Device for recovering and processing floating oil

Abstract

Provided is a floating oil recovery treatment device that can increase the recovery efficiency of floating oil while suppressing the spread of the oil without directly contacting the floating oil. The floating oil recovery treatment device is configured to have a bubble curtain generating mechanism and an injector device (40), generate a bubble curtain into the water using a self-dispersing gas pipe (30) to non-contactingly capture floating oil, and spray high-speed water toward the floating oil layer by the injector device (40) to recover the oil-water mixed fluid in a state in which the recovery ratio of the floating oil is high.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a recovery treatment technique of a floating oil capable of easily recovering a floating oil flowing out to the sea or the like, and particularly relates to a floating oil recovery treatment device suitable for recovery of a floating oil deteriorated to high viscosity. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a response method to the oil leakage accident, a diffusion prevention countermeasure of the oil floating on the water surface is taken, and the oil is compulsorily recovered, or the oil is subjected to decomposition treatment by scattering an oil treatment agent to the water surface.

[0003] As the diffusion prevention countermeasure of the oil, a suspended water pollution prevention fence is known, and the diffusion of the oil is restricted by the suspended water pollution prevention fence spread on the water (Patent Document 1).

[0004] In addition, a method of preventing the diffusion of the oil by spraying high-speed water in a curtain shape toward the water surface from a ship has been proposed.

[0005] As a recovery method of the floating oil floating on the water surface, a method of recovering by sailing an oil recovery ship equipped with an oil recovery facility is known.

[0006] As the oil recovery ship, a method of directly scooping up the floating oil floating on the water surface (Patent Documents 2 and 3) and a method of recovering by the oil recovery facility equipped in the oil recovery ship (Patent Documents 4 and 5) are known.

[0007] The oil recovery facility is provided with a water suction pump or a vacuum suction device, an oil-water separation device, or the like, and a mixed fluid recovered in a mixed state of water and oil is supplied to the oil-water separation device, and only the recovered oil is separated by the oil-water separation device.

[0008] Prior art documents

[0009] Patent documents

[0010] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-64614

[0011] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-230887

[0012] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-152080

[0013] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-266588

[0014] Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-13880 SUMMARY

[0015] Problem to be solved by the invention

[0016] The conventional oil diffusion prevention technique has the following problems.

[0017] <1> The deployment of the floating water pollution prevention fence requires much time and labor, and oil easily adheres to the water pollution prevention fence, so the maintenance is poor.

[0018] <2> If oil adheres to the water pollution prevention fence, the water pollution prevention fence becomes heavy, and the recovery of the water pollution prevention fence and the removal of the adhered oil require much time and labor.

[0019] <3> In the oil diffusion prevention method in which high-speed water is sprayed toward the water surface in a curtain shape from a ship, under the impact of the water flow of the high-speed water, oil easily mixes into the water and diffuses to the surrounding water area.

[0020] The conventional oil recovery technique has the following problems.

[0021] <1> The oil recovery facility is large-sized, and the oil recovery cost is high.

[0022] <2> In the case where the suction recovery is performed in the form of an oil-water mixed fluid in which oil is mixed with water, the layer thickness of the oil floating on the water surface is thin, so the proportion of the oil in the oil-water mixed fluid is small, and the recovery efficiency of the oil is low.

[0023] <3> The motion of the oil recovery ship that moves up and down due to waves is not synchronized with the up-and-down motion of the oil floating on the water surface, so the deeper the position of the suction port from the water surface, the smaller the proportion of the oil suction, and in addition, if the suction port is exposed to the sea, the negative pressure is interrupted, and it is difficult to stably suction the oil.

[0024] <4> The water separated in the oil-water separation device is directly discharged to the site sea area.

[0025] It is technically difficult to completely separate the water and the oil in the oil-water separation device, so if the oil mixes into the drain water, the water quality of the site sea area is polluted.

[0026] <5> In the case where the oil recovery ship is used, the individual equipment for oil recovery equipped in the oil recovery ship becomes a large flow resistance, and the motion performance of the oil recovery ship is reduced.

[0027] <6> There is a case where garbage mixes into the oil floating on the water surface. If solid garbage is suctioned by mistake, the failure of the suction pump and the clogging of the pipeline are easily caused.

[0028] <7> After the recovery of the oil is completed, the suction pump and the like must be disassembled and cleaned, and the cleaning of the oil recovery facility requires much time and labor, and the maintenance is poor.

[0029] <8> It is known that a part of the oil such as C heavy oil deteriorates to high viscosity by mixing with seawater.

[0030] In the past, it has been technically difficult to recover oil such as C heavy oil and the like which is high in viscosity, and a new technique capable of recovering oil which is high in viscosity is desired.

[0031] In the past, in a method of treating oil using an oil treatment agent, the following problems have existed.

[0032] <1> The oil treatment agent does not function when it is merely scattered. In order for the oil treatment agent to function, it is necessary to forcibly mix the oil treatment agent with the oil.

[0033] <2> It is not possible to mix the oil treatment agent with the oil by hand, and it is necessary to use a dedicated mixing device, and the cost of treating the oil increases.

[0034] The present application was completed in view of the above points, and aims to provide a floating oil recovery treatment device which at least satisfies one of the following.

[0035] <1> It is possible to efficiently recover floating oil while limiting the spread of the floating oil without directly contacting the floating oil.

[0036] <2> It is possible to recover floating oil which has deteriorated to be high in viscosity.

[0037] <3> It is possible to suppress the deterioration of the water quality of the site water area.

[0038] <4> It is possible to perform the mixing operation of the oil treatment agent in addition to the recovery operation for the floating oil using the recovery treatment device.

[0039] <5> It is possible to easily perform the maintenance of the oil recovery treatment device.

[0040] <6> It is possible to downsize and lighten the oil recovery treatment device, and improve the movement performance of a ship on which the oil recovery treatment device is mounted.

[0041] Solution to the problem

[0042] The floating oil recovery treatment device of the present application at least includes: a bubble curtain generating mechanism which discharges air into water to form a bubble curtain in the water, thereby being able to increase the layer thickness of a floating oil layer while limiting the spread of the floating oil; and an injector device which sprays high-speed water toward the floating oil layer surrounded by the bubble curtain to break the floating oil layer while recovering an oil-water mixed fluid in which oil and water are mixed.

[0043] Moreover, it can also be the following structure: the oil slick recovery processing device of the present application is provided with at least: a bubble curtain generating mechanism that discharges air into water to form a bubble curtain in the water, thereby being able to increase the layer thickness of the oil slick layer while limiting the spread of the oil slick; an ejector device that sprays high-speed water toward the oil slick layer surrounded by the bubble curtain to break the oil slick layer while recovering the oil-water mixed fluid formed by the mixture of oil and water; and an oil-water separation tank that separates and recovers oil from the oil-water mixed fluid recovered by the ejector device.

[0044] Moreover, it can also be the following structure: the oil slick recovery processing device of the present application is provided with at least: a bubble curtain generating mechanism that discharges air into water to form a bubble curtain in the water, thereby being able to increase the layer thickness of the oil slick layer while limiting the spread of the oil slick; an ejector device that sprays high-speed water toward the oil slick layer surrounded by the bubble curtain to break the oil slick layer while recovering the oil-water mixed fluid formed by the mixture of oil and water; and an oil-water separation tank that separates and recovers oil from the oil-water mixed fluid recovered by the ejector device.

[0045] In another aspect of the present application, a portion of the ejector device to which a float is attached can be pivotally supported toward the up-and-down direction in a portion of the support frame, thereby making the suction height of the oil-water sucked by the ejector device follow the water level change.

[0046] In another aspect of the present application, the bubble curtain generating mechanism is provided with a diffuser pipe provided in the support frame, a gas supply device composed of a gas pump and a motor mounted on a ship, and a gas supply pipe connecting the diffuser pipe and the gas supply device, a bubble curtain is formed by the rising flow of the bubble group discharged from the diffuser pipe, thereby being able to limit the spread of the oil slick.

[0047] In another aspect of the present application, the oil-water separation tank has a tank main body that accommodates the oil-water mixed fluid recovered by the ejector device, and a plurality of partition plates arranged in the tank main body, and the oil and water are separated in the tank main body by the difference in specific gravity.

[0048] In another aspect of the present application, the floating oil recovery device additionally has an auxiliary tank mounted on the ship and storing an oil treatment agent, an oil treatment agent supply device that supplies the oil treatment agent in the auxiliary tank to the water delivery pipe, and an auxiliary pipe that connects between the oil treatment agent supply device and the water delivery pipe, and the floating oil layer on the water surface is mixed and stirred with the oil treatment agent using an ejector device that is disposed with the discharge side of the extraction pipe facing the water.

[0049] Effects of the invention

[0050] The present application has at least one of the following effects.

[0051] <1> By combining a bubble curtain generating mechanism that uses a bubble curtain to prevent the spread of floating oil and thicken the floating oil layer, and an ejector device that uses the ejector effect (Venturi effect) to recover the oil-water mixture in the form of an oil-water mixture, the recovery rate of floating oil in the oil-water mixture can be increased, significantly improving the recovery efficiency of floating oil.

[0052] <2> It is natural to apply to the recovery of low-viscosity floating oil, and because it can spray high-speed water to crush the floating oil layer, even the floating oil that has deteriorated to high viscosity so far can be recovered efficiently.

[0053] <3> By using a bubble curtain instead of a known suspended water pollution prevention fence, the spread of floating oil is effectively limited, and by using an ejector device instead of a suction pump, the floating oil can be recovered in a non-contact manner.

[0054] Thus, it is possible to avoid the clogging of the pipeline caused by garbage and the like during the recovery of floating oil, and the malfunction caused by the intake of air and the like, and after the recovery of floating oil, there is no need to perform the cleaning work of the suspended water pollution prevention fence and the suction pump, which is troublesome and time-consuming, and compared with the past, the maintenance of the oil recovery treatment device becomes very simple.

[0055] <4> In the case where the water separated in the oil-water separation tank is recycled as high-speed water, the amount of oil components released can be reduced, and the deterioration of the water quality of the site water area can be suppressed.

[0056] <5> Since the portion of the ejector device attached with the float can be pivotally supported to the portion of the support frame in the up-down direction, even if the water surface on which the floating oil floats changes up and down, the extraction height of the oil-water extracted by the ejector device can be automatically adjusted by following the water level change.

[0057] Therefore, it is not greatly affected by waves, and floating oil can be efficiently extracted.

[0058] <6> With a simple operation of replacing only the piping of the partial oil recovery treatment device, the same oil recovery treatment device can be used to mix the oil treatment agent with the floating oil.

[0059] <7> The oil recovery treatment device is simple in construction and light in weight, so that the motion performance of the ship equipped with the oil recovery treatment device can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0060] Fig. 1 is a general explanatory view of the oil recovery treatment device of the present application applied to a ship.

[0061] Fig. 2 is a model view of the oil recovery treatment device of the present application.

[0062] Fig. 3 is a model view of the oil recovery treatment device of the present application.

[0063] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the injector device as viewed from the sea surface side.

[0064] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of V-V in Fig. 4

[0065] Fig. 6 is a side view of the injector device.

[0066] Fig. 7 is a model view of the oil recovery treatment device using the oil treatment agent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Hereinafter, the oil recovery treatment device of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0068] <1> Outline of the recovery treatment device

[0069] Reference will be made to Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 will be made. In this example, the case where the floating oil flows out to the sea surface will be described, but the case where the floating oil flows out to the surface of a river, a lake, or the like is also included.

[0070] The oil recovery treatment device 10 of the present application is a device that improves the recovery efficiency of floating oil while restricting the spread of the floating oil in a non-contact manner.

[0071] The recovery treatment device 10 is provided with: a support frame 20 that is integrally attached to a part of a ship 60; a bubble curtain generating mechanism that discharges air from the bottom of the support frame 20 into water to form a bubble curtain in the water, thereby restricting the spread of floating oil; and an oil-water recovery mechanism that recovers the floating oil whose spread is restricted by the bubble curtain.

[0072] ​In this example, the configuration in which the recovery processing device 10 is mounted on a ship 60 such as a catamaran is described, but the ship 60 is not limited to a catamaran, and includes a monohull ship, a tugboat, and the mounting position of the recovery processing device 10 can be any one of the front, side, or rear of the ship 60.

[0073] The main constituent elements will be described in detail below.

[0074] <2> Support frame

[0075] In describing the support frame 20, the side of the air intake direction A of the floating oil is defined as "front", and the side opposite the air intake direction A of the floating oil is defined as "rear", and the description is made accordingly.

[0076] Reference Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 The support frame 20 is a rigid frame body for mounting the air diffuser pipe 30 that discharges air into the water and the jet device 40 that breaks and recovers the floating oil layer using a high-speed water jet stream, and is assembled in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by arranging rigid members such as single pipes in the longitudinal and lateral directions.

[0077] The support frame 20 has at least a bottom frame portion 21 in which the air diffuser pipe 30 can be arranged in a planar Japanese Kana character or a planar U character, and a front lateral support shaft 22 that pivotally supports the jet device 40 on the front upper portion of the support frame 20.

[0078] The mounting height of the support frame 20 can be adjusted with respect to the ship 60.

[0079] <3> Bubble curtain generating mechanism

[0080] In the present application, a known oil boom is not used as a floating oil collection member.

[0081] In the present application, a bubble curtain generating mechanism is used to limit the spread of floating oil.

[0082] Reference Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 The bubble curtain generating mechanism has the air diffuser pipe 30 provided at the bottom of the support frame 21, the air supply device 31 composed of an air pump and a motor mounted on the ship 60, and the air supply pipe 32 connecting between the air diffuser pipe 30 and the air supply device 31.

[0083] The air diffuser pipe 30 is a pipe body or a tube body with both end portions closed, and has a plurality of air diffuser holes 30a along the length direction of the circumference surface.

[0084] Air is continuously or intermittently supplied by the air supply device 31 and the air supply pipe 32, and a planar Japanese Kana character or a planar U character bubble curtain can be formed in the water directly above the air diffuser pipe 30.

[0085] In this example, the configuration of the air diffuser 30 on three sides of the base frame portion 21 except for the front side of the support frame 20 is described. The number of air diffusers 30 to be arranged on each side is appropriately selected.

[0086] The air diffuser 30 is not arranged in the direction A in which the oil slick is sucked, that is, the front side of the support frame 20, and the purpose thereof is to suck the oil slick into the bubble curtain surrounding the three sides. The air diffuser 30 is arranged on three sides of the base frame portion 21, and the purpose thereof is to block the oil slick sucked into the bubble curtain and restrict the outflow of the oil slick toward the outside of the bubble curtain.

[0087] In other words, the bubble curtain has not only the effect of preventing the spread of the oil slick O but also the effect of blocking the oil slick O toward the inside of the bubble curtain and thickening the layer thickness of the oil slick O (thickening effect of the oil slick layer).

[0088] <4> Oil-water recovery mechanism

[0089] The oil-water recovery mechanism is a mechanism capable of performing pipe transportation in a state in which the oil-water mixed fluid formed by breaking the oil slick layer with the high-speed water jet flow.

[0090] Reference Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 will be described. The oil-water recovery mechanism includes: an injector device 40 pivotally supported to the front side horizontal support shaft 22 of the support frame 20; an oil-water separation tank 50 mounted to the ship 60; a high-speed water supply device 51 constituted by a water delivery pump and a motor; a water delivery pipe 52 connecting between the injector device 40 and the high-speed water supply device 51; and an oil-water recovery pipe 53 connecting between the injector device 40 and the oil-water separation tank 50.

[0091] <4.1> Injector device

[0092] Description Fig. 6 The illustrated injector device 40 includes: a nozzle 41 that jets the high-speed water; a suction pipe 44 located on the jet side of the nozzle 41; and a float 45 that automatically adjusts the suction height of the oil-water mixed fluid sucked by the injector device 40 in accordance with the water level change in the site.

[0093] The injector device 40 is not limited to Fig. 6 the illustrated configuration, and can be applied as long as it is a device capable of sucking the oil-water mixed fluid by the injector action (Venturi effect).

[0094] In this example, the configuration in which one injector device 40 is provided for one support frame 20 is described, but a plurality of injector devices 40 can be provided for one support frame 20.

[0095] <4.1.1> Nozzle

[0096] A water delivery pipe 42 bent in a J shape is connected to the top end of the water delivery pipe 52, and a nozzle 41 is provided at the top end of the water delivery pipe 42. The nozzle 41 is capable of continuously spraying high-speed water toward the suction port of the extraction pipe 44.

[0097] <4.1.2> Extraction pipe

[0098] The extraction pipe 44 is provided at the top end of the oil-water recovery pipe 53.

[0099] The extraction pipe 44 is capable of sucking the high-speed water sprayed from the nozzle 41 through the opening at the end of the extraction pipe 44.

[0100] By the ejector action (Venturi effect) generated when high-speed water is sprayed at high speed into the extraction pipe 44, the mixed fluid of the floating oil and water located around the open end of the extraction pipe 44 can be sucked.

[0101] <4.1.3> Linking plate

[0102] The linking plate 47 links the water delivery pipe 42, the extraction pipe 44, and the connecting rod 46 of the float 45, which are arranged parallel to each other, into one body.

[0103] Thus, the nozzle 41 and the opening of the extraction pipe 44 are positioned at predetermined positions.

[0104] <4.1.4> Spacing between nozzle and extraction pipe

[0105] In this example, an open-type ejector in which the extraction pipe 44 is arranged at a predetermined spacing G on the spraying side of the nozzle 41 and sucks the oil and water into the extraction pipe 44 through the spacing G is described, but a closed-type ejector in which high-speed water is sprayed into the extraction pipe 44 through the nozzle 41 which protrudes near the end of the extraction pipe 44 to suck the oil and water can also be used.

[0106] In the case of the open-type ejector, by adjusting the spacing G according to the viscosity of the floating oil and the like, optimal oil suction can be performed.

[0107] <4.1.5> Pivot support structure of ejector device

[0108] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the ejector device 40 is pivotally supported to the front horizontal support shaft 22 of the support frame 20 in a vertically movable manner. Fig. 2 Fig. 5 In this example, a mode in which the pivot support plate 43a sandwiched between the front horizontal support shaft 22 and the extraction pipe 44 and the plurality of U-shaped bolts 43b, 43c fixed to the pivot support plate 43a by being clamped to the front horizontal support shaft 22 and the extraction pipe 44 are used for pivot support is shown, but a publicly known pivot support structure can be used.

[0109] In this example, a mode in which the pivot support plate 43a sandwiched between the front horizontal support shaft 22 and the extraction pipe 44 and the plurality of U-shaped bolts 43b, 43c fixed to the pivot support plate 43a by being clamped to the front horizontal support shaft 22 and the extraction pipe 44 are used for pivot support is shown, but a publicly known pivot support structure can be used. ​

[0110] <4.1.6> Float

[0111] The ejector device 40 is provided with a float 45, so that it can automatically adjust the suction height of the oil and water sucked by the ejector device 40 in accordance with the water level change.

[0112] In this example, the mode of attaching the float 45 by means of the connecting rod 46 is shown, but the connecting rod 46 can be omitted and the float 45 can be attached to a part of the water supply pipe 42 or the extraction pipe 44.

[0113] <4.2> Oil and water separation tank

[0114] Reference Fig. 3 For explanation, the oil and water separation tank 50 is a device that separates the mixed fluid of the floating oil and the water recovered by the ejector device 40 into the floating oil and the water.

[0115] In this example, the mode of separating into the floating oil and the water by means of the specific gravity difference is explained, but for the oil and water separation tank 50, a known separation mode such as a cyclone type can be applied.

[0116] For explanation of the mode exemplified in this example, the oil and water separation tank 50 has a tank main body 55 and a plurality of partition plates 56 arranged in the tank main body 55 in a longitudinal direction at intervals.

[0117] The end of the oil and water recovery pipe 53 is connected to the vicinity of the bottom of the tank main body 55, and the mixed fluid of the oil and the water sucked is discharged into the tank main body 55.

[0118] The suction pipe 54 is connected between the vicinity of the bottom of the tank main body 55 and the suction side of the high-speed water supply device 51, and the separated water separated in the tank main body 55 can be circulated and used through the suction pipe 54, the water supply pipe 52, the water supply pipe 42, and the nozzle 41.

[0119] The oil recovery tank 57 is provided beside the tank main body 55, so that the oil separated in the tank main body 55 can be recovered by the oil recovery tank 57 by overflowing.

[0120] Further, in Fig. 3 , the reference numeral V1 is a switching valve sandwiched between the suction pipe 54 and the water supply pipe 52, the reference numeral V2 is an on-off valve installed to the oil and water recovery pipe 53, and the reference numeral V3 is a drain valve provided to a part of the oil and water separation tank 50.

[0121] [Method of recovering floating oil]

[0122] The method of recovering the floating oil using the recovery processing device 10 is explained.

[0123] In the present application, the capturing process of the oil slick using the bubble curtain generating mechanism, the recovery process of the oil water using the ejector device 40, and the separation process of the oil water using the oil water separation tank 50 are simultaneously performed.

[0124] <1> Oil slick diffusion preventing process

[0125] In the present application, as the oil slick diffusion preventing member, a known oil boom is not used, but a bubble curtain generating mechanism is used.

[0126] Referring to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 , the oil slick O capturing method is explained.

[0127] The gas feeding device 31 shown in Fig. 2 , Fig. 3 is activated, and air or the like is supplied toward the diffuser pipe 30 arranged in a planar Japanese K0 shape or a planar U shape through the gas feeding pipe 32.

[0128] When air or the like is supplied toward the diffuser pipe 30, as shown in Fig. 4 , Fig. 5 , the bubble group 33 is discharged into the water through the diffuser hole 30a of the diffuser pipe 30, and when the bubble group 33 floats on the water, the surrounding water is drawn in and an upward flow 34 is formed in a curtain shape.

[0129] The bubble curtain is constituted by the upward flow 34 formed so as to be separated from the surrounding sea area and the bubble group 33 formed so as to float on the water surface.

[0130] The oil slick O is sucked into the inside of the bubble curtain through the open space of the bubble curtain.

[0131] The bubble curtain is continuously formed in a curtain shape across the range from the depth of the layer thickness of the oil slick O or more to the water surface, and the upper portion of the bubble curtain is formed by the bubble group 33 rising from the water surface.

[0132] Therefore, as the bubble curtain restricts the diffusion of the oil slick O, the layer thickness of the oil slick O blocked on the inside of the bubble curtain gradually increases.

[0133] <2> Oil water recovery process

[0134] Referring to Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 , Fig. 6 , the oil slick O surrounded by the bubble curtain is recovered.

[0135] <2.1> Oil water recovery

[0136] The high-speed water supply device 51 shown in Fig. 3 is activated, and water is continuously supplied toward the nozzle 41 of the top end of the water feeding pipe 42 through the water feeding pipe 52.

[0137] Fig. 6 The state in which the high-speed water J is continuously sprayed from the nozzle 41 toward the suction port of the extraction pipe 44 is shown, and when the high-speed water J is continuously sprayed from the nozzle 41 toward the suction port of the extraction pipe 44, the mixed fluid of the floating oil O and the site water located around the nozzle 41 is sucked by the ejector action (Venturi effect).

[0138] The sucked mixed fluid of the floating oil O and the site water is delivered to the oil-water separation tank 50 via the oil-water recovery pipe 53 shown. Fig. 3

[0139] In particular, since the high-speed water J breaks the mass of the floating oil O within the extraction pipe 44, the mixed fluid becomes a mixture of the pulverized floating oil O' and the water.

[0140] The "water" referred to herein not only means the high-speed water J sprayed from the nozzle 41, but also includes the site water such as the sea water sucked by the high-speed water J.

[0141] If there is no bubble curtain, the floating oil O spread on the sea surface is sucked, and thus the amount of the site water sucked is significantly increased and the recovery ratio of the floating oil O is decreased.

[0142] In contrast, by combining the bubble curtain generating mechanism and the ejector device 40, the floating oil layer thickened by the bubble curtain is collected at the suction portion of the ejector device 40, and thus the recovery ratio of the oil is improved and the recovery efficiency of the floating oil O is significantly improved.

[0143] In addition, although the recovery ratio of the site water is decreased, since the recovery is performed in a state in which the water is contained, clogging accidents in the extraction pipe 44 and the oil-water recovery pipe 53 are less likely to occur.

[0144] Furthermore, the recovery member of the floating oil O does not use a suction pump, and thus even if foreign matters such as garbage are mixed into the floating oil O, failure of the suction pump is not a concern.

[0145] <2.2> Case in which the floating oil is highly viscous

[0146] If the floating oil O is C heavy oil, it is deteriorated to be highly viscous by mixing with the sea water.

[0147] It is difficult to recover the floating oil O deteriorated to be highly viscous by using the conventional vacuum suction.

[0148] In contrast, in the ejector device 40, the recovery can be performed while the high-speed water J is sprayed to pulverize the floating oil layer O, and thus even if the floating oil layer O is deteriorated to be highly viscous, it can be recovered efficiently.

[0149] <2.3> Automatic adjustment of oil-water extraction height

[0150] As shown in FIG. 6, the oil-water extraction height is adjusted by adjusting the height of the bubble curtain generating mechanism 42. Fig. 6 ​As shown, the ejector device 40 is provided with the float 45 at a part thereof, and the base end portion of the ejector device 40 is pivotally supported to the front transverse support shaft 22 of the support frame 20 so as to be swingable in the up-and-down direction.

[0151] Therefore, even if the water surface on which the oil slick O floats changes up and down, the extraction height of the oil water by the ejector device 40 can be automatically adjusted following the water level change, so that the oil slick O can be efficiently extracted without being affected by the waves.

[0152] Even if the ejector portion of the ejector device 40 is exposed to the atmosphere by floating from the sea surface due to the influence of the waves, since it is not a negative pressure suction type, it can be prevented from being unable to be recovered due to the intake of air.

[0153] <3> Oil water separation process

[0154] Reference Fig. 3 As explained, the mixed fluid delivered to the oil water separation tank 50 via the oil water recovery pipe 53 is separated into oil and water by the difference in specific gravity thereof.

[0155] The separated oil is caused to overflow from the tank main body 55 and recovered by the oil recovery tank 57.

[0156] The operation of strictly separating the water and the oil in the tank main body 55 is technically seemingly simple, but is actually very difficult.

[0157] Therefore, for example, if the water separated in the tank main body 55 is directly discharged to the site sea area, the oil component mixed into the separated water is discharged, and there is a possibility of polluting the site sea area.

[0158] By not directly discharging the water separated in the tank main body 55 to the site sea area, but recycling it as the high-speed water ejected from the nozzle 41, it is possible to achieve reduction in the discharge amount of the oil component and suppression of the water quality deterioration of the site sea area.

[0159] Furthermore, by recycling the water separated in the tank main body 55 for the recovery of the oil slick O, it is possible to concentrate the oil in the tank main body 55 and recover it.

[0160] <4> Cleaning process

[0161] The bubble curtain generating mechanism formed in the water does not directly contact the oil slick O, so there is no need to clean the air diffuser pipe 30 and the like.

[0162] The ejector device 40 that ends the extraction of the oil slick O can be processed by a simple operation of cleaning only the piping of the extraction pipe 44 and the oil water recovery pipe 53, so the maintenance can be easily completed.

[0163] As a cleaning method of the extraction pipe 44 and the oil-water recovery pipe 53, the following two methods can be implemented.

[0164] One of them is a method of cleaning by reversing the water for cleaning from the end of the oil-water recovery pipe 53, while cutting the end of the oil-water recovery pipe 53 (reverse cleaning method).

[0165] Another cleaning method is a method of cleaning the inside of the extraction pipe 44 and the oil-water recovery pipe 53 by starting the floating oil recovery processing device 10 in a sea area where there is no floating oil O, while connecting the end of the oil-water recovery pipe 53 to the oil-water separation tank 50.

[0166] [Other Embodiments]

[0167] Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described, and in the description, the same reference numerals will be assigned to the same parts as those of the described embodiments, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0168] 1. Structure

[0169] <1> Processing of floating oil using oil treatment agent

[0170] The floating oil recovery processing device 10 can not only recover without contacting the floating oil as described above, but also can mix the oil treatment agent 65 into the floating oil on the sea surface by replacing the partial pipe, and perform decomposition processing.

[0171] <2> Injector device

[0172] In the Fig. 7 , the nozzle 41 provided at the top end of the water delivery pipe 42 and the extraction pipe 44 are shown, but the injector device 40 can also have the same structure as the previous embodiment, with the nozzle 41, the extraction pipe 44, and the float 45.

[0173] <2.1> Cutting of oil-water recovery pipe

[0174] In this case, the oil-water recovery pipe 53 is cut from the extraction pipe 44, and the mixed fluid containing the oil treatment agent 65 generated in the extraction pipe 44 is discharged toward the floating oil.

[0175] <2.2> Orientation of discharge side of extraction pipe

[0176] The cut extraction pipe 44 is positioned so that the discharge side thereof faces the sea.

[0177] The discharge side of the extraction pipe 44 can be bent in a U shape, or can be maintained in a straight pipe state without being bent.

[0178] In any case, as long as the structure is such that the mixed fluid containing the oil treatment agent 65 can be discharged toward the sea surface through the extraction pipe 44.

[0179] <3> Additional Equipment

[0180] Reference Fig. 7 The oil spill recovery and treatment device 10, in addition to the structure already described, also includes an auxiliary tank 60 for storing oil treatment agent 65, an oil treatment agent supply device 61 consisting of a supply pump and a motor, and an auxiliary pipe 62 connecting the auxiliary tank 60 to a water supply pipe 52 on the discharge side of the high-speed water supply device 51.

[0181] In this invention, an oil treatment agent 65 is supplied to the nozzle 41 using a water supply pipe 52 and an auxiliary pipe 62.

[0182] <3.1> Oil treatment agent

[0183] Oil treatment agent 65 is a liquid or powdered treatment agent that can decompose oil through oxidation or digestion by microorganisms. It can use known surfactants and solvents that have low secondary pollution and low toxicity to marine organisms.

[0184] <3.2> Oil treatment agent supply system

[0185] The top end of the auxiliary pipe 62, which is connected to the discharge side of the oil treatment agent supply device 61, partially merges with the water supply pipe 52, enabling the supply of oil treatment agent 65 to the water supply pipe 52 through the oil treatment agent supply device 61 and the auxiliary pipe 62.

[0186] <3.3> Water intake for water supply piping

[0187] The water source for water supply pipe 52 can be either Fig. 3 The oil-water separator 50 shown can also draw water from parts other than the oil-water separator 50.

[0188] illustrate Fig. 7 The water source for the illustrated water supply pipe 52 can also be configured such that a water intake pipe 63 is partially connected to a three-way switching valve V1 located on the suction side of the high-speed water supply device 51, and water is supplied to the water supply pipe 52 through the water intake pipe 63 that hangs down into the sea.

[0189] 2. Methods for handling floating oil

[0190] This example illustrates the treatment method using an oil treatment agent.

[0191] <1> Supply of oil treatment agent

[0192] Start the high-speed water supply device 51 and the oil treatment agent supply device 61 to continuously supply water mixed with oil treatment agent 65 to the water supply pipe 42.

[0193] <2> Mixing of oil treatment agent and oil

[0194] When the high-speed water mixed with the oil treatment agent 65 is sprayed from the nozzle 41 toward the suction port of the extraction pipe 44, the floating oil located around the nozzle 41, the high-speed water mixed with the oil treatment agent 65, and the on-site water sucked are mixed in the extraction pipe 44 by the Venturi effect and discharged into the sea.

[0195] The mixed fluid containing the oil treatment agent 65 discharged into the sea is discharged spirally through the extraction pipe 44, so that the oil treatment agent 65 is mixed with the bulk layer of the floating oil on the sea surface by stirring.

[0196] 3. Effects of this example

[0197] In this example, by a simple work of replacing only the piping of the partial floating oil recovery treatment device 10, it is possible to cope with the work of decomposing the floating oil on the sea surface by mixing the oil treatment agent 65.

[0198] Generally, in the case of using the oil treatment agent, if the oil treatment agent is merely scattered, the treatment effect is low, and the operation of mixing the oil treatment agent with the oil by stirring becomes important.

[0199] Since the floating oil has a moderate viscosity, it is necessary to use mechanical stirring force to mix the oil treatment agent with the floating oil.

[0200] In the present application, the oil treatment agent can be mixed with the floating oil by the existing injector device, so that it is not necessary to additionally provide a dedicated stirring and mixing device for mechanically mixing the oil treatment agent with the floating oil.

[0201] Explanation of reference numerals

[0202] O, floating oil; A, suction direction of floating oil; V1, switching valve; V2, on-off valve; V3, drain valve; 10, floating oil recovery treatment device; 20, support frame; 21, bottom frame portion of support frame; 22, front transverse support shaft of support frame; 30, air diffuser pipe; 30a, air diffuser hole; 31, air feeding device; 32, air feeding pipe; 33, bubble group; 34, rising water flow; 40, injector device; 41, nozzle; 42, water feeding pipe; 44, extraction pipe; 45, float; 46, connecting rod; 47, connecting plate; 50, oil-water separation tank; 51, high-speed water feeding device; 52, water feeding pipe; 53, oil-water recovery pipe; 54, suction pipe; 55, tank main body; 56, partition plate; 57, oil recovery tank; 60, ship.

Claims

1. A floating oil recovery treatment device characterized by comprising: a bubble curtain generating mechanism that discharges air into water to form a bubble curtain in the water, thereby being able to increase the layer thickness of a floating oil layer while restricting the spread of the floating oil; an ejector device that recovers an oil-water mixed fluid in which the floating oil and water are mixed while breaking the floating oil layer by ejecting high-speed water toward the floating oil layer surrounded by the bubble curtain; and a support frame attached to a part of a ship, wherein the bubble curtain generating mechanism discharges air into the water from the bottom of the support frame in such a manner that an upward flow of a bubble group discharged from a diffuser pipe arranged in a planar Japanese "ko" or "u" shape at the bottom of the support frame forms the bubble curtain, and the ejector device comprises a nozzle that breaks the floating oil layer by ejecting high-speed water toward the floating oil layer surrounded by the bubble curtain and a suction pipe that sucks the high-speed water ejected from the nozzle and generates a negative pressure suction force, and recovers the oil-water mixed fluid in which the floating oil and water are mixed into the suction pipe while breaking the floating oil layer by the nozzle.

2. The floating oil recovery treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the floating oil recovery treatment device further comprises an oil-water separation tank that separates and recovers the oil from the oil-water mixed fluid recovered by the ejector device.

3. The floating oil recovery treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the floating oil recovery treatment device further comprises an oil-water separation tank that is mounted on the ship and separates and recovers the oil from the oil-water mixed fluid recovered by the ejector device, a connection pipe that connects between the ejector device and the oil-water separation tank, a water supply pipe that connects between the oil-water separation tank and the nozzle, and a high-speed water supply device and a water supply pipe that are installed in the water supply pipe and cyclically supply the water separated in the oil-water separation tank as high-speed water to the nozzle.

4. The floating oil recovery treatment device according to claim 3, characterized in that a part of the ejector device to which a float is attached is pivotally supported to a part of the support frame so as to be swingable in the up-and-down direction, thereby making the suction height of the oil-water sucked by the ejector device follow the water level change.

5. The floating oil recovery treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bubble curtain generating mechanism comprises a diffuser pipe arranged in the support frame, a gas supply device composed of a gas pump and a motor mounted on the ship, and a gas supply pipe that connects between the diffuser pipe and the gas supply device.

6. The floating oil recovery treatment device according to claim 3, characterized in that the oil-water separation tank has a tank main body that receives the oil-water mixed fluid recovered by the ejector device and a plurality of partition plates arranged in the tank main body, and separates the oil and water in the tank main body by the difference in specific gravity.

7. The floating oil recovery treatment device according to claim 3, characterized in that ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The floating oil recovery processing device additionally has an auxiliary tank mounted on the ship and storing an oil treatment agent, an oil treatment agent supply device that supplies the oil treatment agent in the auxiliary tank to the water delivery pipe, and an auxiliary pipe that connects between the oil treatment agent supply device and the water delivery pipe, and the mixing and stirring of the floating oil layer floating on the water surface and the oil treatment agent is performed using an ejector device that is disposed toward the water on the discharge side of the extraction pipe.

Images