Patent ID: 6015501
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: E02B,Y02A,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for skimming a floatable surface layer having a buoyant pollutant from a body of water, the method comprising the steps of:disposing in the body of water a collection vessel having a collection compartment and a skimming weir which forms an upper part of the collection vessel and delimits the collection compartment upwardly, the skimming weir moves vertically relative to an underlying part of the collection vessel,filling the collection compartment with water,causing the skimming weir to take an overflow position relative to the surface layer to allow the surface layer to flow over the skimming weir into the collection compartment by forming and maintaining a water sink in the collection compartment,controlling the overflow position of the skimming weir by applying to the skimming weir a vertical force having a magnitude of which varies in proportion to a difference in head pressure between the collection compartment and the body of water surrounding the collection vessel, anddischarging a supernatant layer of the surface layer in the collection compartment by displacing an amount of water taken from the body of water surrounding the collection vessel and introducing the amount into a lower portion of the collection compartment through a discharge opening which communicates with the collection compartment.