Apparatus and process for decontaminating oil boom
OwnerWilliam G Yates, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rapid and effective means for decontaminating fouled oil-control booms is provided. The process involves washing the boom with pressured washing fluid, reorienting the boom to facilitate full inspection, and drying the boom. This can be performed in an assembly-line manner, using one or more conveyors to transport the boom sequentially to a washing area, an inspection area, and a drying area. Consequently, contaminated oil-control booms can be cleaned and redeployed rapidly and inexpensively during an oil release accident.
Claims22
An apparatus for removing residual oil from an oil containment boom, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a first translocation means positioned to receive the boom and translocate the boom to a washing means;
- (b) a washing means comprising a support means and a cleaning means, the support means configured to stably support the boom, the cleaning means positioned to contact the boom with a washing solution;
- (c) a second translocation means positioned to receive the boom from the washing means and to convey the boom from the washing means to a third translocation means;
- (d) a third translocation means parallel to the second translocation means and positioned next to the second translocation means for a distance at least as long as the boom and positioned to convey the boom to a drying means;
- and
- (e) a drying means.
An apparatus for removing residual oil from an oil containment boom, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a first translocation means positioned to receive the boom and translocate the boom to a washing means;
- (b) a washing means comprising a support means and a cleaning means, the support means configured to stably support the boom, the cleaning means positioned to contact the boom with a washing solution;
- (c) a second translocation means positioned to receive the boom from the washing means and to convey the boom from the washing means to a third translocation means;
- (d) a third translocation means positioned next to the second translocation means for a portion of its length to allow the boom to be rotationally transferred from the second translocation means to the third translocation means and positioned to convey the boom to a drying means;
- and
- (e) a drying means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.