Opflex Technologies, LLC

James E LaCrosse

Scott C Smith

Glenn G Wattley

John Baker

An apparatus and method for capturing a contaminant present in a body of water that includes a collection media for capturing the contaminant and a structure. The collection media has a first end secured to the structure. The collection media has a second buoyant end disposed opposite the first end wherein buoyant end is a free end. The structure does not float at the water surface and holds the first end of the collection media below the buoyant second end in the water column. When the apparatus is deployed in a water column having a depth greater than the height of the apparatus, the apparatus is selectively positioned in the water column at a desired height. A method of employing the collection media is also disclosed.

Water column remediation apparatus

A method for removing oil from a body of water including providing a matrix having a longitudinally-directed column defined by oil-absorbing and/or oil-adsorbing blankets each affixed independently of each other to a connecting strip that extends along the length of the column; deploying the matrix to a body of water to bring the column into contact with the body of water; inducing tension in the connecting strip to move blankets of the column in unison relative to the body of water; collecting oil with the first and second blankets; and removing the blankets and at least a portion of the oil collected thereby. Also, an oil spill removal system including such a matrix and in which, during matrix movement in the longitudinal direction, drag on a following blanket of a matrix column is carried by the connecting strip rather than by a preceding blanket of that column.

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Indianapolis, IN, United States of America

James E LaCrosse