METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING FLOATING POLLUTANTS
Method and apparatus for cleaning an open surface of a body of liquid, especially for recovering oil spills or other floating pollutants. A surface portion of the water carrying pollutants is caused to flow across a skimming weir (12, K) forming an inlet to a collecting vessel (11) and to proceed downwardly within the collecting vessel. At least the main portion of the downwardly flowing polluted water is then diverted laterally outwardly into a separation zone (B) in which the pollutants are allowed to separate from the water and collect on a confined surface of the water. The separation zone (B) may be integrated in the collecting vessel (11) and provided around a central collection compartment (A) provided with an annular skimming weir (12, K). Alternatively, the skimming zone may be provided in a separate vessel connected with the collection vessel through a conduit.