Ice zone oil recovery machine and deployment device

Abstract

This invention relates to an ice-collecting oil skimmer and deployment device, primarily used for recovering oil spills on the surface of extremely cold waters containing ice fragments. It falls under the specialized technical field of surface water environmental protection, specifically oil spill recovery. The device utilizes a pre-process involving a stainless steel conveyor belt to scoop ice fragments from the water, followed by hot water washing to remove oil from both the top and bottom surfaces, and a subsequent process using a brush-type oil skimmer to recover the surface oil. The device is normally stored in a warehouse or on the deck, and when in use, it is installed on the side of the ship. Deployment and recovery are simple, quick, and highly automated, with the advantages of not occupying cargo space and ensuring thorough oil recovery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of water surface environmental protection engineering, and is mainly applied to the professional technology of water surface waste oil recycling and disposal. Background Technology

[0002] The recovery and disposal of oily sludge on water surfaces encompasses the separation and collection of floating oil pollutants (crude oil, waste oil, etc.) or solid waste (plastics, foam, aquatic plants, etc.) from the water surface (ocean, port, river, lake, reservoir, industrial wastewater pond, etc.) and their safe disposal to protect the aquatic ecosystem. There are three main methods for recovering oily sludge on water surfaces: 1. Mechanical equipment recovery method: Utilizing the affinity between oil and water, the oil adheres and is then physically separated. This mainly uses oil collectors (disc, drum, brush, weir, etc.) for continuous operation. 2. Adsorption recovery: Using oil-absorbing pads to absorb the oil before incineration. 3. Chemical neutralization method: Using bio-friendly chemical reagents to decompose the oil film. This invention belongs to the mechanical equipment recovery method within the recovery of oily sludge on water surfaces. Existing oily sludge recovery equipment is mainly suitable for ordinary water bodies and is ineffective for oily sludge on water surfaces containing ice fragments in extremely cold icy areas or winter waterways.

[0003] Recovering and disposing of oily wastewater in icy areas presents numerous challenges: First, the low ambient temperature severely reduces the fluidity of the oil. Low temperatures cause the oil to solidify into lumps or approach the limits of electronic equipment, leading to starting difficulties and measurement inaccuracies. Second, low temperatures also reduce the structural strength of various mechanical devices, increasing the risk of brittle fracture. Therefore, special low-temperature resistant and impact-resistant steels are needed for parts, with a larger safety margin or degraded use. Third, low temperatures cause oily wastewater to mix with ice fragments. Oily wastewater adheres to both the upper and lower surfaces of the ice layer, and when broken, it arranges itself irregularly, making cleaning difficult. If the ice blocks are large, ice breaking is required before oil recovery, further exacerbating the difficulties of oily wastewater recovery in icy areas.

[0004] Finland is currently the only country attempting oil skimmer recovery in ice-covered areas. Their most successful equipment is a large oil skimmer positioned at the stern of the ship. An A-frame lift system elevates the entire unit at the stern, and hydraulic cylinders control the repeated sinking and rising of the lower grates to separate water and ice. A brush-type oil skimmer then collects the sludge within the grates. The advantages of this system are clear: because it's located at the stern, in the area where the water re-converges after the ship breaks through the waves, the ice is more broken after repeated impacts from the water flow, and the smaller ice fragments facilitate the separation of sludge from it. However, the disadvantages are also apparent: due to the ship's draft and the re-convergence of water created by the propeller, ice fragments and sludge are carried to deeper areas and tumbled back up, resulting in more disordered and chaotic water stratification. This inevitably increases the difficulty of oil skimmer recovery, requiring a greater amplitude of repeated sinking and rising of the grates to cover the entire area. Meanwhile, the process of washing away floating oil sludge is an intermittent rather than continuous operation, and some omissions are inevitable in practice. These omissions become unavoidable as ship speed increases. Furthermore, because the operation requires good visual inspection and manual control, accurately locating the recovery point while the ship is underway is also difficult. If the ship cuts through the oil sludge area while sailing, it will inevitably soil the hull, and there is no guarantee that the broken ice containing oil sludge will converge along the hull to the central area at the stern. This necessitates that this type of oil skimmer be very large to ensure sufficient working width, thus occupying more deck space.

[0005] The oil skimmers imported into China are shovel-type oil skimmers, also products of a Finnish company. They mainly use a design similar to a surface excavator, with brush components, a screw mechanism for transferring sludge, and a delivery pump added to the cargo shovel. They generally require manual control by operators and are mainly used on beaches or in narrow working areas near the coast, which greatly limits their working efficiency and application area. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The ice-covered oil skimmer and deployment device of this invention mainly comprises two sets of equipment: an ice-covered oil skimmer and a deployment device. The two sets of equipment are integrated and can be fixed to the ship's deck, arranged symmetrically on both sides or on one side. Before the brush-type oil skimmer process, a separation device for floating ice and oily water, along with a high-pressure hot water cleaning device, is installed, enabling the skimmer to continuously recover oily water in an ice-covered environment. The deployment device achieves a high degree of integration between the storage, deployment, use, and recovery processes of the ice-covered oil skimmer.

[0007] The ice-covered oil skimmer (4) of this invention is the main working component for recovering oil from floating ice. The ice-covered oil skimmer (4) can clean up oil in ordinary waters and can also recover oil in extremely cold ice areas. When recovering oil in ordinary waters, the floating ice conveyor belt (4.1) can be disassembled or kept inactive, and the subsequent brush-type oil skimmer (4.2) can be used for oil recovery. When recovering oil in extremely cold ice areas, the floating ice conveyor belt is used to separate ice blocks from the upper water, and the ice blocks are cleaned by the high-pressure hot water nozzle group (4.1.1) hidden in the floating ice conveyor belt. The ice fragments are then cleaned a second time with high-pressure hot water on the horizontally inclined conveyor belt (4.3). After being cleaned twice, the ice fragments slide out of the upper outlet of the ice-covered oil skimmer (4) on the inclined plane by means of gravity inertia. The water that passes through the floating ice conveyor belt (4.1) will enter the working area of ​​the brush oil collector (4.2). The brush oil collector (4.2) collects the sludge and oil in the water and then discharges clean water to its rear.

[0008] Compared to existing ice-collecting oil skimmers on the market, this invention utilizes the universal convenience of ship-side oil skimming operations, abandoning the special operation methods at the stern. It also features a completely new design for the side-mounted ship-side track deployment method, eliminating the need for heavy equipment such as cranes during the entire deployment process. In terms of the oil skimming process, it completely eliminates the previous method of using inclined grates to remove ice fragments and press them under the skimmer, thus avoiding the problem of incomplete cleaning of oil residue adhering to the lower surface of floating ice.

[0009] Thanks to the ice conveyor belt (4.1), most of the ice is eliminated, and the brush-type ice skimmer (4.2) of the ice skimmer can be replaced with other types of ice skimmers, such as the weir-type ice skimmer.

[0010] Thanks to the heating and cleaning process of the high-pressure hot water cleaning device on the ice conveyor belt (4.1), the upper and lower surfaces of the ice can achieve better oil stain removal.

[0011] Thanks to the dual-axis inclined arrangement of the horizontal inclined conveyor belt (4.3), the floating ice can be pushed out of the outlet by inertia after being cleaned.

[0012] The deployment device of the present invention comprises three parts: a deck bracket (1), a tilting frame (2), and a lifting frame (3). The deck bracket (1) of the deployment device is equipped with sliding guide rails, using double-row heavy-duty lifting guide rails to withstand the offset torque of the entire device when in the working position, as well as the vibration torque changes caused by water flow and ice impact. The tilting frame (2) of the deployment device serves as an integrated storage platform for the lifting frame (3) and the ice-collecting oil skimmer (4), and can be tilted 90 degrees to prepare for the first tilting of the ice-collecting oil skimmer (4) when it enters the working position. The lifting frame (3) of the deployment device serves as a storage platform for the ice-collecting oil skimmer (4), and can be tilted 90 degrees to provide a lifting platform for the ice-collecting oil skimmer to enter the working position. The deck bracket (1), tilting frame (2), and lifting frame (3) of the deployment device constitute a set of general deck equipment deployment devices. They can be used as support devices for small equipment such as ice-covered oil skimmers (4) or unmanned vessels to enter the water after a 180-degree rotation. Such deployment devices help improve the maintenance capabilities of equipment when stored on the deck and avoid corrosion of deck equipment caused by seawater splashing. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the working position of the oil skimmer and deployment device in the ice zone Figure 2 Schematic diagram of deck storage location for oil skimmers and deployment devices in ice-covered areas. Figure 3 One of the processes for deploying an oil skimmer in an ice-covered area: Schematic diagram of deck bracket extension. Figure 4 Part Two of the Oil Retriever Deployment Process in Ice-Covered Areas: A Schematic Diagram of Tilting the Unit Figure 5 Part Three of the Oil Recoverer Deployment Process in Ice-Covered Areas: Schematic Diagram of Tilting the Unit Figure 6 Part Three of the Oil Retriever Deployment Process in Ice-Covered Areas: Height Adjustment Diagram Figure 7 Part Three of the Oil Retriever Deployment Process in Ice-Covered Areas: Left and Right Adjustment Diagram Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of an oil skimmer operating in an ice-covered area. The ice floe conveyor belt (4.1) is arranged at a 40-degree angle to the horizontal sea surface, with its lowest point submerged in the seawater. Using its own baffles, the ice floes are carried onto the conveyor belt (4.1) as it rotates and are continuously transported upwards. During this process, the high-pressure hot water nozzle assembly (4.1.1) inside the ice floe conveyor belt (4.1) performs an initial spray heating and cleaning of the ice floes. After reaching its highest point, the ice floes are transferred to a horizontally inclined conveyor belt (4.3), where the high-pressure hot water nozzle assembly (4.3.1) performs a secondary cleaning. If necessary, the secondary cleaning is carried out from both the upper and lower planes, and the cleaned oil falls into the water below, entering the recovery area of ​​the brush-type oil skimmer (4.2).

[0014] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the ice floe conveyor belt structure. The ice floe conveyor belt uses two sets of roller chains (4.1.2) and sprockets (4.1.3) as transmission components, and two hydraulic motor reducers (4.1.4) as the hydraulic power source to handle the dragging torque caused by the weight of potentially thick ice floes with a large torque. The two sets of roller chains are connected as a single unit by chain plates, giving it overall rigidity. To maintain the verticality of the roller chains, 16 support wheels (4.1.5) are added internally to support the roller chains and chain plates in place. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The ice-collecting oil recoverer and deployment device of this invention utilizes hydraulic power for tilting, lifting, and operation. Since cleaning floating ice requires a high-pressure hot water source, its implementation necessitates the use of both a hydraulic power station and a high-pressure hot water power station (or a high-pressure seawater pump station). The ice-collecting oil recoverer and deployment device can be stored on the deck or, when not in use for extended periods, in a warehouse, and deployed to the ship's deck only when needed. The ice-collecting oil recoverer and deployment device have multiple implementation methods; one possible description is as follows: like Figure 2 As shown, the ice-collecting oil recovery unit and deployment device are placed on the deck. The schematic diagram shows the entire device on the port side, which can be mirrored and placed in the corresponding area on the starboard side, or evenly distributed on both sides.

[0016] like Figures 3-7 The deployment process of oil skimmers in ice-covered areas: 1, such as Figure 3 As shown, the deck bracket (1) uses a hydraulic cylinder as power to push the entire device to the side of the ship's side, partially over the ship's side to avoid collision with the fender. 2, as Figure 4 As shown, the hydraulic cylinder on the deck bracket (1) extends, pushing the tilting bracket (2) to tilt 90 degrees, after which the tilting bracket (2) stops in a position perpendicular to the deck. 3, as Figure 5As shown, the hydraulic cylinder on the tilting bracket (2) extends, pushing the lifting bracket (3) to tilt 90 degrees again, and the top surface of the lifting bracket (3) reaches the horizontal position with the deck. 4, as Figure 6 As shown, the hydraulic cylinder on the lifting bracket (3) can extend or retract to raise or lower the ice-covered oil separator (4), thereby adjusting the draft range of the ice-covered oil separator (4). 5, as Figure 7 As shown, after the ice-covered oil skimmer (4) is adjusted to the correct position, the deck bracket (1) can be pushed to move the entire device left and right, thereby reducing the gap between the ice-covered oil skimmer (4) and the deck side of the ship. 6, as Figure 8 As shown, the ice-covered oil skimmer (4) can then begin operation: start the high-pressure hot water spray devices (4.1.1 and 4.3.1), the ice conveyor belt (4.2), and the brush-type oil skimmer (4.1) to officially begin operation. The oil pump (5) is then started to begin operation. If necessary, a mechanical oil sweeping arm can be installed at the inlet of the ice conveyor belt to increase the surface sweeping width of the ice-covered oil skimmer.

[0017] The recovery process of the ice-covered oil skimmer is exactly the opposite of the deployment process described above: 1. Stop the operation of the oil skimmer: First, stop the operation of the brush-type oil skimmer (4.1), and then stop the operation of the floating ice conveyor belt (4.2) and the high-pressure hot water spray device (4.1.1 and 4.3.1). Use the oil pump (5) to drain all the recovered sludge before starting the equipment recovery operation. 2. Push the deck bracket (1) outward to the furthest point from the ship's side to provide a larger safe field of vision for the upward rotation of the lifting support (3). 3. The hydraulic cylinder on the lifting support (3) retracts, pushing the ice-covered oil skimmer (4) upward to the highest point. 4. The hydraulic cylinder on the tilting support (2) retracts, rotating the lifting support (3) 90 degrees so that its top surface reaches the vertical position of the deck. At this time, a slight pause should be made to allow the ice-covered oil skimmer (4) to drain all the water. 5. The hydraulic cylinder on the deck bracket (1) retracts, rotating the tilting support (2) 90 degrees to return it to a position parallel to the deck bracket (1). At this time, wait for the oil collector to continue draining water. 6. The hydraulic cylinder on the deck bracket (1) retracts, and the sliding mechanism pushes the entire device back to its initial storage position.

[0018] Other possible implementations: The deployment device can be used to deploy and recover ice-covered oil scavengers, as well as to deploy or recover unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and other similar surface devices. Using the deployment device to deploy USVs or similar surface devices falls within the scope of this invention. Without the deployment device, the ice-covered oil scavenger can be deployed on the ship's side using a heavy-duty crane. In this case, the ice-covered oil scavenger requires a side-mounted sliding rail for support. The ice-covered oil scavenger can also be equipped with a float, thus becoming an independent operating platform that can float on the water surface. The above implementations retain the basic characteristics of the ice-covered oil scavenger in separating and cleaning floating ice before recovering oil, and fall within the patent protection scope of this invention.

[0019] The above embodiments are examples based on the principles and main features of this invention, intended to illustrate the working principle and implementation method of this invention, and do not constitute a limitation thereof. Any modifications or improvements to the shape or size of this invention without departing from its principles and main features fall within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. The ice-covered oil skimmer and deployment device of this invention is a complete set of professional equipment that can be rapidly deployed in general waters (rivers, lakes, oceans) or in extremely cold waters where floating ice fragments exist to recover sludge oil. It mainly includes two sets of equipment: an ice-covered oil skimmer (4) and a deployment device. The ice-covered oil skimmer (4) is a professional working device for sludge oil recovery, while the deployment device can realize the rapid deployment and recovery functions of the ice-covered oil skimmer (4). The deployment device includes three main components: a deck bracket (1), a tilting bracket (2), and a lifting bracket (3). The ice-covered oil skimmer (4) mainly includes important components such as a floating ice conveyor belt (4.1), a brush-type oil skimmer (4.2), and a horizontal inclined conveyor belt (4.3). The deployment device uses a hydraulic cylinder as power, and the deck bracket (1) enables the entire device to slide towards the ship's side, which can adjust the gap between the working device and the ship's side. The tilting support (2) and lifting support (3) can achieve a 180-degree rotation of the device through two rotations, enabling the deployment and retrieval of the ice-covered oil skimmer (4) independently without the aid of a crane. It can also be used as a deployment or retrieval device for unmanned vessels or other surface equipment. The ice-covered oil skimmer (4) is powered by hydraulics. An ice separation and cleaning process is added to the front end of the brush-type oil skimmer (4.2). The ice is separated from the oily wastewater by the ice conveyor belt (4.1). During the ice conveying process, the surface of the ice is cleaned multiple times with high-pressure hot water. The cleaned ice is then sent back to the water behind. The ice separation and cleaning process enables the ice-covered oil skimmer (4) to continuously recover oil in extremely cold waterways with broken ice. When used in general waters, the ice separation and cleaning process can be turned off. The ice-covered oil skimmer and deployment device can be stored as a whole on the ship deck or stored in a warehouse when not in use for a long time, which has the advantage of not occupying cargo space.

2. According to claim 1, the ice-covered oil collector (4) and its deployment device are two sets of equipment in the complete set of equipment of the present invention, and one or both of the ice-covered oil collector (4) and the deployment device are important features of the present invention.

3. According to claim 1, the feature of this invention is that the deployment device can be applied to similar applications of deploying or recovering surface devices, such as deploying or recovering unmanned vessels, various oil skimmers, etc.

4. According to claim 1, the deck bracket (1) of the deployment device can adjust the gap between the working device and the ship's side during operation by sliding, and can also ensure that the entire set of equipment is inside the ship's side when the equipment is stored, thus ensuring navigation safety.

5. According to claim 1, the deployment device is arranged on the deck. By continuously flipping the rotating bracket (2) and the lifting bracket (3), the working device, such as the ice zone oil skimmer, can be rotated 180 degrees in the deployment requirements, thereby realizing the rapid deployment of the working device.

6. According to claim 1, the ice-covered oil collector (4) adds a floating ice conveyor belt (4.1) as a pre-process for floating ice separation and cleaning, thereby realizing the continuous recovery of sludge oil in the extremely cold floating ice area by the oil collector (4.2), which is an important feature of the ice-covered oil collector (4).

7. According to claim 1, the ice-area oil collector (4) adds a high-pressure hot water cleaning process to the surface of the floating ice in the pre-process of floating ice separation and cleaning, which achieves a more thorough cleaning of the sludge and oil, thereby more effectively protecting the environment and ecology.

8. According to claim 1, the integration of the ice-covered oil recovery machine and deployment device gives the complete set of equipment a more flexible storage method and the ability to quickly deploy and recover, which helps to achieve rapid transfer of the hull and emergency operations when oil spills are discovered.

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