Oil spill response submarine and method of use thereof

Abstract

The submarine has a plurality of oil spill detection and removal means, oil/water separating device and oil store tanks. Lights and camera sets are installed in a manner allowing a visual control over the movement of the submarine and over the process of oil removal. A telescopic boom, a sail suction platform and deck suction means are provided to collect the oil spill from the surface of water and from beneath the ice. A bottom suction compartment is provided to collect the oil spill rising from the sea floor to the surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application dams priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 854,653 filed Apr. 29, 2013; said application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to methods and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons, including oil and oily substances, as well as other polluting chemicals floating suspended or moving within or on the surface of a body of water as a result of a spill and more particularly in the presence of ice, and to such a system using a autonomous manned submarine to remove spilled hydrocarbons from the body of water.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]With an intensified development of marine oil deposits the risks of accidental oil spill increase exponentially. The latest accidents in the Mexican Gulf, in Brazil and in Nigeria demonstrated that existing methods and equipment used to contain and neutralize oil spills are ineffective and insufficient. Before the surface s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention is therefore addressed toward a versatile method and apparatus for recovering both surface and subsurface polluting chemicals, such as oil, which avoids the need for use of a surface vessel supporting the operation of a submersible work unit, either manually or remotely operated, by providing a manned, fully autonomous, self-sufficient, self-propelled apparatus which can hover above, below, near or amid the oil spi

Problems solved by technology

With an intensified development of marine oil deposits the risks of accidental oil spill increase exponentially.

The latest accidents in the Mexican Gulf, in Brazil and in Nigeria demonstrated that existing methods and equipment used to contain and neutralize oil spills are ineffective and insufficient.

Before the surface spill response boats begin the proper operation to collect the spilled oil, would be often spread and dispersed even more on a wide territory by various vessels, or when corralled it would be partially burnt polluting the air in addition to polluting the water.

The use of various dispersants was also proved to be non-effective and harmful for the environment and for the people.

That becomes even more critical for the conditions of the Arctic seas when the body of water is infested with the ice and heavy storms may delay or impede the delivery or the use of the oil spill response means and equipment.

Various systems and equipment have been developed for oil spill containment and removal from the surface of a body of water, however, there is no suitable apparatus for r

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