The cargo tanks decant water through flood valves in the tank bottoms, by gravity, while recovered oil is trapped in the tanks. This provides efficiency (high oil/water ratio) and maximum utilization of cargo space.
The 40 foot COV has recorded recovery rates of 200 m3/hr in uncontrolled tests. A controlled test that presents constant encounter rates should result in higher recovery rates.
The COV catamaran platform is very stable in adverse sea conditions. The depth of immersion of the drums in the water allows the pumping action to continue even as the vessel reacts to the waves.
The COV functions equally well in high or low viscosity oils in calm or rough seas. It can be used in heavy or light concentrations of oil with no reduction in liquid recovery rate and minimal loss of recovery efficiency. The COV can be operated in open water offshore scenarios and can also be operated in small confined harbours. It can be operated effectively in zero relative water current or in fast currents in both oleophilic and suction modes. The COV modular in design and can be supplied as a complete unit or the recovery module can be integrated into an existing vessel or barge.
The COV can be operated as an oleophilic skimmer with low drum rotation speeds or as a suction skimmer at high drum rotation speeds.
The COV in manufactured from ‘off the shelf’ components, is extremely sturdy, durable, and simple to operate. Minimal operator training is requires, and maintenance and running repairs are low compared to competitive products. The COV does not require special training for maintenance. Any mechanical technician can do any maintenance and repair that might be required. There is no other oil recovery technology available today, that can demonstrate all of the above features.
While there are a few oil spill recovery devices that can demonstrate recovery rates that are equal to the COV, it is difficult to do a comparison based on a wide variety of operating criteria since, in all cases, these other devices are designed for specific applications whereas the versatility of the COV allows it to be used in almost any conceivable scenario. These recovery vessels are substantially more costly than the COV.
