Patent ID: 6251286
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: B01D,C02F,E03F,Y10S

Abstract:
A skimmer system for removing a layer of oil or other petroleum derivative from the surface of water, comprising:a skimmer capable of floating in a body of water which may contain petroleum derivatives, the skimmer including a skimmer body with a liquid entrance, a buoyancy float on the skimmer body for providing permanent buoyancy for the skimmer, a sump within the skimmer body for receiving skimmed liquid taken into the skimmer through the liquid entrance from the body of water, and a floating, articulated weir positioned at the liquid entrance to the skimmer and positioned to float on the surface of the liquid within the skimmer sump, when such liquid is present,control means remote from the skimmer for receiving signals from the skimmer as to the status of the skimmer and liquid levels within the skimmer, and for controlling operations of the skimmer with in the body of water, and including a communication line between the skimmer and the control means,water pumping means for withdrawing water from the skimmer, from a position near a bottom of the sump, when signaled to do so by the control means,oil pumping means for withdrawing petroleum derivative from the skimmer, from an upper position in the sump near the surface of liquid normally maintained within the sump during a skimming operation, when signaled to do so by the control means,oil layer sensing means within the skimmer, for determining depth of a layer of petroleum derivative, if any, floating on the surface of water within the sump,the control means including skimmer activating means for switching on the water pumping means to withdraw water from the sump, causing liquid from the body of water to enter the skimmer and to be skimmed over the floating weir, whenever it is determined by the control means that a skim should be activated, and for maintaining a skim by withdrawal of water from the skimmer sump when input signals from the skimmer indicate appropriate status of the skimmer, andoil pump control means within the control means, for activating the oil pumping means to pump petroleum derivative out of the skimmer sump when the depth of petroleum derivative floating on the water is at least a first predetermined depth as determined by said oil layer sensing means, and for continuing the oil pumping means until the depth of oil within the sump reaches a second and lesser predetermined depth.