Environmentally-Neutral Processing With Condensed Phase Cryogenic Fluids
First Claim
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1. A buoyant immiscible pollutant remediation apparatus for use in a body of water comprising:
- a deck having a first end and a second end;
a cryogenic fluid source adapted for providing a cryogenic fluid, the cryogenic fluid source supported by the deck;
a cryogenic fluid dispenser structure coupled to the cryogenic fluid source and supported over the body water at a first end of the deck, the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure comprising at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser adapted for dispensing cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase;
a conveyor belt adapted to receive and transport at least some immiscible pollutant that was exposed to substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid by the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure, wherein the conveyor belt causes a belt to travel in a direction from the first end of the deck toward the second end of the deck;
transport structure, disposed proximate to the second end of the deck, adapted for transporting the immiscible pollutant from the conveyor belt to the waste tank; and
a waste tank adapted for storing collected immiscible pollutant.
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Abstract
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for utilizing a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid for the purpose of remediation and retrieval of, e.g., spilled crude oil and other “oil spill”-related products from marine/aquatic and terrestrial environments. In some implementations, systems and apparatus are provided for applying a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid to a volume of spilled oil, and further having structure for collecting the spilled oil. Some implementations are environmentally-neutral. Substances other than oil may be remediated as well.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A buoyant immiscible pollutant remediation apparatus for use in a body of water comprising:
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a deck having a first end and a second end; a cryogenic fluid source adapted for providing a cryogenic fluid, the cryogenic fluid source supported by the deck; a cryogenic fluid dispenser structure coupled to the cryogenic fluid source and supported over the body water at a first end of the deck, the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure comprising at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser adapted for dispensing cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase; a conveyor belt adapted to receive and transport at least some immiscible pollutant that was exposed to substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid by the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure, wherein the conveyor belt causes a belt to travel in a direction from the first end of the deck toward the second end of the deck; transport structure, disposed proximate to the second end of the deck, adapted for transporting the immiscible pollutant from the conveyor belt to the waste tank; and a waste tank adapted for storing collected immiscible pollutant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A cryogenically cooled quarantine receptacle system comprising:
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a waste tank having a movable top and movable bottom; at least one cryogenic fluid source coupled to the waste tank; and lifting structure adapted for placing the waste tank over an item to be quarantined; wherein after the lifting structure places the waste over the item, the top and bottom are moved so as to seal the waste tank, and the tank is filled with cryogenic fluid.
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Specification