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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.
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.
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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.
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This disclosure relates to environmentally-neutral processing with condensed phase cryogenic fluids (CPCF).
In the wake of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, numerous measures were taken in attempt to cleanup the spill. A trial burn was conducted during the early stages of the spill, in a small region of the spill isolated from the rest by a fire-resistant boom. The test was of questionable success, and because of unfavorable winds and weather (e.g., regional meteorological dynamics), and the negative potential impact on air quality and the general environment (e.g., as effects to Nature) no additional burning was attempted during the next 16 years of this (ongoing) cleanup effort. Mechanical cleanup was started shortly afterwards using booms and skimmers, but technical problems due to the thickness of the oil layer and kelp that tended to clog the equipment, became a serious issue. On Mar. 24, 1989, a private company was retained to apply a dispersant, using a helicopter and dispersant buckets. The results and/or findings showed, however, that there was insufficient wave action to mix the oil and the dispersant, and use of this method was also discontinued. Degradation and byproducts from additive dispersants and/or reactions with oil constituents and petroleum derivatives, became a concern to many. Another concern arose from the fact that the skimmers could not be made readily available during the critical first 24 hours after the spill, i.e., a crucial period for response time, in dealing with wildlife and fragile ecosystems.
Working with the U.S. Coast Guard, who officially led the response, Exxon mounted a cleanup effort that is said to have exceeded in cost, scope, and thoroughness, any previous oil spill cleanup operation. In addition to the Exxon employees, more than 11,000 Alaska residents worked throughout the region, helping to restore the environment. Three years after the event of the spill, in 1992, the Coast Guard declared the cleanup complete. However, to this day, many environmental problems remain, and wildlife are still recovering from this disaster.
The Exxon-Valdez case, along with the standard practices for dealing with oil-spills, and the results of clean-up operations and remediation efforts in subsequent spills, indicate that the current methodologies and technologies used in dealing with spills of crude oil and its derivatives are far from ideal. The impacts to our environment and local ecology, resulting from oil-spills, are significant, and remain a serious problem.
The problem, to a large degree, is due to the natural properties of the oil or pollutant substrate itself: its immiscibility, its tendency to disperse over aqueous surfaces (or to form thin films), its viscosity (e.g., that results in the smothering of aquatic birds and mammals, or clinging to coastal rocks), its potential toxicity, and the nature and/or longevity of these pollutant effects. Additionally, spilled oils can vary from low viscosity fluids containing (in various parts) volatile and/or combustible moieties, to highly-viscous and very gummy or tar-like products. Thus, oil and other immiscible pollutant substances are difficult to handle and effectively remove, both from the body of water where the spill occurs, and from surrounding environmental areas, e.g., beaches, rocks, and other natural habitats.
In an aspect of the invention, system, method and/or apparatus are provided for utilizing a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid for the purpose(s) of clean-up, retrieval, and/or removal of, e.g., spilled crude oil, processed oils, petroleum byproducts and derivatives, lipid-based pharmaceuticals, reactive chemicals, toxic or noxious waste, and/or spills of other hydrophobic or immiscible products from marine/aquatic and terrestrial environments, and the remediation of those environments. Substances other than oil may be remediated as well. In some implementations, designs for vessels, remediation systems, sparging units and other apparatus are provided for use in the delivery, distribution, and/or application of the substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid to a volume of spilled oil or other immiscible substance, along with structures for collecting, storing, and removing the sequestered oil or other materials spilled, and instruments for "real-time" testing/monitoring of spill conditions, pollutant wastes, and/or efficiency of the remediation operation. Some implementations are environmentally-neutral.
The following is a description of preferred implementations, as well as some alternative implementations, of systems, methods and apparatus for environmentally-neutral processing using substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluids (CPCF). An environmentally-neutral technology or remediation operation may be considered one that neither employs as an active agent in any clean-up process or remediation operation, nor transports to the spill site or remediation environment for use as such an active agent, any material that is not natural or "normal to" (i.e., normally found in), and/or already present in that environment or ecosystem.
Moreover, this disclosure relates to, e.g., the clean-up of crude oil, processed oils, and other forms of spilled oils, lipid-based pharmaceuticals, and/or other hydrophobic or immiscible substances; it further relates to such corollary areas as containment, confinement, and removal of such hazardous pollutant and/or spilled substrates; as well as certain methodologies for critical response in cases of terrorist threats, and/or events involving deployment of harmful reactive chemicals, radiological, and/or biological agents.
CPCF such as the saturated liquid states or condensed phases of liquefied air, liquefied nitrogen, liquefied helium, argon, etc. can provide viable methods for use in oil-spill clean-up and retrieval operations, environmental remediation, and other applications.
Processes using CPCF have multiple applications in the remediation of small-to-large scale spills of crude oil, hydrocarbons and petroleum byproducts, and/or other immiscible substrates (as noted above, and discussed further below) from the open oceans, coastal waters, inland waterways, and other marine or aquatic bodies. CPCF processes are also well-suited for use in fragile ecosystems and boundary areas, e.g., ranging from estuaries, wetlands, and wildlife preserves, to beaches, parks, and rocky shoreline areas, as well as for terrestrial areas (where they are applicable for both miscible and immiscible substances), e.g. refineries, power plants, pipelines, airports. Other independent applications are for extinguishing oil-well and oil-field fires, incendiaries, and extreme (high intensity or high velocity fires); in dealing with hazardous corrosive and/or reactive chemicals, noxious and toxic waste, as well as harmful biological, chemical, and radiological agents, e.g., caused by willful deployments and/or terrorist threats.
A feature common to CPCF techniques, in some implementations, is that the methods, systems and apparatus are environmentally-neutral. Environmental neutrality, or environmentally-neutral remediation is consistent with sustainability. Put another way, an environmentally-neutral process or remediation operation neither employs as an active agent in any clean-up process or environmental remediation operation, nor transports to spill site for use as an active remediant, any material that is not natural or "normal" to (i.e., normally found to be present) and/or already present in that environment or ecosystem.
For example, some techniques utilize liquefied nitrogen and/or liquefied air. Only the phase, or state, from a gas to a condensed liquid, is changed. The mere introduction of air (or re-introduction of the air that has been liquefied) leaves behind nothing that is not "normal" to that environment, and/or that was not already in the ecosystem. Likewise, nitrogen is the predominant component of air, and therefore, its presence also is environmentally-neutral. In some implementations, the liquefied nitrogen or liquefied air is made on-site.
Overview and Fundamentals
The following includes a description of some general principles relevant to some implementations, and some potentially relevant scientific bases for those general principles.
Generally speaking, low temperature liquefied gases (e.g., liquid air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, neon, argon, helium) can be used to freeze oil and other immiscible substances which have been spilled into a salt water (e.g., oceanic) or fresh water (e.g., aquatic) environment. An important issue, however, is whether or not oil or immiscibles frozen by such a method will remain in a solid form long enough for it to be effectively handled and removed from the spill area in an economical and technologically viable manner. Given the thermodynamic, fluid mechanical, chemical, and physical properties of the substances involved (e.g., the spilled oil or immiscible substrate, the resultant viscous or solid product, the fluid and thermodynamic properties of the water environment, and effects of the addition of cryogenic fluids upon it, the qualitative physical properties of the various cryogenic gases, etc.), particular methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for using and applying condensed phase cryogenic fluid ("CPCF") to the spill area and retrieving the solid mixed phase (frozen ice-oil) or solid composite of water-ice and an immiscible pollutant.
Given the relevant chemical and thermodynamic properties, most implementations, facilitate the delivery and distribution of a saturated liquid or condensed phase cryogenic fluid (e.g., liquefied nitrogen in a saturated-liquid state). It is desirable, in most implementations, to maximize the percentage of condensed phase cryogenic fluid distributed to the spilled oil. One manner of achieving this is delivering the CPCF to the substrate at atmospheric pressure. Based upon these chemical and thermodynamic properties, the availability, ease/difficulty of production and transportation, and the relative costs of applicable cryogenic fluids, most implementations utilize the saturated liquid or condensed phase of liquefied nitrogen and/or liquefied air. Both of these can be either produced directly at the spill site (e.g., on board a suitable vessel or barge) or transported to the spill site (e.g., in tankers, via helicopters and aircraft, by trucks, or otherwise).
Delivering a saturated liquid or condensed phase cryogenic fluid causes significant chemical and physical changes in the hydrophobic substrates (e.g., crude oils, crude or processed oil byproducts, hydrocarbons and petroleum derivatives, lipids or other immiscible substrates), in the lattice structure of the water ice, and/or the solid phase dynamics of the frozen ice-oil composite. These changes may suggest the role of hydrophobicity in the viscous agglomeration, accretion and encapsulation, and/or sequestration by lattice uptake, of such hydrocarbons, lipids and/or immiscibles, as well as in the maximization of the 'oil'-to-water ratio in the cleanup and remediation of these spilled oils and immiscible substrates from marine/aquatic bodies, terrestrial systems, beaches and rocky shorelines, and estuarine and other fragile ecosystems (e.g., wetlands and migratory wildlife refuges). Such processing via use of CPCF in land-based or terrestrial systems, however, is not in any way limited or constrained to hydrophobic or immiscible substances, and is applicable generally.
The chemical and/or physical changes are cryogenically induced in the environment to affect: a) the hydrophobic substrates (e.g. crude oils) or immiscibles being remediated, in terms of substantial increases in the viscosity and mean density (thus resulting in the observed increases in manageability) of these substrates via hydrophobic effects; b) the structure of the bulk 'water' ice, as it undergoes lattice changes; and/or c) the solid phase dynamics of the mixed-state (frozen) oil-ice composite. The nature of the frozen oil-ice composite is affected by the structure of the bulk water ice as it goes through several lattice changes. At least two of these lattice changes relate to changes in the crystalline form (geometry) of the ice, whereas two are transitions to amorphous solid states. Such changes are a function of the rapid decrease in temperature produced via the application of the saturated liquid phase of a cryogenic fluid (e.g., liquefied nitrogen or air that is in a liquid state rather than a vapor or mixed-state). These changes may be induced to facilitate clean-up of the spilled substrate and remediation of the environment.
These changes in hydrophobicity (chemical) and in lattice (crystal) or solid-phase structure (physical) of the material substances being remediated, in the aqueous medium or bulk fluid, and in the composite material being removed (e.g., the oil-ice composite)—result in three independent methodologies or technologies for the clean-up of oil-spills and other pollutant wastes:
These three methodologies can be employed strategically, upon consideration of the specific properties of the pollutant materials to be remediated and/or the conditions of the operating environment. Thus, some implementations provide a choice of methodologies that are specific to a given substrate, or class of hydrophobic substrates, and/or to particular spill conditions, and yield the capacity for increased facility in the sequestration, transport, and removal of such pollutant materials; thus providing, generally, for the easier and quicker clean-up of spilled oil and other immiscible substrates. Generally speaking, heavier weight oils are better suited to viscous agglomeration and accretion and encapsulation, whereas lighter oils are better suited to sequestration by lattice uptake.
Put simply, viscous agglomeration refers to the increase in viscosity and density of the immiscible substrate upon application of the condensed phase cryogenic fluid. The viscosity of the immiscible substrate increases to the point that it can be handled as or like a solid. This is due to the hydrophobic effect, where the immiscible substrate "balls-up" and repels the aqueous or hydrophilic bulk medium. Accretion and encapsulation, like viscous agglomeration, is based on the hydrophobic characteristics of the immiscible substrate—i.e., where upon application of CPCF, the immiscible substrate gathers together and thickens, or agglomerates, repelling the surrounding water or aqueous bulk medium, and producing a meniscus. Application of additional CPCF yields further cooling of the viscous agglomerate, and its accretion to an even denser (more compactified) substance. The meniscus thus appears, first, as the viscous agglomerate; which then, upon further application of CPCF, as it continues to accrete, becomes encapsulated within a mass of solid water-ice as the temperature of the aqueous bulk medium is reduced (locally). With lighter weight oils and immiscibles, i.e., where the hydrophobic effects (and thus changes in viscosity) are less pronounced, the oil or immiscible is encapsulated into the water-ice in a more liquid form (e.g., one can pick up a chunk of ice and observe pockets of the encapsulated oil or immiscible that can freely flow within the specific pockets). The immiscible substrate can then be handled as a solid (ice-oil composite); in this case an encapsulated product trapped in the solid lattice of the ice. While produced via application of CPCF in a manner similar to that of the "solid" of the thick tar-like in the case of the viscous agglomerate, the encapsulation methodology traps the oil or immiscible in regions of a bulk solid of water-ice (and remains more fluid or is accreted and becomes more viscous, depending upon the properties of the immiscible (or type of oil)); whereas in the agglomeration methodology there is no bulk ice and the oil or immiscible (usually of a heavier weight or denser product) becomes sufficiently viscous or tar-like to be removed or remediated directly. Lattice uptake occurs, upon longer exposure to the CPCF, and cooling of the ice-oil mixed-state to a temperature of below approximately 100 degrees Kelvin (100 K or ≈−173� C.), and optimally when cooled to between ≈60 and 90 K (between ≈−213 and −183� C.), when the water ice undergoes a transition to an amorphous solid phase (referred to as "amorphous solid water" or "ASW"). Upon this transition in the water-ice lattice, or solid-phase dynamics of the mixed-state, the immiscible substrate is absorbed or taken-up into the pores of the amorphous structure.
The physical chemistry and/or material science of the process describes the cryogenically induced changes in the spilled oils, or other immiscible pollutant substrates; either in terms of induced hydrophobic effects that result in the viscous agglomeration, or (upon further cooling) the accretion and encapsulation of the immiscible pollutant. When additional CPCF is applied and the local temperature is reduced below the thermodynamic threshold at ca. 100 K or −173� C. (with the precise transition temperature also determined by salinity, turbidity, detrital organic carbon concentrations, and other specific properties of the bulk medium at the spill site), physical and/or material changes occur in the water-ice lattice and bulk medium; the resulting solid-phase dynamics of the oil-ice mixed state, within the amorphous water-ice structure, yield the sequestration of the spilled oil or immiscible pollutant by the process of lattice-uptake.
The foregoing scientific principles are believed by the inventor to be relevant and are discussed in the interest of providing a complete disclosure. Those principles should not be taken as limiting the implementations in any way.
The CPCF source 101 can contain, e.g., liquid nitrogen that was created at an industrial site and later adapted for use with the system 100. Alternatively, the CPCF source 101 can store compressed ambient gas 102, e.g., liquefied atmospheric air. One manner of converting the air into a cryogenic fluid is through the use of a multistage compressor or a cascade liquefaction system. The term "multistage compressor" can designates either a single compressor assembly with a plurality of compression stages (e.g., a multistage centrifugal compressor with a common shaft) or a series of physically separate compressor assemblies (e.g., two or more single stage compressors operatively connected in series, with the outlet of a first compressor feeding the suction inlet of a downstream compressor).
A cascade liquefaction system uses a series of refrigeration loops, each having a single refrigerant, to cool the natural gas stream to successively lower temperatures. Some cascade systems generally work as follows. The first refrigeration loop utilizes propane as the refrigerant to cool the gas to about −40� F., and to condense the refrigerant used in the second loop. The second refrigeration loop uses either ethane or ethylene as the refrigerant to cool the gas to about −120� F., and to condense the refrigerant used in the third loop. The third loop uses methane or nitrogen as the refrigerant to further cool and condense the gas. The major pieces of equipment in a cascade system are the compressors (at least one compressor for each refrigerant), a cooling water system or ambient air coolers, refrigerant accumulators, expansion valves, and numerous heat exhangers. In the interest of energy efficiency, many of the heat exchangers and other parts of the refrigeration loops may be grouped inside one or more cold boxes. Mobile (or portable) multistage compression and cascade liquefaction systems are currently available from vendors of cryogenic systems.
A controller 104 is provided to, among other things, monitor the status of the CPCF source 101. The controller 104 receives signals from the cryogenic fluid source 101 indicative of, e.g., temperature of the fluid, the rate of boil-off and/or other loss, the amount of fluid remaining, and the pressure. The controller 104 can take the form of a PC, a special purpose processor or a PLC (programmable logic controller). The controller 104 also controls the pump in the fluid source 101 so as to vary the pressure in the supply pipe 110. In some implementations, the preferred supply pipe 110 is vacuum insulated.
The valve assemblies 103 are coupled to the condensed phase cryogenic fluid source 101. The valves of 103 perform two functions: a) controlling the fluid phases, i.e. the pressures of the liquid and vapor phases of the CPCF; this assembly acts as a "keepfull," release valves for the purging of vapor (gas) phases that are generated by the heat from friction incurred in the pumping or transport of CPCF through an insulated supply pipe; and in some implementations, this component of 103 may also contain a phase-separator; b) controlling the rate of flow of CPCF from its source to the low pressure applicator 105. In some implementations, it is preferred that the controller 104 control the valve 103 such that the rate of cryogenic fluid flow can be controlled based on the conditions including the pressures of vapor and liquid phases, and/or the phase densities of the cryogenic fluid, the amount of cryogenic fluid remaining in the source 101, and the properties of the substrate (monitored by sensor heads 106).
Sensor heads 106 installed under CPCF delivery system (e.g., drizzle bar manifolds and/or sparging arrays) and may also include IR sensors, optoacoustic sensors, or the like, to determine the spill/substrate thickness, IR signatures (e.g., as FTIR or Raman spectra of molecular vibrations from each organic moiety) and/or other measurements that make the constituents of the spill, and their concentration in the spill substrate identifiable (or show their absence). The properties, e.g., thickness, densities, viscosities, and/or IR spectra of the spill components, as well as the properties of the agglomerated and/or solidified substrate (solid mixed-state) are determined and monitored. In some implementations the data and/or measurements are also sent from the sensors to the controller 104 to control the flow and/or distribution of CPCF, operation and/or navigation, or other aspects of the remediation systems.
The sensor heads 106 may also include a GPS receiver that receives signals from one or more satellites 120 for navigational purposes.
The low pressure applicator 105 can take many forms, but in some implementations, is adapted to minimize fluctuations in pressure and flow rate, and to maintain an optimally constant pressure, at (or as close as possible to) atmospheric pressure during applications. The applicator 105 may include sparger bars, drizzle bars, spray-bars, or arrays thereof. Possible applicators are discussed in greater detail in connection with
Maintaining a small pressure drop during use of the applicator 105 helps to keep the applied cryogenic fluid in a condensed phase. The pressure of the liquefied nitrogen (LN) or other cryogenic fluid, as well as the allowable variability in pressure (the pressure range), is kept to a minimum throughout all stages of the operation in most implementations. Several techniques can be employed to this end:
a) To ensure the flow of a saturated liquid phase of cryogenic fluid or LN to the applicator device 105, and to maximize the delivery a condensed phase to the spill site 107 (note that spill site/contaminant 107 is not generally considered to be part of the system 100), the LN pressure at the point of emission from the fluid source 101 and within the supply pipe (or cryogenic flex conduit) 110 that carries the cryogenic fluid to the applicator 105, is controlled (e.g., by controller 104), so as to maintain the pressure between the source 101 and the inlet pressure valve of the applicator 105 at preferably <50 psi. The pressure of the LN can be controlled by controller 104 directly at the source 101, and pumped to provide a constant LN influx or inlet pressure to the applicator 105 of <50 psi (e.g., as measured at the initial pressure control valve of the device). Depending on the implementation, LN influx pressures in the range from about 35 to 50 psi are preferred, but can vary as a function of the dimensions of the low pressure applicator 105 (e.g., the length and diameter of the applicator bar(s), and/or the size and configuration of the array (or assembly) of applicator bars used (see FIG. ZOT).
b) Delivery of a condensed phase or saturated liquid by the applicator 105 is further enhanced by the use of cryogenic "keepfulls" or pressure release valves (that are set to open at a particular predetermined threshold pressure) 111, at various points along the flow path, which effectively vent off excess pressure, along with any gas phase LN (evaporated liquid). The threshold pressure can be varied by the controller 104. Also, in the case that a dangerous level of pressure arises in the supply pipe 110, the controller 104 can cause the release valve 111 to open.
c) Pressure is reduced at the inlet pressure valve so that the outflow of LN into the applicator 105 (i.e., applicator inflow pressure) is at slightly above atmospheric pressure.
d) Pressure of the LN from the applicator 105 (i.e., the outflow pressure) onto the immiscible substrate of the spill is at about atmospheric pressure.
Since LN is kept at about −195� C. (or about −320� F.), with a critical temperature of about −148� C., it partially vaporizes, even when traveling through a vacuum insulated hose (such as 110 used between the source 101 and the applicator 105), and the longer the distance of the hose 110, the greater the losses to gas. In addition, this gas can add significant amounts of pressure within the hose(s) 110, or in the applicator 105. This can create more of a two phase LN flow (liquid and vapor), and if no compensation mechanism is employed, then a large force is easily induced when the LN escapes from the applicator onto the spilled oil 107. Such a force can easily build within the system 100 (as the condensed phase expands to vapor), and the higher pressure LN exiting from the applicator 105 in the vapor phase can then readily disperse the pollutant 107, pushing it away from the cooled area, and making the remediation process much harder and longer, and more costly. Moreover, the mere release of the LN vapor phase onto the spill-site (even though it may remain and exit the sparging unit at the same temperature) generally cannot cryogenically induce the same physical and chemical effects.
With vapor phase LN, one may be able to attain some viscous agglomeration, making the oil contract and repel the water in its nexus (and this could possibly make some of the heavier types of oil, or the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, somewhat more manageable). However, the delivery and distribution of vapor phase LN is generally unable to induce sufficient chemical change or hydrophobic effects for a full viscous agglomeration of the pollutant substrate (even with 90 weight gear oils and other more viscous substances), and is neither generally able to induce sufficient and timely physical changes in the bulk medium, as needed for the rapid formation of a water-ice lattice that is sufficiently strong (thick) for the process of accretion and encapsulation. Moreover, vapor phase LN is not generally able to cool the substrate sufficiently for its rapid transition to a solid phase, and/or to sufficiently cool any of the oil-water-ice mixed-states such that lattice uptake is not possible, even when the vapor phase LN was delivered in much larger amounts, and for longer periods of time. For example, using vapor phase LN is unable to cause any appreciable amount of accretion and encapsulation and/or lattice uptake.
Thus, the maintenance and delivery of a maximally condensed or saturated liquid cryogenic fluid (e.g., in droplets approximately the size and range of raindrops) is preferred in most implementations. To maximize the flux and delivery of condensed liquid phase LN, a low pressure applicator 105, vacuum insulated tubing 105, and/or "keepfulls" or pressure release valves 111 at or near the inflow valve of the applicator 105 can be employed. Alternately, a phase separator, in lieu of the "keepfulls" 111 can be employed to maintain an optimal flow of condensed LN. In implementations in which phase separators are utilized, the gas phase nitrogen can be circulated into the gas supply 102 and converted back into LN.
The low pressure applicator 105 applies the condensed phase LN to the spilled oil 107 (or other like spill). As discussed, this causes the properties of the oil to change such that it becomes more easily handled. A collector 109 (examples of which are discussed in connection with
Before the cryogenic fluid is applied to the spill, the properties of the spill e.g., thickness and densities, viscosities, molecular signatures (or spectra) are detected (314). Also detected are the properties of the agglomerate and/or solid mixed-state being removed (305). The thickness of the spill and other properties affects the remediation techniques, so data pertaining to properties of the spill and/or transformed substrate are stored in the operational database or parameters store 307. Depending upon the implementation, the "substrate" refers to the nature and composition or mixture of the spilled pollutant(s) (e.g., oil), along with the surface layer of the aquatic body or terrestrial boundary layer being remediated, and is characterized by the properties (miscibility, thickness, type(s), concentration(s), molecular signatures (spectra), and other properties of the spill components, etc.), and the nature, composition, and/or mixture of the pollutant materials being removed from the spill (e.g., the agglomerated immiscible substance or oil, and/or the solidified ice-oil composite). For example, if oil or another immiscible substance is spilled into a particular region of the Atlantic ocean, then the substrate is the immiscible/water or oil/water mixture proximate to the surface being remediated, and the solid mixed-state (agglomerated oil or immiscible, and/or the ice-oil or ice-immiscible composite) removed from that spill site. However, for purposes of detecting the properties of the spill (or spilled substances) and/or the remediant (the agglomerate or solid mixed-state being remediated), it should be understood that the properties of the substrate proximate to a sensor (e.g., item 106 of
Next, the condensed phase cryogenic fluid is then applied to the spill site (304), e.g., the oil spill. As the cryogenic fluid is being applied to the spill site, the properties of the transformed substrate are detected (305) and stored in parameters store 307.
Based on the detected properties, it is determined whether the oil has agglomerated or solidified sufficiently (306). This determination is informed by parameters 307. Since different oils (or lipids, or other immiscibles) become more easily handled at different temperatures, densities, and/or viscosities, in some implementations the desired or selected properties are changed and/or induced by an amount just sufficient to produce the most effective handling characteristics (e.g., to induce the viscous agglomeration, accretion and encapsulation, and/or sequestration via lattice uptake). The parameters 307 can be stored in a controller (e.g., item 104 of
If the oil has cooled or changed its phase or state sufficiently, it is collected (308). In most implementations, the collection is done in a manner that removes a maximum amount of pollutant (e.g., oil) and minimum amount of the bulk material (e.g., ocean water). The oil is then stored (309), and may be subsequently processed or reserved for some other use (e.g., for resale).
If the oil has not cooled or changed in phase or state sufficiently, it is determined how much additional CPCF is to be delivered and/or distributed onto the spill substrate (310). The determination is informed by parameters 311, which may be stored in a controller (e.g., item 104 of
If substrate is not cooled enough or is being cooled at a rate that is not optimal, the fluid flow continues or is changed accordingly (313). Block 313 can determine whether to decrease or maintain CPCF flow based on whether (and/or how far) the substrate is above, below, or if just at the threshold value. In this implementation, the CPCF flow continues even if the substrate has become sufficiently cold. Since in some implementations the spill material (e.g., oil) is not collected until it reaches an appropriate temperature, density, and/or viscosity, the substrate may have to be further cooled, or cooled more than desired. In other implementations in which the substrate is particularly sensitive, the step can be modified such that if the substrate reaches a specific or threshold value, the flow of CPCF is stopped.
The determining and/or controlling aspects of blocks 302-306, 308, 310, and 312-14 can be accomplished using a controller, e.g., item 104 of
Central Hub
The hub 401 can be implemented in a variety of sizes, for example, 10′�10′, 20′�20′, 40′�40′, or 100′�100′. Other sizes are possible to accommodate the specific needs of particular users or spills. The hub can be equipped with moorings spaced approximately 5 ft apart. Tanks 402 and 403 are 2,500, 5,000 or 10,000 gal CPCF storage and refueling tanks. These tanks can be used for refueling (e.g., via pumped lines 416 or 417) mobile remediation systems (e.g., those that have their own CPCF storage tanks). In this implementation, pumped lines 416 or 417 are also used for filling the tanks 402 and 403. Tether lines 412 and 413 provide CPCF to auxiliary vessels or remediation systems (e.g., that include drizzle bars and/or sparger units (or arrays) connected to tanks 402 or 403) that remediate spills proximate to the hub 401.
Also, to provide quicker refueling of mobile remediation systems, modular CPCF delivery tanks or CPCF kegs 405 can be provided, which are pre-filled with CPCF. Tanks 405 may come in various sizes, with possible sizes including 150, 250, 350 or 500 gallons.
In this implementation, storage tank 404 is a 10,000 or 20,000 gal tank for storing immiscible- or oil-ice-water mixed phase and/or other pollutants. Pumped lines 414 can be used for filing the tank 404 with the waste collected by mobile remediation devices (e.g., those devices that have their own immiscible or oil-ice-water mixed-state storage tanks). The pumped lines 414 can also be used for discharging the contents of the storage tank 404 for subsequent on-shore storage, recycling, purification, and/or sale. Tether lines 411 are used for filling the tank 404 with the waste collected by the auxiliary remediation devices (e.g., those devices that do not have their own oil-ice-water mixed-phase storage tanks).
To allow mobile and/or auxiliary remediation devices to more quickly empty collected pollutants, modular oil-ice-water or pollutant waste receptacles 418 can be provided. A mobile or auxiliary device can dispose a full receptacle 418 on the hub 401 and remove an empty receptacle 418 to quickly return to cleaning. The size of the receptacles 418 can vary, but possible sizes include 250 and 500 gallons.
The hub 401 also includes a communications and control center 420 which provides, e.g., global positioning ("GPS") and navigational information, radio frequency ("RF") infrared ("IR") data (from sensors) and processing, and other mobile telecommunication capabilities. The control center 420 can, in some implementations, transmit GPS data and operating instructions to the mobile remediation systems (see, e.g.,
A fuel tank 408 stores fuel. In some implementations, diesel fuel is utilized. The size can vary, but is 2500 gallons in this implementation. The fuel tank 408 provides fuel to a power supply 407 (e.g., a generator) and a motor 410 that can be used for propelling the hub 401. In some implementations, the hub 401 is pulled by another device (e.g., via tow-bar assemblies 409). The fuel tank 408 can fuel mobile remediation devices via pumped lines 415. Pumped lines 415 can also be used for refilling the fuel tank 408.
The power supply 407 is used for supplying electricity to, among other things, a CPCF condenser 406. In some implementations, the condenser 406 is a cryogenic air and nitrogen liquefaction condenser and phase separator. The condenser 406 can condense ambient air to create liquefied air (LA) or can capture gaseous nitrogen and create liquefied nitrogen (LN). The LA or LN is stored in the tanks 402 and/or 403.
Implementations of Applicators for Applying CPCF
Prior to discussing particular implementations of remediation apparatus (and associated hardware), it is instructive to first discuss implementations of applicators that can be employed by such apparatus. While the following describes particular applicators in detail, it should be understood that the actual applicator implemented with a particular remediation apparatus can vary. For example, the shape and size of the applicator may vary depending on the intended use of the remediation apparatus. An apparatus intended for remediating a large area may be implemented with a large array of applicators (in a variety of shapes and configurations), whereas a "hand-held" remediation apparatus may implemented with a small applicator.
As discussed above, it is a concern in some implementations that the applicator cause as small of a pressure drop as possible to ensure that the cryogenic fluid remains in the condensed phase. Accordingly, the following implementations of CPCF applicators are configured so as to result in a small pressure drop, and thereby apply a CPCF to a substrate. As a result, these applicators and the vessels and/or apparatus in which they are implemented may cause viscous agglomeration, accretion and encapsulation, and/or sequestration by lattice uptake of an immiscible substrate.
This particular implementation 500 may be implemented in connection with a hand-held remediation unit, and can be manually rotated, tilted, and/or aligned to different angles. Such a hand-held unit would have capability, e.g., to be adjusted to the geometries of shorelines, coastal rocks, beach dunes, and/or to fit into tighter places such as under and around piers or coastal flora.
The sparging regions 501 preferably distribute the cryogenic fluid in droplets. The sparging regions 501 are, in some implementations, fabricated by a sintering method. The sintered material can vary, but possible materials include brass and bronze alloys, stainless steel, and/or silicon carbide (and composites thereof). In some implementations, stainless steel and/or composite materials are preferred, depending on, e.g., the properties, reactivity, and catalytic degradability of the pollutant substrate to be remediated, the characteristics or severity of the spill and/or surrounding environment (e.g. using a particular composite material with greater porosity, in order to distribute larger droplets over a spill area when wind or turbidity is significant, or to minimize the effects of seawater, brackish systems, and/or reactive or corrosive chemical spills) and the conditions of the marine/aquatic system (e.g., salinity, pH, solar flux within the UVB band (280-320 nm) and aquatic concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) moieties or detrital matter (DOM) and the production rates for reactive oxygen species (e.g., transient oxidants such as OH, peroxyl, .O2, hydroperoxyl, .O2H, singlet oxygen, 1O2(Δg), . . . ) and other free-radicals or degradation products).
The mean porosity of the different types of sintered metal suitable for use as sparging regions 501 varies. For example, porosity may range from less than 1 micron to over 10 microns. Yet, in some implementations, it may be particularly preferred that porosity in the 2-3 micron range be employed. Such porosities can be highly effective for the clean-up of bulk crude oil, motor oils (10, 20, 30, and 50 W), motor oil blends and synthetic "racing" oils (5-20, 10-30, 10-40, and 20-40W), vacuum pump and gear oils (>90 W), mineral oils, vegetable oils (soy, corn, etc.) and/or other hydrophobic or immiscible substrates.
This particular implementation 900 may be implemented in connection with a hand-held remediation unit, and can be manually rotated, tilted, and/or aligned to different angles. Such a hand-held unit would have capability, e.g., to be adjusted to the geometries of shorelines, coastal rocks, beach dunes, and/or to fit into tighter places such as under and around piers or coastal flora.
The material of the spray bar 900 can vary, with possible materials including stainless steel, non-reactive composites and/or specific polymers, as required or preferred for particular implementations, or depending on, e.g., the properties, reactivity, and catalytic degradability of the pollutant substrate to be remediated, the characteristics or severity of the spill and/or surrounding environment (e.g. to minimize the effects of seawater, brackish systems, and/or reactive or corrosive chemical spills) and the conditions of the marine/aquatic system. Also, the materials and design concerns discussed in connection with implementation 500 are relevant to this implementation as well.
The geometry of the spray bar 900 can vary, but possible dimensions include a bar section 901 diameter of about 0.75″ to about 1.5″. The adjustable nozzles 903 can take many forms, but some implementations may use a pre-fabricated or adjustable cryogenic nozzle, e.g., as produced by Spraying Systems Co. of Wheaton, Ill.
The hole arrays 1103 may include a sequential pattern of holes (e.g., pentagons), with the bore of the holes being approximately from about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm (though greater bores are possible for specific uses or applications). The bar sections 1101 may be fabricated in lengths of from about 1′ to 10′ or more, and diameters from about 1″ to more than 5″.
This particular implementation 1100 may be implemented in connection with a hand-held remdiation unit, and can be manually rotated, tilted, and/or aligned to different angles. Such a hand-held unit would have capability, e.g., to be adjusted to the geometries of shorelines, coastal rocks, beach dunes, and/or to fit into tighter places such as under and around piers or coastal flora.
The material of the drizzle bar 1100 can vary, with possible materials including stainless steel, non-reactive composites and/or specific polymers, as required or preferred for particular implementations, or depending on, e.g., the properties, reactivity, and catalytic degradability of the pollutant substrate to be remediated, the characteristics or severity of the spill and/or surrounding environment (e.g. to minimize the effects of seawater, brackish systems, and/or reactive or corrosive chemical spills) and the conditions of the marine/aquatic system. Also, the materials and design concerns discussed in connection with implementation 500 are relevant to this implementation as well.
Implementations of a Portable/Handheld Remediation Apparatus
The following implementations may be viewed as more particular implementations of the system of
The apparatus 1300 as shown is implemented as a portable handheld remediation unit for, e.g., clean-up of both miscible and immiscible substrates from terrestrial areas and hard surfaces, generally. This apparatus 1300 can be operated from dune buggies, sport-utility-vehicles, pickup trucks, small boats, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and/or multi-terrain vehicles. One manner of implementing the apparatus 1300 in conjunction with a vehicle is by mounting a low pressure CPCF keg 1310 or other cryogenic fluid delivery system (e.g., liquefaction system) and pollutant waste receptacle 1311 on such vehicles. By using portable, back-packed, or self-contained ("scuba-like") CPCF and waste storage tanks 1312, the apparatus 1300 may be operated and implemented particularly for remediation and/or other applications in very remote locations, areas inaccessible even to off-road vehicles, or where motor vehicles are not permitted, e.g., marshes, streams, wildlife refuges, migratory wetlands, or other fragile or shallow-water ecosystems.
Generally speaking, the apparatus 1300 includes a handheld wand 1301, a multi-functional sparging unit 1317, plus a vacuum uptake system 1315 to remove pollutant waste in a one-step (or real time) process. Put another way, as the immiscible substrate 1319 is captured, it is vacuumed into a waste tank (e.g., 1311). The apparatus 1200 therefore is capable of minimizing exposure times to hazardous spills (for the community as well as for the remediators) by simultaneously capturing and removing the pollutant waste, and sealing the hazardous substance in a pressurized receptacle (or waste 'keg') 1311. Remediation, e.g., of buildings, coastal rocks, and/or other hardened or solid surfaces, can be further sped up by employing rotating wire brushes (or brushes of non-reactive polymeric or other materials). 1314 feeds the pollutant waste 1319 into the vacuum uptake (1316 or 1313), so that the pollutants—whether captured as viscous agglomerate, as encapsulated substrate, and/or as the mixed-state sequestered via lattice uptake—can be 'quarantined' (sealed in the appropriate containers, e.g., 1311) as they are captured. This implementation is well suited for rapid response, emergency situations in densely populated areas, and applications concerning small hazardous spills of reactive chemicals, corrosives, or combustibles, for incendiaries, and/or in response to radiological or biological threats.
The wand shaft 1301 incorporates a CPCF delivery system (1317) and a vacuum removal tool (1315). The upper section of the wand shaft 1301 contains a cryogenic conduit for delivery of CPCF to capture the hazardous waste. The diameter of the conduit may vary, but diameters from about 0.5″ to about 3″ are preferred, with 1.5″ ideal in some implementations. The lower section of the wand shaft 1301 contains a vacuum tube (or flexible hose), lined in a non-reactive composite material, for removal of the waste substrate 1319. The diameter of the vacuum tube may vary, but diameters from 1.5″ to 5.5″ are preferred, with 3.5″ ideal in some implementations. The length of the wand shaft varies, but lengths from 6′ to 18′ are preferred, with 12′ being ideal in some implementations. This apparatus 1300 can be implemented in a higher capacity format, thus requiring CPCF delivery at rates requiring 5″ or greater diameter conduit and/or 6″ or greater diameter vacuum efflux tubing.
The CPCF sparger unit 1317 can take many forms, including those applicators discussed in connection with, e.g.,
A vacuum uptake system 1315 located near the surface of the spill 1319 can provide vortex action for maximal suction and removal rate of the substrate to be remediated. The vacuum system 1315 connects directly to a vortex chamber and mechanical auger in which the solid phase is fragmented pneumatically (by vortex action) and mechanically (by the auger) and rapidly evacuated to the sealable waste receptacle (e.g., 1311). The vacuum system 1315 may include more than one inflow port, and is illustrated here with two (1313 and 1316). The inflow ports 1315, 1316 may operate simultaneously or may be individually selected, e.g., depending on the orientation of the wand 1301 relative to the spill 1319. Alternatively, the suction can be continuously varied between the two inflow ports 1315, 1316. Control lever 1306 (which communicates via linkage 1320) can be used to select the vacuum ports.
Rotating brushes 1314 of specific composition (e.g., wire brushes such as stainless steel or brass, polyethylene for corrosive materials, or non-reactive composites where required to deal with specific hazards or conditions) are provided on the distal end of the wand 1301. The brushes 1314 enhance remediation on surfaces such as, e.g., coastal rocks. The brushes rotate on the brush control arm 1321 and can be raised, lowered, and positioned relative to the spill surface, via the brush control arm lever 1304. The rotational speed of the brushes is controlled by the lever 1305. Levers 1304 and 1305 communicate with the brushes 1314 and/or brush control arm 1321 via linkage 1320.
The wand 1301 includes two handles 1302 and 1309. Lower handle 1309 includes a handgrip controller to throttle the rate of CPCF delivery and a safety release (e.g., an on-off toggle switch). Upper handle 1302 includes a handgrip controller to throttle the suction (or rate of vacuum uptake) of the hazardous material. A safety release (e.g., an on-off toggle switch) is also incorporated in the upper handle 1302.
A CPCF influx control knob (or pressure valve assembly) 1303 monitors inflow from the CPCF delivery conduit 1315 (or the conduit associated with 1312) and adjusts the amount of CPCF pressure) flowing into the sparging manifold 1317.
The linkage 1320 is attached to top of the wand shaft 1301, and contains the mechanical controllers associated with controls 1303, 1304, 1305 and 1306. The linkage 1320 also contains the mechanical cables and circuitry for the CPCF delivery and vacuum efflux throttles (and, e.g., on-off safety switches) installed in the handles 1302 and 1309.
The CPCF keg 1310 is connected to the wand 1301 via a connecting hose 1307, which preferably is insulated (e.g., vacuum insulated). The waste receptacle 1311 is connected to the wand via a connecting hose 1308. In some implementations (e.g., in cases in which the remediated pollutant is harmful or toxic) it is desirable to keep the waste frozen. In that case, it is preferred to use an insulated connecting hose 1308. Some implementations may even utilize CPCF from keg 1310 or another source to keep the waste inside the receptacle 1311 frozen. Similar hoses and configurations can be employed in connection with portable tank assembly 1312. The keg 1310 may take a form analogous to, e.g., item 405 of
The waste receptacle 1311 is preferably a sealable container, and may take a form analogous to item 418 of
Some implementations of the wand 1301 can be used in conjunction with self-contained ("scuba-like") CPCF delivery and pollutant waste tanks 1312. Given that, in most implementations, these tanks are designed for portability, they may be provided in relatively small sizes. Possible sizes include 10, 25, and 50 gallons per side (i.e., per CPCF tank and waste tank). Note that the individual tanks of item 1312 need not be of the same capacity, e.g., a 10 gallon CPCF tank and a 50 gallon pollutant waste tank. When a wand 1301 is used with the self-contained tanks 1312, tanks 1310 and 1311 may not be necessary. The small size of the self-contained tanks 1312 make the overall system, in some implementations, particularly well-suited for remote and/or specialized applications. For example, a self-contained implementation can be provided in a backpack form (or otherwise transported) for use indoors, for densely wooded, estuarine, or otherwise unreachable environments, for remediation of fragile ecosystems, and/or for defense and security applications.
Implementations of Some Self-Contained Remediation Units
The following implementations may be viewed as more particular implementations of the system of
The CPCF sparger units discussed in connection with the following implementations can take many forms, including those applicators discussed in connection with, e.g.,
Starting with
The deck 1420 is supported by an array of pneumatic and/or hydraulic risers 1421. These risers 1421 are coupled to the lower structure 1424 of
Below the deck 1420 is a lower platform 1426 that may have approximately the same size and shape as the deck 1420. The lower platform 1426 need not be extremely thick, but in some implementations, is fairly stiff and tough. Examples of appropriate materials include single- and multi-phase steels, plastics, composites (e.g., incorporating carbon fiber and/or polyamides) and aluminum alloys. Appropriate thicknesses and sizes vary with the implementations. For example, the lower platform may, depending on the implementation, be between 0.5″ and 4″ thick. An apron 1417 is coupled to the waste storage tank 1422 and/or lower platform 1426. The apron 1417 can be made of a flexible low temperature polymer, or a synthetic rubber, or the like. It is attached to 1422 and/or 1426 along only its inner circumference, while the bulk apron is allowed to hang freely, e.g., with the outer perimeter extending down into the water column (below the surface of the spilled substrate). The upper surface of the apron 1417 generally defines a path, or 360� surface, from the substrate surface (spill) to the intake of central waste tank 1422.
Extending outwardly from the lower platform 1426 and/or deck 1420 are CPCF supply lines 1419 that are coupled to tanks 1413 and 1414 and slidibly coupled to the pneumatic lifters 1421. These supply lines 1419 may take the form of insulated tubing (e.g., vacuum insulated) coupled to support rods. The supply lines 1419 are each connected to sparging units (drizzle bars or manifolds) 1418 to provide the CPCF delivery systems. The sparging units (drizzle bars or manifolds) can take many forms, in order to preferably deliver CPCF to the surface of the spill substrate (e.g., according to spilled substrate or spill conditions). More particular examples of sparger configurations can be found in, e.g.,
Sensors 1404 (coupled to a controller, e.g., item 104 of
The viscous agglomerate and/or solidified substrate (or solid ice-oil mixed-state) is collected and stored in the central waste tank 1422 by dragging the agglomerated or solidified substrate up along the apron 1417 towards, and into, the tank 1422. Transport scoops 1406 are disposed along the outside perimeter of the apron 1417, and cover approximately 360 degrees. The transport scoops may be substantially basket-shaped and may have a perforated construction so that liquid substrate passes, while solid substrate is collected. The scoops 1406 may be constructed of various materials, but should—in some implementations—be fairly stiff and rigid, and resistant to low temperatures. Possible materials include single- and multi-phase stainless steel, aluminum alloys, polyethylene, silicon carbide or carbon composite materials that are non-reactive (for use in spills of corrosive liquids, combustibles, and/or toxic/noxious or reactive chemicals).
The scoops 1406 are coupled to crossbars. The crossbars may support between, e.g., 1 and 5 scoops. Visible from this perspective is crossbar 1412 which supports two scoops; crossbar 1410 which supports four scoops; crossbar 1407 which supports four scoops and crossbar 1405 which supports three scoops. Other crossbars are disposed on the opposite (far) side of the craft 1400 and are not visible in this perspective. Attached to each crossbar, respectively, is a control arm 1411, 1409, 1408 and 1428. The crossbars and/or control arms, in some implementations, are self-buoyant (e.g., rigid beams that are encased in buoyant materials or have supplemental buoyant elements affixed) so that they are "free-floating" on one end (at the crossbeam), while constrained via attachment to small freely moving collars (or sleeves with vertical degree of freedom) around the hydraulic or pneumatic lifters 1421. Thus, the scoops 1406, while tethered (with vertical degree of freedom) at their inner end, can respond, automatically, to the motion induced by wind and waves, and remain at (or very close to) the surface of the spill at their outer end. In some implementations, the control arms may slide only along the lower one-third of the hydraulic or pneumatic lifters 1421.
By controlling the control arms 1408, 1409, 1411 and 1428 (and in turn the crossbars 1405, 1407, 1410, and 1412), the corresponding scoops 1406 are caused to drag the agglomerated and/or solidified substrate (e.g., the solid mixed-state of water-ice and oil or other spilled substance) inwardly towards and into the central waste tank 1422. The control arms may be telescoping in some implementations. More particularly, the control arms may be animated by hydraulic or pneumatic action, and may be coupled to the supplies of the hydraulic or pneumatic risers 1421. In some implementations, the dragging action is caused by drawing hydraulic fluid out of the control arms, causing them to shorten, while the action of extension is caused by supply of hydraulic fluid into the control arms. In some implementations, the scoops 1406 have a trapezoidal geometry that allows them to pass freely under the sparger manifolds or drizzle bars 1418.
The size of the device 1400 can vary depending upon the implementation. Some implementations have a diameter of about 10 feet across, while other implementations may be approximately 100 feet or more across.
Generally speaking, the craft 1500 includes three major sub-assemblies. The first sub assembly is the sled unit, which comprises sponsons (e.g., adjustable buoyancy pontoons) 1502, sparger array 1503, sensor pack 1519, plow tip 1522 and attachment rings 1504. In some implementations, there are two sponsons 1502, which are substantially parallel to each other (this perspective hides the distant sponson from view, but it is substantially similar to the near sponson). The two sponsons are separated by a distance that varies with the implementation (e.g., from about less than three feet to more than 25 feet). That space between the sponsons 1502 is occupied by the sparger array 1503. The sparger array 1503 includes, in some implementations, an array of sparging units or drizzle bars (e.g., of
The sled unit, in some implementations, is angled downward toward the substrate 1520 so the substrate 1520 is directed adjacent to the sparger array 1503 and in the direction toward the waste tank 1513 (as the craft 1500 travels in the direction of arrow 1550). The sparging units in the sparger array 1503 are adjustable so that the spargers may be configured at different angles, and for a variety of CPCF dispersion patterns. The sparger array receives CPCF from an on-board CPCF tank 1509 (e.g., a Dewar, modular supply unit, or item 405 of
The second sub-assembly is the control section. The control section includes controls for operating the craft 1507 (e.g., steering, speed, CPCF delivery rate, etc.), a roof 1508 to protect the operator, a seat for the operator 1515, a deck 1518 that supports the structures that make up the control section, the CPCF tank 1509, the CPCF housing 1525 and several waste and craft transport components. A compressor 1510 has several functions. The compressor 1510 draws in the agglomerate and/or solid mixed-state of the spill substrate (and some spill fluids plus water) from one direction and discharges it at a higher pressure in a second direction. The compressor 1510 can be diesel powered, for example. A jet drive 1511 is coupled to the compressor 1510 (or directly to a diesel power source) to provide motive force to the craft. By discharging the fluid rearward, the craft is able to travel forward. Also, the compressor is coupled to receive the substrate 1520 that passes under the sparger array 1503 and pass it through a vortex chamber 1512, for eventual deposit in the waste tank 1513 via transport path 1514. The compressor 1510 and vortex chamber 1512 cause mechanical and pneumatic fragmentation of the ice-oil solid phase by an auger, and via vortical action by compressed air. In other implementations, the compressor is not used to transport the substrate 1520 into the waste tank 1513. Instead, a blower unit 1516 collects the incoming substrate 1520 and projects it (1524) into the waste tank 1513. Implementations with the blower unit 1516 preferably employ a waste tank 1513 with an open top to allow the projected substrate (1524) to be deposited therein.
The third sub-assembly is the waste section. It includes the waste tank 1513, sponsons (e.g., adjustable buoyancy pontoons) 1501, attachment rings 1505 and 1506, and lock bars 1517 that couple the waste section to the control section. Attachment rings 1505 may further couple the waste section to the control section, and also may provide additional buoyancy control. The waste tank 1513, in some implementations, is designed with a v-shape and efflux valves to additionally function as a separatory funnel-like container for separation of water and oil (or other immiscible substrate) phases.
The rings 1504 and 1505 are also usable for docking the unit at on-site central hub (e.g., of
As the craft moves in direction 1550, the spill site 1523 contains less oil (or other substance being remediated) than substrate 1520.
While the size of the unit 1500 will vary depending on the implementation, possible lengths include less than 12 feet to more than 30 feet. In this implementation, the waste tank 1513 is shown to right of the sparger array 1503. In other implementations, a secondary barge or other type of storage vessel to contain and transport the retrieved product (e.g., cleaned-up oil-spill materials) from the spill site—or the sparger array 1503 and related structure can be towed (e.g., by a barge, tug, or other vessel), and the frozen oil-spill material can be blown forward onto the towing barge (or onto a container onboard the towing vessel).
Generally speaking, the craft 1600 includes three major sub-assemblies. The first sub assembly is the catamaran unit, which comprises sponsons (e.g., adjustable buoyancy pontoons) 1602, sparger array 1603, sensor pack 1619, plow tip 1622, belt 1626 and related pulleys (1627, 1628 and 1629) and attachment rings 1604. In some implementations, there are two sponsons 1602, which are substantially parallel to each other (this perspective hides the distant sponson from view, but it is substantially similar to the near sponson). The two sponsons are separated by a distance that varies with the implementation (e.g., from about less than 3 feet to more than 30 feet). That space between the sponsons 1602 is occupied by the sparger array 1603, the belt (or conveyor) 1626 and its related pulleys (1627, 1628 and 1629). The sparger array 1603 includes, in some implementations, an array of sparging units or drizzle bar manifolds (e.g., of
Attachment rings 1604 can be used for attaching auxiliary capture devices (e.g., interchangeable plow tips 1622). The attachment rings 1604 may also include adjustable buoyancy devices in order to adjust the sparger array depth relative to the substrate 1620 and maintain the most effective position of the plow tip 1622 within the oil-spill boundary layer. The sensor pack 1619 performs functions similar to sensors 1404 of
The sled unit, in some implementations, is angled downward toward the substrate 1620 so the substrate 1620 is directed onto the belt 1626 and adjacent to the sparger array 1603. The sparging units in the sparger array 1603 are adjustable so that the spargers may be configured at different angles, and for a variety of CPCF dispersion patterns. The sparger array receives CPCF from an on-board CPCF tank (e.g., a Dewar, modular keg, or item 405 of
The belt 1626 is, in some implementations, made of a material that is highly resistant to low temperatures (e.g., a polymer, synthetic rubber, or other conventional low temperature materials, as available from vendors of cryogenic materials). In some implementations, the belt 1626 is made of a metal mesh, such as stainless steel. A motor 1632 is disposed opposite the CPCF tank housing and, in some implementations, in controlled by the controller (e.g., item 104 of
Some implementations utilize a hood 1631 over the catamaran section. The hood 1631, among other things, takes advantage of mixed- and vapor-phase cryogenic fluid. Normally, as CPCF is applied to the substrate 1620, some CPCF is immediately transformed into the vapor phase, disperses into the atmosphere, and plays effectively no role in the remediation process. By installing the hood 1631 over the sparger array 1603, the vapor phase cryogenic fluid is kept near the substrate being remediated and/or channeled over the path of the conveyor to assist in maintaining the solid mixed-state and/or agglomerate. In some implementations, the hood 1631 is used to capture and recirculate the vapor phase cryogenic fluid. The hood 1631 may also increase user-friendliness by reducing any impairment in the region of vision for remediation staff and mobile unit operators. In some implementations, hoods of specialized design and composition may be particularly important in operations involving flammables, reactive chemicals, release/dispersion of radioactive materials, and biohazards. More conventional retainers and hoods may also be advantageous in implementations for operations in warmer water and/or at higher air or ground temperatures, as well rougher waters (e.g., to minimize effects of sea-spray and wave action), and for operation in windy conditions
The second sub-assembly is the control section. The control section includes controls for operating the craft 1607 (e.g., steering, speed, CPCF delivery rate, belt speed, etc.), a roof 1608 to protect the operator, a deck 1618 that supports the structures that make up the control section, the CPCF housing 1625 and several waste and craft transport components. A compressor 1610 has several functions. The compressor 1610 draws in fluid from one direction and discharges it at a higher pressure in a second direction. The compressor 1610 can be diesel powered, for example. A jet drive 1611 is coupled to the compressor 1610 to provide motive force to the craft. By discharging fluid rearward, the craft 1600 is able to travel forward. Steering is accomplished by adjusting the direction of the jet drive 1611.
The third sub-assembly is the waste section. It includes the waste tank 1613, sponsons (e.g., adjustable buoyancy pontoons) 1601, attachment rings 1605 and 1606, and lock bars 1617 that couple the waste section to the control section. Attachment rings 1606 may further couple the waste section to the control section, and also may provide additional buoyancy control. The waste tank 1613, in some implementations, is designed with a v-shape and efflux valves to additionally function as a separatory funnel-like container for separation of water and oil (or other immiscible substrate) phases.
The rings 1604 and 1605 are also usable for docking the unit 1600 at an on-site central hub (e.g., of
As the craft moves in the direction of arrow 1649, the substrate 1623 contains less oil (or other substance being remediated) than substrate 1620.
While the size of the unit 1600 will vary depending on the implementation, possible lengths include less than 12 feet to more than 30 feet. In this implementation, the waste tank 1613 is shown to right of the sparger array 1603. In other implementations, a secondary barge or other type of storage vessel to contain and transport the retrieved product (e.g., cleaned-up oil-spill materials) from the spill site—or the sparger array 1603 and related structure can be towed (e.g., by a barge, tug, or other vessel), and the frozen oil-spill material can be transported forward on the belt 1626 onto the towing barge (or onto a container onboard the towing vessel).
Generally speaking, the craft 1650 includes three major sub-assemblies. The first sub assembly is the catamaran unit, which comprises sponsons (e.g., adjustable buoyancy pontoons) 1652, sparger array 1653, sensor pack 1669, plow tip 1672, belt 1626 and related pulleys (not visible in this implementation, but similar to items 1627, 1628 and 1629 of
Attachment rings 1654 can be used for attaching auxiliary capture devices (e.g., interchangeable plow tips 1572). The attachment rings 1654 may also include adjustable buoyancy devices in order to adjust the sparger array depth relative to the substrate 1670 and maintain the most effective position of the plow tip 1672 within the oil-spill boundary layer. The sensor pack 1669 performs functions similar to sensors 1404 of
The sled unit, in some implementations, is angled downward toward the substrate 1670 so the substrate 1670 is directed onto the belt 1676 and adjacent to the sparger array 1653. The sparging units in the sparger array 1653 are adjustable so that the spargers may be configured at different angles, and for a variety of CPCF dispersion patterns. The sparger array receives CPCF from an on-board CPCF tank 1685 (e.g., a Dewar, modular keg, or item 405 of
The belt 1676 is, in some implementations, made of a material that is highly resistant to low temperatures (e.g., a polymer, synthetic rubber, or other conventional low temperature materials, as available from vendors of cryogenic materials). In some implementations, the belt 1676 is made of a metal mesh, such as stainless steel. The conveyor drive inside the housing 1675 is, in some implementations, controlled by the controller (e.g., item 104 of
Some implementations utilize a hood 1681 over the catamaran section. The hood 1681, among other things, takes advantage of mixed- and vapor-phase cryogenic fluid. As CPCF is applied to the substrate 1670, some CPCF is immediately transformed into the vapor phase, disperses into the atmosphere, and plays effectively no role in the remediation process. By installing the hood 1681 over a portion of the sparger array 1653, the vapor phase cryogenic fluid is kept near the substrate being remediated and/or channeled over the path of the conveyor to assist in maintaining the solid mixed-state and/or agglomerate. In some implementations, the hood 1681 is used to capture and recirculate the vapor phase cryogenic fluid. The hood 1681 may also increase user-fiiendliness by reducing any impairment in the region of vision for remediation staff and mobile unit operators (when not operated in GPS mode). In some implementations, hoods of specialized design and composition may be particularly important in operations involving flammables, reactive chemicals, release/dispersion of radioactive materials, and biohazards. More conventional retainers and hoods may also be advantageous in implementations for operations in warmer water and/or at higher air or ground temperatures, as well rougher waters (e.g., to minimize effects of sea-spray and wave action), and for operation in windy conditions.
The second sub-assembly is the control section. Main components of the control section include controls for operating the craft 1687 (e.g., steering, speed, CPCF delivery rate, belt speed, etc.), a GPS navigational system and antenna 1683, a roof 1658 to protect the operator, a deck 1658 that supports the structures that make up the control section, housing 1675, CPCF tank or modular CPCF keg 1685 and several waste and craft transport components 1668. Atop the roof 1658 are an antenna 1683 for transmission/reception of GPS signals (e.g., from a central hub like that of
Also, a compressor 1660 has several functions. The compressor 1660 draws in fluid from one direction and discharges it at a higher pressure in a second direction. The compressor 1660 can be diesel powered, for example. A jet drive 1661 is coupled to the compressor 1660 (or directly to a diesel power source) to provide motive force to the craft. By discharging fluid rearward, the craft 1660 is able to travel forward. Steering is accomplished by adjusting the direction of the jet drive 1661 (either manually or remotely via GPS navigational system).
The third sub-assembly is the waste section. It includes the waste tank 1663, sponsons (e.g., adjustable buoyancy pontoons) 1651, attachment rings 1655 and 1656, and lock bars 1667 that couple the waste section to the control section. Attachment rings 1656 may further couple the waste section to the control section, and also may provide additional buoyancy control. The waste tank 1663, in some implementations, is designed with a v-shape and efflux valves to additionally function as a separatory funnel-like container for separation of water and oil (or other immiscible substrate) phases.
The rings 1654 and 1655 are also usable for docking the unit 1650 at an on-site central hub (e.g., of
As the craft moves in the direction of arrow 1699, the substrate 1673 contains less oil (or other substance being remediated) than substrate 1670.
While the size of the unit 1650 will vary depending on the implementation, possible lengths include less than 12 feet to more than 30 feet. In this implementation, the waste tank 1663 is shown to right of the sparger array 1653. In other implementations, a secondary barge or other type of storage vessel to contain and transport the retrieved product (e.g., cleaned-up oil-spill materials) from the spill site—or the sparger array 1653 and related structure can be towed (e.g., by a barge, tug, or other vessel), and the frozen oil-spill material can be transported forward on the belt 1676 onto the towing barge (or onto a container onboard the towing vessel).
The control section 1731 includes flying bridge 1729 at which the vessel 1700 can be controlled (e.g., by personnel). Also, a GPS antenna and navigation system 1703 and radio frequency broadcast system 1704 are disposed in the flying bridge 1729. The GPS system 1703 allows remote control and/or navigation of the craft 1700. The RF broadcast system 1704 is for transmitting, e.g., data from infrared and optoacoustic sensors affixed to the underside of each sparger array 1701, 1702, 1707, 1708, 1715, and 1716 for monitoring the thickness of the immiscible substrate (e.g., indicating the progress of remediation) and thickness of the solid/semi-solid remediated substrate (e.g., indicating the effectiveness of the remediation operation), respectively.
Coupled to either side of the control section 1731 are sparger arrays and/or drizzle bar manifolds 1701, 1702, 1707 and 1708. These may take the form of an array of sparger units or drizzle bars (e.g., of
The auxiliary remediation section 1714 is coupled to the control section 1731 by way of coupling arms (e.g., flex-bars) 1710. The auxiliary remediation section 1714 carries its own CPCF tank 1717, which may take a form similar to tank 1706. Each auxiliary remediation section 1714 may include its own CPCF tank, or tanks may be shared between auxiliary remediation vessels and/or control sections. The CPCF tank 1717 is coupled to sparger array 1715 and 1716 which may take substantially the same form as sparger arrays 1701, 1702, 1707 and 1708. Each sparger array may differ in size, shape and configuration. However, in most implementations, it is preferred that the sparger arrays deliver CPCF to the substrate surface. The auxiliary remedation section is kept buoyant by sponsons (e.g., adjustable buoyancy pontoons) 1702 and 1703.
The auxiliary remediation section 1714 is coupled to the waste section 1732 by coupling arms (e.g., flex-bars) 1730. The waste section collects and stores the solid/semi-solid/mixed phase substrate 1705. As the craft proceeds (i.e., in direction 1735), guide screens 1718 and 1719 capture the solid/semi-solid/mixed phase substrate 1705 and channel it onto conveyor 1720. The conveyor 1720 transports the substrate 1705 into the waste tank 1723. The waste tank 1723 may be modular (e.g., item 418 of
For larger spills (or emergencies), one or more auxiliary remediation units 1714 may be inserted and coupled (e.g., as middle sections) between the control section 1731 and waste section(s) 1732 in order to increase the remediation rate, e.g., the surface area remediated per pass of the vessel 1700. Such multi-unit systems will also be employed to address the need for more rapid remediation in special applications and/or hazardous conditions, e.g., for spills of combustible materials, reactive chemicals, toxic/noxious wastes, or to reduce exposure of the populace to harmful materials released in (or associated with) cases of chemical, biological, and/or radiological (nuclear) threats.
The size of the vessel and its sections will vary depending on the implementation. For example, the control section 1731 may be designed as jet boats fabricated by modification of 16 foot or 21 foot catamaran and "trimaran" vessels, or as larger 30 foot or 40 foot barge-type vessels. Other sizes are possible, e.g., less than 16 feet up to more than 40 feet. The size of the vessel may affect the size of the CPCF tank (e.g. 1706). Modular (recyclable) 150, 250, or 350 gallon CPCF kegs may be inserted into housings into smaller vessels (e.g., 16 or 21 foot control or auxiliary rernediation sections), whereas refillable 500-2,500 gallon cryogenic supply tanks may be installed on larger vessels (e.g., 30 or 40 foot barge-type control or auxiliary remediation sections).
The vessel 1800 may be unmanned and controlled remotely. A GPS antenna 1806 receives and transmits GPS-related navigational data for directing the craft. An RF receiver/transmitter 1807 transmits real-time data from infrared and optoacoustic sensors 1805 installed under each sparger manifold 1801. The RF receiver/transmitter 1807 may also receive signals that relate to the delivery of CPCF (e.g., flow rate). Alternatively, a controller (e.g., item 104 of
The sparger array 1801 delivers CPCF (shown as droplets 1819) onto the substrate 1820. This causes the substrate (e.g., an oil-water mixture) to increase in viscosity and become at least partially solid/semi-solid. The vessel 1800 travels substantially in the direction indicated by arrow 1824 due to, e.g., a diesel-powered jet drive 1817. Accordingly, front guide plates and ramps 1815 channel the substrate 1820 (which has become, e.g., a viscous agglomerate or solid phase due to exposure to CPCF) onto the conveyor 1816. The conveyor 1816 can be either passive or actively cooled. In implementations that utilize an actively cooled conveyor, the conveyor 1816 is coupled to the CPCF tank 1802 and dispenses CPCF through the conveyor belt. This maintains the viscosity of the substrate 1820, and may induce farther phase changes (e.g., viscous agglomeration to sequestration by lattice uptake). An actively cooled conveyor is discussed in greater detail in connection with
The conveyor 1816 carries the solid/semi-solid substrate 1820 toward the sleuth components. The material falls off of the conveyor 1816 and drops into the sleuth well 1814 (which is supported by sleuth platform 1813). Transport scoops 1808 (coupled to attachment cables) rotate about a shaft with a rotating cam 1811. As the scoops 1808 rotate, they capture material deposited in the sleuth well 1814 and transport it onto the starboard conveyor 1812. The starboard conveyor 1812 may be actively cooled. Regardless, the starboard conveyor transports the material from the scoops 1808 into the waste tank 1803.
As a result, the substrate 1821 behind the vessel contains less contaminate than substrate 1820 ahead of the vessel.
The vessel 1850 may be unmanned and controlled remotely. A GPS antenna 1856 receives and transmits GPS-related navigational data for directing the craft. An RF receiver/transmitter 1857 transmits real-time data from infrared and optoacoustic sensors 1855 installed under each sparger manifold 1851. The RF receiver/transmitter 1857 may also receive signals that relate to the delivery of CPCF (e.g., flow rate). Alternatively, a controller (e.g., item 104 of
The sparger array 1851 delivers CPCF (shown as droplets 1869) onto the substrate 1870. This causes the substrate (e.g., an oil-water mixture) to increase in viscosity and become at least partially solid/semi-solid. The vessel 1850 travels substantially in the direction indicated by arrow 1874 due to, e.g., a diesel-powered jet drive 1867. Accordingly, front guide plates and ramps 1865 channel the substrate 1870 (which has become, e.g., a viscous agglomerate or solid phase due to exposure to CPCF) onto the conveyor 1866. The conveyor 1866 can be either passive or actively cooled. In implementations that utilize an actively cooled conveyor, the conveyor 1866 is coupled to the CPCF tank 1852 and dispenses CPCF through the conveyor belt. This maintains the viscosity of the substrate 1870, and may induce further phase changes (e.g., sequestration by lattice uptake). An actively cooled conveyor is discussed in greater detail in connection with
The conveyor 1866 carries the solid/semi-solid substrate 1870 toward a second conveyor 1854. Depending on the implementation, conveyor 1854 may be actively cooled. Conveyor 1854 deposits the substrate 1870 into primary waste tank 1853A, which in some implementations is sufficiently wide to encompass the width of the conveyor 1866. As the primary waste tank 1853A fills, its contents are transferred to the secondary waste tank 1853B (e.g., gravitationally transported or pumped).
As a result, the substrate 1871 behind the vessel contains less contaminate than substrate 1870 ahead of the vessel.
Waste Tanks
Phase Transitions
Other Applications
The delivery and distribution of condensed liquid-phase cryogenic fluids via the disclosed and related apparatus and methodology are also applicable in emergency situations, and in events associated with extreme hazards and potentially catastrophic results to a given community, or to the general populace. The prospective applications of this technology in the areas of national defense and homeland security are various, e.g., its use as a functional component in strategic response plans that deal with specific cases of nuclear, chemical, and biological threats. This disclosure provides the capacity to afford potentially important and life-saving contributions in that regard. For example, liquid phase cryogens, e.g., condensed phases of liquefied nitrogen (LN), helium (LHe), argon (LAr), and other non-reactive or inert gases, can be used in emergency situations and potentially catastrophic circumstances, at the site of a hazardous spill of reactive chemicals, flammable or combustible liquids, and/or noxious or toxic waste; additionally, condensed phase cryogenic fluids can be used in homeland security operations to effect: a reduction in the rate of dispersion of chemical, biological, or radioactive materials, a reduction in the risk to personnel engaged in the dis-arming of devices that pose a nuclear, chemical, or biological threat, and a reduction in the potential for detonation of such devices and/or release of the hazardous materials they may contain; to affect the cytolysis (lethality) and/or diminish the replication rate of hazardous biological agents (e.g., bacteria, viruses); as well as to reduce the reactivity of harmful chemicals or chemically reactive agents, to lower the flashpoint of a flammable substrate or explosive, for transient containment of a nuclear device or radioactive materials (e.g., an un-detonated "dirty bomb"), and/or to remediate the products of such a chemical or biological attack.
Environmental Impact
Some implementations are consistent with a new or higher standard of environmental consciousness, i.e., one that: a) affects the environment less and/or remains neutral or inert in its interactions with the environment; b) iterates a standard, defines the criteria for compliance, and sets boundary conditions for environmentally-neutral technologies, processes for development, extraction of natural resources, and operations relating to environmental clean-up and remediation; c) establishes clear and functionally viable protocols for environmentally-neutral technologies, along with goals and time frames for discrete levels of attainment, and guidelines that enable and encourage compliance with such highly beneficial but more restrictive standards.
Some implementations that rely on the use of CPCF are held to a standard of "environmental-neutrality," and are described as being "environmentally-neutral" remediation systems—where "environmental-neutrality" relates to a standard for environmental clean-up and remediation, and the term "environmentally-neutral" relates to (or classifies) a technology or remediation operation that neither employs as an active agent in any clean-up process or remediation operation, nor transports to the spill site or remediation environment for use as such an active agent, any material that is not natural or "normal" to (e.g., normally found in), and/or already present in that environment or ecosystem. "Environmental-neutrality" can provide a clear and measurable basis for accurately describing the class of all "environmentally-neutral" technologies, and/or to quantify precisely the degree of compliance or level of environmental-neutrality attained. In addition to its determinable property of neutrality (or inertness) and its high level of environmental-consciousness, it is this ability to quantitatively assess and evaluate a given technology or process, precisely, in terms of the absence of its interaction with the environment (neutrality) or the lack thereof, that distinguishes and differentiates some implementations from those conventionally described as being "environmentally-friendly," or those that maintain a sufficient level of environmental consciousness to be referred to as being "green (or blue) technologies."
Other criteria often cited regarding environmental clean-up and remediation operations, e.g., in the environmental literature, by regulatory agencies, and/or in protocols for technological processes, per se, include "sustainability" and the goals (and suggested guidelines) for "sustainable development." "Environmental sustainability" relates to the ability of the environment to continue to function properly indefinitely. The term "sustainable development" relates to a standard which, as defined by the United Nations Brundtland Commission (1987, led by the former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland) and promulgated by the U.N. Division for Sustainable Development (UN-DESA, 2007), additionally includes social and economic concerns, and promotes development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Some implementations may signal a new state-of-the-art in environmental remediation, as those implementations that employ CPCF as the active agent in an environmental clean-up or remediation process are environmentally-neutral, and are orders of magnitude faster and more effective than other remediation methods. Such implementations are also consistent with (and/or incorporate) the principles and criteria of "environmental sustainability" since these CPCF based implementations and applications act to minimize environmental degradation due to spills of oil and/or other pollutants or toxic/noxious wastes. These implementations may employ CPCF to capture and remove these spilled substrates and their degradation products, and the resultant environmentally-neutral remediation acts to halt/reverse the degradation processes at that spill site.
With particular regard to some implementations' production and use of CPCFs, liquefied air or LN are environmentally-neutral and are neither xenotrophs (e.g., substances foreign to, or not naturally found in, the given environment), nor have any polluting or contaminating long- or short-term impact on the environment, nor yield any negative residual effect(s). This is because, for example, nitrogen comprises about 78% of air, on average, with oxygen about 21%, and the total of argon, carbon dioxide, helium, NOx, SOx, etc., being <1%. Moreover, the liquefication and/or production of CPCF is temporary and, e.g., subsequent to its use as active agent in the cryogenically induced remediation processes, the CPCF evaporates, and is naturally returned to the environment in its ambient gas (or vapor) state, while leaving the remediated substrate (or pollutant waste) contained and stored in a condensed state (solid and/or liquid).
Efficiency Compared with Other Approaches
The following is a brief overview of the efficiency of an implementation of a remediation approach that utilizes CPCF (i.e., consistent with the disclosure herein) as compared to other approaches that do not utilize CPCF.
Efficiency of the Exxon Valdez Cleanup Utilizing Non-CPCF Remediation
The Exxon Valdez left the Alyeska Pipeline Terminal at 9:12 p.m., Alaska Standard Time, on Mar. 23, 1989. The 987 ft ship was loaded with 53,094,510 gallons (1,264,155 barrels) of North Slope crude oil bound for Long Beach, Calif. Less than three hours later, the Exxon Valdez collided and was grounded at Bligh Reef, rupturing 8 of its 11 cargo tanks, some 10.8 million gallons of crude oil were spewing into Prince William Sound. Computations aboard the Exxon Valdez showed that 5.8 million gallons had gushed from the tanker in the first 3� hours. Weather conditions at the site were reported as being at a temperature of 33� F., with slight drizzle of mixed rain/snow, north winds at 10 knots, and a visibility 10 miles at the time of the grounding. The waters of Prince William Sound, and eventually more than 1,000 miles of beach in Southcentral Alaska, would be fouled by a spill of 10.8 million gallons of crude oil. Three years after the spill, in 1992, the Coast Guard declared the cleanup complete. While, to this day, some claim there are still observable quantities of oil in the effected area, and while many environmental problems remain, and wildlife are still recovering from this disaster, assume, arguendo, for the purpose of computing a rough estimate of the clean-up and remediation efficiency of the spill, that the total 10.8 million gallons was remediated in the stated 3 years. Also assume for the purpose of this estimate, that the remediation operation was running 7 days per week and averaged 10 hours/day over this period (ignoring seasonal variabilities in daylight working hours and the effects of the Alaskan weather). Published reports indicate that the total workforce consisted of about 11,000 Alaskan residents, along with Exxon employees, and private contractors brought in to assist in the clean-up operation. Thus, it can be very roughly estimated that:
Thus (by assumption 1):
If it is assumed that this total workforce was actively performing duties in the clean-up of the oil-spill at any given time, then the average hourly rate, or amount of oil removed per hour by each worker is:
If it is assumed (at the other extreme) that only about 1 out of every 10 workers (or 1/10th of this workforce) was working at any given time, then the average hourly rate per worker for the clean-up of the Exxon Valdes spill as:
Efficiency of the Puget Sound Cleanup Utilizing Non-CPCF Remediation
In October 2004, more than 1,000 gallons of crude oil was spilled into the Dalco Passage of the Puget Sound, a channel between Tacoma and Vason, Wash., from a (then) unknown source. In December 2004, oil sample tests, independently conducted by both state and federal laboratories, indicated that a Polar Texas oil tanker, owned by Conoco-Phillips, was the source of the spilled oil that soiled beaches around Dalco Passage. The cleanup costs drew, inter alia, upon nearly $2 million from federal and state oil spill contingency finds. Countering claims that that remediation of the spill had been completed effectively, in a Dec. 23, 2004 press release, Rear Admiral Jeffrey Garrett of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) indicated that there was "more work to do" before determining the actual cleanup rate, the overall effectiveness of the remediation effort, and "what enforcement action, if any, to take." Cleanup operations extended through January 2005 (without any clear consensus as to its actual completion or the criteria for determination of its success). For purposes of this analysis, in order to minimize the time for remediation of this oil spill, consider only the earliest claims for completion of the clean-up: the dates of Dec. 23, 2004, and Jan. 15, 2005. Thus, here consider that ≦1,000 gallons of oil (and oil-water mixtures) was been cleaned-up in a time period estimated as being either 84 or about 116 days. Assume that cleanup and remediation efforts proceeded on a daily basis, and an average of 8-10 hours/day.
Thus, for the October 2004, Dalco Passage (Conoco-Phillips) spill, where the source of ≈1,000 gallons of spilled crude oil impacted the Puget Sound, Dalco Passage, and coastline (coastal rocks and beaches) in the Tacoma and Vason, Wash. area, from the USCG and EPA databases (see, e.g., www.epa.gov/oilspill/pdfs/0107update.pdf) the most and least favorable estimates for the remediation times and efficiencies of ≈1,000 gal of crude oil, degradation products, and water-oil mixtures, respectively, in ≈84 or ≈116 days (normalized to 8 hr/day actual clean-up work schedule) as follows:
Maximum Efficiency:
→1,000 gal oil�8 hr/day�84 days=1.488 gal/hr (average)
or considering 10 hr/day work periods:
Alternately, taking the clean-up period 116 days (assuming likewise 8-10 hr/day work periods)
Minimum efficiency estimates for the remediation of 1,000 gal of oil are:
→1,000 gal oil�8 hr/day�116 days=1.078 gal/hr
or considering 10 hr/day work periods:
1,000 gal oil�10 hr/day�116 days=0.86 gal/hr
Efficiency of a CPCF-based Cleanup Apparatus
It is instructive to compare the clean-up rates estimated above for the case of the 1989 Exxon-Valdes spill and from USCG and the EPA findings in the case of the October 2004 Puget Sound spill, with those clean-up and/or remediation rates for crude oil, computed by computational/analytic testing ("testing") of CPCF-based remediation apparatus. Measurements and data as to clean-up rates (e.g., for crude and processed oils, and other non-polar or immiscible chemicals and pollutants) and remediation efficiencies are determined in terms of the times required for remediation of ≧99% of the spill substrate. This testing further considered other criteria, including the monitoring of water quality issues, e.g., attaining potable water quality subsequent to remediation, and maintaining a standard of "environmental-neutrality." Analyses were also conducted for assessment of ratios of oil-to-ice-to-water for each type of oil or other immiscible substrate tested. Additional concerns include measurements based on initial spill, water, and environmental conditions, e.g., air vs. water temperatures, relative viscosities and molecular composition of the spilled substrates, presence of volatiles, flammables/combustibles, reactive chemicals, and biological materials (non-harmful protists, algal cells, etc.), as well as with case-specific materials for use in applications (e.g., stainless steel, alloys, silicon carbide, polyethylene and other polymers, composites, etc.) and the composition of the CPCF (e.g., liquefied air, liquefied nitrogen or helium or argon, etc.) to be used for specific applications in cryogenically inducing the state(s) of viscous agglomeration, accretion and encapsulation, and/or sequestration via lattice uptake.
Testing considers a range of marine and freshwater samples (e.g., varying in turbidity, salinity, pH, detrital organic matter (DOM, DOC), algal, phyto- and zooplankton population dynamics), and including samples from seawaters, brackish and estuarine systems, rivers, lakes, streams and tributaries, tap, well, and distilled waters, tested over temperatures ranging from 0-45� C., and pressures from ≈0.5-3 bar. However the variation in such properties does not, in most cases, substantial alter mean values.
Testing was performed, e.g., using a simple handheld sparging system (an example of one type of a handheld sparging system is illustrated in
Class-1, Average Remediation Rate: ≈27.86 gal/hr/worker
Class-2, Average Remediation Rate Range: ≈19.84-22.78 gal/hr/worker
Class-3, Average Remediation Rate Range: ≈17.22-23.63 gal/hr/worker
Class-4, Average Remediation Rate: ≈25.03 gal/hr/worker
Class-5, Average Remediation Rate: ≈8.5 gal/hr/worker
Thus, the performance of CPCF based technology in comparison with the Exxon-Valdes clean-up operation shows, respectively, for the full workforce (>11,000, as declared) and for 1/10th of the workforce (1,100), averaging 8-10 hr/day work periods:
Exxon Average: ≈0.1 gal/hr/worker (1,100 workers)
ExxonAverage: 0.896 or ≈1 gal/hr/worker (11,000 workers)
CPCF Method—Average rate for clean-up and remediation of crude oil #1, and/or #2:
or comparatively the CPCF technology shows capacity for out-performing the Exxon-Valdes clean-up rate by:
Therefore, crediting the Exxon-Valdes clean-up with operating 365 days/year and 8-10 hr/day, the CPCF technology, using, e.g., a handheld device with a single 8 inch long CPCF sparging unit, shows the capacity for out-performing the Exxon-Valdes method at a rate of over 222 times faster (if Exxon's full workforce was operating daily), and by approximately 25-30 times faster (if only 1/10th of Exxon's full workforce was operating daily) and with a relative efficiency increase (performance advantage) in the CPCF technology of:
Next, the performance of CPCF based technology in comparison with the clean-up operation of the October 2004 Puget Sound oil-spill shows:
CPCF Method—Maximum rate for clean-up and remediation of crude oil #1, and/or #2:
Likewise a comparative analysis of clean-up or remediation rates, and the performance advantage (relative increase in efficiency) shows the CPCF based technology has the capacity to out-perform the method employed in the Puget Sound (Dalco Passage) spill, operating 8-10 hr/day and 7 days/week and shows for the 84 day clean-up:
(222.88 gal/day−11.905 gal/day)+11.905 gal/day=1,772% or 17.723� as effective
Now, considering the revised rate of clean-up/remediation for Puget Sound, with a completion time of 116 days, the CPCF rate is higher by:
222.88 gal/day�8.62 gal/day=2,586% or 25.856� faster
with a relative efficiency increase (performance advantage) in the CPCF technology of:
(222.88 gal/day�8.62 gal/day)/8.62 gal/day=2,486% or 24.856� as effective
The data may be summarized as follows:
Various features of the system may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. For example, some features of the system may be implemented in computer programs executing on programmable computers. Each program may be implemented in a high level procedural or object-oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system or other machine. Furthermore, each such computer program may be stored on a storage medium such as read-only-memory (ROM) readable by a general or special purpose programmable computer or processor, for configuring and operating the computer to perform the functions described above.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the claims.
Patent Citations
Non-Patent Citations
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