Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02592903 2007-06-26
OIL SPILL RECOVERY SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to an oil spill recovery system, and
more particularly to a multiple stage oil spill recovery system.
Oil spills are an increasing problem in today's society. The increasing size
and frequency of oil spills on the earth's waterways, lakes, rivers and
oceans, is
devastating to the ecologically sensitive environment of the earth. In
addition, and
due to the increasing dependency of humans on the use of oil, gasoline and
diesel,
oil spills can be potentially devastating to the world's economy.
Oil recovery systems are known for aiding in the clean up of oil spills on the
earth's waterways or land masses. One known oil spill recovery system includes
the
use of a large sponge to soak up the contaminated water. Once the contaminated
water is absorbed by the sponge, any excess water is squeezed out of the
sponge.
The sponge is then rolled up and transferred to a landfill where it is buried.
Disadvantageously, sponge systems of this type require humans to enter the
contaminated water to roll out and position the sponge in the contaminated
area. In
addition, the necessity to bury the contaminated sponge has environmental
implications of its own.
Other oil spill recovery systems include the ability to separate oil from
water.
An oil-water mixture is pumped into a separator apparatus. The oil separates
to the
top of the separator apparatus due to the difference in density of the oil
from the
water. Once separated, the oil may be removed from the top of the apparatus
while
the water may be separately removed from the bottom of the apparatus. However,
oil separators of this type are typically quite large which may limit their
use to large
oil spills only. In addition, oil separators may be susceptible to remixture
of the oil
and water within the separator apparatus due to rough water or strong currents
which
cause instability of the vessel the oil separator is carried on.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an oil spill recovery system that is
environmentally friendly, simple to operate and effective to clean up oil
spills of any
magnitude.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An oil spill recovery system includes a first separator tank and a second
separator tank. The first separator tank has a first volume and the second
separator
tank has a second volume that is different from the first volume. Each of the
first
separator tank and the second separator tank include an intake pipe having a
plurality of branch outlets that receive an oil-water mixture and facilitate
separation
of the water from the oil.
A multistage oil spill recovery system includes a first separator tank and at
least one pressurized nozzle within the first separator tank. The pressurized
nozzle
is operable to inject boiling water into the first separator tank to
facilitate the
separation of an oil-sand mixture.
A method for separating an oil, water and sand mixture includes the steps of
filling a first separator tank with boiling water, communicating an oil-sand
mixture
into the first separator tank to separate the oil from the sand, and
communicating the
oil and the boiling water from the first separator tank into a second
separator tank to
separate the oil from the boiling water.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent
to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the
currently
preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can
be briefly described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example oil spill recovery system having
multiple stages;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the separation of an oil-water
mixture into a water phase and an oil phase;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example inlet pipe configuration for the
example oil spill recovery system illustrated in Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of another example oil spill recovery system;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example sand, oil and water separation
tank.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to Figure 1, an oil spill recovery system 10 for cleaning a body of
water 12, such as an ocean, river, stream or any other waterway, includes a
collector
head 14, a pump 16, an oil-water separator 18 and an oil storage tank 20.
Although
the oil spill recovery system 10 of the present invention is shown and
described in
terms of separation of water from oil, it should be understood that gas,
diesel or any
other substances may be separated by the example oil spill recovery system 10.
In
addition, the oil spill recovery system 10 may be utilized to clean any type
of land
mass that is contaminated by the occurrence of an oil spill.
The collector head 14 utilizes a suction created by the pump 16 to lift an oil-
water mixture from the body of water 12, for example. The oil-water mixture is
communicated from the collector head 14 to a conduit 22. The collector head 14
may be any known apparatus for lifting an oil-water mixture from a body of
water
12. In one example, the collector head includes pontoon floats to enable the
flotation of the collector head 14 on the body of water 12.
In one example, the pump 16 is a vacuum pump. In another example, the
pump 16 is a venturi type pump. It should be understood that any known pump
may
be utilized with the example oil spill recovery system 10. The specific size
and
power capabilities of the pump will vary depending upon the size of the
waterway
being cleaned, the speed at which the contamination must be removed and other
design specific parameters.
An example oil-water separator 18 includes a two-stage separator with a first
separator tank 24 and a second separator tank 26. It should be understood that
the
actual number of stages utilized by the oil spill recovery system 10 will vary
according to the size of the body of water 12 being cleaned, the speed at
which the
contamination must be removed and other design specific parameters.
The oil-water separator 18 includes the first separator tank 24 and the second
separator tank 26. In one example, the first separator tank 24 defines a first
volume
V 1 which is different from a second volume V2 defined by the second separator
tank 26. The first separator tank 24 and the second separator tank 26 each
include a
tank cover 28, 46, respectively, which seal the Volumes V l, V2 defined by
each of
the first separator tank 24 and the second separator tank 26. The tank covers
28, 46,
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combined with the suction created by the pump 16, maintain a constant pressure
within the first separator tank 24 and the second separator tank 26.
Advantageously,
the constant pressure achieved within the first separator tank 24 and the
second
separator tank 26 maintains the separation of the water from the oil within
the tanks
26, 28, during unstable periods. That is, the water remains separated from the
oil
even where the vessel (i.e., boat, truck, etc.) carrying the oil-water
separator 18
rocks, shifts, etc. Therefore, the example oil-water separator 18 provides the
advantage of being moveable.
In the first stage of the oil-water separator 18, the oil-water mixture enters
through a sidewall 30 of the first separator tank 24 via the conduit 22. In
one
example, the conduit 22 is a flexible hose. The oil-water mixture is
communicated
from the conduit 22 to an intake pipe 32. The oil-water mixture exits the
intake pipe
32 via a plurality of apertures 61 (see Figure 4) and enters the first volume
V 1 of the
first separator tank 24. Once inside the first volume V 1 of the first
separator tank
24, the oil and water separate into an oil phase 0 and a water phase W by
virtue of
their different specific gravities (see Figure 2). In addition, the constant
pressure
maintained within the first separator tank 24 further forces the water and the
oil to
separate into the oil phase 0 and the water phase W.
In one example, oil is forced to rise toward a top end 34 of the first
separator
tank 24 and water trickles toward a bottom end 36 of the first separator tank
24. In
the event that water exits the intake pipe 32 above the oil phase 0, the water
trickles
through the oil phase 0 as it gravitates toward the bottom end 36. As the
water
passes through the oil phase, the water has a tendency to let go of its oil
content, i.e.,
oil molecules attract one another.
The water that accumulates at the bottom end 36 of the first separator tank 24
is discharged via a discharge conduit 38. In one example, the water is
discharged
from the first separator tank 24 to a water reservoir 40. In another example,
the
water is returned to the body of water 12 from which it was removed. The water
may
be discharged from the first separator tank 24 in any known manner.
A valve system 42 is positioned between the first separator tank 24 and the
second separator tank 26 to control the pressure within the first volume V 1
of the
first separator tank 24 and to control the communication of oil phase 0 from
the first
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separator tank 24 to the second separator tank 26. The valve system 42 is
selectively
closed to increase the pressure inside the first separator tank 24 and
facilitate the
separation of the oil-water mixture into the oil phase 0 and the water phase
W. The
valve system 42 is selectively opened to allow a remaining amount of the oil-
water
mixture to enter the second separator tank 26 via conduit 44.
The second separator tank 26 represents a second stage of the example oil
spill recovery system 10. In some instances, the oil-water mixture that enters
the
first separator tank 24 completely separates the water from the oil. However,
the
second stage of the oil spill recovery system 10 is provided to ensure the
complete
separation of the oil from the water.
The second separator tank 26 is similar to the first separator tank 24 and
includes a tank cover 46 to provide a completely pressurized tank. However,
the
second separator tank 26 preferably defines a second volume V2 which is a
different
volume than the first volume V 1 of the first separator tank 24. A second
intake pipe
48 is positioned within the second separator tank 26 and in communication with
the
conduit 44. The conduit 44 is communicated through a sidewall 31 of the second
separator tank 26. In one example, the conduit 44 is positioned through the
sidewall
31 at a different height as the conduit 22 along sidewa1131 of the first
separator tank
24. This facilitates the maintenance of the pressure within the first and
second
separator tanks 24, 26.
The oil-water mixture communicated from the first separator tank 24 exits
the second intake pipe 48 through a plurality of apertures 61 (see Figure 3)
and
enters the volume V2. Upon separation due to varying pressures within the oil-
water separator 18 and the specific gravity difference between the water and
the oil,
the separated oil settles at the top end 50 of the second separator tank 26
and the
water settles at a bottom end 52 of the second separator tank 26. The
separated oil is
communicated via a discharge oil conduit 54 to the oil storage tank 20. The
separated water is communicated via a discharge water conduit 56 to either the
water
reservoir 20 or returned to the body of water 12 from which it was removed. In
one
example, a pump is utilized to remove the water and oil from the second
separator
tank 26.
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Figure 3 illustrates the intake pipes 32, 48 of the separator tanks 24, 26.
The
intake pipes 32, 48 include a central pipe 58 and a plurality of branch
outlets 60. In
one example, the central pipe 58 and the plurality of branch outlets 60 are
stainless
steel. However, other materials may comprise these components. The central
pipe
58 connects to the conduits 22, 44 and is hollow to receive and communicate
the oil-
water mixtures to the first and second volumes V l, V2 of the separator tanks
24, 26.
The oil-water mixture exits the branch outlets 60 via apertures 61 to enter
the
volumes V I, V2. The central pipe 58 is sealed off at its bottom end 63. The
diameter of the central pipe 58 will vary depending upon the size of the
separator
tank in which it is mounted.
The plurality of branch outlets 60 extend transversely from the central pipe
58, and extend perpendicularly, in one example. In one example, the branch
outlets
60 are welded to the central pipe 58. The actual number of branch outlets 60
included on the intake pipes 32, 44 is dependent upon the size of the
separator tank
24, 26 for which the intake pipe 32, 44 is mounted within and the flow
requirements
of the example oil spill recovery system 10. In one example, the diameter of
the
plurality of branch outlets 60 is smaller than the diameter of the central
pipe 58. The
branch outlets 60 provide a reduction of pressure to the oil-water mixture
located
within the central pipe 58 and allow for the continuous communication of the
oil-
water mixture from the conduits 22, 44 to the volumes V 1, V2. Therefore, a
reduced
amount of time is required to complete the oil spill recovery.
In one example, the number of branch outlets 60 provided on the intake pipe
32 of the first separator tank 24 is different from the number of branch
outlets 60 of
the second intake pipe 48 of the second separator tank 26 because of the
relative
volume difference between the first separator tank 24 and the second separator
tank
26. A person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure would
be able to select the size, quantity and positioning of the branch outlet 60
for each
separator tank 24, 26 based upon design specific parameters.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a second example oil spill recovery system 70.
The oil spill recovery system 70 is a multiple stage recovery system. The oil
spill
recovery system 70 may be utilized to clean a contaminated area such as a body
of
water, waterway, or any type of land mass. In one example, the oil spill
recovery
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system 70 is capable of separating an oil-sand-water mixture. Although
described in
terms of the separation of sand, oil and water, it should be understood that
gas,
diesel or any other substances may be separated by the example oil spill
recovery
system 70.
The oil spill recovery system 70 includes a first separator tank 72 and a
second separator tank 74. In one example, the first separator tank 72 is
operable to
separate sand and oil and the second separator tank is operable to separate
oil and
water, as is further discussed below. The second separator tank 74 may include
multiple stages to adequately separate the water and the oil. For example, the
second separator tank 74 may include the oil-water separator 18 discussed
above
with respect to the oil spill recovery system 10.
The first separator tank 72 includes an inlet 78 for receiving an oil-sand
mixture. Similar to the oil spill recovery system 10, a collector head 80 and
a pump
82 are utilized to lift an oil-sand mixture from a contaminated area and
communicate
the mixture through a conduit 81 and the inlet 78 such that the mixture enters
a
volume of the first separator tank 72.
The first separator tank 72 also includes a pressurized nozzle 84 for
injecting
boiling water within the first separator tank 72 (See Figure 6). In one
example, the
first separator tank 72 includes a plurality of pressurized nozzles 84
disposed within
the tank 72 and operable to inject boiling water within the first separator
tank 72. A
pump 82, such as a gear pump, may be used to inject the boiling water. In
another
example, the pressurized nozzles 84 are stainless steel. At least one of the
pressurized nozzles 84 is positioned at an angle toward a bottom end 86 of the
first
separator tank 72. The pressurized nozzles create a whirl-pool effect within
the first
separator tank 72 that facilitates the separation of the sand and the oil. A
person of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure would be able
to
determine the appropriate size, quantity, positioning and material of the
pressurized
nozzles 84 to create the whirl-pool effect and adequately separate the oil and
the
sand.
A heater 88 is provided within a recess 90 positioned adjacent to the bottom
end 86 of the first separator tank 72 (Figure 5). In one example, the heater
88 is a
gas heater. In another example, the heater 88 is an electric heater. It should
be
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understood that any type of heater is within the contemplation of this
invention. The
heater 88 maintains the water within the first storage tank 72 at or near a
boiling
point. The heater 88 maintains at boiling point, in combination with the
pressurized
nozzles 84, brings the oil-water mixture toward a top end 92 of the first
separator
tank and draws the sand toward the bottom end 86 of the first separator tank
72. The
first separator tank 72 further includes a sand discharge outlet 96 and an oil-
water
outlet 98 for discharging the sand and the oil-water mixture from the first
separator
tank 72.
To separate an oil, water and sand mixture with the oil spill recovery system
70, the first separator tank 72 is filled with boiling water such that a
portion of the
hot water backs up into the second separator tank 74 via a conduit 100 which
connects the first separator tank 72 to the second separator tank 74. An oil-
sand
mixture is pumped through the inlet 78 of the first separator tank 72 via the
conduit
81. The conduit 81 connects the first separator tank 72 to the pump 82 and the
collector head 80.
The boiling water facilitates the separation of the oil-sand mixture into an
oil-water phase and a sand phase. The sand gravitates toward the bottom end 86
of
the first separator tank 72 and the oil-water mixture rises towards the top
end 92 of
the first separator tank 72. The pressurized nozzles 84 of the first separator
tank 72
facilitate the separation of the sand from the oil and water by creating the
whirl-pool
effect therein. The pressurized nozzles 84 inject additional boiling water
into the
first separator tank 72 after the sand-oil mixture is pumped into the first
separator
tank 72. Once separated, the sand is pumped from the first separator tank 72
into a
separate storage tank 102. Meanwhile, the oil-boiling water mixture is
communicated through the oil-water outlet 98 and into the second separator
tank 74
via a conduit 104.
Next, the second and third separator tanks 74, 76 facilitate the separation of
the oil-water mixture in a manner substantially similar to the oil spill
recovery
system 10. It should be understood that the second and third separator tanks
74, 76
may include a multitude of separator tanks to achieve greater separator of the
water
from the oil. The second and third separator tanks 74, 76 may also include a
heater
88 to facilitate improved separation of the water and the oil. A third
separator tank
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76 receives the oil water mixture from the first separator tank 74 and
performs an
additional separation of oil and water. The separated oil is communicated via
a
discharge oil conduit 110 to an oil storage tank 112.
The separated water is communicated via a discharge water conduit 114 to
either a water reservoir 116 or returned to the body of water from which it
was
removed. In one example, a pump is utilized to remove the water and oil from
the
second separator tank 26. In another example, the discharge conduits 110, 114
are
gravity fed.
The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any
limiting sense. A worker of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that
certain
modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For this reason,
the
following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of
the
present invention.
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