A waste collection apparatus for collecting waste in water is provided. The waste collection apparatus includes a floating device and a waste collection device coupled to the floating device. The floating device includes a plurality of floating units. The waste collection device is coupled to the floating device. Each of the floating units includes a base and a pillar connected to the base, and the density of the base is greater than the density of the pillar.

A sorbent-based oil skimmer is configured to collect oil from an oil layer and passively deposit the oil in an encasing, where the oil can be continuously or periodically removed. The oil skimmer includes an encasing and a sponge that is partially enclosed within the encasing. The sponge has a top sheet in contact with the oil layer and a shell connected to the top sheet, where the shell extends into the encasing. Oil collected by the top sheet is conveyed through the shell, where it is deposited into the encasing under the force of gravity. In some applications, the sponge is manufactured from a silicone-based polymer that has been impregnated with carbonaceous material. The skimmer may optionally include counterweights, ballast tanks, buoyancy adjustment systems and propulsion modules.

A separating arrangement for a device for collecting waste material floating on or near the surface of water is disclosed. The separating arrangement includes a first basin and a separating means. The water containing waste is led to the first basin by a transfer arrangement, such as a pipe. The device is configured in such a way that the water coming from the transfer arrangement has a speed gradient, namely, the cross section of the transfer arrangement has areas where the speeds of the water flow are different. The fastest speed component of the water has the highest concentration of waste. The first basin and the separating means are configured in such a way that when the water arrives at the first basin, most of the waste reaches the separating means and does not clog the walls of the first basin.

In one embodiment, an ice management system is provided for removing an amount of oil from a surface of a body of water. The ice management system includes an ice frame having an ice fence coupled with an ice cage, an oil skimmer device disposed within the ice frame, and an ice deflection assembly coupled with the ice frame. The ice deflection assembly includes an auger coupled with a motor. The auger includes a drum and a deflection mechanism, and the motor is configured to rotate the auger. The deflection mechanism includes a spiral flight or a series of tabs arranged in a corkscrew pattern about the drum. The ice fence includes a plurality of curved vanes. The curved vanes have a bent rectangular plate shape.

An aquarium skimmer device can include a filter body that attaches to a water pump, filter, or power head, wherein the filter body is configured to hold a filter medium for filtering water that passes through the filter body. The skimmer device can also include a funnel holder that attaches to a top of the filter body, and a funnel assembly comprising a funnel. The funnel assembly can be received by the funnel holder and configured to float up and down with respect to the funnel holder with changes in water level, and a wide opening of the funnel is positioned one inch or less below a surface of the water.

Systems, apparatus and methods useful for collecting and separating floating debris and water from a body of water on a vessel, the vessel including at least one inflow regulator (IFR) chamber at least partially separated from a main collection compartment and at least one fluid discharge pump.

A skimming and separation device comprising an outer casing (1) provided with constructions to directly or indirectly fasten all parts, defining a compartment (2), a floater (5) configured to create the skimming function of the device, the floater is attached at its lower side to an essentially vertically arranged bellow (4) allowing the floater to adapt flow into a substantially circum volume and allowing the floater to move from an upper position with essentially no flow into the compartment (2) to a lower position allowing flow of water and debris follow the contours of the floater (3) in a downward direction into the device. The device further comprises a power device (8) with a propeller (7), wherein said power device is configured to be controlled by a control unit such that various kinds of flows and pressures may be generated to control the in-flow and outflow of the device. The skimming and separation device comprises at least one peripheral flow deflecting member (RW) arranged in relation to the floater and structured to achieve a rotational movement of the downward directed flow of water and debris, in a horizontal plane and around a vertical longitudinal center axis of the skimming and separation device.

A floating weir skimmer comprises a collecting box (10), a weir plate (11) and an inner buoy (5). Said collecting box (10) comprises a baffle plate (3) and a trough (1). A guide rail (6) is arranged inside said trough (1). An inner buoy (5) is arranged inside collecting box (10), and a guide pulley (14) is arranged on said inner buoy (5), enabling said inner buoy (5) to slide on said guide rail (6). A supporting member is further arranged on said inner buoy (5). One end of said weir plate (11) is carried by said supporting member, and the other end is in rotation connection with said trough (1).

The tip of a suction hose is supported by a floating support mechanism so that the suction port is maintained at a prescribed distance above the water surface and the base end of said suction hose is connected to the suction port of a turbofan. By the suction force of the turbofan, the oil film floating on the water surface is sucked along with the air above the water surface and the surface water through the suction hose from the suction port. The mixed fluid of air, oil and water that is delivered from the delivery port of the turbofan is sent to an oil-water separation device. The air is released into the atmosphere, and the oil and water are separated. For the turbofan, the rotational force of a separately disposed motor is transmitted by a belt transmission mechanism and rotates an impeller.

A skimmer for collecting a substance, such as crude oil, from a liquid surface and a method for removing a substance from a liquid surface. The skimmer includes a buffer vessel provided with an open top end and configured for at least temporarily holding a mixture, a floatation element that is arranged on or at the buffer vessel to float on the liquid surface, and at least one pump provided with at least one drainage connection configured to be connected with a drainage conduit. The buffer vessel includes an outer edge that defines an inlet opening for accepting the mixture of the substance to be removed and the liquid. The at least one pump is configured for pumping the mixture from the buffer vessel through the drainage conduit to a drainage designation. The skimmer further comprises a mixture inspection element.