The application describes a system for harvesting seaweed. The system includes a frame structure (202) and a first device mounted (204,206) on the frame structure. The first device receives a tube net comprising the seaweed and selectively separates its apical tips protruding out of the tube net. The systems also includes a second device (212,214) mounted on the frame structure for receiving the tube net comprising partially harvested seaweed.

The application describes a system for harvesting seaweed. The system includes a frame structure (202) and a first device mounted (204,206) on the frame structure. The first device receives a tube net comprising the seaweed and selectively separates its apical tips protruding out of the tube net. The systems also includes a second device (212,214) mounted on the frame structure for receiving the tube net comprising partially harvested seaweed.

Method for harvesting and processing water hyacinths, characterized in that the following steps are performed: a) the water hyacinths growing in an aquatic medium are cut; b) the water hyacinths are collected on board a barge at berth (1); c) the collected water hyacinths are transferred onto draining racks (2) near the quayside; d) the drained hyacinths are washed with clean water; e) the washed water hyacinths are drained on vibrating belts (7) in order to remove some of the excess water; f) the water hyacinths are dried on a dryer (8) at a temperature of between 50 and 100° C. for 5 to 17 h; g) the water hyacinths and their seeds are steam-sterilised at a temperature of between 80 and 100° C. in order to sterilise them; h) the sterilised water hyacinths and seeds are ground in order to make profitable use thereof.

Method for harvesting and processing water hyacinths, characterized in that the following steps are performed: a) the water hyacinths growing in an aquatic medium are cut; b) the water hyacinths are collected on board a barge at berth (1); c) the collected water hyacinths are transferred onto draining racks (2) near the quayside; d) the drained hyacinths are washed with clean water; e) the washed water hyacinths are drained on vibrating belts (7) in order to remove some of the excess water; f) the water hyacinths are dried on a dryer (8) at a temperature of between 50 and 100° C. for 5 to 17 h; g) the water hyacinths and their seeds are steam-sterilised at a temperature of between 80 and 100° C. in order to sterilise them; h) the sterilised water hyacinths and seeds are ground in order to make profitable use thereof.

A weed control system for a body of water can include a rotatable vertically oriented shaft mounted proximate the body of water; an elongate horizontally oriented support member mounted to the vertically oriented shaft and suspended over the water; a rake suspended from the support member by a flexible line; and an oscillating motor for rotating the vertically oriented shaft and the elongate support member such that the rake moves in a repeating pattern through the body of water.

A weed control system for a body of water can include a rotatable vertically oriented shaft mounted proximate the body of water; an elongate horizontally oriented support member mounted to the vertically oriented shaft and suspended over the water; a rake suspended from the support member by a flexible line; and an oscillating motor for rotating the vertically oriented shaft and the elongate support member such that the rake moves in a repeating pattern through the body of water.

A floatable-material harvester is disclosed, including vacuum source, transport hose, and a floatable-material receiver. In one embodiment, the transport hose has at least one air inductor/intake along its length, which allows air to enter the transport hose to accelerate its contents, by negative pressure air induction. In another embodiment, a transport hose has at least one floatable-material thruster along its length, comprised of at least one nozzle, which provides pressurized fluid (e.g., air or water) in the direction of the flow of the harvested floatable material by positive pressure induction. A method is disclosed whereby the floatable material harvester is used to harvest an absorbent material (e.g., wood chips, straw, perlite, zeolite, polypropylene mesh, titanate nanofibres) that has absorbed a pollutant (e.g., oil, solvent, radioactive isotopes) from a beach or in water.

An apparatus for harvesting algae from an open body of water includes a boat having a pair of spaced apart parallel flotation members and a deck disposed on and connected to the members. The spaced apart members define an area therebetween forming a process channel. A separating mechanism disposed on the boat separates the process channel into a plurality of process channel sections arranged in series. The process channel sections are disposed intermediate the flotation members. Each of the process channel sections include a deflector plate, a scum beach, a scum trough, and diffused air piping. The diffused air piping is in fluid communication with a dissolved air flotation system.

An apparatus for harvesting algae from an open body of water includes a boat having a pair of spaced apart parallel flotation members and a deck disposed on and connected to the members. The spaced apart members define an area therebetween forming a process channel. A separating mechanism disposed on the boat separates the process channel into a plurality of process channel sections arranged in series. The process channel sections are disposed intermediate the flotation members. Each of the process channel sections include a deflector plate, a scum beach, a scum trough, and diffused air piping. The diffused air piping is in fluid communication with a dissolved air flotation system.

This invention relates generally to the removal of aquatic vegetation from bodies of water. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for the removal of such vegetation, the apparatus and method facilitating a cutting or uprooting of the vegetation within the water and the optional collection of it there-from.