Zero-relative-velocity belt skimmer. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975

OSTI ID:7348555

Ayres, R R; Bickham, K L; Fraser, J P; Titus, P E

In the approach to high speed (4 to 10 knots) oil recovery discussed here, oil is collected from the water's surface due to a zero relative velocity (ZRV) between a moving belt and the oil layer. A loosely tensioned sorbent belt floats like a blanket on the water imbibing oil for a 40-foot contact length before the belt is withdrawn and oil is squeezed out. The composite belt of Astroturf and Fuetron felt readily sorbs oils having viscosities ranging from light diesel oil to No. 6 fuel oil. Full scale simulations of the belt and wringer show maximum oil recovery rates between 1016 gpm and 2152 gpm for an eight-foot-wide belt at a speed of 6.8 knots. An 11 mm slick of Navy Special fuel oil (270 cs vicosity at 75 F) can be collected at 1296 gpm with only 10% additional water. At 10 knots we project oil recovery rates from 840 gpm for No. 6 fuel oil (2300 cs at 75F) to 2080 gpm and 1680 gpm for diesel oil (4.8 cs at 75F) and Navy Special oil respectively. The analytical and experimental feasibility studies indicate that further development of the hardware is warranted by the projected oil collection performance. (Author) (GRA)

• Research Organization: Shell Development Co., Houston, Tex. (USA). Pipeline Research and Development Lab.
• OSTI ID: 7348555
• Report Number(s): AD-A-014497
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
EQUIPMENT
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
OIL SPILLS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
REMOVAL
SKIMMERS
TESTING
WATER POLLUTION