Cryogenic Oil Spill Solidification via Condensed Phase Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methodologies for dealing with oil spills are inadequate due to the natural properties of oil, such as immiscibility, viscosity, and toxicity, which make it difficult to handle and remove effectively from marine and terrestrial environments, leading to significant environmental impacts.
Innovation Solution
The use of condensed phase cryogenic fluids, like liquefied nitrogen or air, to freeze and solidify oil spills, allowing for their effective removal through viscous agglomeration, accretion, and sequestration by lattice uptake, without introducing non-native substances to the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical cleanup methods (skimmers, booms) are used to remove oil spills, then oil removal is attempted, but equipment clogs due to oil thickness and kelp, reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the physical state of oil through cryogenic temperatures. The system cools oil spills to convert them from liquid to solid or semi-solid form, fundamentally changing handling parameters from fluid dynamics to solid mechanics, which eliminates clogging issues with mechanical equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical cleanup systems (skimmers, booms) with a cryogenic-based system that uses extreme cold to solidify oil. This substitution eliminates the mechanical clogging problem by changing the fundamental approach from mechanical removal to thermal transformation followed by easier removal of solidified material
2Productivity
If dispersants are used to break down oil spills, then oil dispersion is achieved, but wave action is insufficient to mix oil and dispersant, and degradation byproducts create environmental concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful property of oil (its liquid state that causes spreading and environmental damage) into a beneficial property by using cryogenic temperatures to solidify it. The same cold temperatures that might seem harmful to marine life are controlled to only affect the oil, transforming it from a harmful liquid spill into a removable solid mass without toxic byproducts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the oil from its harmful liquid state and transforms it into a solid state through cryogenic cooling. This extraction of oil from its natural liquid form eliminates the need for dispersants and their harmful byproducts, as the solidified oil can be removed intact without chemical degradation
3Productivity
If conventional cleanup methods are used, then cleanup operations are conducted, but response time is delayed beyond the critical first 24 hours, reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary action by allowing immediate response to oil spills within the critical first 24 hours. The cryogenic system can be rapidly deployed and begins working immediately upon contact with the oil, solidifying it in real-time. This preliminary solidification action prevents the oil from spreading further and allows for immediate containment and removal operations
Data Source
AI summary
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.