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 primary section 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, 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 at least a portion of the perimeter of the deck on a second end;
a waste section comprising;
a waste tank adapted for storing collected immiscible pollutant;
a buoyant deck adapted for supporting the waste tank;
at least one guide screen for guiding the immiscible pollutant exposed to substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid toward the waste tank;
a conveyor belt, coupled to the waste tank, adapted to receive and transport at least some immiscible pollutant that was exposed to substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid and guided by the guide screen and dispose immiscible pollutant in the waste tank.
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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.
36 Citations
34 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 primary section 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, 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 at least a portion of the perimeter of the deck on a second end; a waste section comprising; a waste tank adapted for storing collected immiscible pollutant; a buoyant deck adapted for supporting the waste tank; at least one guide screen for guiding the immiscible pollutant exposed to substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid toward the waste tank; a conveyor belt, coupled to the waste tank, adapted to receive and transport at least some immiscible pollutant that was exposed to substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid and guided by the guide screen and dispose immiscible pollutant in the waste tank. - 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, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification