Trawl for collecting waste floating on the surface of water, such as hydrocarbons

Abstract

The present invention relates to a trawl (1) characterised in that it comprises: a net (2) for recovering waste floating on the surface of water, the recovery net (2) having the shape of a pouch with an opening which, in the trawl position, opens so as to receive water loaded with waste; two inflatable floaters (3), which are inflated in the trawl position, the floaters (3) being joined at an end by a hinge member, which hinge member enables the two floaters arranged side by side to spread in order to form a V as soon as they are inflated; a skirt (4) being associated with each of the inflatable floaters (3), the skirt being joined thereto along a longitudinal line to form a containment wing (5), the floaters (3) together with their associated skirts (4) forming, with the floaters (3) spread and the skirts (4) in the water, a containment space, the end regions of the containment wing (5) at the hinge member entering into the recovery net (2) such that the hinge member is arranged in the net (2) through the opening therein, the skirts (4) having a portion entering into the net (2) in the trawl position, which portion is retracted at the hinge member.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a trawl for the recovery of floating waste on the surface of the water, in particular for the recovery of hydrocarbons.

[0002] In the field of hydrocarbon pollution control, it is known to use trawls which allow the recovery of hydrocarbons floating on the surface of the water and originating from an oil spill or degassing.

[0003] Such trawls are used in the same way as traditional fishing trawls; the trawl is towed by two vessels, each arm of the trawl being pulled by one of the vessels. This method of trawling is used for fishing; towing the trawl by two vessels, that is, without a central obstruction, allows the fish to be guided towards the net without frightening them.

[0004] This type of traction is therefore not the most suitable for hydrocarbon recovery, in which traction by a single central line would allow the use of a single vessel to pull the trawl.

[0005] Towing by a single vessel offers the advantages of easier deployment and higher trawling speeds. However, higher trawling speeds can lead to problems with the extrusion of hydrocarbons caught in the net. At high trawling speeds, the hydrocarbons caught in the net tend to adhere to the bottom of the net. At high speeds, these hydrocarbons then pass through the mesh. The recovered hydrocarbons are then lost, and the recovery process must be repeated.

[0006] JP S53 144071 describes a device for collecting oil from water. This device includes a bag having an opening. The device also includes purlins, each comprising a buoyancy member preferably in the form of an inflatable hose, a combined tension and ballast element, for example in the form of a chain, and a purlin skirt 11 that connects the buoyancy member to the element. The buoyancy members of the purlin sections are connected by means of a similar buoyancy member extending along the upper edge of the bag opening. The lower edge of the bag opening is provided with a combined reinforcement and ballast member, which may be an extension of the element.

[0007] FR2849660 relates to a device for collecting floating articles such as hydrocarbons. The device comprises a bag and a structure to which the bag is attached. The inflatable structure has two arms extending from it, connected by a hinge to the two lateral edges of the bag's opening.

[0008] There is therefore a need for a trawl that can reconcile towing by a single vessel while preventing the loss of waste recovered by the trawl due to a higher trawling speed, which provides superior maneuverability and collection efficiency.

[0009] The present invention solves these problems by proposing a central-end trawl, the trawl net incorporating two inflatable beams whose lower skirts form an entry point into the net. With this skirt arrangement within the net, a vortex forms inside the net, keeping hydrocarbons in motion and preventing their accumulation at the bottom, thus avoiding extrusion through the mesh.

[0010] To this end, the present invention relates to a trawl comprising: a net for recovering floating waste on the surface of the water, said recovery net having the shape of a bag which has an opening, which, in trawling position, opens to receive the water laden with waste; two inflatable beams, which are inflated in trawling position, said beams being joined at one end by a hinged member, allowing the two beams arranged side by side to move apart to form a V as soon as they are inflated;a skirt being associated with each of the inflatable beams, connected to it along a longitudinal line, to form a containment wing, the beams with their associated skirts forming, in a position separated from the beams and with the skirts in the water, a containment space, the end regions of the containment wings near said hinge member penetrating the recovery net so that the hinge member is disposed in said net by being introduced into it through the opening thereof, ; skirts having a part penetrating the net in trawling position but disappearing in the vicinity of the hinge.

[0011] In one particular embodiment, the skirts disappear when they are cut.

[0012] In one particular embodiment, the skirts disappear by being incised in the vicinity of their connection to the respective inflatable beam.

[0013] In one particular embodiment, the skirts disappear by tapering towards the top of the inflatable beam when the trawl is in trawling position.

[0014] The trawl may include a towing kit comprising a central end attached to the lower edge of the net. The towing kit may also include spreader stops, one end of each spreader stop being attached to the central end and the other end being attached to a strap carried by a lower portion of the skirt, each skirt carrying a plurality of straps distributed along its length.

[0015] The trawl may include an inflatable beam attached to the net opposite the opening of said net in order to serve as a float.

[0016] Inflatable beams can be made from a material chosen from chlorosulfonated polyethylene, PVC, polyurethane and neoprene.

[0017] The net can be made of polyamide.

[0018] Inflatable beams may have, on their upper part in trawling position, a ridge to which the upper part of the net is attached.

[0019] The hinge component can be chosen from: a mechanical hinge with plates and hinge pins, and a hinged canvas welded to each end of the inflatable beams.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a method of trawling floating waste on the surface of the water, characterized in that the trawl according to the invention is thrown into the water, the latter then taking its trawling position without additional maneuvering.

[0021] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, a particular embodiment will be described below, by way of indication and not limitation, with reference to the attached drawing.

[0022] In this drawing: thereFigure 1 is a side view of a trawl net according to the present invention; the Figure 2 is a front view of the trawl net of the Figure 1 ; there Figure 3 is a top view of the trawl net of the Figure 1 ; there Figure 4 is a view analogous to the Figure 2 , on a larger scale, showing the area where the waste enters the trawl; the Figure 5 is a perspective view, seen from inside the net, of the area where the waste enters the trawl; the Figure 6 is a view analogous to the Figure 5 showing a view from inside the net from a different angle; the Figure 7 is a view analogous to the Figure 6 , on a larger scale, showing the lower part of the waste entry zone into the trawl; the Figure 8 is a side view of the trawl net according to the invention, showing on a larger scale the area where the trawl net is attached; the Figure 9 is a view of the lower part of an inflatable trawl beam according to the invention, showing a trawl traction strap; the Figure 10 and the Figure 11 are views analogous to Figures 1 and 2 respectively, on which the mesh of the net has been represented; the Figure 12 is a perspective view of the trawl net depicted on the Figures 10 et 11 ; there Figure 13 is a view analogous to the Figure 11 showing the trawl net in trawling position; the Figure 14 is a view analogous to the Figure 13 seen from an off-center angle; the Figure 15 is a view analogous to the Figure 11 showing a trawl net according to another embodiment; the Figure 16 is a view analogous to the Figure 11 showing a trawl net according to another embodiment; the Figure 17 is a view analogous to the Figure 4 according to another embodiment; the Figure 18 is a view analogous to the Figure 6 according to another embodiment, and the Figure 19 is a view of the trawl according to the figures 17 And 18 from inside the net, the latter being omitted.

[0023] If we refer to Figures 1 à 7 , a trawl 1 has been represented according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The trawl 1 includes a net 2 for recovering floating waste on the water's surface. On the Figures 1 à 7 The mesh of the net has not been represented in order to avoid overloading the figures.

[0025] The net 2 is substantially parallelepiped in shape and has an upper face 201 and a belly 202 which are joined by small sides 203 and a net back 204 at the rear of it in the direction of movement of the trawl 1.

[0026] At the front of the net 2 in the direction of movement of the trawl 1, the latter is open and forms an opening 205. The edges of the opening 205 have an island 206 whose role will be indicated below.

[0027] A float 207 is fixed to the net 2 at the back of the net 204. A rope 208 is fixed to the island 206 at two opposite points located at the junction between the short sides 203 and the belly 202 and goes around the net 2 passing under the float 207.

[0028] Net 2 is typically a polyamide net.

[0029] The trawl 1 also includes two inflatable beams 3. Each inflatable beam 3 has a circular cross-section when inflated. Each inflatable beam 3 has a skirt 4, the skirt 4 being connected to the inflatable beam 3 along a longitudinal line to form a containment wing 5. The skirt 4 is in the form of a sheet connected to the corresponding inflatable beam. Near one end of the inflatable beams 3 and near the connection point to the inflatable beam 3, the skirt 4 has a notch 4a, the purpose of which will be explained later.

[0030] Each inflatable beam 3 also has a ridge 6 which protrudes from the upper part of the inflatable beam 3 and whose role will be indicated later.

[0031] The inflatable beams 3 are joined at one of their ends by a hinge member 7. Said hinge member 7 is a conventional hinge comprising two plates 8 each having two pins 9, the plates 8 being connected to each other by means of an axle 10 passing through the pins 9. The plates 8 are fixed to each of the respective inflatable beams 3 in order to connect the two inflatable beams 3.

[0032] The inflatable beams 3 are connected to each other such that the incisions 4a made in the skirts 4 are located near the meeting area of ​​the two inflatable beams 3. The skirts 4 are connected to each other at their free end by plates 11 and screws 12 ( Figure 7 ).

[0033] The two containment wings 5 ​​enter the net 2 through its opening 205, the hinge member 7 being received inside the net 2. The opening 205 of the net is such that the inflatable beams 3 come into contact against the inner part of the upper face 201 of the net 2, and the skirts 4 come into contact against the inner part of the belly 202 of the net 2.

[0034] We now refer more specifically to Figures 4 à 6 The net 2 is connected to each of the containment wings 5 ​​by a plurality of loops 13 and a rod 14.

[0035] The loops 13 are linked to the loop 206 located on the upper face 2021 of the net 2. The loops 13 pass through the crest 6 of the containment wings 5 ​​through openings not shown in the Figures.

[0036] The rod 14 passes through the loops 13 while being positioned against the ridge 6. By doing so, the ileum 206 is held against the upper part of the containment wings 5.

[0037] We now refer more specifically to Figures 8 And 9 . Net 2 is connected to each of the containment wings 5 ​​at the skirts 4 by means of a cable 15.

[0038] The skirts 4 have along their lower edge four traction straps 16 evenly distributed along the lower edge of the skirts 4.

[0039] These straps 16 have a fastening piece 16a for the skirt 4 and a buckle 16, the function of which will be explained below. The second strap 16 from the hinge member 7 has a ring 17 inside the buckle 16b. The function of the ring 17 will be explained below.

[0040] At the connection between the 206 sling and the 208 rope, the 206 sling carries a rod 18.

[0041] The cable 15 connects the rod 18 carried by the eyelet 206 to the ring 17 carried by the corresponding strap 16. In doing so, the lower part of the net 2 is connected to the containment wings 5.

[0042] The trawl 1 also includes a traction kit 19 which includes a central end 20 as well as a plurality of gap limiters 21.

[0043] The central end is fixed to the ilium 206 at the level of the belly 202 of the net 2.

[0044] Each spacing limiter 21 is fixed at one end to the central end 20 and at the other end to one of the loops 16b of the traction straps 16 of the skirts 4. The role of the central end and the spacing limiters will be indicated below.

[0045] The central end 20 and the spacing limiters are typically polyamide or dyneema cables.

[0046] Before the trawl net 1 is placed in the water, the inflatable beams 3 are inflated. When the trawl net 1 is placed in the water, the inflatable beams 3 form a V shape. This V shape is made possible by the contact between the beams at the hinge member 7. When inflated, the two beams 3 repel each other while being held in place by the hinge member 7, thus creating the V shape formed by the two beams 3.

[0047] When the trawl 1 is placed in the water, the containment wings 5 ​​form a containment space that guides floating debris on the water's surface towards the net 2. This containment space forms naturally in the water thanks to the V-shape of the containment wings 5, without requiring any maneuvering by the vessel towing the trawl 1. Furthermore, the trawl 1 is towed by the central line 20, thus requiring only one vessel to tow the trawl 1. The gap limiters 21 prevent the containment wings from spreading too far apart.

[0048] We now refer to Figures 11 And 13 When the trawl net 1 is not moving, the skirts 4 at the incision 4a are in the closed position ( Figure 11 ), in which floating debris cannot enter or leave the net. When the trawl 1 is in motion, the skirts 4 will be splayed along the incision 4a due to the pressure exerted by the water on the skirts 4. In addition, as the skirts are connected at the bottom by the plates 11, an opening will then form, which will allow floating debris to enter the net.

[0049] The tip of the V formed by the containment wings 5 ​​is positioned inside the net 2. Thanks to this position of the containment wings 5 ​​within the net 2, when the trawl 1 is moving, a low-pressure area will be created behind the skirts 4 in the forward position of the trawl 1. This low-pressure area will cause the water entering the net to settle behind said skirts 4. Thanks to this movement, floating debris such as hydrocarbons collected in the net 2 do not accumulate at the bottom of the net 204, but are instead directed towards the rear of the skirts 4, thus preventing these hydrocarbons from escaping through the rear of the net 2.

[0050] If we refer to Figures 15 And 16 Two other embodiments of the present invention have been shown. In these embodiments, only the skirts are modified, the other elements of the trawl being identical.

[0051] In these embodiments, the skirts 4' do not have an incision, but are cut along their entire height in the vicinity of the hinge region between the inflatable beams 3. By doing so, the opening made between the skirts 4' allows the passage of floating debris and the skirts 4' while being blocked at the rear of the skirts 4' in the forward position of the trawl to prevent the accumulation of floating debris at the bottom of the net 2.

[0052] If we refer to Figures 17 à 19 Another embodiment according to the present invention has been represented. In these embodiments, only the skirts and the hinge are modified, the other elements of the trawl being identical.

[0053] In this embodiment, a skirt 40 is connected to the inflatable beam 3 along a longitudinal line of the latter. The skirt 40 is in the form of a sheet that is attached to the corresponding inflatable beam. Near the end of the inflatable beam 3 intended to enter the net 2, and near the hinge area between the two inflatable beams 3, the skirt 40 retracts to form a passage for floating debris.

[0054] While fading away in the vicinity of the hinge area between the two beams 3, each skirt 40 extends upwards along the edge of the corresponding inflatable beam 3 to meet at a hinge canvas 70 which is welded to each of the ends of the inflatable beams 3.

[0055] The hinge canvas 70 allows the inflatable beams 3 to be connected to each other while allowing the beams 3 to form a V when inflated.

Claims

1. - Trawl (1) comprising a net (2) for recovering waste floating on the surface of water, said recovery net (2) having the shape of a pouch with an opening (205) which, in the trawling position, opens so as to receive water loaded with waste; the trawl (1) also comprising: - two inflatable beams (3), which are inflated in the trawling position, said beams (3) being joined at one end by a hinge member (7; 70), allowing the two beams arranged side by side to spread apart to form a V as soon as they are inflated; - a skirt (4; 4'; 40) being associated with each of the inflatable beams (3), connected thereto along a longitudinal line, to form a containment wing (5), the beams (3) with their associated skirts (4; 4'; 40) forming, in the spread position of the beams (3) and with the skirts (4; 4'; 40) in the water, a containment space, the end regions of the containment wings (5) adjacent to said hinge member (7; 70) entering in the recovery net (2) so that the hinge member (7; 70) is disposed in said net (2) by being introduced into it through the opening thereof, the skirts (4; 4'; 40) having a part that enters in the net (2) in the trawling position but moves aside in the vicinity of the hinge member (7; 70).

2. - Trawl (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the skirts (4') move aside by virtue of having been cut.

3. - Trawl (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the skirts (4) move aside by virtue of having been incised in the vicinity of their connection to the respective inflatable beam (3).

4. - Trawl (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the skirts (40) move aside by virtue of being tapered towards the top of the inflatable beam (3) when the trawl net (1) is in the trawling position.

5. - Trawl (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises a traction kit (19) comprising a central line (20) attached to the lower edge of the net (2).

6. - Trawl (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the traction kit (19) comprises spread limiters (21), one end of each spread limiter (21) being connected to the central line (20) and the other end being connected to a strap (16) carried by a lower part of the skirt (4; 4'; 40), each skirt (4; 4'; 40) carrying a plurality of straps (16) distributed over the length of the skirt (4; 4'; 40).

7. - Trawl (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it comprises an inflatable beam (207) connected to the net (2) opposite the opening (205) of said net (2) in order to serve as a float.

8. - Trawl (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the inflatable beams (3) are made of a material chosen from chlorosulphonated polyethylene, PVC, polyurethane and neoprene.

9. - Trawl according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the net (2) is made of polyamide.

10. - Trawl according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the inflatable beams (3) have, on their upper part in the trawling position, a ridge (6) to which the upper part of the net (2) is attached.

11. - Trawl according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the hinge member is selected from: - a mechanical hinge (7) with plates (8) and pins (9), and - a hinge web (70) welded to each of the ends of the inflatable beams (3).

12. - Method for trawling waste floating on the surface of water, characterised in that the trawl (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11 is thrown into the water, the latter then taking up its trawling position without any additional manoeuvring.

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