Device and a method for removing a liquid from a water surface

A liquid removal device for removing a liquid, such as oil or an algae slurry, from a surface of water, said device comprising:

• a circumferentially extending flexible wall element defining together with a bottom part a suction chamber for receiving said liquid, said flexible wall element being adapted to be immersed in said water,
• a floater body being sealingly connected to said flexible wall element at an upper edge of the latter, and being adapted to be at least partially submerged in said liquid and being able to effectuate a movement in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to said surface of water, said floater body having a circumferentially extending outer member and an inner member, which is coaxial with the outer member and connected thereto, said inner member being adapted to receive a buoyant force exerted by said liquid contained in the suction chamber, and
• a liquid outlet for evacuating said liquid from said suction chamber, said outlet being in fluid communication with said suction chamber,
• said outer member has an upper circumferential edge for receiving said liquid, the edge being, in an active position, positioned below a level of said liquid, thereby allowing inflow of said liquid into said device, and said edge being, in an inactive position, positioned above the level of said liquid, thereby preventing inflow of said liquid into said device,
• at least one through-channel extends between said outer and inner members and allows the liquid being received by said circumferential edge to flow therefrom into said suction chamber, and
• said movement of said floater body is enabled, as a function of the amount of said liquid in the suction chamber, between the active and the inactive position,
• wherein
• a difference in length of the flexible wall element in a fully extended state and in a fully contracted state, respectively, is at least 2 times any transverse measurement of the flexible wall element.