Prototype Spill Technology Doesn't Emulsify Oil

Inventor Christopher Bispham has developed a new concept for the simultaneous recovery of marine debris and oil at sea that can be manufactured quickly for comparatively little cost.

The Seaskip is a self-propelled, sea-going oil spill skimmer that only needs a three man crew. Key to the design is a pair of powered, controllable recovery booms.

“Our test vessel works in calm or choppy waters. Debris and oil are ejected separately from the Seaskip and can be deposited to barges at sea or to a shore facility,” says Bispham.

“I have observed the shortcomings of many of the oil spill response and recovery systems employed today. The present regulations allow oil spill recovery systems to create vast amounts of emulsified oil through the use of revolving drums, disks, belts, ropes, conveyer systems etc. Oil separation equipment is then used to recover the oil leaving a large amount of contaminated seawater to be disposed of.”

Bispham says that burning oil spills releases polluting Polyaromatic-Hydrocarbons (PAHS), and chemical sprays that cause the oil to sink could damage seabed ecosystems.
 
“Current regulations are not protecting the environment properly, as they should. My concerns for the marine environment have resulted in the development of the Seaskip technology. The Seaskip can recover very thin oil and mousse, or coagulated lumps of oil and marine debris from coastlines with ease.”

The Seaskip can also act as a lifeboat, ferry, fireboat or barge. It is designed to be unsinkable, says Bispham, who is looking for development partners to further the concept to manufacturing and marketing stage.

Christopher Bispham can be contacted at [email protected]