Integrated oil response and recovery system and method and skimmer for use therein

摘要

A skimmer for recovering spilled oil plows through the water at relatively high speeds and operates under a variety of weather conditions. To counteract the pitch and roll of the skimmer while traveling through choppy seas, the skimmer is attached to the propelling vessel by a biaxial mount, which has the shaft perpendicular to the center line of the vessel and horizontal to the water line. This allows the nose section of the skimmer to travel in a vertical direction in concert with oncoming swells and waves. The main control frame of the skimmer is hinged perpendicularly to the vessel shaft yoke to allow the main frame to roll in concert with cross waves and swells. This biaxial mounting allows the nose of the skimmer to remain at a fairly uniform depth in the water no matter which direction the waves are approaching, which allows the skimmer to be attached to virtually any vessel with size and characteristics to accommodate the mass of the skimmer. Pontoons are placed on both sides of the skimmer nose to hold the skimmer nose at a proper depth when moving forward. The pontoons are hinged so as to pivot and stay in concert with the waves and swells to maintain a uniform nose depth. The skimmer belt is a mesh design that will lift high quantities of unwanted material, especially spilled oil, and limit the amount of water that is lifted. Water jets are attached to the mouth of the skimmer to direct unwanted material or spilled oil into the skimmer.