Marine oil leak containment and recovery apparatus

摘要

A barge has a well in the center. A rigid oil containment sleeve is lowered through the well by suitable winches and cables. The barge is towed over a source of leaking oil and is anchored in position. Leaking oil accumulates inside the oil containment sleeve. A plurality of standpipes, open at their upper end to the fluid in the well, are built into the hull of the barge. The standpipes provide a protected volume from which gas bubbles can escape. Pumps whose inlets are connected to the bottom of the standpipes pump the oil from the standpipe into an oil storage vessel. Gas that accompanies the oil is flared to prevent dissemination of the noxious gases. A sprinkling system cools the barge deck from the heat of the flared gas.