The Built-In Oil Recovery System is a vessel-mounted, advanced brush-based skimming technology suitable for small workboats, tugs, and medium- to large ships. It offers high performance and safety during oil spill recovery operations.
Features
- The core philosophy of this system is integration. Instead of dragging a separate skimmer, the vessel becomes the skimmer.
- The Mechanism: The vessel moves forward at speeds up to 4 knots, funneling oil into a specialized channel using boom arms.
- The Efficiency: It boasts a recovery rate with less than 5% free water, meaning you aren’t filling your holding tanks with useless seawater.
The Versatility: It’s modular—designed to fit everything from small tugs to massive offshore supply ships.
Upon deployment, the system transforms the vessel into an “oil slick processing system.” The vessel’s forward motion propels surface water and oil into the recovery zone, where the boom arm and deflection boom collect them. Water flows through the recovery channel, where oil is efficiently separated and collected, with recirculated water enhancing throughput.
At 4 knots, the system performs reliably even in rough weather and sea conditions, managing high oil rates with less than 5% free water without compromising maneuverability.
The system can be certified by Bureau Veritas and other equivalents. Recovery capacity varies with the configuration.
Each system is custom-manufactured to match the vessel’s specifications and the client’s requirements, featuring adaptable component options.
Brush Pack Recovery Technology
The “stiff-brush” technology is the heart of the operation. Unlike suction-based systems that struggle with debris or varying oil thicknesses, these brushes “grab” the oil.
- Double-Acting Conveyor: Operates in two directions and uses a double scraper to ensure the brushes are thoroughly cleaned before the next pass.
- High Viscosity Handling: Adjustable placement allows it to handle everything from light fuels to heavy, weathered crude.
- high oil recovery with less than 5% free water.
The system uses different “arms” and “sweeps” depending on where you are operating:
Model Classifications
- The configurations are scaled based on the environment:
- Small (S): Workboats and tugs.
- Nearshore (N): Protected bays and coastal zones.
- Medium/Large (M/L): Commercial shipping and large response vessels.
- Offshore (O): High-seas recovery and extreme conditions.
Oil Recovery Channel:
Includes the skimmer, collection hopper, and mounting rails for the brush pack, designed to fit vessel specifications.
Sweep Boom Models:
- Solid Foam-Filled Boom: No inflation needed, suitable for coastal nearshore areas, made of reinforced PVC/PU with internal foam floatation, stainless steel wire in the skirt for stability, and supporting components.
- Inflatable Heavy Duty Boom: Provides excellent wave conformability, durability for rough seas, and is used offshore and constructed from heavy-duty inflatable rubber fabric, with stainless-steel wire in the skirt.
Boom Arm:
The vessel-mounted, 10-meter square aluminum boom arm is a cost-effective, manually operated support for the outer end of the deflection boom in the oil recovery sweeping system. The inner end connects to the vessel’s bulwark via a universal joint, allowing flexible movement during deployment while maintaining excellent wave-following characteristics. A float with a volume of 400 liters is attached to the outer end of the boom arm, connecting it to the deflection boom. The inner end features standard deck fittings and a base, which may require customization depending on vessel type and design.
The telescopic boom arm enables easy, safe deployment of the automatic inflatable sweeping system at all waterline heights and occupies a compact footprint when not in use. One operator can control the boom’s vertical and longitudinal positioning, extend its length, and manage the connection between the inflation/towing apparatus and the towing bar from deck level. The telescopic arm extends up to 12 meters and has a base assembly with a U-joint for semi-permanent deck installation. The sweeping boom system includes vertical and horizontal positioning cylinders, a locking-and-inflation device for the oil boom, and an air-delivery system with a blower connection on deck.
Sweep Boom Reel:
The oil recovery channel incorporates a hydraulically operated deflection boom reel. The sweep boom is deployed to the sweeping position and inflated when the automatic boom arm is used. The automatic oil boom reel, positioned at the rear of the channel, stores the heavy-duty inflatable boom necessary for sweeping operations. The robust rubber boom stored on the reel can be quickly deployed, retrieved, and remotely adjusted for efficient sweeping. The unit is removable from the channel for maintenance. Both the automatic sweep boom reel and frame are constructed from marine-grade aluminum. A flow impeller within the oil recovery channel enhances water circulation through the brush pack.