Primary Purpose
The primary objective of this equipment is to support maritime oil spill recovery. It is designed to mechanically separate and remove oil (especially medium- to high-viscosity oils) from the water surface without collecting excessive water.
How it Works
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Selective Adhesion: The large yellow component is a rotating belt or drum covered in stiff bristles (the brush). These bristles are “oleophilic,” meaning oil sticks to them while water does not.
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Recovery: As the brush rotates through the oil-slicked water, the oil clings to the bristles.
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Collection: Once the bristles reach the top of the rotation, a “scraper” or “comb” removes the oil from the brush, where it then flows into a collection sump (the red “bucket” area seen in the foreground).
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Transfer: From the sump, the recovered oil is typically pumped through hoses into storage tanks on the ship.
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Oil Containment Boom: The black, floating barrier is an inflatable boom. It is used to corral and concentrate floating oil on the water’s surface.
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Outrigger Jib: The white arm extending from the ship holds the outer end of the boom in place, keeping it open in a “U” shape to capture a wide swath of water as the vessel moves forward.
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Collection Point: The boom funnels the concentrated oil toward an opening in the blue hull of the vessel. Inside this opening, an oil skimmer (like the brush-conveyor system seen in the previous images) would be located to mechanically remove the oil from the water.