Subsurface Oil Absorbent Pumping for Wind Loss Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for removing oil slicks or spills from water surfaces are inefficient due to wind-borne loss of oil-absorbing substances, leading to waste, environmental pollution, and prolonged cleanup times.

Innovation Solution

Applying a powder-type or granulated oil-absorbing substance beneath the oil spill, which rises through the water to form a solid cake that can be easily removed, preventing substance loss and enhancing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If oil-absorbing substance is sprayed over the oil layer from above, then the substance can directly contact the oil spill, but wind blows away the substance before it bonds with the oil, causing waste and pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of applicationVSAvoidsubstance loss to wind

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of spraying the oil-absorbing substance from above onto the oil layer, the invention inverts the approach by pumping the substance through a hose beneath the water surface to apply it from below the oil layer. This reversal of application direction eliminates wind interference entirely, as the substance is deposited under the protective water layer and then rises to contact the oil from underneath, preventing wind-borne loss while maintaining effective oil absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The water body serves as an intermediary medium that protects the oil-absorbing substance from wind exposure during application. By introducing the substance through the water column from below, the water acts as a shield against wind, allowing the substance to reach the oil layer without being blown away, thus eliminating substance loss while maintaining the intermediary role of water in the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If traditional spraying method is used, then application is simple, but cleanup time is prolonged due to substance waste and reapplication needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication device simplicityVSAvoidcleanup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional spraying approach by pumping the oil-absorbing substance from beneath the water surface through a hose directly to the underside of the oil layer. This reversal ensures complete substance utilization as none is lost to wind, eliminating the need for reapplication and significantly reducing cleanup time while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The pumping method enables continuous and complete deposition of the oil-absorbing substance onto the oil layer without interruption or waste. The substance is delivered continuously from below, ensuring full coverage and immediate action, which maintains continuous useful action throughout the cleanup process and eliminates time losses associated with reapplication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If substance is applied above the oil layer, then direct contact is achieved, but environmental pollution increases due to substance waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil absorption efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental pollution from waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the application method to deliver the oil-absorbing substance from beneath the water surface, the invention ensures that 100% of the substance contacts the oil layer without wind interference. This eliminates waste material that would otherwise pollute the environment, while maintaining high productivity as all applied substance performs its intended oil-absorbing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of substance waste into a benefit by using the water column as a protective barrier. The water, which naturally protects submerged objects, now protects the oil-absorbing substance from wind exposure, ensuring complete utilization and eliminating environmental pollution from wasted material while maintaining effective oil cleanup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method ensures effective and efficient oil spill removal with reduced waste and environmental impact, allowing for potential oil reuse after separation.

Implementation Method 1

applying a powder-type or granulated oil-absorbing substance to an oil spill... which rises through the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

oil-absorbing substance to an oil spill to form a solid mixture or a 'cake' which can be easily removed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8889011B1Method of oil-spill removal

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 CORN ROGER LEE

AI summary

A method of removal of oil slicks or spills floating on the surfaces of bodies of water is disclosed in which, unlike the traditional methods, a floatable or a non-floatable oil-absorbing substance is pumped into the water under the oil-spill layer. The pumped substance will reach and lie under the oil-spill layer and cannot be blown away by wind or other causes during or after dispersion of the substance. After application of the substance, the oil layer may be naturally or mechanically agitated to facilitate formation of a removable mixture of oil and the substance. In various embodiments, after the removal of the oil-substance mixture, the oil may be separated from the mixture and be reused.