Patent · US Expired

Liquid hydrocarbon skimmer systems and methods of monitoring leaks in hazardous liquid tanks

US5284048A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
5References
23Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 28, 1992
Grant dateFeb 8, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 28, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01D17/0214
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A floatable liquid hydrocarbon skimmer system for monitoring possible leaks in hazardous liquid tanks incorporates a vertically disposed tubular housing having an upper end with passages to admit liquid and provides a lower collection chamber for recovered hydrocarbon liquid. The housing has a hydrocarbon liquid-water separator associated with the chamber which has a capillarial filter which will pass only the hydrocarbon liquid through to the collection housing, while being impervious to the passage of water. A wick is in contact with the filter to draw the hydrocarbon liquid to the filter, and a valved outlet passage associated with the collection chamber permits emptying of the collected hydrocarbon liquid back to the tank.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.