Modular element for absorbing oily substances from surfaces of water bodies and purification system using such elements

Abstract: A module (10) for removing polluting agents from sea surface comprises absorbent polyolefinic fibres (14) enclosed inside a permeable sheath (12), and displays a short-length bundle configuration with star-like or lenticular cross-section. After absorbing oily substances, the cross-section of the module turns into a polygonal or circular configuration.

Description: The present invention relates to systems for the absorption of oily substances from the surface of water bodies. The need is well-known for having available effective means for coping with accidental pollutions of sea surface due, for example, to failures or accidents undergone by tankers, pipelines and the like. Although, clearly, the best safeguard of marine or lake ecosystems consists in preventing any accidental leakages of petroleum or hydrocarbons, it is anyway evident that, until the present transport systems, via sea, of petroleum or its derivatives will be used, the problem of efficaceously facing possible localized pollutions will continue to arise. The present systems for the polluting agent removal of surfaces of water bodies from petroleum or the like, comprise using floating barriers which perform the function of bounding the polluting spot, so as to prevent it from getting further spread by wind and streams, while simultaneously the intervention being allowed of suitable vessels capable of sucking the polluted liquid layer and separating the hydrocarbons from water. Such systems display the drawback that they are only effective under weather conditions which are not too unfavourable, because with choppy sea and with strong wind, the floating barriers no longer offer a security of continuity of protection and can easily capsize. A further disadvantage affecting such a known system consists in that the sucking systems which suck the surface liquid layer are only effective when the thickness of the polluting agent is considerable (higher than 1-2 cm); otherwise, i.e., when the polluting agent has already expanded along sea surface, the separation system must handle too large water volumes relatively to the polluting agent to be separated. In order to obviate such drawbacks, polluting agent-removal systems were proposed which use absorbent elements comprising an external porous sheath suitable for enclosing a fibrous absorbent material. Such systems are known, e.g., from European Patent Application EP No. 295 911, which discloses a mattress or an elongated element comprising a porous external layer of non-woven polyolefinic fibres containing porous particles, with the external layer being sewn with an elastic yarn in such a way as to define equidistant seam lines. European Patent Application EP No. 69 675 illustrates an absorbent carpet for hydrocarbons in which a plurality of absorbent granules based on cellulose fibres are interposed between container nets made from yarns constituted by polyester filaments, with mesh size smaller than the granule size. Such systems known from the prior art are affected by the drawback that they must use large volumes of absorbent elements because, in the initial condition, i.e., before the absorption, a large fraction of total volume is occupied by the "pores" of the absorbent particles. Clearly, such a large volume, relatively to the amount of absorbable agent per unit weight of absorbent element, determines limitations in the amount of absorbent elements which can be transported to the intervention site, which may often be far away from coast. Furthermore, the porous particles used up to date suffer from a limited recycle ability, because wringing out a high percent content of polluting agent absorbed inside them results to be difficult, with in some cases destroying the absorbent elements by incinerating them being preferred. From FR-A-2 146 311 a system for absorbing oily substances from the surface of water, is known as described in the preamble of claim 1 and 6 respectively, comprising a rope wound around two return devices suitable for being installed on board of two vessels sailing along substantially parallel courses and a plurality of modular absorbing tubular elements. At least one of the vessel is provided with a device for wringing out the absorbent elements. The tubular elements are not expandable and cannot assume a contracted configuration before use. WO-A-91/17 295 describes absorbing elements comprising a sheath having a flexible lateral wall folded like a bellows which stretches when oil is absorbed. The absorbing material contained within the sheath is a loosenable pulp of impacted flakes of non-woven polyolefinic fibrils. It is essential that the aborting material has the above structure because a simple compact of non-wowen fibrils does not show a sufficient aborting capability. The volume increase of the expanded element with respect to the contracted configuration is limited. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a system for absorbing oily substances from the surface of water bodies comprising modular absorbent elements of the type comprising an external porous sheath suitable for enclosing a fibrous absorbent material, which does not display the above said drawbacks and which results to be cheap, easy to use, and completely recyclable. This purpose is achieved by the systems defined in independent claims 1 and 6. The sheath has an elongated configuration with flexible walls capable of turning into a contracted configuration before use, and into an expanded configuration after the absorption of oily substances by the fibrous absorbent material. Thanks to such characteristics, the modular absorbent element, before being used, has a volume which approximately is half the volume it will assume in its configuration after use, with a high ratio of the active (absorption) surface : volume. Furthermore, following the wringing out operation, the polluting agent is mostly removed from the element and the latter is capable of turning again back into its initial contracted configuration, also in a partially collapsed form. The modular element shows, in its contracted configuration, a substantially star-like cross-section with concave side walls capable of turning, in its expanded configuration, into a substantially polygonal cross-section. According to a variation, the modular absorbent element shows, in its contracted configuration, a flattened cross-section of substantially lenticular shape capable of turning, in its expanded configuration, into a substantially circular cross-section. The modular absorbent elements used in the system according to the present invention are assembled as bundles arranged in series on a carrier rope wound onto two drive pulleys respectively installed on board of two vessels suitable for sailing along substantially parallel courses in correspondence of the polluted region. In that case, the rope is caused to move, with a to-and-fro movement, a substantially perpendicular trajectory to the direction of advancement of said vessels and can be submitted to wringing on board of one or both of said vessels. It is advantageous if also a floating barrier is used which is constrained, at its ends, to the vessels, so as to define a bounded surface region with a higher concentration of oily polluting agent and consequently obtain a more effective operation of the modular absorbent elements. Further advantages and characteristics of the present invention, as well as further embodiments will clearly appear from the examination of the following disclosure in detail supplied for merely exemplifying, non-limitative purposes, by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1-2 are cross-sectional views of modular absorbent elements usable in the system of the invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent element according to Figure 1, when said absorbent element displays a pod-like configuration (short-length pieces in loose form); Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of the methodology not belonging to the invention of use of the modular element of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the application of the modular absorbent elements according to the invention, as bundles associated with a support rope; Figure 6 shows a schematic plan view of a polluting agent-removal system using the modular elements of Figure 5; Figure 7 illustrates the polluting agent-removal system of Figure 6 associated with a floating container barrier; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a variation of the application of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view according to the section line X-X of Figure 8; Figure 11 shows a plan view of the polluting agent-removal system of Figure 8; Figure 12 shows a schematic view of a wringing out device for the modular elements, used in the polluting agent-removal system of Figure 8; Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 14 is a detail view, on enlarged scale, of Figure 13; Figure 15 shows a cross-sectional view made along section line XV-XV of Figure 13; and Figure 16 shows a schematic plan view which illustrates a typology of use of the modular absorbent elements of Figure 13. Referring to the drawings, with the reference numeral (10) a continuous modular absorbent element is generally illustrated, comprising an external net (12) of a polyolefinic polymeric material, suitable for containing water-repellant polyolefinic fibres (14). Such fibres, preferably having a count of approximately 2.8 dtex, absorb, under conditions of static immersion, an oil weight which is approximately 30 times as high as their own weight (approximately 11 times after a strong shaking). Alternatively to, or jointly with, said net (12), a layer of polyolefinic non-woven or woven fabric may be used. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the external net was thermoformed in such a way as to take a star-like configuration in which concave side walls (P) are defined. At the "vertices" (V) of the star, exactly as at the junction zones between the substantially planar faces (12a) of the concave walls (P) of the element (10), longitudinal reinforcer element (16) of polypropylene are arranged which are in the form of an interlaced fibre rope, partially thermowelded to the net (12). At the vertices (V), the reinforcer elements (16) are thermowelded internally to the net (12), and at said concave walls (P) junction zones, the longitudinal reinforcer elements (16) are thermowelded externally to the net (12). Centrally to the element (10) there is provided a flexible core (18) made of a closed-cells foamed polyolefinic material, suitable for securing the desired buoyancy of the element (10). Centrally to said flexible core (18) there is provided a longitudinal reinforcer element (19) analogous to the above mentioned longitudinal reinforcer elements (16). In order to manufacture the modular element (10), a continuous process is used in which the net (12) is fed to heated forming rolls, so as to cause said net to assume the desired configuration. Inside the interior of the shaped net the foamed core (18) is inserted together with the absorbent polyolefinic fibres (14) which, owing to the temperature reached by the net (12) during the thermoforming step, partially adhere to the net. In that way, a manufactured article is obtained in the form of a bundle which can be cut when hot, in correlation with the different used typologies, so as to thermoweld the net (12) to the central core (18) in the cut regions (Figure 3). When the element (10) is used, on considering the inert internal volume occupied by the foamed core (18), volume increases of 2.5-3 times the initial volume are achieved. Of course, to such a volume increase a change corresponds in the shape of the cross-section, which from a star-like or triangular configuration turns into a substantially hexagonal cross-section (shown in dashed line in Figure 1), with sides of approximately 2.5-3.5 cm. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the cross-section displays, in the elastically contracted configuration of the element (10), a lens shape at whose vertices the longitudinal reinforcer elements (16) are arranged. In Figure 2, the expanded configuration, after the occurred absorption of the oily substance, is illustrated with a short dashed line (a substantially circular cross-section). In the instance when the absorbent elements (10) are cut into short-length pieces (for example, as illustrated in Figure 3), in such as to have a longitudinal size which is either equal to or slightly longer than the cross size (average diameter preferably of the order of from 4.5 to 7 cm), one might think of using said elements "in their pristine state", by simply spreading them onto the polluted surface. Such a use is particularly advantageous when one wishes to intervene with extreme urgence, in the nearby of coast, and under bad weather conditions. In Figure 4, one application is illustrated not belonging to the invention in which the absorbent elements "in bulk" are confined inside a net (R) launched by a helicopter (E) onto a polluted surface (S). The storage of elements (10), instead inside a net (R), can be carried out inside a container or under compressed and/or vacuum packages in order to further reduce the already reduced volume of the same elements (in an elastically contracted configuration). The skimming of the modular elements (10), can be carried out by means of any of the well-known systems to those skilled in the art, e.g., by means of a so-said ribbon "skimmer" (M) (Figure 4), which also collects the semi-solid polluting materials present on surface (S). With the skimmer (M), arranged on a subsidiary vessel (B), a wringing out unit (C) is advantageously associated, which performs the task of wringing the elements (10), in such a way as to secure an immediate re-use of said elements. In Figures 5 and 6, the application is displayed of the absorbent elements (10), cut into short-length pieces, gathered as bundles (F) and associated with a towing rope (22). Each element (10) is provided with a first end (10a) fastened to a bushing (24) of polymeric material tightly fastened onto the rope (22), and a second end (10b) fastened to a bundle (26), also of polymeric material, slidingly mounted on the rope (22). The bushings (24) are fastened onto the rope (22) with a constant pitch, so as to define a plurality of fusiform bundles (F), constituted by filamentary elements (10) arranged around the carrier rope (22). Between each pair of fixed and sliding bushes (24) and (26) respectively, an elongated sleeve (28) of foamed polymeric material is interposed, suitable for acting as a float element for the carrier rope (22). Such a system of absorption of oily polluting agents also enables high-viscosity materials (lumps, clots, sludges) to be partially recovered, which are "captured" inside the area defined between the rope (22) and the modular elements (10) (with such an area being variable because of the wavy motion and of the buoyancy). The change in that internal area consequent to the "opening" of the modular elements (10) is well visible in Figure 5. In Figure 6, a wringing out unit (30) and respectively a return unit (32) used together with the polluting agent-removal system of Figure 5 are schematically illustrated. Such units are respectively installed on a vessel (H) (Figure 7) provided with a storage tank for the oily polluting agent and on a subsidiary vessel (K), both sailing along courses substantially parallel to each other (preferably at a speed of approximately 0.5 m/sec). With the carrier-rope polluting agents-removal system a floating barrier (G) is advantageously associated, laid between both vessels (H) and (K). A skimmer (M) can advantagesouly be associated with the vessel (H). The above disclosed system is particularly useful for high seas applications and in those cases where the reduced thickness of the oily surface layer renders practically useless any interventions with pumps and polluting agent/water separation devices. In Figures 8-10 a different embodiment is illustrated of the polluting agent-removal system of Figure 7 in which with the floating barrier (G) associated are a plurality of rings (A) (one ring per each barrier segment), defined by stiff "C"-shaped element (34) provided with an upper bent end (34a) fastened to the float (G 1 ) of the barrier (G) and with a lower end (34b) fastened at the lower edge of the barrier. Through the interior of rings (A) a branch, preferably the going branch, of the rope (22) is caused to run (Figure 11) [wherein, by "going branch" that branch of the rope is meant which is caused to slide, substantially perpendicularly to the direction af advancement of the vessels, from the "mother" vessel (H) to the subsidiary vessel (K)]. Furthermore, differently to the arrangement as illustrated in Figures 5-6, the bundles (F) of modular elements (10) are not arranged coaxial to the towing rope (22), but parallel to it and constrained to it by means of shaped arms (36) fastened in (38) (with an invitation-profiled head) onto the rope (22). Such a configuration enables the rope to slide through the rings in an easier way, as well as the modular elements (10) to be completely wrung out, so as illustrated in Figure 12, wherein with (40) and (42) the two shaped wringing out rollers are indicated. The use of rings (A) associated with the floating barrier (G) makes it possible both the threshold advancement speed, at which the floating barriers will capsize, to be increased, and the continuous removal of the polluting agent along the accumulation front to be favoured (in particular in the presence of thin layers of oily liquid), and, finally, any possible mutual interferences, tangling, and so forth, to be prevented of the two branches of the towing rope (22), the tension of which keeps the going branch, constrained to the barrier, and the return branch, which can freely translate transversely to the barrier (G), spaced away from each other. In Figures 13-15, a different typology of use of the absorbent modular elements (10) is illustrated. In such an embodiment, a plurality of such absorbent elements is interposed between, and constrained to, one pair of hollow, rigid floating bars (44) made of a polymeric material, so as to form a module (W) shaped as a quadrangular carpet. The floating bars (44) of adjacent modules (W) are articulatedly linked to each other, for example by means of rapid-disengagement rings (46) (Figure 14), so as to define a continuous stripe constituted by modules (W), and which easily matches to the wavy motion. In order to prevent the absorbent modular elements (10) from undergoing excessively high tensile stresses, the pairs of floating bars (44) of each module (W) are united to each other by side and central flexible ribbons (48) performing the task of tensile-resistant reinforcer elements only provided with side stiffness in the floating plane. The storage of modules (W) can be carried out by stacking them on each other, or by winding them in roll form. An example of use of modules (W) is illustrated in Figure 16, in which with the vessel (H) a device (50) is associated for axially moving and wringing out the modules (W); it clearly results that by suitably combining the motion of slow advancement of the vessel (H) with the axial movement of modules (W) linked to each other, the floating polluting agents can be removed from the desired surface of the water body. According to a different use modality, groups of modules (W) are installed in correspondence of the polluted region, and are subsequently recovered by vessels provided with tanks for storing them. Furthermore, the use is provided of elements (W) as alternating parallel barriers for the temporary protection of coast from accidental pollutions, in particular under unfavourable sea conditions. In such an application, each module is preferably provided with ballasted side panels (not depicted in the drawings), suitable for acting as floating barriers.

Claims: System for absorbing oily substances from the surface of water bodies, comprising a rope (22) wound around two return devices suitable for being installed on board of two vessels (H, K) sailing along substantially parallel courses, associated with said rope (22) are a plurality of absorbing elements (10), said rope being suitable for being caused to advance along its axis and transversally to it, along the surface (S) of the water body, in order to absorb via said elements (10) the oily substance, with on at least one of said vessels a device (30) being provided for wringing out the absorbent elements (10), characterized in that it comprises a plurality of modular absorbent elements (10) containing a fibrous absorbent material (14) and having an elongated shape, with a sheat (12) having flexible walls (P) capable of turning into a contracted configuration before use displaying either a substantially star-like, also partially collapsed, cross-section with concave side walls (P) or a flattened cross-section of lenticular shape and into an expanded configuration, displaying either a substantially polygonal cross-section or a substantially circular cross-section, after the absorption has taken place of oily substances by the fibrous absorbent material, said absorbent elements having, in central position, a flexible cylindrical core (18) of a foamed polymeric material suitable for securing the desired buoyancy of the elements. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the absorbent modular elements (10) are arranged as fusiform groups (F) around the carrier rope (22), with each element (10) being provided with a first end (10a) constrained to a bushing (24) fastened onto the rope (22) and a second end (10b) constrained to a bushing (26) slightingly mounted on said rope (22). System according to claim 1, characterized in that said system furthermore comprises a floating barrier (G) laid between both vessels (H, K), in the nearby of the above said rope (22). System according to claim 3, characterized in that said floating barrier (G) comprises a plurality of flagwise arranged, ring-shaped guides (A) through the interior of which at least one branch is destined to run of the rope (22) bearing the absorbent elements (10). System according to claim 1, characterized in that said absorbent elements display, in correspondence of longitudinal regions of juncture between the flexible walls (P), elongated reinforcer elements (16) as ropes of polymeric fibres partially thermowelded to the external sheath (12) of a polymeric material. System for absorbing oily substances from the surface of water bodies, characterized in that said system comprises a plurality of modular elements (10), each of which is provided with an external porous sheath (12) enclosing a fibrous absorbent material, said sheath (12) having an elongated shape with flexible walls (P) capable of turning into a contracted configuration before use displaying either a substantially star-like, also partially collapsed, cross-section with concave side walls (P) or a flattened cross-section of lenticular shape and into an expanded configuration displaying either a substantially polygonal cross-section or a substantially circular cross-section after the absorption ha taken place of oily substances by the fibrous absorbent material (14), said modular elements (10) being provided with respective ends fastened to floats (44) shaped as substantially parallel bars, such floats (44) being articulatedly linked as pairs by central flexible ribbons in order to define a floating flexible ribbon (W) suitable for being laid on the surface (S) of the water body.

Inventors: ADDEO ANTONIO, VERZELLI ALBERTO, ADDEO, ANTONIO, VERZELLI, ALBERTO
Applicants: HIMONT ITALIA, MONTELL ITALIA S.P.A.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: E02B15
IPC codes: E02B15, C02F1