A spill vacuum apparatus having a container having a cavity and a fluid inlet, the lower portion of the cavity including a fluid outlet closed by a check valve, the upper portion including a vacuum port and a fluid-level actuated release valve, the release valve cooperating with the upper portion to seal the cavity from the atmosphere until the release valve is actuated by a high fluid level reached within the lower portion by fluid volume, wherein coupling a vacuum source to the vacuum port depressurizes the cavity when the release and check valves are closed, and wherein when fluid is received in the lower portion through the inlet so as to reach the high fluid level, the release valve is actuated to unseal the cavity to the atmosphere, thereby releasing the weight of the fluid to actuate the check valve and release the fluid through the outlet.

An absorbent is provided, which is produced from component A, a foaming agent, and component B, a resin. Furthermore, a device and a method for producing the absorbent and a method for absorbing a liquid by means of the absorbent are provided.

A squid-type marine oil containment device includes a track and four oil containment booms. A robotic arm is provided in an elliptic area formed by the track. Sliders are provided on the track. Ends of oil containment booms slide along the track through sliders. Each oil containment boom includes an oil suction pipe, propellers and a plastic separating layer. A middle of the oil suction pipe forms an oil channel. Booster pumps are spacedly provided inside the oil suction pipe and are respectively connected to a hose. Pairs of propellers are spacedly provided at a lower end of the oil suction pipe. Oil suction holes are provided on the oil suction pipe. The plastic separating layer is provided under the oil suction holes. A counterweight is provided at a bottom of the oil containment boom. The invention further provides a method of containing oil using the device.

An electromagnetic pulsed-wave system having an electromagnetic boom for generating a time-varying pulsed-wave to control a colloidal mixture disposed in water and a depository. The electromagnetic boom comprising a plurality of electrically coupled solenoids disposed at the water for providing electromagnetic pulses to generate the time-varying pulsed-wave to transport the colloidal mixture. The depository having an electromagnetic ramp magnetically coupled with the electromagnetic boom and a separation receptacle for separating magnetized particles from the colloidal mixture.

Smart membranes (14) are integrated into a small, unmanned surface vessel (20) to enable the efficient, automated cleanup of oil spills. Such a vessel (20) has the potential to provide a low-cost, modular solution for day-to-day oil-spill cleanup operations, especially in confined aquatic areas, such as under piers and in the small spaces between marine vessels and piers. The smart membranes (14) are provided on the surface of a conveyor belt (34) that circulates the membranes (14) through the surrounding body of water (10) for oil collection, as well as through an internal reduction chamber (22) of the vessel (20) for oil release. The smart membranes (14) are adapted to attract and repel oil (12) in response to low-voltage commands applied across the conveyor belt (34), using a process that is repeatable for a number of cycles, offering high efficiency and long durability (FIG. 5).

An oil spill clean-up and recovery system for marine vessels, which includes a pivoting and height adjustable boom extending from the vessels, which has upper and lower frameworks that are generally parallel. This includes an oil containment panel which is vertically oriented, movable, and generally laterally secured between the frameworks. A plurality of floats are secured to the oil containment panel and maintain it about the surface of a body of water for containing oil or other undesirable liquids or debris. A plurality of floating oil evacuation tubes are height adjustable and attached to separate floats, each tube having an inlet for receiving oil around the water line. The floating oil evacuation tubes are laterally positioned in proximity of one-another, and in front of the oil containment panel. The oil containment panel collects, contains, and deflects oil to the floating evacuation tubes, which then receive and delivery oil to the tanker.

An apparatus for removing oil or other pollutants from the surface of water, comprising a platform having a left side wall, a right side wall, a rear wall, a front opening, a floor, and a bottom, one or more ballasts which adjust the platform floor relative to a level of oil on the water surface, wherein the oil flows from the front opening across the floor to the rear wall, a rear location near the rear wall to collect the oil from the platform floor; and a pump connected to the rear location that removes the oil from the rear location to a storage area which does not affect the ballast of the platform. The skimmer vessel can work stationary in the water, and does not require a propeller means, as the oil will continue to flow into the skimmer as the oil is pumped out of the rear by the gravity flow to the rear of the vessel.

A method is described for controlling an oil spill by seeding micron-sized magnetizable particles in the oil. Once seeded, particles can form a unique and preferential bond with the oil resulting in creation of a colloidal mixture. This bond forms as a result of a combination of forces including the intermolecular Van der Waal forces. Once this bond is formed, the oil is rendered magnetic and can be controlled and moved in response to a magnetic field. This can include removing oil from water, reducing the diffusion rate of oil on water, magnetically lifting oil from water or nonporous surfaces, as well as separating the magnetic material from the oil.

An oil fence including an oil filtration membrane includes: a floating member floating on a surface of water; and an oil filtration membrane connected to the floating member, allowing the water to pass therethrough, and rapidly collecting materials such as oil or a hazardous and noxious substance included in the water.

Oil-absorbent skimmers of the present invention include an upper oil-absorbent flotation head that floats on water and several absorbent strands attached to the underside of the flotation head. The flotation head has a liquid-permeable cover with absorbent strips inside. The absorbent strips and strands are made of oil-absorbing materials that resist absorption of water. The passive oil-absorbent skimmers may be free-floating and may be used in stormwater catch basins, water holding tanks, vaults, sumps, bilges and the like for capturing hydrocarbons such as oil and oil-based liquids.