Solar thermal devices are formed from a block of wood, where the natural cell lumens of the wood form an interconnected network that transports fluid or material therein. The block of wood can be modified to increase absorption of solar radiation. Combining the solar absorption effects with the natural transport network can be used for various applications. In some embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to evaporate a fluid, for example, evaporating water for extraction, distillation, or desalination. In other embodiments, heating of the modified block of wood by insolation can be used to change transport properties of a material to allow it to be transported in the interconnected network, for example, heating crude oil to adsorb the oil within the block of wood.

A granular litter cleaning apparatus comprises a separation system having a separation tank adapted to receive a mixture of granules and plastic litter, and water therein, the separation tank having a top opening, and a closeable bottom outlet, and at least one water inlet for feeding water to the separation tank. A collect subsystem is for conveying a mixture of granules and plastic litter to the separation tank. A pump system is in fluid communication with the water inlet. The pump system is operated to raise a level of water in the separation tank to skim water with plastic litter out through the top opening of the separation tank. The closeable bottom outlet is openable to empty the separation tank from granules decanted in a bottom of the separation tank. A process for separating plastic litter from granules is also provided.

A skimming and separation device comprising an outer casing (1) provided with constructions to directly or indirectly fasten all parts, defining a compartment (2), and a floater (3) 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 circus 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. A power device (8) is provided and includes a propeller to achieve in-flow and outflow of the device. The device further comprises a central tube (c) arranged along a vertical center axis of the compartment and configured to receive said flow of water and debris, and at least one central rotation member being structured to generate a downward directed and central rotating flow of said water and debris within said central tube (c).

The present disclosure is directed to providing a toothed conveyor belt type oil recovery device including: a recovery conveyor which is rotates in such a way that a continuous track rotates, the recovery conveyor having multiple teeth made of a hydrophilic material on an outer surface, the recovery conveyor having one side positioned in water in which oil is spilled to recover the oil while feeding the oil into a space between the adjacent teeth by the rotation; and a separation unit which holds an oil separating liquid, and is positioned on the other side of the recovery conveyor to separate the oil from the teeth while the oil separating liquid is fed into the space between the adjacent teeth by capillary suction when the teeth move on to the oil separating liquid on the other side of the recovery conveyor by the rotation of the recovery conveyor.

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.

A device having a funnel structure (connected to a separating arrangement by a base pipe is disclosed. The base pipe is horizontal and arranged between the funnel structure and the base pipe. The base pipe is also a vertical suction pipe. The device includes a pressure pipe which is parallel to the base pipe. The funnel structure is slightly below the water surface. In operation, water and floating waste pass over the edges of the funnel structure and swirl into the suction pipe. A jet of water may be injected through the pressure pipe to the base pipe. A flow gradient may then be formed in the base pipe and the differently sized waste objects may separate. If the water contains liquid waste, the speed of the water jet may be adjusted in such a way that the liquid waste and water do not form an emulsion.

A system for removing contaminants from a body of water, may include a vessel, having contaminant cleanup and recovery equipment that may have at least one intake port capable of removing floating contaminants from the body of water to be transported to the recovery vessel. The system may further include a first towboat and a second towboat. The system may also include a first containment boom capable of being connected to the first tow boat and to a starboard side of a vessel. The system may also include a second containment boom capable of being connected to the second tow boat and a port side of the vessel, such that during operation the first and second towboats extend out from the vessel such that the first and second containment booms gather the floating contaminants from the body of water and channel them to the at least one intake port.

A water remediation device is disclosed, including a water-permeable outer fabric defining a cavity therein, a buoyant core disposed within the cavity, and a mass of water remediation media including biochar disposed between the buoyant core and the water-permeable outer fabric. The remediation media is configured to reduce a quantity of a polyfluoroalkyl substance present in a sample of contaminated water when the remediation device is placed in the sample of contaminated water. The device may be formed into an elongated boom that is configured to float on or partially-submerge in water. Alternatively, the device may be formed of a pad or blanket that may be entirely submerged in water during use.

A water remediation device is disclosed, including a water-permeable outer fabric defining a cavity therein, a buoyant core disposed within the cavity, and a mass of water remediation media including biochar disposed between the buoyant core and the water-permeable outer fabric. The remediation media is configured to reduce a quantity of a polyfluoroalkyl substance present in a sample of contaminated water when the remediation device is placed in the sample of contaminated water. The device may be formed into an elongated boom that is configured to float on or partially-submerge in water. Alternatively, the device may be formed of a pad or blanket that may be entirely submerged in water during use.

A water surface garbage salvaging device, comprising a demihull, a large garbage salvaging device and a small garbage cleaning device; wherein the large garbage salvaging device is arranged on a front portion of the demihull, and the small garbage cleaning device is arranged on a rear portion thereof; the large garbage salvaging device comprises a paddle wheel, slipways and a large garbage storage bin; and the small garbage cleaning device comprises a filter mesh, a guide rail slider mechanism, a lifting mechanism and a pulley system, a hanging bracket is arranged above the filter mesh.