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 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 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;
a conveyor belt disposed between the two buoyant members 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 conveyor belt, 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
40 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 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 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; a conveyor belt disposed between the two buoyant members 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 conveyor belt, 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)
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18. A buoyant immiscible pollutant remediation apparatus for use in a body of water comprising:
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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 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; a conveyor belt disposed between the two buoyant members 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 conveyor belt, 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. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification