Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Separating
Patent
1998-02-13
2000-01-18
Popovics, Robert J.
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Separating
2102423, 210923, E02B 1504
Patent
active
060155019
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for skimming a surface layer from a body of water, such as for recovering oil floating on the water. The invention will be described with particular reference to the last-mentioned application but it is also useful for recovering materials other than oil.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
More particularly, the invention is concerned with a technique which comprises providing in the body of water a submerged collection compartment having an inflow opening defined by a skimming weir the crest of which is located at the water surface. The skimming weir is caused to take an overflow position relative to the water surface and at the same time water is discharged from the lower portion of the collection compartment. Oil and water flowing over the skimming weir replenishes the collection compartment at the top thereof. The inflow of oil is controlled by controlling the position of the skimming weir relative to the water surface and by controlling the discharge of water from the lower portion of the collection compartment.
In the collection compartment the oil, by virtue of its lower density relative to the water, forms a layer of oil on top of the underlying water.
The oil collected in the collection compartment may be removed in different ways. For example, it may be intermittently or continuously pumped to a suitable larger storage vessel or container.
The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for accomplishing the above-described technique.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings and will be described below with reference to the figures of the drawings.
FIGS. 1 to 3 schematically illustrate a skimming apparatus of the invention in different position in a body of water on the surface of which a layer of oil to be recovered floats;
FIGS. 1A and 2A are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, showing a modification of the skimming apparatus;
FIGS. 4 to 7 show a preferred embodiment of the skimmer apparatus according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the skimming apparatus according to the invention comprises a collection vessel 11 the side wall of which includes an upright, generally cylindrical lower part 12 and a likewise upright, generally cylindrical upper part 13 which is telescopically movable within the lower part. The lower end of the upper part is provided with an outwardly directed annular flange 14 in sealing engagement with the inside of the lower part 12 and the upper end is provided with an annular buoyancy body 15. A bottom wall 16 of the collection vessel 11 has a central opening 17 through which a pump 18 can pump water into and out of the upwardly open collection compartment A formed by the collection vessel.
Associated with the collection vessel 11 is a horizontal cover plate 19 with a central opening 20. Cover plate 19 is rigidly connected with the lower vessel part 12 through support members 19A indicated by thin lines in FIGS. 1 to 3.
A collection container 21 shown only partially is sealingly connected to the cover plate 19 such that an intake portion 21A of the container is positioned directly above the cover plate opening 20. The collection container 21 may be, for example, a floating tubular "tank" of flexible film or sheet material and in a manner to be described serves to receive oil which is transferred from the collection vessel 11. A sealing ring 22 positioned around the opening 20 provides a seal between the collection container 21 and the cover plate 19.
Also associated with the collection vessel 11 is a second annular buoyancy body 23 which is positioned within and substantially concentrically with the first-mentioned buoyancy body 15 and which has a depending annular skirt 24. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, this skirt 24, which may possess some resiliency, is frusto-conical with
REFERENCES:
patent: 3741391 (1973-06-01), Donsbach
patent: 3853768 (1974-12-01), Bagnulo
patent: 4356086 (1982-10-01), Oberg
patent: 5308510 (1994-05-01), Gore
Humanteknik AB
Popovics Robert J.
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