Oil recovery system using sorbent material

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1973

OSTI ID:6469755

Gumtz, G D; Meloy, T P

The feasibility of recovering oil in slicks 1 mm and thicker by the use of recycled sorbents has been shown in laboratory and wave tank tests. Sorbents made of recticulated foam are broadcast on the sea, herded by a boom, picked up by a porous belt and the oil sqeezed out of the sorbents by a wringer. The sorbents are then rebroadcast on the sea for further oil recovery. General equations were developed for basic sorption properties, sorbent broadcasting, sorbent herding, sorbent pickup, recovery of oil from the sorbent and for the total system. Based on the laboratory modeling and general equations, the total system concept was developed. It was concluded that one inch cube sorbent particles distributed in a shrouded rectilinear screw fed system was optimal. A 4/1 compression ratio of the slick by a boom herding the sorbent and oil to the channel would work under virtually any wave condition.

• Research Organization: Meloy Labs., Inc., Springfield, VA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6469755
• Report Number(s): PB-229576
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ADSORBENTS
COLLOIDS
COST
DISPERSIONS
EQUIPMENT
FOAMS
OIL RETENTION BOOMS
OIL SPILLS
OPERATING COST
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
SEAS
SHIPS
SORBENT RECOVERY SYSTEMS
SURFACE WATERS
WATER POLLUTION