Oil recovery apparatus and method
US5387055A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 12, 1992 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S210/923
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.