Oil skimming apparatus

An apparatus for skimming and recovering a layer of oil floating on a body of water, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of outer pipe sections sealably joined end to end, each section longitudinally perforated along one side that may be positioned against the floating oil, said plurality of joined outer pipe sections being of sufficient length to at least partially surround the layer of oil;
• a plurality of spaced-apart support members positioned within the outer pipe sections;
• a plurality of inner pipe sections sealably joined end to end, each section longitudinally perforated along at least one side, said plurality of inner pipe sections being generally coextensive with the joined outer pipe sections, and positioned within said support members so that the perforations in the inner pipe sections may be positioned at a desired height within the outer pipe sections;
• a plurality of adjustable buoyancy floats attached to said outer pipe sections, said floats enabling the outer pipe sections and the enclosed support members and inner pipe sections to float on the body of water at a level most suited for skimming the layer of oil;
• a first suction pump coupled to an end of said joined outer pipe sections, said first pump acting to draw a water and oil mixture into the interior of the joined outer pipe sections through the perforations therein;
• and
• a second suction pump coupled to an end of said coupled internal pipe sections, said second pump acting to draw primarily oil into the interior of said joined inner pipe sections through the perforations therein from the oil and water mixture drawn into the interior of the joined outer pipe sections.