WO2013107925A1

WO2013107925A1 - An apparatus for collecting oil from water bodies, and an oil combatting vessel

Info

Publication number: WO2013107925A1
Application number: PCT/FI2013/050014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olavi Savolainen
Original assignee: Effcom Oy
Priority date: 2012-01-17
Filing date: 2013-01-08
Publication date: 2013-07-25
Also published as: FI123508B; FI20125052A

Abstract

An apparatus for collecting oil from water bodies comprises at least: a supporting structure (11 ); at least one belt (13) configured to wind in the supporting structure and to transfer oil accumulated on the belt from the first end (11a) to the second end (11 b) of the apparatus when the first end is submerged in water; and a suction device (22) placed at the first end (11a) and configured to suck up oil from water surface when the first end is submerged in water, comprising at least one roller (12) which has a jacket (12a) that is permeable to liquid and inside which a suction or under pressure can be supplied. The apparatus is connected to, for example, an oil combatting vessel.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING OIL FROM WATER BODIES, AND AN OIL COMBATTING VESSEL

Field of the invention

The invention relates to an apparatus for collecting oil from water bodies. The invention also relates to an oil combatting vessel equipped with an apparatus for collecting oil from water bodies. Background of the invention

For combatting oil spills in water bodies, various apparatuses are known for collecting supernatant oil from water. These include, in particular, so-called oil combatting vessels. The apparatuses are connected to various motorized or towable vessels which usually also have a tank or a container in which the oil is collected or separated from water. The vessels are particularly designed for collecting oil, or they are equipped with apparatuses suitable for collecting oil. In the collection of oil, it is also possible to utilize buoyant oil containment booms, or controllable oil booms are connected to the vessel, guiding the oil to the collecting apparatus.

The apparatuses are based on, for example, brushes which skim the oil from the water surface and from which the oil is collected off. Alternatively, the apparatuses are also based on suction devices which suck up oil from the water surface. Alternatively, the apparatuses are also based on conveyors which take up the oil from the water surface. Thus, for example belts are applied which are permeable to water and from which the oil is cleaned off by, for example, brushes or jets, and the oil is collected off. However, the apparatuses of prior art are not so versatile that they would be suitable for collecting very different types of oil. Here, examples include light and heavy fuel oil, which act in very different ways in water. The costs are high, if separate collecting apparatuses have to be provided for different types of oil. Brief summary of the invention

The invention presents a solution for eliminating deficiencies of oil combatting apparatuses of prior art.

The presented solution is versatile and suitable for collecting very different types of oils or liquids from water bodies and from the surface of water. These include, in particular, heavy fuel oil and light fuel oil but also diesel oil and other oils and liquids, as well as solid waste or garbage.

The presented solution comprises both a mechanical conveyor and suction for removing oils and liquid from water. The conveyor and the suction can be used simultaneously or at different times. As a result, the same apparatus can be used for different purposes.

The apparatus according to the invention for collecting oil from water bodies is presented in claim 1. The oil combatting vessel according to the invention, equipped with an apparatus for collecting oil from water bodies, is presented in claim 9.

In the presented solution, a suction device is configured to suck up oil from water surface when the end of the device is submerged in water. Said suction device comprises at least one roller having a jacket that is permeable to liquid and which can be supplied with a suction or an underpressure.

In the presented solution, said roller is placed against a belt, with which the roller rotates.

Preferably, in the presented solution, the roller sucks up liquid through the belt, wherein the belt is used as a filter and conveys any material that would obstruct the roller, away from the roller. The belt can be cleaned, for example, by a jet or a blow, to keep the belt permeable to liquid and to prevent it from clogging. The belt is suitably selected to be permeable to liquid. In the presented solution, in connection with the roller it is also possible to apply structures which restrict the suction effect to a given range around the roller. The apparatus according to the solution is connected to, for example, an oil combatting vessel.

Description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows an apparatus according to an example for collecting oil from water bodies, in a side view and connected to a vessel.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of an apparatus according to another example for collecting oil from water bodies, comprising several convey- ors.

Fig. 3 shows a roller according to an example, placed in the apparatus and sucking up liquid. Fig. 4 shows a roller according to another example, placed in the apparatus and sucking up liquid.

Fig. 5 shows a top view of an apparatus according to a third example for collecting oil from water bodies, comprising a sucking roller placed against a belt.

Fig. 6 shows a roller according to a third example, placed in the apparatus and sucking up liquid. Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows an example of an apparatus 10 which is particularly compact and simple in its structure and is still functionally versatile. The apparatus 10 for collecting oil from water bodies comprises a supporting structure 11 , in which the different parts and devices of the apparatus are placed. The apparatus constitutes a conveyor whose first end 11a can be submerged in water and partly below water surface 19. The conveyor can be placed in an inclined position in such a way that its second end 1 1 b is higher than the first end 11 a and is placed inside, for example, a vessel 18, into which oil is collected, or above a tank, a reservoir or another collecting container. From the conveyor, the oil is transferred to the reservoir by, for example, gravity. The apparatus can be supplemented with, for example, a brush or a jet for intensifying the removal of oil from the conveyor.

At the first end 1 1a of the conveyor, a rotating roller 12 is mounted on bearings to the supporting structure 1 1 , the roller being horizontal in its use position and having a horizontal rotation axis. Preferably, the roller 12 is freely rotatable, and it is rotated by a belt 13 that winds in the apparatus, by means of friction. The endless belt 13 travels via the roller 12, turns and changes its travel direction. The moving belt 13 that emerges from water takes up the oil and carries it on the belt to the second end 1 1 b of the conveyor. At the second end 11 b of the conveyor, a rotatable roller 14 is mounted on bearings to the supporting structure 1 1. In its use position, the roller is horizontal and preferably parallel to the roller 12. Consequently, the rotation axis of the roller 14 is preferably horizontal. A drive 15 (see Fig. 2) is connected to the roller 14, for rotating the roller 14. The drive 15 comprises, for example, an electric motor, an air motor, or a hydraulic motor which is controlled. The belt 13 installed between the rollers 12 and 14 is moved by rotating the roller 14. Also other freely rolling or rotatable rollers can be placed between the rollers 12, 14, for supporting the belt 13. The belt 13 can also be supported by means of various reels or wheels.

In an example, the roller 14 can be movable, wherein the tension of the belt 13 can be adjusted by means of the roller 14. Alternatively, the tension of the belt can be adjusted by means of another roller, or reels or wheels supporting the belt.

The type of the belt 13 may vary, but in an example it is permeable to air and water. It is, for example, a woven textile, mat, or wire, and for example open wires which are used in paper machines are suitable for use. The belt is selected, for example, in such a way that it is permeable to water and other liquids, but e.g. heavy fuel oil adheres to the belt so that it can be collected at the second end 11 b of the conveyor. The belt 13 can also be selected in such a way that light fuel oil, or corresponding oils and liquids pass through the belt, if sucked through the belt into the roller 12. The apparatus can be supplemented with, for example, a spraying device which, by means of an air jet or a water jet, removes heavy fuel oil from the belt or cleans the belt.

The first end of the conveyor is equipped with a suction device 22 which is suitable for sucking up, for example, light fuel oil from the water surface 19. Normally, water is sucked at the same time, after which the mixture of water and oil is transferred via a set of suction tubes 16 to e.g. a container. The content of water and oil in the sucked up liquid depends on the more detailed principle of operation of the apparatus and its height level with respect to the water surface. The separation of water and light fuel oil takes place either in the container or elsewhere.

Preferably, the roller 12 constitutes part of said suction device 22 so that an underpressure or a vacuum is effective inside the rotating roller 12, sucking up the liquid through the jacket of the roller 12 to the inside of the roller, from where the liquid is transferred via a set of suction tubes 16. The set of suction tubes 16 is connected to one or both ends of the roller 12 in such a way that the roller can rotate, the roller moves the belt 13, and an underpressure or a suction is supplied via the set of suction tubes 16 to the inside of the roller. For example, a pump or another device for generating an underpressure is connected to the set of suction tubes 16.

In an example, the cylindrical jacket 12a of the roller 12 (see Fig. 3) is made such on all sides (for example, in a sector of 360°) that it is permeable to liquids, that is, water and oil. The jacket 12a is equipped with openings or perforations, through which the liquid is sucked up into the roller 12. Thus, the suction is effective everywhere around the jacket 12a of the roller.

In another example, said roller 12 comprises a structure 23 (Fig. 4) that covers the jacket 12a and limits the effect of the underpressure or suction to a given range only (suction zone 20, see Fig. 3) around the jacket 12a of the roller (for example, in a sector of 180° in the case of the roller 12 that reverses the direction of the belt 13). Said covering structure is stationary and placed, for example, on the roller 12 to cover those openings or holes that have shifted to the location of the structure.

According to an alternative example, the roller 12 and the covering structure 23 together, or the covering structure 23 alone, can be rotated around the rotation axis of the roller 12 in such a way that the orientation of the suction zone 20 can be changed.

According to a third example, the cylindrical jacket 12a of the roller 12 is made such on all sides (for example, in a sector of 360°) that it is permeable to liquids, that is, water and oil. The jacket is equipped with openings or perforations, through which the liquid is sucked up into the roller 12. Inside the roller 12, however, there is a structure that restricts the effect of underpressure or suction to a certain range around the jacket 12a of the roller only (for example, in a sector of 45 to 90°). The jacket 12a of the roller moves past said range and passes liquid through into the roller 12 and further via said structure to the set of suction tubes 16. The suction or underpressure is effective inside the structure. In other parts than said range, i.e. in the suction zone 20 (see Fig. 3), there is no suction effect or underpressure below the jacket 12a, or the openings or perforations of the jacket 12a are covered. If the suction zone 20 is placed under the belt 13, the liquid is sucked up through both the belt 13 and the jacket of the roller 12 into the roller 12. In this case, the belt 13 has to be suitably permeable to the liquid.

According to an alternative example, the roller 12 and the structure inside it together, or said structure alone, can be rotated around the rotation axis of the roller 12 in such a way that the orientation of the suction zone 20 can be changed.

The suction zone 20 is oriented in a desired direction. The suction zone 20 is oriented, for example, upwards in such a way that the roller is placed under water and the suction zone is on the water surface or slightly below it. In this way, it is possible to collect up oil, for example light fuel oil or diesel oil, as a thin layer from the water surface. A suction zone corresponding to the above described suction zone 20 can also be formed by a structure that covers the roller (for example, in a sector of 45 to 90°), as described above.

In the above presented examples, the aim can be to suck up liquid through the moving belt 13 only, wherein the belt is used as a filter and a protection for the roller. Congealed oil or other solid waste attached to the belt 13 is carried away from the suction area by the belt, keeping the roller clean, wherein the operation is reliable.

In an example, the apparatus also comprises a position control device 17, by means of which the height position of the first end 11a of the conveyor can be controlled with respect to the vessel 18 or the second end 1 b. The second end 1 b, for example the supporting structure 11 , is connected in an articulated manner to the vessel, and the apparatus 10, for example the supporting structure 11 , is connected by means of the position control device 17 to the vessel 18. The position control device 17 is, for example, a controlled compressed air cylinder or a controlled hydraulic cylinder, or another con- trollable mechanical structure for lifting and lowering the apparatus and particularly its first end 11a. By means of the position control device 17, the roller 12 or the belt 13 can be adjusted to a desired depth, wherein the suitable depth is selected on the basis of whether the collecting is performed primarily by means of underpressure or a suction effect, or primarily by means of the belt 13. Oils can be collected by means of the belt and the suction at the same time or at different times, wherein one of the functions is stopped.

In another example, the apparatus 10 is either entirely or partly, for example the first end 11a, in water, supported by floats or a floating structure. The apparatus 10 can be totally buoyant in water, and it is towed by the vessel 18. The floats keep the roller 12 or the belt 13 at a desired depth, or the apparatus 10 is provided with a position control device which lifts and lowers the apparatus and particularly its first end 11a in relation to the floats or the floating structure. Figure 2 shows an example of an apparatus consisting of two or more belts 13 and rollers 12 and 14 according to Fig. 1. By placing belts and rollers next to each other, it is easy to extend the apparatus, whereby it is suitable for very different uses. Each belt 13 has its own frame structure 11 , or two or more adjacent belts are placed in the same frame structure. The operation of the different parts of the apparatus of Fig. 2 corresponds to the operation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 , and the parts are numbered as in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 shows a more detailed view of a roller 12, inside which a suction or underpressure is effective. Liquid is sucked through the jacket 12a of the roller into the roller, when the jacket 12a is suitably equipped with openings or perforations. Figure 3 shows a roller which accommodates a structure that limits the suction effect to a suction zone 20. In the example of Fig. 3, the suction is effective upwards through the belt 13, wherein the roller 12 is placed below the water surface 19 when in operation.

Figure 4 shows an example of a covering structure 23 which is placed on the roller 12 and which limits the suction effect to the suction zone 20. Figure 5 shows another example of an apparatus 10, whose first end 11 a is equipped with a rotating roller 21 which is mounted on bearings and is horizontal in its use position. The roller 21 is preferably freely rotating and is rotated by a belt 13. The endless belt 13 travels via the roller 21 and changes its travel direction. The suction roller 12 shown in Figs. 1 , 2 and 3 is placed under a rising belt 13, spaced from the roller 21. The rollers 21 and 12 are preferably parallel. The belt 13 travels past the roller 12, and the operation of the roller 12 corresponds to the operation described in connection with Figs. 1 , 3 or 4, but in this case the roller 12 does not reverse the travel direction of the belt 13. The roller 12 can otherwise support the belt 13, particularly in case the liquid is sucked up through the belt 13 into the roller 12.

The roller 12 can also be placed in such a way that it is placed on top of a descending belt 3, the suction zone 20 is oriented downwards, and the liquid is sucked through the belt 13 into the roller 12. The movement of the descending belt is towards the first end 1 a. Figure 6 shows yet another example of the roller 12 when it is placed under the belt 13, for example as shown in Fig. 4. In this example, the roller 12 is placed inside a housing 24 with an opening 24a, past which the jacket 12a of the roller moves. The opening 24a is parallel to the rotation axis of the roller 12. The belt 13 also travels past the opening 24a. The opening 24a forms and simultaneously limits the suction zone 20. The roller 12 and the housing 24 are configured in such a way that at least the roller 12 supports the belt 13. Furthermore, it is possible that the housing 24 supports the belt at the longitudinal edges of the opening 24a. Rollers or reels which support the belt 13 may be fastened to the housing 24. The suction or underpressure effective inside the roller 12 and the housing 24 sucks up liquid.

As in the other examples, the roller 12 and also the housing 24 can be placed at the first end, as shown in Fig. 2. According to an alternative example, the roller 12 and the housing 24, or the housing 24 alone, can be rotated around the rotation axis of the roller 12 in such a way that the orientation of the suction area 20 can be changed.

In the example of Fig. 5, the belt 13 rotates the roller 12, or the apparatus is equipped with a drive for rotating the roller 12. The drive may be, for example, a transmission connection, such as a chain gear, between the roller 21 and the roller 12.

In an example, a roller whose structure corresponds to the structure of roller 12 and which is equipped with perforations or holes, and preferably also its external or internal structures, is placed against the belt 13. Said roller is placed, for example, at one end 11 b of the conveyor, or it has been used to replace a roller 14, via which the belt 13 travels. Inside said roller, pressure is supplied, by means of which air or liquid is sprayed through the jacket of the roller and the belt 13. By means of spraying, it is possible to clean the belt 13 and to remove oil adhered to it. The liquid or oil can be led into e.g. a container.

If necessary, the belt 13 can be supplemented with wings or walls, by means of which congealed oil or other solid waste or garbage is more easily transferred onto the belt and remains on the belt until it is removed from the belt. The invention is not limited solely to the above-presented examples, but it can be applied within the features defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. An apparatus for collecting oil from water bodies, characterized in that the apparatus (10) comprises at least:

- a supporting structure (11 );

at least one belt (13) which is configured to wind in the supporting structure and to transfer oil accumulated on the belt from the first end (11a) to the second end (11 b) of the apparatus, when the first end is submerged in water; and

- a suction device (22) placed at the first end (11a) and configured to suck up oil from water surface when the first end is submerged in water, comprising at least one roller (12) which has a jacket (12a) that is permeable to liquid and inside which a suction or underpressure can be supplied.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that said roller (12) is configured to suck up oil into the roller (12) through the belt (13) and the jacket ( 2a) of the roller.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said roller (12) is configured to turn and to change the travel direction of the belt and to rotate with the belt (13).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said roller (12) is placed against the belt (13) that travels past said roller, and said roller is configured to rotate with the belt (13).

5. The apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said roller (12) accommodates a structure that limits the effect of the suction or underpressure to a desired suction zone (20) around the jacket (12a).

6. The apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a structure (23) is placed on said roller (12), which structure limits the effect of the suction or underpressure to a desired suction zone (20) around the jacket (12a).

7. The apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said roller (12) is placed inside a housing (24) with an opening (24a), past which the jacket (12a) moves, and is placed against the belt (13), wherein the oil is sucked up into the roller (12) and the housing (24) through said open- ing.

8. The apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the apparatus also comprises a position control device (17) configured to control the height of the first end (11a) with respect to the water surface.

9. An oil combatting vessel, to which is connected an apparatus for collecting oil from water bodies, characterized in that said apparatus (10) is one according to any of the claims 1 to 8.

10. The oil combatting vessel according to claim 9, characterized in that said vessel comprises at least one tank or container, into which oil collected by the apparatus is led.