Patent ID: 6159361
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: B01D,C02F,E02B,Y02A,Y10S

Abstract:
An oil separating buoyant surface vessel for separating oil from surface water level from a large body of oil-contaminated water and for economically reclaiming this oil, said vessel destined to operate in stationary fashion on the water surface and comprising at least one buoyancy member and a liquid flow-through separator rigid open frame integral to said buoyancy member and destined to be maintained in partly submerged condition in water, said separator frame comprising:a first oil contaminated water collection chamber having a front surface water intake port, a rearwardly upwardly inclined submerged flooring, and at least one first channel member extending to a rear surface water outlet port for free water flow between said water intake port and said rear water outlet port;a second oil accumulating chamber located rearwardly of said first chamber;a third submerged separator chamber located beneath said first and second chambers and having a second channel member, extending to a front submerged water outlet port, a third arcuate channel member, extending through said inclined flooring into said first chamber for fluid communication between said first and third chambers, an intermediate section of said third channel member extending spacedly over water line, and a fourth upright channel member, extending through said inclined flooring and opening at its top end mouth into said second chamber for fluid communication between said second and third chambers, said top end mouth of said fourth channel member being located spacedly over water line;a powered fluid flow system for providing continuous front to rear liquid flow through said device; andan upright overflow tank, having a closed bottom end extending through and beyond said inclined flooring, and a top open mouth extending at water line, with one leg of said third arcuate channel member extending through said upright tank top open mouth and into said upright tank, said third channel member one leg defining a bottom mouth located beneath said first chamber inclined flooring;wherein under the communicating vessel principle, oil rich water overflow occurs between said first chamber and said upright overflow tank through said upright tank top mouth, and oil overflow occurs between said fourth channel member and said second chamber through said fourth channel member top mouth; said second chamber having an access area for collecting the oil accumulating therein;wherein once the large body of water has been decontaminated, liquid overflow automatically stops between said fourth channel member and said second chamber, so that accidental entry of water into said second chamber is prevented throughout operation of said oil separating vessel.