The COV is designed to recover significantly larger amounts of oil from marine spills than any competitive vessel. It does this using a unique, yet simple method which operates virtually maintenance-free. The most significant capability of this catamaran-configured vessel is its ability to work effectively in both calm and rough seas – undeterred by floating debris or oil viscosity.
The COV recovers liquids by way of pumping action (Bernoulli Effect) that is created by two counter-rotating drums. The drums rotate toward their centre creating a low pressure in the recovery cavity below the drums which raises a liquid column through the adjustable gap between the drums. The recovered liquids then flow to four receiving tanks.
The oil layer encountered by the drums is thickened by means of a keel plate below the drums and adjustable weir plates at either end of the keel plate thereby increasing the initial recovery efficiency. Recovery efficiency is further enhanced by the displacement of free water trough flood valves in the bottom of the receiving tanks. This process affords the added advantage of maintaining constant draft of the vessel during recovery operations.
The COV collector unit is situated in the centre of the catamaran hulls which provide the vessel with maximum stability. When a spill occurs the COV can be quickly deployed and its drums immersed and activated. As the oil level builds up in the receiving tanks, free water will be forced out of the flood valves. When the oil level in the receiving tanks is equal to the vessel draft, the flood valves are closed to prevent oil from escaping. Recovery can then continue until the receiving tanks are full with minimum increase in vessel draft, at which time floatation bladders contained onboard will be deployed and filled, off-loading of recovered oil will be done using on-board pumps.
COV (OSCAR) built and used off Vancouver, Canada.
