Apparatus for Continuously Collecting Viscous Material

Abstract

A reclamation system and method using at least one, and in some cases several, buoyant cylinders for removing viscous material, e.g., oil and oil-based products, from a body of water is disclosed. The system and method use the natural tendency of such material to adhere to a surface as it is rotated through the body of water and then actively remove the material for transfer into a collection receptacle. Numerous cylinders can be aligned side-by-side and configured to contain as well as remove viscous material along the surface of a body of water.

1 . A method for continuously collecting viscous material from the surface of a body of water, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing at least one buoyant cylinder having a surface area;   propelling the at least one cylinder across a surface of a contaminated body of water at a speed;   rotating the at least one cylinder in the direction of movement at a rate at least equal to the speed at which the at least one cylinder is being propelled;   allowing viscous material to adhere to the surface of the at least one rotating cylinder;   removing the viscous material from the at least one cylinder surface after it has separated from the water; and   collecting the viscous material in a storage receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of removing viscous material comprises the step of wiping the at least one cylinder surface with a wiping device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the storage receptacle is removable. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a return plate in communication with each cylinder to prevent removed material from returning to the water. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of allowing the removed material to flow into the storage receptacle after passing the return plate, wherein the receptacle has a valve, a seal and a check valve between the return plate and the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of continuously pumping viscous material from the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the storage receptacle is attached to the rotating cylinder. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the return plate adjusts to allow viscous material adhered to the cylinder to pass under and viscous material removed from the cylinder to pass over and into the storage receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of channeling contaminated water toward the rotating cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant cylinder is propelled by a human-operated machine. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant cylinder is propelled by a human-powered machine. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant cylinder is self-propelled. 
     
     
         13 . The method  claim 1 , further comprising of the step of utilizing a wave shield to protect the cylinder from being splashed by waves allowing use in rougher seas. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of spraying a dispersant onto the water behind the cylinder. 
     
     
         15 . A system for collecting viscous material from a surface of water, the system comprising:
 at least one buoyant cylinder having a surface area;   a propulsion source for moving the cylinder in a direction across the surface of a body of water at a given speed;   an axis passing longitudinally through the cylinder to allow rotation of the cylinder in the direction of movement at a rate at least equal to the speed at which the cylinder is being moved;   a wiping device for removing viscous material from the surface of the cylinder; and   a storage receptacle for collecting the removed viscous material.   
     
     
         16 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 14 , wherein the propulsion source comprises a human-operated vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 14 , wherein the propulsion source comprises a human-powered vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 14 , wherein the propulsion source comprises a self-propelled vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 14 , further comprising a vacuum pump for continuously transferring viscous material from the storage receptacle to a primary storage tank. 
     
     
         20 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 14 , further comprising a wave deflector positioned for shielding the cylinder from waves. 
     
     
         21 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 14 , further comprising a containment plate positioned proximate the cylinder to prevent material from escaping past the system. 
     
     
         22 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 14 , wherein a plurality of buoyant cylinders are arranged to collect viscous material. 
     
     
         23 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 14 , further comprising a discharge nozzle and water pump connected to the nozzle, wherein water is pumped through the nozzle toward a land mass. 
     
     
         24 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 14 , wherein two cylinders are used. 
     
     
         25 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 24 , wherein the two cylinders are positioned to form an angle. 
     
     
         26 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 25 , wherein the angle is in the range of from about 70 to about 150 degrees. 
     
     
         27 . The system for collecting viscous material as described in  claim 24 , wherein the two cylinders are parallel to one another.