Multipurpose tool for oil spill control, preferably offshore

Abstract

A multipurpose tool (1) for oil spill control, preferably offshore, comprises a remotely controlled telescopic arm (5) having a first end (6) and a second end (7). The first end (6) is mounted on a vessel (25) and the second end (7) is provided with a quick-release coupling (8) for the fitting of various replaceable nozzles (15) thereto. The various replaceable nozzles (15) are connected to one or more hydraulic tubes (20) and tubes for supplying oil spill control agents and recovering collected oil.

Claims

1. A multipurpose tool for oil spill control, comprising: a console located on a vessel and configured to organize reel systems located on the vessel; a remotely controlled telescopic arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is mounted on the vessel, wherein the second end is provided with a quick-release coupling for fitting of various replaceable nozzles thereto, wherein the various replaceable nozzles are connected to one or more hydraulic tubes and tubes for supplying oil spill control agents and recovering collected oil, wherein the one or more hydraulic tubes and tubes for supplying oil spill control agents and recovering collected oil extend from the reel systems and are connected to respective containers on the vessel, wherein the one or more hydraulic tubes and tubes for supplying oil spill control agents and recovering collected oil are configured to be automatically let out when one of the various replaceable nozzles is connected, and wherein the reel systems are configured to let out the hydraulic tubes and tubes for supplying oil spill control agents and recovering collected oil from the console.

2. The multipurpose tool of claim 1, wherein the containers are replaceable and include absorbents/chemicals and collected oil, respectively.

3. The multipurpose tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the various replaceable nozzles is a brush skimmer.

4. The multipurpose tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the various replaceable nozzles is a dispersion tool.

5. The multipurpose tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the various replaceable nozzles is an oil spill control absorbent application system.

6. The multipurpose tool of claim 1, wherein the multipurpose tool is an offshore multipurpose tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, the present invention is explained by way of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a vessel provided with a multipurpose tool having mounted thereon a spill contingency tool in the form of a brush skimmer,

(3) FIG. 2 shows the various replaceable spill contingency tools of the multipurpose tool provided on the vessel in more detail,

(4) FIG. 3 shows the multipurpose tool with a spill contingency tool in the form of a dispersion tool mounted thereon,

(5) FIG. 4 shows the multipurpose tool of FIG. 3 in another working position,

(6) FIG. 5 shows the multipurpose tool in a non-operative configuration located on the deck of the vessel in connection with transport or during the replacement of spill contingency tools, and

(7) FIG. 6 shows the multipurpose tool having mounted thereon a spill contingency tool in the form of an oil spill control absorbent application system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) With reference to the drawings, a multipurpose tool 1 for oil spill control, preferably offshore, is shown. The multipurpose tool 1 comprises a remotely controlled telescopic arm 5 having a first end 6 and a second end 7. The first end 6 is mounted on a vessel 25. The second end 7 is provided with a quick-release coupling 8 for the fitting of various replaceable spill contingency tools or nozzles 15 thereto. The different nozzles 15 are connected to one or more hydraulic tubes 20 and tubes for supplying oil control agents and recovering the same together with oil.

(9) Nozzle 15 may be a brush skimmer 16 as shown, during operation, particularly in FIG. 1. Nozzle 15 could also be a dispersion tool 17 as shown, during operation, particularly in FIG. 3. As another alternative, the nozzle 15 could be an oil spill control absorbent application system 18, as shown particularly in FIG. 6.

(10) Hydraulic tubes 20 and tubes for supplying oil spill control agents and recovering collected oil extend from nozzles 15 to one or more reel system(s) 12 located on vessel 25. A console is located on vessel 25 and is configured to organize one or more reel system(s) 12 located on the vessel 25. The hydraulic tubes 20 and tubes for supplying agents and recovering collected oil will be let out automatically when a nozzle 15 is connected. Tubes 20 for supplying oil spill control agents and recovering collected oil are also connected to respective containers 10 on vessel 25. The containers 10 are replaceable and include absorbents/chemicals and collected oil, respectively.

(11) The telescopic arm 5 will be controllable from the bridge of the vessel or, alternatively, from a portable control unit. The different spill contingency tools or nozzles 15, as shown in the drawings, are located in the front section of the vessel. Hence, an operator of the multipurpose tool 1, in a quick and simple manner, is able to control or operate the telescopic arm 5 and connect to the selected nozzle 15 suitable for controlling the oil spill in the situation at hand. After the selected nozzle 15 has been connected, other necessary equipment, such as hydraulic tubes 20 and tubes for supplying oil spill control agents and recovering collected oil, for example, also will be operatively connected to nozzle 15. The operator may then maneuver the selected nozzle 15 to a desired location for controlling the oil spill. Depending on the type of nozzle used, oil, for example, can be collected and transported to the collection tank or container 10 of the vessel, or oil spill control agents can be fed to the oil slick and recovered to the vessel together with the oil.

(12) It will be noted that nozzle 15 may also include other oil spill control tools than the one discussed above.