Environmentally-neutral processing with condensed phase cryogenic fluids

• US 7,597,799 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2007
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ronald De Strulle
• Original Assignee: Ronald De Strulle
• Inventors: de Strulle, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Upton; Christopher
• Application Number:
  US11/839,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20090044841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 210/104, 210/143, 210/170.09, 210/170.11, 210/177, 210/198.1, 210/242.3, 210/923, 62/521
• US Class Current: 210/143
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 210/923 using mechanical means, e.g. skimmers, pump

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 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, wherein at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser comprises a drizzle bar comprising at least one hole array;

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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a plow coupled proximate to the first end of the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising:

one or more sensors disposed proximate to the immiscible pollutant adapted to generate one or more data signals;

a controller coupled to the sensors and cryogenic fluid source, wherein the controller is adapted to control the cryogenic fluid source in response to the one or more data signals.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the one or more sensors includes an infrared sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the one or more sensors includes an optoacoustic sensor.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the one or more sensors includes a temperature sensor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising wireless communication structure.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the wireless communication structure includes a GPS, RF or IR receiver or transmitter.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hood disposed proximate to the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising cryogenic fluid transport means, coupled between the cryogenic fluid source and the at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser, for maintaining the pressure of the cryogenic fluid transported to the cryogenic fluid dispenser at less than about 50 psi.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser dispenses the cryogenic fluid at about atmospheric pressure.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one hole array comprises holes having a diameter equal to or greater than about 0.1 millimeters.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the buoyant members are sponsons.

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

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser and the cryogenic fluid transport structure are arranged such that the cryogenic fluid does not reach its saturation point within the fluid transport structure.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure within at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser is at approximately atmospheric pressure.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser dispenses cryogenic fluid in droplets.

18. 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;

a waste tank, coupled to the auger, adapted for storing collected immiscible pollutant;

one or more sensors disposed proximate to the immiscible pollutant adapted to generate one or more data signals; and

a controller coupled to the sensors and cryogenic fluid source, wherein the controller is adapted to control the cryogenic fluid source in response to the one or more data signals.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 comprising a plow coupled proximate to the first end of the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the one or more sensors includes an infrared sensor.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 comprising wireless communication structure.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the wireless communication structure includes a GPS, RF or JR receiver or transmitter.

23. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a hood disposed proximate to the cryogenic fluid dispenser structure.

24. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising cryogenic fluid transport means, coupled between the cryogenic fluid source and the at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser, for maintaining the pressure of the cryogenic fluid transported to the cryogenic fluid dispenser at less than about 50 psi.

25. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser dispenses the cryogenic fluid at about atmospheric pressure.

26. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser comprises a sparger bar.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the sparger bar is constructed of a sintered metal.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the metal comprises brass, bronze or stainless steel.

29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the sparger bar is constructed of a sintered composite.

30. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the sparger bar is constructed of a sintered material comprising silicon carbide.

31. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the mean porosity of the sparger bar is between about 1 micron and 10 microns.

32. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser comprises a spray bar comprising at least one nozzle.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 comprising means for adjusting an aperture size of at least one nozzle.

34. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser comprises a drizzle bar comprising at least one hole array.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the at least one hole array comprises holes having a diameter equal to or greater than about 0.1 millimeters.

36. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the buoyant members are sponsons.

37. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the cryogenic fluid transport structure comprises one or more pressure release valves adapted to open at a predetermined threshold pressure.

38. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser and the cryogenic fluid transport structure are arranged such that the cryogenic fluid does not reach its saturation point within the fluid transport structure.

39. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the pressure within at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser is at approximately atmospheric pressure.

40. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser dispenses cryogenic fluid in droplets.