Floating oil containment and absorbent barrier system

Abstract

A floating oil containment system including a series of containment sections each having a boom portion and a collection curtain extending downwardly therefrom. The containment sections are connectable in series by fasteners inserted along their edges to form a floating oil containment system of a desired size and / or configuration. The collection curtain further generally is formed from an oil and / or chemical absorbent material that will absorb the oil or chemical materials, whereupon the containment section or collection curtain thereof can be removed and replaced for continued remediation of the spill site.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present patent application is a formalization of previously filed, co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 360,977, filed Jul. 2, 2010 by the inventor named in the present Application. This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of this cited Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 560,977 according to the statutes and rules governing provisional patent applications, particularly 35 U.S.C. §119(a)(i) and 37 C.F.R. §1.78(a)(4) and (a)(5). The specification and drawings of the Provisional patent application referenced above are specifically incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to containment and clean-up systems for chemical systems oil spills and the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a floating oil containment system having an absorbent oil barrier material attachable thereto for a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Briefly described, the present invention generally relates to a floating oil containment and absorbent barrier system for the containment and absorption / removal of oil, chemicals and other contaminant materials at an oil or chemical spill site. The floating oil containment and absorbent barrier system further is generally designed for use in bodies of water, although the present invention further can be adapted for use in various other environments or embodiments. The floating oil containment and absorbent barrier system is arranged in a series of containment sections that can be connected in series as needed to easily assemble a containment barrier system of a desired size and / or configuration and which can be assembled on-site rather than having to be shipped and stored in a fully assembled condition or configuration.

[0010]In an alternative embodiment, the collection curtain can be formed as a replaceable skirt that can be removably attached to the floating boom portion of a containment section to enable removal and replacement of just the saturated collection curtain component of a containment section as needed. In this embodiment, the collection curtain skirt can be formed with an upper belt or band extending across the upper edge thereof and which can be attached vertically to the extending lifting belts arranged along the sides of the floating boom portion and to the horizontally extending belt of the floating boom portion via releasable fasteners to enable removal of the collection curtain upon saturation and ease of replacement of the collection curtain with a new, clean collection curtain, without having to disengage the floating boom portions, and thus disengage or otherwise break up and / or remove the floating oil containment and absorbent barrier system or a series of containment sections thereof in order to replace one or more saturated collection curtains.

Problems solved by technology

Oil spills are among the worst man-made environmental disasters, often leading to not only significant damage to the surrounding environment and the animals living in such an environment, but further raising significant health concerns for humans.

For example, the recent deep-well drilling explosion and resultant oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has created widespread damage to the coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, including destroying oyster beds and fishing grounds along these coastal areas.

This oil spill further has led to the deaths of thousands of animals, has threatened ecologically sensitive wetlands and tidal areas along the coast, and has created serious health issues and economic issues, including loss of livelihoods, for the people living in the affected areas.

However, problems exist with such conventional booms including their size and bulk leading to potential issues in transport and assembly, and they typically are pre-assembled in large units or assemblies, which can lead to gaps therebetween when being installed and / or removed at a spill site.

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