ENVIRONMENTALLY-NEUTRAL PROCESSING WITH CONDENSED PHASE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

• US 20090045117A1
• Filed: 08/15/2007
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ronald De Strulle
• Original Assignee: Ronald De Strulle
• Inventors: de Strulle, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US11/839,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20090045117A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/198.100
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/042 by changing the temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/0014 by incorporation in a layer which is removed with the contaminants
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/0092 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B09B 1/004 Covering of dumping sites
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/22 by freezing
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/40 Devices for separating or removing fatty or oily substances or similar floating material cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water from oil or like materials E02B15/04; devices in sewers for separating liquid or solid substances from sewage E03F5/14, e.g. for use in drains leading to the sewer E03F5/16
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/681 by addition of solid materials for removing an oily layer on water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/32 Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/08 Seawater, e.g. for desalination
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 12/006 Oil removal
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 15/043 Devices or methods for removing oil by means of freezing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/124 Water desalination
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/204 Keeping clear the surface of open water from oil spills
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/30 Landfill technologies aiming to mitigate methane emissions

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.

Claims

1. A remediation system comprising:

a buoyant remediation hub adapted for use in conjunction with at least one immiscible pollutant remediation system, the hub comprising;

at least one refueling tank adapted for storing cryogenic fluid;

at least one refueling line coupled to the at least one refueling tank adapted to dispense cryogenic fluid;

at least one storage tank adapted for storing immiscible pollutant;

at least one waste line coupled to the waste tank adapted for transporting immiscible pollutant; and

at least one modular storage tank adapted for storing immiscible pollutant and also adapted for coupling to an immiscible pollutant remediation system; and

an immiscible pollutant remediation system comprising;

a second cryogenic fluid tank removably coupled to the refueling line;

a cryogenic fluid transport structure coupled to the second cryogenic fluid tank and adapted to maintain the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase; and

a low pressure applicator coupled to the cryogenic fluid transport structure adapted for dispensing the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase.

2. The system of claim 1 comprising at least one tether line coupled to the at least one refueling tank adapted for dispensing cryogenic fluid for remediating immiscible pollutants proximate to the hub.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the hub comprises a motor adapted for propelling the hub.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the hub comprises a fuel tank adapted for storing fuel.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the hub comprises at least one fuel line coupled to the fuel tank adapted for providing fuel to an immiscible pollutant remediation system.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the hub comprises comprising wireless communication structure.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the wireless communication structure includes GPS, RF or IR receivers.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the wireless communication structure includes GPS, RF or IR transmitters.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the hub comprises a cryogenic fluid condenser coupled to the refueling tank.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator comprises a sparger bar.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator comprises a drizzle bar.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator comprises a spray bar.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the cryogenic fluid transport structure comprises one or more pressure release valves adapted to open at a predetermined threshold pressure.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator and cryogenic fluid transport structure are arranged such that the cryogenic fluid does not reach its saturation point within the fluid transport structure.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the pressure within the low pressure applicator is at approximately atmospheric pressure.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the low pressure applicator dispenses cryogenic fluid in droplets.

21. The system of claim 1 comprising GPS and RF transmitters and IR and optoacoustic sensors.

23. The system of claim 1 wherein the cryogenic fluid transport structure comprises one or more pressure release valves adapted to open at a predetermined threshold pressure and one or more phase separators.

25. The system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid transport structure is vacuum insulated.

27. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one refueling tank is a low pressure cryogenic fluid tank.

17. A remediation system comprising:

a buoyant remediation hub adapted for use in conjunction with at least one immiscible pollutant remediation system, the hub comprising;

a cryogenic fluid source;

at least one refueling line coupled to the cryogenic fluid source adapted to maintain the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase;

at least one storage tank adapted for storing immiscible pollutant; and

at least one waste line coupled to the waste tank adapted for transporting immiscible pollutant;

and

an immiscible pollutant remediation system comprising;

a second cryogenic fluid tank removably coupled to the refueling line;

a cryogenic fluid transport structure coupled to the second cryogenic fluid tank and adapted to maintain the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase; and

a low pressure applicator coupled to the cryogenic fluid transport structure adapted for dispensing the cryogenic fluid in a substantially condensed phase.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the cryogenic fluid source comprises a liquefaction system.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the low pressure applicator and fluid transport structure are arranged such that the cryogenic fluid does not reach its saturation point within the fluid transport structure.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the pressure within the low pressure applicator is at approximately atmospheric pressure.

22. The system of claim 17 comprising GPS and RF transmitters and IR and optoacoustic sensors.

24. The system of claim 17 wherein the cryogenic fluid transport structure comprises one or more pressure release valves adapted to open at a predetermined threshold pressure and one or more phase separators.

26. The system of claim 17 wherein at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid transport structure is vacuum insulated.

28. The system of claim 17 wherein the cryogenic fluid source comprises a low pressure cryogenic fluid tank.