Environmentally-neutral processing with condensed phase cryogenic fluids

• US 7,601,257 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2007
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• 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:
  US11/839,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20090045115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 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: 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 2201/008 Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle for biological treatment C02F2203/008
• 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 buoyant immiscible pollutant remediation apparatus for use in a body of water comprising:

an upper platform;

a cryogenic fluid source adapted for providing a cryogenic fluid, the cryogenic fluid source supported by the upper platform;

a lower platform disposed below the upper platform;

a waste tank adapted for storing collected immiscible pollutant, the waste tank having an opening adapted for receiving the collected immiscible pollutant, the opening disposed between the upper platform and the lower platform;

a flexible apron surrounding substantially the entire perimeter of the lower platform, the flexible apron extending from a first point at the perimeter of the lower platform to a second point proximate to the surface of the water;

at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser coupled to the cryogenic fluid source and adapted to dispense cryogenic fluid, in a substantially condensed phase, in the region proximate to the second point;

at least one collector basket coupled to an arm, the collector basket adapted to travel from a point proximate to the second point to a point proximate to the opening of the waste tank, thereby transporting at least some immiscible pollutant that was exposed to the substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid into the waste tank.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a lower structure disposed below the lower platform.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the lower structure comprises sponsons.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising at least one pneumatic riser coupled to the lower structure and the upper platform, the at least one pneumatic riser adapted to expand or contract in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the water.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the opening of the waste tank is coupled to the upper platform so that the location of the opening of the waste tank is due at least in part to the expansion or contraction of the at least one pneumatic riser.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the lower platform has a circular perimeter.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the flexible apron has a circular perimeter.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 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.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the one or more sensors includes an infrared sensor.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the one or more sensors includes an optoacoustic sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the one or more sensors includes a temperature sensor.

12. The apparatus of claim 4 comprising wireless communication structure.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the wireless communication structure includes GPS, RF or IR receivers.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the wireless communication structure includes GPS, RF or IR transmitters.

15. The apparatus of claim 4 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.

16. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser dispenses the cryogenic fluid at about atmospheric pressure.

17. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the at least one cryogenic fluid dispenser comprises a sparger bar.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the sparger bar is constructed of a sintered metal.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the metal comprises brass, bronze or stainless steel.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the sparger bar is constructed of a sintered composite.

21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the sparger bar is constructed of a sintered material comprising silicon carbide.

22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the mean porosity of the sparger bar is between about 1 micron and 10 microns.

23. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the cryogenic fluid dispenser comprises a spray bar comprising at least one nozzle.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 comprising means for adjusting an aperture size of at least one nozzle.

25. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the cryogenic fluid dispenser comprises a drizzle bar comprising at least one hole array.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the at least one hole array comprises holes having a diameter from about 0.1 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters.