Crouse Oil Spill Response System

Abstract

This invention relates to oil spill response. This invention is several independent inventions making up a system. Each part of the system can be used by itself, with each other, and or with any other oil spill response equipment or system. This provides particular methods of crating barriers between the oil and areas to be protected, a method of gaining access to environmentally sensitive areas for spill clean up and response, a particular method of suctioning the spilled oil or pollutants, particular equipment used to suction oil from the water surface, and a way to create efficiency in the clean up and response operations.

Description

RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATION[0001]This non-provisional utility patent application is based on and claims the benefit of the prior provisional patent application, U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 281,335 filed on date Nov. 13, 2009.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]I. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to a new method of cleaning up oil after oil spills, especially from leaking underwater ocean wells, from leaking or collapsed ocean oil platforms, and or from oil leaking shipping or containment vessels; and in all situations where oil is leaked into and or spilled into oceans, rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps, beaches, reefs, etc. This field is also relates to the blocking, manipulation, and or prevention of movement of oil and or oil slicks so to prevent the oil from reaching or harming the shoreline, personnel property, beaches, reefs, other oil platforms, as well as natural habitats such fisheries, marshes, swamps, etc. This invention shall create the ability to blo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a system for cleaning up oil spills that is made up of parts that are commonly used in other industries. These parts are put together in a unique way to perform their functions in the oil spill clean up and containment industry. The system includes a barge wall made up of barges that are connected together to form a barrier to prevent oil from reaching protected areas. The barges can also contain other equipment and act as a platform for other clean up equipment. The barge wall can be used to temporarily bridge two points or completely wall off a bay or ocean. The technical effects of this invention include improved efficiency in cleaning up oil spills and the ability to contain oil in protected areas."

Problems solved by technology

It is well known that ocean oil wells, barges, tankers, and other oil containment vessels occasionally sustain damage or leak and release oil and or the contents of their cargo into the surrounding water.

Such leaks sometimes occur when the vessel is still afloat, and in other cases, the vessel sinks to the bottom of the ocean and remains there permanently.

In those instances when a vessel sinks, the oil may still be contained within the vessel, but may slowly leak out through the damaged hull or other opening.

Other cases where leaks or spills occur are when drilling underwater oil wells; from previously capped or leaking old oil wells which may become damaged, corrode over time, become un-capped, are struck my other vessels, etc.

; and or oil leaks may occur in the building of oil platforms; and or for any reason from active oil wells and or oil platforms out at sea which may blow up, explode, collapse and or fall over, when malfunctions in cementing, and or with problems of blowout preventers occur, etc.

Any and all combinations of all factors may cause oil spills and or leaks which in turn cause oil slicks.

The underwater oil wells and or oil platforms can leak, collapse, malfunction, fall over, and or spill for days or months before they are controlled or stopped.

This accumulation of oil on the surface of the water is sometimes referred to as an “oil slick,’ and it is difficult to control or clean up.

Also, individual globs of free floating oil apart from the main oil slick, is particularly difficult to control and or clean up as well.

Once oil reaches the shoreline, it is very difficult and even more costly to clean up.

The marshes are extremely valuable natural resources, and they need to be protected from the chemicals in oil which can cause tremendous amounts of damage.

Chemicals in oil have been known to kill or harm fish, reptiles, other wildlife, and even humans.

Oil can ruin valuable property such as beaches and resorts areas, if the oil is not blocked from reaching the shore, and or clean up immediately upon reaching these areas.

Children are especially vulnerable to chemicals in oil.

Exposure to oil has been known to cause damage to the skin, lungs, heart, as well as other parts of the human body by breathing in heavily oil areas and or by having physical contact with the chemicals in oil.

Consequently, efforts to prevent the oil from moving along the water and reaching the valuable natural resources and or protected areas have to be undertaken while the oil is floating on the surface otherwise damages can become more costly.

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