METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING CONTAMINATING LIQUIDS FLOATING ON WATER

摘要

Apparatus for lifting oil off the surface of water comprises a vessel which is capable of sweeping back and forth through the floating oil. The vessel is equipped with oil catching and storing equipment and also with an oil lifting mechanism having a plurality of pickup discs arranged in sets each rotatable about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the mechanism. This lifting mechanism is operated to move each set of pickup discs in turn between a loading position at least partly immersed in the water and a discharge position adjacent the oil catching and storing equipment. A drive for each set of pickup discs rotates the discs during operation of the mechanism at a first speed in the loading position to coat the discs with oil and at a second speed in the discharge position so that at least a portion of the oil adhering to the discs is thrown off by centrifugal force into the oil catching and storing equipment.