Method and apparatus for subsurface oil recovery using a submersible unit
OwnerDavid Usherinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Pollutants such as hydrocarbons which have settled on the bed of a body of water are removed to the surface using a submersible vehicle positioned above the bed of a diver supported on a platform above the pollutant. A wand at one end of a pipe evacuated by a centrifugal pump is manipulated to draw the pollutant to the surface for treatment or disposal.
Claims33
An apparatus for the recovery of polluting chemicals disposed on the bed of a body of water having a surface, or within the body beneath the surface, comprising:
- a submersible work unit operative to be positioned within the body of water, below the surface, and adjacent to and above the polluting chemicals;
- a system operative to control the position of the work unit within the body of water;
- an elongated pipe having a first end supported adjacent to the work unit and a second end disposed at a remote location;
- a nozzle attached to the second end of the pipe, operative to serve as an entry into the pipe for the polluting chemicals;
- a pump for drawing polluting chemicals from the second end of the pipe to the first end;
- a vessel on the surface of the body of water operative to receive and/or process the recovered polluting chemicals.
An apparatus for the removal of polluting chemicals settled on or above the bed of a body of water having a surface, comprising:
- a submersible vehicle operative to be positioned within the body of water, beneath the surface, adjacent to and above the settled polluting chemicals;
- a propulsion system for the vehicle operative to control its position within the body of water;
- a robotic mechanical arm having a first end connected to the vehicle and a second end extending from the vehicle;
- a control system for moving and positioning the second end of the robotic mechanical arm;
- a vessel on the surface of the body of water operative to receive and/or process the recovered polluting chemicals;
- a first elongated pipe having a first end supported by the second end of the robotic arm and a second end connected to a debris recovery chamber;
- a nozzle connected to the first end of the first elongated pipe operative to serve as an entry point for the settled polluting chemicals drawn into the pipe;
- a hydraulically driven axial-flow pump for drawing polluting chemicals and other materials associated with the recovery process from the first end of the first elongated pipe to the second end;
- a second elongated pipe having a first end connected to the hydraulically driven axial-flow pump and a second end extending to the vessel on the surface of the body of water;
- a debris recovery structure operative to separate any debris from the polluting chemicals;
- and
- a hydrocarbon/water separator operative to remove water from the polluting chemicals.
A method for the recovery of polluting chemicals settled on the bed of a body of water comprising:
- positioning a vessel on the surface of the body of water such that it is near a location above the settled polluting chemicals;
- positioning an occupant controlled submersible work unit below the surface of the body of water adjacent to and above the settled polluting chemicals;
- positioning a pipe and nozzle associated with the submersible work unit adjacent to the settled polluting chemicals;
- drawing the settled chemicals into and through the pipe by means of suction generated by a pump;
- pumping the collected polluting chemicals through a pipe to the vessel on the surface of the body of water;
- repositioning the pipe and nozzle associated with the submersible work unit so as to maintain their position adjacent to the settled polluting chemicals;
- storing the collected polluting chemicals in the vessel on the surface of the body of water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.