US5236589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil recovery method and apparatus
Assignee: Environmental Technologies and Remediations Inc
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Filing: 1991-10-21
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Granted: 1993-08-17
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Expires: 2011-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A system for recovering oil from an oil spill site. A vessel transports buoyant, oil absorbent material to the spill site. The absorbent material is dispersed below the water surface and advances upward toward the water surface, thereby absorbing oil and water. The dispersed absorbent material is contained and transferred back to the vessel. Oil and water are removed from the absorbent material on the vessel, and the absorbent material may be reused.
Inventors
- 👤 George Torrance
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:00
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/68; C02F1/681; E; E02; E02B; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B15/041; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of recovering oil from a layer of oil at an oil spill site on a water surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a vessel for transporting buoyant, oil absorbent material to the oil spill site, dispersing the oil absorbent material below the water surface at the oil spill site, whereby the dispersed oil absorbent material advances upward toward the layer of oil and the water surface and absorbs oil and water, containing the dispersed oil absorbent material on the water surface, transferring the contained oil absorbent material from the water surface to the vessel, removing oil and water from the oil absorbent material on the vessel, whereby the oil absorbent material from which oil and water is removed is reuseable.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of recovering oil from a layer of oil at an oil spill site on a water surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a vessel for transporting buoyant, oil absorbent material to the oil spill site, dispersing the oil absorbent material below the water surface at the oil spill site, whereby the dispersed oil absorbent material advances upward toward the layer of oil and the water surface and absorbs oil and water, containing the dispersed oil absorbent material on the water surface, transferring the contained oil absorbent material from the water surface to the vessel, removing oil and water from the oil absorbent material on the vessel, whereby the oil absorbent material from which oil and water is removed is reuseable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: inoculating the oil absorbent material from which oil is removed with an organic oil stripping agent, the step of inoculating including attaching bacteria to the oil absorbent material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the oil absorbent material comprises granulated cork.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of mixing the oil absorbent material with water prior to dispersing the oil absorbent material below the water surface.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for recovering oil from a layer of oil at an oil spill site on a water surface, the system comprising: oil absorbent material, wherein the oil absorbent material comprises buoyant, oleophilic, hydrophobic material, a vessel for transporting the buoyant, oil absorbent material to the oil spill site, dispersing means including means for dispersing the oil absorbent material below the water surface at the oil spill site, whereby the dispersed oil absorbent material advances upward toward the water surface and absorbs oil and water, containment means for containing the dispersed oil absorbent material on the water surface, transfer means for transferring the contained oil absorbent material from the water surface to the vessel, removing means for removing oil and water from the oil absorbent material on the vessel.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for recovering oil from a layer of oil at an oil spill site on a water surface, the system comprising: oil absorbent material, wherein the oil absorbent material comprises buoyant, oleophilic, hydrophobic material, a vessel for transporting the buoyant, oil absorbent material to the oil spill site, dispersing means including means for dispersing the oil absorbent material below the water surface at the oil spill site, whereby the dispersed oil absorbent material advances upward toward the water surface and absorbs oil and water, containment means for containing the dispersed oil absorbent material on the water surface, transfer means for transferring the contained oil absorbent material from the water surface to the vessel, removing means for removing oil and water from the oil absorbent material on the vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 5, further comprising inoculation means for inoculating the oil absorbent material from which oil is removed with oil biodegradation enhancing agents.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the oil absorbent material comprises granulated cork.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the dispersing means comprises a feed bar having a plurality of dispersing nozzles for dispersing the oil absorbent material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the vessel defines a bow and further comprising means for positioning the feed bar in a horizontally spaced relationship relative to the bow of the vessel, and additionally including means for dispersing the oil absorbent material onto the oil spill site form above the surface of the water.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-16 | 1997-02-15 | 1997-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-02-15 | 2001-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-16 | 2005-02-15 | 2005-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |