Inventors:
Paul C. Deslauriers - Columbia MD
Richard P. Voelker - Columbia MD
Everett J. Lecourt - Columbia MD
Lawrence A. Schultz - Columbia MD
Assignee:
Artec, Incorporated - Columbia MD
International Classification:
E02B 1504
Abstract:
An acquatic vessel, preferably a barge which is either self- or non-self-propelled is equipped with ice cutting, oil recovery and processing apparatus. The ice covered area that is polluted with oil is approached by the vessel and the oil-contaminated ice is cut into slabs which are conveyed to a cleaning station where high pressure air and/or water jets and/or chippers remove the oil and some of the exterior of the slab. The oil and ice mixture that is removed from the slab is collected and heated. The oil is separated and purified and used as fuel and/or stored. The cleaned ice slabs are dropped back in the channel behind the vessel. Oil that is located beneath the ice, not adhering to the ice slabs, travels down an inclined plane under the vessel, rises in a well, and is separated out and used as fuel or stored. The vessel can also be used to clear an area, such as a harbor, of ice and to transport the collected ice to a designated area, since it has the capabilities for loading, storing, and off-loading ice. The propulsion means for the barge may include Archimedes' screws for propelling the barge at slow speeds.
