Systems and Methods for Filtering and Capturing Waterway Wastes

Abstract

Described are methods and systems for filtering and capturing waterway wastes. The system can include a bottom section that can remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface, a side section, a top section that adjusts in response to a change in the height of the waterway surface, a waste capture apparatus for collecting waterway waste, a floatation device, and a first mounting device. The method can include the steps of providing a waterway waste capturing device including top and bottom sections, adjusting the height of the top section based on the height of the waterway, and collecting waterway wastes. By filtering and capturing waterway wastes in accordance with the inventions provided herein, one can efficiently and effectively improve the manner in which wastes and other debris are removed from a waterway, thus mitigating the wastes' adverse environmental effects and significantly decreasing the cost of its removal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes, wherein the system comprises:
 a bottom section, wherein the height of the bottom section is adapted to remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface in a waterway;   a side section;   a top section, wherein the height of the top section adjusts in response to a change in the height of the waterway surface;   a waste capture apparatus, wherein the system is adapted to collect waterway wastes on a first side of the waterway waste capturing device; and   a floatation device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a first support, wherein the first support is adapted to provide support for the waste capture apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the top section is coupled to a first expansion device adapted to facilitate an adjustment of the height of the top section based on the rise or fall of the waterway surface in the waterway. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the waste capture apparatus further comprises a top portion of the waste capture apparatus coupled to the top section and a bottom portion of the waste capture apparatus coupled to the bottom section. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the waste capture apparatus further comprises a filter device, wherein the filter device is adapted to facilitate the flow of a liquid from a first side of the waste capture apparatus to a second side of the waste capture apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising an antimicrobial substance, wherein the antimicrobial substance is coupled to the filter device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a liquid waste filter device, wherein the liquid waste filter device is adapted to filter and/or capture oil or liquid hydrocarbon wastes. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the liquid waste filter device is coupled to the bottom section. 
     
     
         9 . A method for filtering and capturing waterway wastes, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 providing a waterway waste capturing device comprising a top section and a bottom section, wherein the height of the bottom section is adapted to remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface in a waterway;   adjusting the height of the top section based on the height of the waterway surface in the waterway; and   collecting waterway wastes on a first side of the waterway waste capturing device.   
     
     
         10 . The method for filtering and capturing waterway wastes according to  claim 9  further comprising the step of filtering water of the waterway to facilitate the flow of a liquid from the first side of the waterway waste capturing device to a second side of the waterway waste capturing device. 
     
     
         11 . The method for filtering and capturing waterway wastes according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of filtering water further comprising the step of inhibiting the growth and/or distribution of microbes or other microorganisms in the waterway. 
     
     
         12 . The method for filtering and capturing waterway wastes according to  claim 9 , wherein the step of adjusting the height of the top section based on the height of a waterway surface in the waterway is at least partially controlled by the buoyancy of a floatation device. 
     
     
         13 . The method for filtering and capturing waterway wastes according to  claim 9  further comprising the step of filtering liquid wastes, wherein the liquid wastes comprise oil or liquid hydrocarbon wastes. 
     
     
         14 . The method for filtering and capturing waterway wastes according to  claim 9  further comprising the step of adjusting the width of the waterway waste capturing device. 
     
     
         15 . The method for filtering and capturing waterway wastes according to  claim 9  further comprising the step of coupling the waterway waste capturing device to at least one bank of the waterway. 
     
     
         16 . The method for filtering and capturing waterway wastes according to  claim 9  further comprising the step of limiting the maximum height of the top section of the waterway waste capturing device. 
     
     
         17 . A system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes, wherein the system comprises:
 a bottom section, wherein the height of the bottom section is adapted to remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface in a waterway;   a first mounting device, wherein the first mounting device is adapted to be coupled to at least one bank of the waterway;   a top section, wherein the height of the top section is adapted to be adjusted;   a waste capture apparatus, wherein the system is adapted to collect waterway wastes on a first side of the waterway waste capturing device; and   a lifting apparatus.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the lifting apparatus is adapted to adjust the height of the top section. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the lifting apparatus further comprises a pulley. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising a support guide, wherein the support guide is adapted to provide additional support to the top section as the height of the top section adjusts.