OIL-SPILL CLEANUP TECHNOLOGIES FOR RIVERS, PORTS AND SHELTERED WATERS- PART-I - THE HYDRODYNAMIC CIRCUS

The 'Circus', a simple vessel-like device for oil spill control and re covery, has been developed in response to operational problems typical for fast flowing rivers and mobile seep applications. Surface water w ith floating ail is diverted by an oil boom or sweep jib into the Circ us chamber through a tangential combined in-and outlet. Rotaton of the oil/water in the Circus is generated by the current or the sweep vess el's own movement. The water exits the Circus by the vortex centre whe reas the oil accumulates on the surface to form a layer sufficiently t hick to allow skimming and discharge pumping of oil or oil/water emuls ion only The Circus has been tested in response operations both as a s tationary system in rivers with 4 knots current, and as a sweep system with sweep jibs attached, advancing at 3 knots. The smaller Circus mo del can be operated with very small (trailer borne) work boats. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.