Oil Spill Barrier

Abstract

A barrier 10 for use in an oil spill on water, having a substantially rigid planar member 12 made from plastics, a weight 16 attached to a lower end 14 of the barrier 10, use, art upper portion 12a of the barrier 10 extending vertically above the waterline and a lower portion 12b of the barrier 10 extending vertically beneath the waterline.

Claims

1. A barrier for use in an oil spill on water, comprising a substantially rigid planar member made from plastics, and a weight attached to a lower end of the barrier, in use, an upper portion of the substantially rigid planar member extending vertically above a waterline and a lower portion of the substantially rigid planar member extending vertically beneath the waterline, in which the lower portion of the substantially rigid planar member is thicker than the upper portion of the substantially rigid planar member.

2. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, in which a thickness of the lower portion is substantially three times a thickness of the upper portion.

3. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, in which the upper portion is substantially one third of a height of the barrier, and the lower portion is substantially two thirds of the height of the barrier.

4. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, in which a first barrier connection means is provided in a first side of the barrier for connection to a first barrier, and a second barrier connection means is provided in a second side of the barrier for connection to a second barrier.

5. The barrier as claimed in claim 4, in which the a first barrier connection means comprises a first tube extending along the first side of the barrier, and a first longitudinal slot in the first side of the fir tube, and the second barrier connection means comprises a second tube extending along the second side of the barrier, and a second longitudinal slot in the second side of the second tube.

6. The barrier as claimed in claim 5, in which a flexible connection member is provided for engagement in the first or second longitudinal slot to connect the first or second barrier to the barrier, the flexible connection member comprising a sheet of waterproof fabric and having complementary connection means for the barrier and the first or second barrier extending along respective side, of the sheet of waterproof fabric.

7. The barrier as claimed in claim 6, in which the complementary connection means for the barrier and the first or second barrier includes first and second cylindrical stems connected to the sheet of waterproof fabric, in use, the first or second cylindrical stem of the flexible connection member being locatable in the first or second tube of the barrier, with the sheet of waterproof fabric extending through the first or second slot.

8. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, in which only the lower portion, and not the upper portion, of the substantially rigid planar member is provided with an upthrust receiving area, which is disposed at the base of the substantially rigid planar member.

9. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, in which a cable aperture is provided through the upper portion of the barrier substantially rigid planar member.

10. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, in which the substantially rigid planar member is made of solid plastics or comprises a solid outer shell containing a foam filling.

11. The barrier as claimed in claim 10, in which the solid substantially rigid planar member is made of solid plastics having a density lower than that of water, and the weight has a density greater than that of water.

12. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, in which a height of the barrier is greater than a width of the barrier.

13. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, in which the flexible connection member is substantially the same width or wider than the substantially rigid planar member.

14. A barrier arrangement comprising a modular assembly of first and second units, where each first unit is a barrier as claimed in claim 1, and where each second unit is a flexible connection member linking adjacent first units.

15. The barrier arrangement as claimed in claim 14, in which the barriers and flexible connection members are connected in a regular alternating pattern.

16. The barrier arrangement as claimed in claim 14, in which the barriers and flexible connection members are arranged to form a plurality of minor areas as oil collection zones, which are partially isolated from a major part of an area within the barrier arrangement.

17. The barrier arrangement as claimed in claim 16, in which each of the oil collection zones is substantially V-shaped or trough-shaped when viewed from above.

18. The barrier arrangement as claimed in claim 14, in which one or more cables connect a given barrier to one or more adjacent barriers.

19. The barrier arrangement as claimed in claim 14, in which each flexible connection member is wider than each neighbouring substantially rigid planar member in each neighbouring barrier, or each flexible connection member is wider than each substantially rigid planar member in each barrier.

20. (canceled)

21. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, in which the weight is provided in the lower portion of the substantially rigid planar member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0049] FIG. 1A shows a front view of a barrier member according to the present invention, afloat in water;

[0050] FIG. 1B shows a side view of the barrier member of FIG. 1A;

[0051] FIG. 2A shows a front view of a flexible connection member for connection to the barrier member of FIG. 1A;

[0052] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a cylindrical stem of the flexible connection member of FIG. 2A; and

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a front view of barrier members according to FIG. 1A interconnected with flexible connection members according to FIG. 2A, forming a barrier.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a barrier (or boom) is indicated generally at 10. The barrier 10 is floating in water, indicated by line A to either side of the barrier 10. The barrier 10 lies substantially upright in the water. In other words, the longitudinal axis of the barrier 10 is normal to the waterline A. The visible face of the barrier 10 is either the oil spill-facing side, or the side which faces away from an oil spill.

[0055] The barrier 10 includes a substantially rigid planar member 12. Dashed lines B show the planar member 12 divided into thirds for illustrative purposes only. The top third is an upper portion 12a of the barrier 10. The lower two thirds is a lower portion 12b of the barrier 10. It can be seen that, during use, the top third lies above the waterline A, and the remaining two thirds lie below the waterline A. The planar member 12 is made from solid PVC plastic in this embodiment.

[0056] The planar member 12 include a bore 13 through its lower end. The bore 13 extends from one side of the lower end to the other. The lower end is indicated generally at 14. A weight 16 is provided in the bore 13. The weight 16 fills part of the bore 13 in this embodiment. The material used for the weight 16, and the amount of that material are selected to enable the planar member 12 to float as illustrated. The weight 16 is metal in this embodiment. The weight 16 should be as low as possible in the lower end 14.

[0057] It is normally preferred to isolate the weight 16 from the sea water to prevent corrosion. Therefore, the weight 16 can be isolated inside the planar member 12 by sealing the bore. Note that although a bore 13 is used in this embodiment, it will be appreciated that a recess, slot or other form of receiving area or connection area for a weight may be used in other embodiments.

[0058] FIG. 1B shows the barrier 10 from the side. The lower portion 12b is three times as thick as the upper portion 12a. The top of the lower portion 12b includes angled surfaces 18 that slant to meet the surface of the upper portion 12a. It is apparent that the only surface which can receive upthrust from the water is at the lower end 14. There is no horizontal surface in the upper portion 12a which can receive an upwards force from the water. The lower end 14 is substantially flat in this embodiment.

[0059] The planar member 12 includes first and second tubes 20, 22 on either side. The tubes 20, 22 are substantially cylindrical in shape. Each tube 20, 22 is open at one side for receiving a flexible connection member. Each opening is narrower than the diameter of the corresponding tube. In this embodiment, the tubes 20, 22 have closed ends at a point above the bore 13. However, in other embodiments, if the weight is slotted in via the lower end 14 for example, then the tubes 20, 22 may continue down to the lower end 14. This is so that a lower end of the flexible connection member is provided at the same depth as the lower end 14 of the barrier 10.

[0060] The barrier 10 includes an aperture 24 running through the upper portion 12a. This aperture can have a cable (not shown) provided through it for use in deploying or stowing the barrier.

[0061] The barrier 10 includes upper and lower reinforcements in the form of cables 26, 28. The cables are made of nylon in this embodiment. The cables 26, 28 are attached to one side of the barrier 10. One cable 26 is connected to the upper portion 12a, and the other cable 28 is attached to the lower portion 12b. It will be appreciated that additional cables may be provided on the other side of the barrier in other embodiments. It will also be appreciated that the cables could be provided within the barrier, rather than on the surface. However, the position of the cables 26, 28 should be selected so as not to interfere with the flexible connection members (described below).

[0062] Referring also to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a flexible connection member is indicated generally at 30. The flexible connection member includes a sheet 32 connected between first and second stems 34, 36. The stems 34, 36 are cylindrical and smaller in diameter than the tubes 20, 22.

[0063] The sheet 32 is made of a waterproof material. In this embodiment, the material is nylon. The stems 34, 36 each run the full length of opposite sides of the sheet 32. Each stem 34, 36 is hollow in the middle. Each stem 34, 36 includes a slot (not shown). The slot is made by cutting along the length of the stem. This allows the sheet 32 to be inserted and the stem to be secured to the sheet 32.

[0064] The sheet 32 is approximately square in this embodiment. In other embodiments, the sheet may be wider than it is tall. Alternatively, the sheet 32 may be narrower than it is tall.

[0065] A secondary stem 38 is shown in FIG. 2B. The secondary stem 38 is hollow. It includes a slot 38a along its length. The hollow portion of the stem 38 is sized to receive one of the stems 34, 36. The slot 38a is wide enough to receive the sheet 32. Another secondary stem 38 is provided for the other of the stems 34, 36. The outer dimensions of the secondary stem 38 match the dimensions of the tubes 20, 22.

[0066] Referring also to FIG. 3, part of a barrier arrangement is illustrated, indicated generally at 100. The barrier arrangement 100 is a modular fence constructed from a plurality of barriers 10 and a plurality of interstitial flexible connection members 30. The flexible connection members 30 may have different widths, as indicated by the indefinite length of one of the members 30.

[0067] Each barrier 10 is connected on either side to first and second flexible connection members 30. Similarly, each flexible connection member 30 is connected on either side to first and second barriers 10. All of the barriers 10 are connected together by the same nylon cables 26, 28. The height of the flexible connection members 30 above water is substantially the same as the tops of the barriers 10.

[0068] The barrier arrangement 100 is assembled as follows. First, secondary stems 38 are placed around the stems 34, 36 of the flexible connection member 30. One of the secondary stems 38 is then slid into a tube 20 of one barrier 10. This links the flexible connection member 30 to the first barrier. The other of the secondary stems 38 is then slid into the tube 22 of a second barrier 10. Further flexible connection members 30 and barriers 10 are then connected in a similar manner. The cables 26, 28 are attached to each barrier 10 as the assembly is put together. The barrier arrangement 100 may be rolled up on a reel for storage, for example.

[0069] When an oil spill occurs, the barrier arrangement 100 is then deployed by using it to encircle the spill region. Where a large oil spill needs to be contained, a number of barrier arrangements 100 may be connected together in series.

[0070] In this embodiment, the barrier arrangement 100 should be arranged to form V-shaped regions approximating a zig-zag configuration. The apex of each V-shaped region contains calmer water, close to the barrier arrangement 100, and so oil can collect there.

[0071] The zig-zag pattern may be manipulated by using a cable through the apertures 24 in the barriers 10.

[0072] When the cause of the oil spill has been resolved, and no further oil is being spilt, the oil needs to be cleared up. The cable can be used to controllably contract the barrier arrangement 100. A winch mechanism may be used, for example. This closes up sections of the zig-zag configuration, where oil has collected. Consequently, although barrier arrangement may have a perimeter of many kilometres, oil can be transferred towards a single location for collection and disposal. This saves significant time and effort during clean-up operations. This also pulls in the barrier arrangement for storage after use.

[0073] These embodiments are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.