System for Collection of Chemical Spill

Abstract

A collecting system for chemical spills is described, comprising an extended, protruding collector arm equipped with, at least, one pontoon ( 14 ) which is arranged to be pulled by a vessel, where the pollution floating on, or in, a water surface ( 50 ) is brought to flow along the pontoon ( 14 ) and to a collecting device ( 20 ) for collection of the chemical spill, and where the, at least, one pontoon ( 14 ) is equipped with a canvas ( 30, 30′ ) that lies around the pontoon ( 14 ). The canvas has a lower part ( 32, 32′ ) that extends out from the pontoon below the surface of water ( 50 ) to separate a surface layer of chemicals and water from the body of water lying underneath, and to lead the chemical to the collecting device ( 20 ), and a rope network ( 18 ) is connected to the canvas ( 30, 30′ ) to pull the canvas ( 30, 30′ ) and the pontoon ( 14 ) in the direction of travel.

1 . Collecting system for chemical spills comprising an extended, protruding collector arm equipped with, at least, one pontoon ( 14 ) which is arranged to be pulled by a vessel, in which pollution floating on or in a water surface ( 50 ) is brought to flow along the pontoon ( 14 ) and to a collection device ( 20 ) for collection of the chemical spill, and where the, at least, one pontoon ( 14 ) is equipped with a canvas ( 30 ,  30 ′) that lies around the pontoon ( 14 ),
 wherein
 the canvas has a lower part ( 32 ,  32 ′) that extends out from the pontoon below the surface of water ( 50 ) to separate a surface layer of chemicals and water from the underlying body of water, and to lead the chemicals to the collecting device ( 20 ), and 
 
 that a rope network ( 18 ) is connected to the canvas ( 30 ,  30 ′) to pull the canvas ( 30 ,  30 ′) and the pontoon ( 14 ) in the direction of travel. 
 
     
     
         2 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the canvas ( 30 ) is arranged around the pontoon ( 14 ), in which the lower part ( 32 ) is formed as a skirt that extends mainly horizontally out under the surface of water ( 50 ), and that an upper part ( 34 ) of the canvas extends mainly horizontally out from the pontoon above the surface of water ( 50 ) and is arranged to function as a splash screen. 
     
     
         3 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the rope network ( 18 ) or the lower part ( 32 ) of the canvas ( 30 ) is equipped with lead weights ( 42 ) arranged to regulate the draught of the canvas ( 30 ) depending on the speed of towing. 
     
     
         4 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the collector arm ( 10 ) is equipped with a second pontoon ( 16 ) where the second pontoon ( 16 ) is arranged in front of the, at least, one pontoon ( 14 ). 
     
     
         5 . System according to  claim 4 , wherein the canvas ( 30 ′) is arranged around both pontoons ( 14 ,  16 ) so that, at least, a partial enclosed space is formed between the pontoons and that the lower part ( 32 ) of the canvas is equipped with several slits ( 40 ) to separate the surface layer of chemicals and water from the body of water lying below. 
     
     
         6 . System according to  claim 5 , wherein the lower part ( 32 ′) of the canvas, is equipped with lead weights ( 42 ′) in an area between the slits ( 40 ) and the pontoon ( 14 ). 
     
     
         7 . System according to  claim 6 , wherein several outlets ( 44 ) for surplus water are arranged in an area adjoining the lead weight ( 42 ′). 
     
     
         8 . System according to  claim 5 , wherein a number of straps ( 36 ) are arranged around one or both pontoons ( 14 ,  16 ) and which are connected to the rope network ( 18 ). 
     
     
         9 . System according to  claim 5 , wherein a number of straps ( 38 ,  38 ′) that are connected to the rope network ( 18 ) run between the first and the second pontoon ( 14 ,  16 ). 
     
     
         10 . System according to  claim 2 , wherein a rear part ( 32   a ) of the lower part ( 32 ′) of the canvas is fastened in front of the rear pontoon ( 14 ), in an area above the water surface ( 50 ). 
     
     
         11 . System according to  claim 10 , wherein a canvas channel ( 60 ) is arranged below the pontoon ( 14 ), where the canvas channel ( 60 ) is watertight at the rear edge ( 62 ) and, at least, partially open at the front ( 64 ), and that the canvas channel ( 60 ) is fastened at the front ( 64 ) to the lower part ( 32 ′). 
     
     
         12 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the collecting device is a pump well ( 20 ) arranged to receive chemicals and water that flow along inwards along the collector arm ( 10 ), and to pump, in the main, chemicals to the vessel or a towing bag. 
     
     
         13 . System according to  claim 5 , wherein a rear part ( 32   a ) of the lower part ( 32 ′) of the canvas is fastened in front of the rear pontoon ( 14 ), in an area above the water surface ( 50 ). 
     
     
         14 . System according to  claim 13 , wherein a canvas channel ( 60 ) is arranged below the pontoon ( 14 ), where the canvas channel ( 60 ) is watertight at the rear edge ( 62 ) and at least, partially open at the front ( 64 ), and that the canvas channel ( 60 ) is fastened at the front ( 64 ) to the lower part ( 32 ′).