# US 7,527,738 B2 · Method and apparatus for oil spill containment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,527,738 B2 - Document ID: US7527738B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/689,937 - Filed: 2003-10-21 - Published: 2005-04-21 - Granted: 2009-05-05 - Earliest claimed: 2003-10-21 - Assignees: Kinectrics Inc. - Inventors: Luciano A. Gonzalez; Blair F. Sim; Ron H. K. Tsang; Alexander Z. Mlynarczyk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7527738B2 ## CPC - B32B 27/06: as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08)} - B32B 27/00: Layered products comprising {a layer of} synthetic resin {(fibrous or filamentary layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/02; particulate layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/16; foamed layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/18)} - E04H 5/04: Transformer houses; Substations or switchgear houses - F16N 31/002: {Drain pans} - B32B 2307/726: Permeability to liquids, absorption - B32B 2439/00: Containers; Receptacles - Y02A 20/204: Keeping clear the surface of open water from oil spills - Y10S 210/924: using physical agent, e.g. sponge, mop - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - F16N: LUBRICATING - Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract An oil spill containment system for containing oil spills or leaks from an oil containing vessel. In one embodiment, the oil spill containment system comprises a geosynthetic material defining a number of cells, with an oil absorbing material and an oil adsorbing material received in the cells of the geosynthetic material. This system contains oil which spills or leaks from the oil containing vessel while allowing water from rain or snow melt to permeate through the system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An oil spill containment system for containing oil spills or leaks from an oil containing vessel, comprising: a containment basin; a layer of oil absorbing material contained within said basin; and a layer of oil adsorbing material also contained within said containment basin, on top of said layer of oil absorbing material, wherein the oil adsorbing material is at least one selected from the group consisting of: peat moss and derivatives thereof, Fuller's Earth, fly ash, and rock wool, and wherein the layer of oil absorbing material, when saturated with oil, forms an oil-and-water-impermeable barrier. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The oil spill containment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said layer of oil absorbing material comprises a material capable of encapsulating hydrocarbons and dielectric insulating fluids. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The oil spill containment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said layer of oil adsorbing material comprises a solid capable of adsorbing or retaining mineral oil and other dielectric insulating fluids. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The oil spill containment system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said layer of oil absorbing material comprises a granular layer of an oil absorbing material and/or an absorbent pad containing the oil absorbing material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The oil spill containment system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a layer of fire retardant material covering said layer of oil adsorbing material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The oil spill containment system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an oil and water permeable membrane or fabric between said layer of oil adsorbing material and said layer of fire retardant material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The oil spill containment system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a layer of aggregate material positioned beneath said layer of oil absorbing material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The oil spill containment system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a water permeable membrane between said layer of oil absorbing material and said layer of aggregate material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The oil spill containment system according to claim 5, wherein the oil absorbing material comprises an oil absorbing copolymer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The oil spill containment system according to claim 1, wherein the oil absorbing material comprises an oil absorbing copolymer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The oil spill containment system according to claim 1, wherein the oil absorbing material comprises a granular polymer with oil absorbing properties. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The oil spill containment system according to claim 1, further comprising a water permeable membrane or fabric between the layer of oil adsorbing material and the layer of oil absorbing material, wherein the water permeable membrane or fabric is in contact with the layer of oil adsorbing material and the layer of oil absorbing material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The oil spill containment system according to claim 1, wherein the containment basin comprises concrete. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The oil spill containment system according to claim 1, further comprising a liner in the containment basin, the liner being impermeable to water and oil and extending partially between the layer of oil adsorbing material and the layer of oil absorbing material. ### Claim 15 An oil retention tray for containing oil spills or leaks from an oil containing vessel, comprising: an elongate tray having a mesh bottom and being open at the top thereof; a layer of oil absorbing material received on said mesh bottom; and a layer of oil adsorbing material covering said layer of oil absorbing material, wherein the oil adsorbing material is at least one selected from the group consisting of: peat moss and derivatives thereof, Fuller's Earth, fly ash, and rock wool, and wherein the layer of oil absorbing material, when saturated with oil, forms an oil-and water-impermeable barrier. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The oil retention tray as claimed in claim 15, wherein said layer of oil absorbing material comprises an absorbent pad containing an oil absorbing granular polymer and/or an oil absorbing porous solid material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The oil retention tray as claimed in claim 16, further comprising an oil and water permeable membrane or fabric covering said layer of oil adsorbing material, and an oil and water impermeable membrane covering the sides of said oil elongate tray. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The oil spill containment system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a layer of fire retardant material covering said oil and water permeable membrane. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The oil retention tray according to claim 18, wherein the oil absorbing material comprises an oil absorbing copolymer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The oil retention tray according to claim 15, wherein the oil absorbing material comprises an oil absorbing copolymer. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The oil retention tray according to claim 15, wherein the oil absorbing material comprises a granular polymer with oil absorbing properties. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The oil retention tray according to claim 15, further comprising a water permeable membrane or fabric between the layer of oil adsorbing material and the layer of oil absorbing material, wherein the water permeable membrane or fabric is in contact with the layer of oil adsorbing material and the layer of oil absorbing material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The oil retention tray according to claim 15, further comprising a liner in the elongate tray, the liner being impermeable to water and oil and extending partially between the layer of oil adsorbing material and the layer of oil absorbing material. ### Claim 24 A method of preparing an oil spill containment system for containing oil spills or leaks from an oil containing vessel, wherein the oil spill containment system is received in a containment basin, the method comprising the steps of: providing a layer of oil absorbing material within the containment basin; and providing a layer of oil adsorbing material on top of the layer of oil absorbing material within the containment basin, wherein the oil adsorbing material is at least one selected from the group consisting of: peat moss and derivatives thereof, Fuller's Earth, fly ash, and rock wool, and wherein the layer of oil absorbing material, when saturated with oil, forms an oil-and-water-impermeable barrier. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the step of covering the layer of oil adsorbing material with a layer of fire retardant material. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the step of, prior to the step of providing a layer of oil absorbing material within the containment basin, forming a layer of aggregate material on a foundation of the containment basin. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising the step of covering the layer of aggregate material with a water permeable membrane. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The method of preparing an oil spill containment system according to claim 25, wherein the oil absorbing material comprises a an oil absorbing copolymer. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the oil absorbing material comprises a material capable of encapsulating hydrocarbons and dielectric insulating fluids, and wherein the oil adsorbing material comprises a solid capable of retaining mineral oil and other dielectric insulating fluids. ### Claim 30 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 wherein the containment basin is positioned beneath and around the oil containing vessel prior to the forming step. ### Claim 31 (depends on 24) The method of preparing an oil spill containment system according to claim 24, wherein the oil absorbing material comprises an oil absorbing copolymer. ### Claim 32 (depends on 24) The method of preparing an oil spill containment system according to claim 24, wherein the oil absorbing material comprises a granular polymer with oil absorbing properties. ### Claim 33 (depends on 24) The method of preparing an oil spill containment system according to claim 24, further comprising providing a water permeable membrane or fabric between the layer of oil adsorbing material and the layer of oil absorbing material, wherein the water permeable membrane or fabric is in contact with the layer of oil adsorbing material and the layer of oil absorbing material. ### Claim 34 (depends on 24) The method of preparing an oil spill containment system according to claim 24, further comprising providing a liner in the containment basin, the liner being impermeable to water and oil and extending partially between the layer of oil adsorbing material and the layer of oil absorbing material.