Vertical barrier fencing for containing contaminated materials, and use thereof

Abstract

A system for separating contaminated materials from clean natural waterways and environmentally safe areas that thrive in wildlife breeding grounds, wetlands, marsh grass, natural vegetation, and wildlife habitats. The invention provides an effective and relatively inexpensive apparatus and process for hazardous material containment along shorelines, rivers, and estuaries (for maximum protection against contamination). Vertical erected fiber mesh filter fabric which allows clean water molecules to pass through but does not allow heavier / larger contaminated molecules to enter into uncontaminated areas, either from surface areas or subsurface areas. A floating boom acts as an oscillating scrub brush as tidal waters increase (rise) as well as an absorbent pad for the contaminated materials. One-way tidal doors allow juvenile sea life to naturally migrate to deeper safe havens with normal daily tidal changes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 354,244, filed Jun. 13, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Oil exploration and recovery and other industrial activities create a potential threat of oil spills and waterway contamination. In view of industrial and residential development, protection and preservation of such waterways has become increasingly important. An effective and inexpensive process for hazardous material containment along shorelines, rivers and estuaries is particularly desirable.[0003]Floating barrier or containment boom systems have been devised to contain pollutants in lakes and seas. Typically, they employ a series of buoyant boom sections that have segments of curtains or skirts attached thereto. The curtains are typically made of water-impervious, non-oil-absorbent, flexible sheet material. The curtai...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to contain contaminants in moving water, thereby protecting uncontaminated areas. Further objects of the invention are to provide a containment system which: (1) is relatively inexpensive to install and maintain; (2) interferes minimally with marine live; (3) removes contaminants from the water; (4) protects natural waterways and environmentally safe areas; and (5) restores wetlands.

Problems solved by technology

Oil exploration and recovery and other industrial activities create a potential threat of oil spills and waterway contamination.

Such booms may be provided in small sections and require extensive subassembly prior to deployment, which represents an increase in labor requirements as well as an increase in deployment time.

These increases represent an increased cost and delay in deployment of containment boom systems.

Some such systems may be susceptible to the movement of contaminants beneath the boom curtain.

When exposed to wind-generated currents, tidal currents, or wave conditions, such booms have been known to break under the load, or to be overtopped by waves, or to have pollutants propelled over and under the boom.

Such systems, however, are sometimes susceptible to becoming clogged with suspended particulates or marine life.

They are often not completely effective in containing a spill on water which is moving, either continuously, such as in a river or seaway, or discontinuously, such as in tidal water, since such conventional boom systems are essentially impervious and serve to obstruct the water flow.

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