Recovering oil from tanks of submerged ship - uses alternate compressed air and water cycles to fill and discharge bell connected to surface

摘要

The installation comprises a bell (5) placed near the oil (2) in the ship's tank (2a). A pipe (10) injects compressed air (11) into a collar (9a) around a perforated second pipe (9) on the bell. The water in the latter is air lifted to the surface and stored (12), oil being sucked (7) into the bell. When the stored water level operates a switch (12a), the air lift stops and the same water is pumped (p13) into the bell, its suction valve (7a) being closed. The oil is forced (4) to the surface, where it is heated (15) and transferred (3). The cycles are then repeated.