimmer's propulsion system to achieve a given transit speed is thus much lower than that required by conventional dynamic-inclined-plane systems. When the skimmer (10) reaches the oil-recovery site, the retracting mechanism (26) lowers the dynamic-inclined plane module to its operating depth. To enable the skimmer to operate dose to shore, its primary buoyancy is provided by inflatable pontoons (12), which result in shallow draft and relatively low vulnerability to hull damage.

Abstract: A container is supported floating in a liquid by floats; an inflow gate is loosely fitted about the container. The inflow gate has a sloping face for introducing liquid into the container. A discharge is provided for discharging the liquid accumulated in the main body bath. Floating substances collected on the sloping face of the inflow gate are raked and pushed into the main container by a raking machine arranged on the sloping face of the inflow gate and a pressure screw arranged on the sloping face of the inflow gate and a pressure screw arranged in the main container.