Environmentally-Neutral Processing With Condensed Phase Cryogenic Fluids
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A bouyant immiscible pollutant remediation apparatus for use in a body of water comprising:
- a cryogenic fluid source adapted for providing a cryogenic fluid, the cryogenic fluid source supported by a deck;
a cryogenic fluid dispenser structure coupled to the cryogenic fluid source and supported between at least two substantially parallel buoyant members, the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure comprising at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser adapted for dispensing cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase, and wherein the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure is proximate to the water at a first end and coupled to the deck on a second end;
an auger disposed proximate to the second end of the cryogenic fluid dispenser 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; and
a waste tank, coupled to the auger, adapted for storing collected immiscible pollutant.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A bouyant immiscible pollutant remediation apparatus for use in a body of water comprising:
-
a cryogenic fluid source adapted for providing a cryogenic fluid, the cryogenic fluid source supported by a deck; a cryogenic fluid dispenser structure coupled to the cryogenic fluid source and supported between at least two substantially parallel buoyant members, the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure comprising at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser adapted for dispensing cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase, and wherein the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure is proximate to the water at a first end and coupled to the deck on a second end; an auger disposed proximate to the second end of the cryogenic fluid dispenser 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; and a waste tank, coupled to the auger, 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)
-
Specification