Granland 76-82, N-3045 Drammen (NO).

Transcription

1 (12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (10) International Publication Number (43) International Publication Date WO 2013/ Al 31 October 2013 ( ) P O P C T (51) International Patent Classification: (81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every E02B 15/04 ( ) B63B 35/32 ( ) kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY, (21) International Application Number: BZ, CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, PCT/NO20 13/ DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, (22) International Filing Date: HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, 26 April 2013 ( ) KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, (25) Filing Language: English ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU, (26) Publication Language: English RW, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, (30) Priority Data: ZM, ZW April 2012 ( ) NO (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every (71) Applicant: JASON ENGINEERING AS [NO/NO]; kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, Granland 76-82, N-3045 Drammen (NO). GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, TJ, (72) Inventors: RASMUSSEN, Claus; c/o Jason Enigneering TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, AS, Granland 76-82, N-3045 Drammen (NO). HOLUM- EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, SNES, Arne; c/o Jason Engineering AS, Granland 76-82, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, N-3045 Drammen (NO). GATEVOLD, Fredrik; c/o Jason TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, Engineering AS, Granland 76-82, N-3045 Drammen (NO). ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). HOAN, Baard; c/o Jason Engieering AS, Granland 76-82, N-3045 Drammen (NO). Published: (74) Agent: ZACCO NORWAY AS; P.O.Box 2003 Vika, N- with international search report (Art. 21(3)) 0125 Oslo (NO). (54) Title: APPARATUS FOR APPLYING DISPERSANT ON OIL SLICK FROM A BOAT (57) Abstract: The application relates to an apparatus for applying a dispersant to an oil slick at sea from a boat, the apparatus com prising two support beams with associated nozzle manifolds, characterised in that the support beams are mounted inside a ship's hull and adapted to be passed out through a hatch or opening on each side of the hull, the apparatus having an inactive, retracted position when it is not in use, and an active, extended position when it is in use, and wherein the hatches or openings and the support beams with associated nozzle manifolds are arranged such that the dispersant, when the apparatus is in use, hits the sea/oil slick ahead of the breaking point of the boat's bow wave.

2 Apparatus for applying dispersant on oil slick from a boat The present invention relates t o an apparatus for effective application of dispersants t o oil slicks at sea. The apparatus is mounted permanently on board a boat, for example, on board a support vessel in connection with offshore oil installations. Background Dispersion is a known method for combating oil spills at sea. Attempts have previously been made t o mount suspended, swinging spray booms of varying solutions, length and quality on the side of supply vessels and different support vessels. Studies/research conducted by, inter alia, SINTEF Materials and Chemistry in Trondheim has shown that these simple dispersion systems have a very limited effect, partly because the width of application has been too small, because the solutions have distributed the dispersant too unevenly, because the dispersant has been so atomised that it has been too easily caught by the wind and weather etc. All in all, the effect has been small in relation t o the amount of dispersant used and the effort and time spent applying the dispersant. Jason Engineering A S has, with chemical-technical advice from SINTEF, developed a system including two swinging support booms equipped with spray booms and associated manifold with nozzles. This system functions so much better than earlier solutions because it is mounted on the vessel such that the dispersing fluid is applied t o and hits the oil film before the bow wave from the vessel hits, splits and disturbs the oil film on the sea surface. However, a pre requisite for this equipment t o function is that the vessel on which it is mounted has an open deck at the front towards the bow in order t o provide space in which t o install and operate the equipment. Many new support vessels that are under development, especially for Arctic areas, comprise an enclosed bow section (for example, the Ulstein X-Bow type ship and other similar designs). This means it is not possible t o mount and operate the dispersion equipment manually on the foredeck of the vessel in such a way as t o achieve optimal application of the dispersant.

3 New and more stringent requirements relating t o both HSE and oil leak handling equipment, are constantly being introduced, i.e., new vessels are increasingly required t o be equipped with oil leak handling equipment, whilst HSE requirements are met. In addition, many of the new types of vessels with an enclosed bow section are often specially designed for Arctic conditions, which further increases the need and requirements for carefully thought-out and reliable systems. Moreover, there is a clear trend that vessels adapted for Arctic conditions comprise more automated equipment t o protect the crew from the elements and the increased risk that exists when working on deck in Arctic conditions. A challenge in connection with vessels having an enclosed bow section is that the available inside space is also limited. This also applies t o some extent t o traditional hull types, but the challenge seems t o be even greater for vessels that have an enclosed bow section. As both the outside and inside space is already limited, it is very difficult t o find space for additional equipment, especially equipment of some size. Another challenge is that new requirements stipulate that oil leak handling equipment must be capable of being mobilised and be ready for use within 30 minutes. In Arctic conditions, icing is a major problem. Icing affects the performance of the equipment and can, in some cases, put the equipment out of action or ruin it. In addition, icing makes it more difficult and dangerous for the crew t o handle and stay in the vicinity of the equipment. Application of dispersant to oil slicks entails the use of fluids that can freeze to ice in Arctic conditions. In connection with oil leak handling in the form of application of dispersants t o an oil slick, it is desirable that neither more nor less dispersant be used than is necessary. It is not desired that the dispersant should become a source of pollution in itself, and in addition, as mentioned, the space on board a vessel is limited, and so it is desira ble to use the dispersant in a prudent manner. If the oil leak handling equipment is incorrectly positioned or dimensioned, there is a risk that large volumes of dispersant will be wasted without achieving its intended purpose. Incorrect use can result in unnecessarily large amounts of dispersant being used t o no effect, and in the dispersant being swept away by the elements and thus not hitting any oil slick, or in

4 the dispersant being applied unevenly and thus not giving a uniform or optimal dispersing effect. According t o the present invention, at least some of these challenges are solved by means of an apparatus disclosed in claim 1. Other advantageous or alternative embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. According t o an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for applying dispersant t o an oil slick at sea from a boat, the apparatus comprising two support beams for spray booms, later referred t o as "nozzle manifolds", wherein support beams equipped with nozzle manifolds are mounted inside a ship's hull and are arranged t o be passed out through two respective hatches or openings on each side of the hull, the apparatus having a passive, retracted position when it is not in use, and an active, extended position when it is in use, wherein a support beam with respective manifold and the hatches or openings are arranged such that the dispersant hits the oil slick ahead of the bow wave when the apparatus is in use, thereby ensuring that the dispersant strikes a water/oil surface that has not yet been affected by the vessel's waves, i.e., before the bow wave breaks and pushes the oil film away from the ship's side. According t o another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided wherein the system comprises beams arranged t o be pushed out and in of the hull, the beams being pushed by a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism, which mechanism may comprise drive via toothed rack, wire rope drive, cylinder and/or telescope. According t o a further aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided wherein each of the systems is provided with a nozzle manifold and nozzles, the nozzle manifold being adapted to be capable of being lowered and raised relative to the sea surface and the support beam from which it is suspended. According t o yet another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided wherein the nozzle manifold is a twin manifold and comprises two rows of nozzles, the rows having different capacity, wherein the metering of dispersant onto an oil slick at sea can be adapted t o alternate between or combine the capacity of the two rows.

5 According t o an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided wherein the nozzle manifold comprises heating cables for de-icing. Technical description According t o one embodiment of the present invention, a specifically designed and strengthevaluated beam section 1 is used; see Figure 1. This section 1 is support beam/support arm for a nozzle manifold 6. According t o an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a twin nozzle manifold (not shown). Support beam 1 is suspended from two bearing points 2 by, for example, a slide bearing of a synthetic material. The support beam 1 can be pushed/pulled back and forth. The two bearing points 2 are secured t o a standard U-section 3 which forms the actual anchorage t o a vessel's steel structure onto which it is preferably welded. At one end of the support beam's 1 web are two pipes 4 with a quick release coupling at each end. These pipes are for the supply of dispersing fluid via hoses t o the twin manifold 6. On the other side of the beam is a mechanism 5 which pushes/pulls the support beam 1 back and forth along the bearing points 2. This mechanism 5 may comprises a toothed rack or wire rope driven system where the actual drive comprises a hydraulic or electric motor, or alternatively a mechanism including one or more hydraulic cylinders. Fig. 1 shows a system comprising a wire rope drive mechanism 5. As mentioned in the introduction above, a first challenge that is encountered in connection with dispersion from vessels with an enclosed foreship is that it is not possible t o position any such equipment on the outside of the hull. A second challenge is that there is limited space inside the hull forward towards the bow. The width of the boat may be of decisive importance for how far forward it is practically possible t o position the equipment. There must be a compromise between what is ideal and what is practically possible.

6 The bow wave, where and how it breaks, is of critical importance for whether the oil is hit with the dispersant or whether clean sea is sprayed t o no avail. It turns out in practice that the bow wave of a number of the new said vessels with enclosed foreship breaks far less and considerably further back than is the case with conventional boats with bul bous bow (depending on the boat's speed and the prevailing weather conditions). This is considered to be a major advantage as regards application of dispersant to an oil slick at sea with the aid of an apparatus according t o the present invention. As mentioned above and as shown in Figure 2, the nozzle manifolds 6 will have a certain distance a between each other when the apparatus according t o the invention is in use, allowing a gap or area between the nozzle manifolds 6 on the starboard and port side t o arise, which is not directly sprayed with dispersing fluid. This gap or distance can, however, be minimised or eliminated by employing one or more of the following methods: - the innermost nozzle or nozzles on the nozzle manifolds 6 can be adapted or arranged such that the spreading profiles of the dispersing fluid spray are as wide as possible and/or optionally directed inwards, whereby said gap or distance a, vertically, is as wide as the ship's hull at the waterline at the point where the apparatus according t o the invention is arranged; - the innermost nozzle or nozzles on the nozzle manifold 6 can be adapted or arranged such that the spreading profiles of the dispersant fluid spray are directed forwards and inwards, whereby said gap or distance is narrower than the hull at the waterline, at the point where the apparatus according t o the invention is arranged, - the support beams 1, and thus the nozzle manifolds 6, are pulled inwards, and thus together, when the nozzle manifolds 6 have been lowered t o operational height. In the cases where the shape of the hull narrows closer t o the waterline, the nozzle manifolds 6 can be drawn slightly inwards/together as shown by the arrow p in Figure 2. As mentioned above, the system according t o an advantageous embodiment may comprise a twin manifold 6, where the two rows of spray nozzles have different capacity (for example, 100% and 25% nominal capacity). By alternating between or combining the two rows of nozzles, it is possible t o meter/apply an amount of dispersing fluid that is optimal in relation t o the thickness and condition of the oil film. In addition t o alternating between the two rows of nozzles, separately or together, the pressure in the manifolds can be varied steplessly, which in turn results in a stepless variable metering of dispersing fluid. In addition, the speed of the

7 vessel can be adapted t o the thickness and condition of the oil film in order t o further optimise the application of the dispersant. Fig. 1, which shows one embodiment of the present invention, shows that the nozzle manifold 6 can be hoisted up and down by means of two lines 10. Each line 10 runs via a pulley fastened t o the support beam 1 and t o a small hydraulically operated winch 7 that is remote-controlled from a radio control system or the like (not shown). Dispersing fluid is passed t o the nozzle manifold 6 via hoses 9 which, for example, can be connected using rapid release couplings 8. At the inlet t o the manifolds is a pressure-controlled shut-off valve. The task of this valve is t o instantly shut off supply of fluid t o the manifold 6 so that hoses 9 and pipes 4 do not run dry in the event of a break in the dispersion operation. This results in a precise starting and stopping of spray from the nozzles when the shut-off valve t o the individual manifold is operated. Supply of dispersing fluid from the storage tank(s) t o the nozzle manifolds 6 can take place with the aid of a pump and a shut-off valve t o each manifold. These valves can be equipped with a hydraulic actuator and with both a visual and an electrical indicator for open/closed position. Control of the valve may be effected manually, or, for example, by radio control. The design, positioning and mounting of the equipment is such that all relevant HSE requirements are met. The part that is t o be passed out through a special, adapted hatch in the ship's side is of an extremely slim form. It takes up very little space in height and width. There is free passage below (or above) during both operation and storage. Moving components that may cause personal injury are equipped with covers. All hydraulic and electric components are in accordance with relevant safety rules and requirements. No heavy components need be lifted. The heaviest component, the nozzle manifold, is hoisted up or down with the aid of rope and pulleys or two small winches with hand crank when it is t o be stored or made ready for use. It is expedient t o avoid conflict with other machines such as anchor capstan and mooring winches or other installations. Location and anchorage are up under the deck. It is a requirement that the equipment should be mobilised and be ready for use within 30 minutes. When the equipment is stored and is so-called "stand by", the following steps only must be carried out for mobilisation:

8 - switch on the main switch in the electric control cabinet - fasten the radio control by belt around the waist - hoist the manifold into place and connect lines - run (using the radio control) the support arm and manifold halfway out through the hatch in the ship's side - connect hoses (rapid release coupling) t o the nozzle manifold - run the support arm and manifold right out - run manifold down t o a suitable height above the sea surface. It will be understood that the aforementioned procedure is relevant in the case that the apparatus according t o the invention is controlled by a radio-controlled system. Other automatic control systems may also be used. A simpler/less costly, wholly or partly manual system may also be used within the scope of the present invention. To prevent icing on the nozzle manifolds 6 and other exposed equipment as a result of sea spray and extreme cold, for example, during use in Arctic conditions, the nozzle manifolds 6, and optionally other exposed equipment, can be equipped with heating cable for de-icing. The heating cables can be connected via a plug and socket as required or controlled automatically by means of the control system. Electrical equipment on the nozzle manifold 6 and other relevant equipment are in protection class EExe The equipment is operated by hydraulic/electric means and can, as mentioned, be remotecontrolled using radio control. In that case, the equipment can consist of two identical units mounted next t o each other and used respectively on the starboard and port side of the vessel. They can be used independently of each other, but have a common system for remote control. In, for example, the range % of nominal capacity, it is possible, according t o one embodiment of the invention, t o make stepless adjustment from the remote control. This is so as t o aim for a maximally optimal dispersion when the oil film is of varying thickness.

9 If the hydraulics generator fails, the block with shut-off valves can be connected t o another hydraulic source via two valves and hoses. The control valves may also be operated manually if the control current (24VDC) is switched off. In the event of a lack of contact via radio, the operating panel can be connected t o the control cabinet by mans of a flexible cable. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the apparatus according t o the present invention, where: 1. Support beam 2. Slide bearing 3. Anchoring section 4. Pipe for supply of dispersant 5. Mechanism for reciprocating movement of the support beam 6. Nozzle manifold 7. Winches for hoisting the nozzle manifold up and down 8. Pressure-controlled shut-off valve 9. Hoses for supply of dispersant 10. Lines for hoisting manifold up and down Figure 2 shows how a complete ship set consisting of two apparatus can be mounted on board a support vessel of a type similar t o the Ulstein X-Bow, i.e., with enclosed bow section. Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the vessel immediately aft of the mooring and anchor winches. The apparatus is shown mounted under a deck ceiling. It will be understood that the apparatus can also be mounted on a deck. Figure 2 shows the support beams in their outermost position and the nozzle manifolds lowered down to about 4.5 m above the sea surface and with a spray of dispersant falling down on the sea surface. Attached are also nine photographs of an embodiment of the present invention. These photographs show: Photograph 1: The invention comprises a specifically designed and strength-evaluated beam section. This section is support arm for the nozzle manifold.

10 Photograph 2: The beam section is suspended from two slide bearings of synthetic material. The beam section can be pushed/pulled back and forth. Photograph 3: The two bearing points are secured t o a standard U-section which forms the actual anchorage t o the vessel's steel structure onto which it is preferably welded. Photograph 4 : On one side of the support beam web are two pipes with a rapid release coupling at either end. These pipes are for supply of dispersing fluid via hoses t o the twin manifold. Photograph 5: On the other side of the support beam is a mechanism which pushes/pulls the support beam back and forth. This mechanism may be a toothed rack or a wire, where the actual drive is a hydraulic or electric motor, or a mechanism having one or more hydraulic cylinders. Photograph 5 shows an apparatus with wire rope drive. Photograph 6: As mentioned above, a twin manifold is included where a row of spray nozzles has different capacity (100% and 25% nominal capacity). By alternating between the two rows of nozzles, it is possible t o meter/apply dispersing fluid on the basis of the thickness and condition of the oil film. In addition t o alternating between the two rows of nozzles, separately or together, the pressure in the manifolds can be varied steplessly, which in turn results in a stepless variable metering of dispersing fluid. Photograph 7: The manifold is hoisted up and down in that it is suspended from two lines. Each line runs via a pulley attached t o the section and t o a small hydraulically operated winch that is remote-controlled from the radio control. Photograph 8: Dispersing fluid is passed t o the nozzle manifold by means of hoses that are connected using rapid release couplings. At the inlet t o the manifolds is a pressure-controlled shut-off valve. The task of this valve is t o instantly shut off supply of fluid t o the manifold such that hoses and pipes do not run dry in the event of a break in the dispersion operation. This results in a precise starting and stopping of spray from the nozzles when the shut-off valve t o the individual manifold is operated.

11 Photograph 9: The shut-off valve t o each manifold is equipped with a hydraulic actuator and with both visual and electrical indicator for open/closed position. Control of the valve is from the radio control.

12 P a t e n t c l a i m s 1. An apparatus for applying a dispersant to an oil slick at sea from a boat, the apparatus comprising two support beams with associated nozzle manifolds, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the support beams are mounted inside a ship's hull and are adapted to be passed out through a hatch or opening on each side of the hull, the apparatus having an inactive, retracted position when it is not in use, and an active, extended position when it is in use, and wherein the hatches or openings and the support beams with associated nozzle manifolds are arranged such that the dispersant, when the apparatus is in use, hits the sea/oil slick ahead of the breaking point of the boat's bow wave. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support beams are adapted to be pushed out and in through the ship's hull essentially horizontally and essentially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the boat, the support beams being pushed by a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism, which mechanism comprising drive via toothed rack, wire rope drive, cylinder and/or telescope. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the support beams is provided with a nozzle manifold and nozzles, the nozzle manifold being adapted to be capable of being lowered and raised relative to the sea surface and the support beam from which it is suspended. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle manifold is a twin manifold and comprises two rows of nozzles, the rows having different capacity, wherein the metering of the dispersant onto an oil slick at sea can be adjusted by alternating between or combining the capacity of the two rows. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle manifold comprises heating cables for de-icing.

13 6. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein raising and lowering of the nozzle manifold is to be controlled from a wireless portable control panel (radio control).

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19 n erna ona app ca on o. PCT/NO201 3/ A. CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER IPC: see extra sheet According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC B. FIELDS SEARCHED Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) IPC: B63B, E02B Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched SE, DK, Fl, NO classes as above Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used) EPO-lnternal, PAJ, WPI data C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. A NO B (NOREN AS -(B1 ) NOREN BERGEN AS [NO]), March 2000 ( ); abstract; figures P, A W O A 1 (FUGRO GEOTEAM AS ET AL), 3 May ( ); abstract; figures A EP A2 (CLEANSEAS OIL POLLUTION CONTRO), January 1982 ( ); abstract; figures A W O A 1 (DELAVAN LTD ET AL), 1 October ( ) ; abstract; figures Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C. See patent family annex. * Special categories of cited documents: " later document published after the international fding date or priority "A" document defining the general state of the art which is not considered date and not in conflict with the application but cited to understand to be of particular relevance the principle or theory underlying the invention "E" earlier application or patent but published on or after the international 'X" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be filing date considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive "L" document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or which is step when the document is taken alone cited to establish the publication date of another citation or other Ύ " document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be special reason (as specified) considered to involve an inventive step when the document is "O" document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other combined with one or more other such documents, such combination means being obvious to a person skilled in the art "P" document published prior to the international filing date but later than ' '&" document member of the same patent family the priority date claimed Date of the actual completion of the international search Date of mailing of the international search report Name and mailing address of the ISA/SE Patent- och registreringsverket Box 5055 Authorized officer Bjorn Lindkvist S STOCKHOLM Facsimile No Telephone No Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (July 2009)

20 n erna ona app ca on o. PCT/NO201 3/ C (Continuation). DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No. A EP A 1 (ARCTIA SAARISTOVARUSTAMO OY), 10 1, 2 August ( ); abstract; figures A WO A 1 (ORC A B ET AL), 4 November ( ); abstract; figures Form PCT/ISA/210 (continuation of second sheet) (July 2009)

21 n erna ona app ca on o. PCT/NO201 3/ Continuation of: second sheet International Patent Classification (IPC) E02B 75/04 ( ) B63B 35/32 ( ) Form PCT/ISA/210 (extra sheet) (July 2009)

22 n erna ona app ca on o. Information on patent family members PCT/NO201 3/ NO B 15/03/2000 NONE O A 1 03/05/201 2 NO A 30/04/201 2 EP A2 06/01/1 982 J P A 10/05/1 982 NO A 29/1 2/1 981 O A 1 01/1 0/1 981 DE D 1 26/04/1 984 DK A 18/1 1/1 981 EP B 1 21/03/1 984 J P S A 08/04/1 982 J P B 25/07/1 988 NO A 17/1 1/1 981 EP A 1 10/08/201 1 F l A O 28/01/201 1 F l A O 30/1 1/201 0 F l A O 28/01/201 0 W O A 1 04/1 1/201 0 A U A 1 17/1 1/201 1 CA A 1 04/1 1/201 0 CN A 25/04/201 2 EP A 1 07/03/201 2 KR A 13/03/201 2 RU A 10/06/201 3 US A 1 16/02/201 2 Form PCT/ISA/210 (patent family annex) (July 2009)