Oil recovery system utilizing polyurethane foam: a feasibility study

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1973

OSTI ID:6647047

Cochran, R A; Fraser, J P; Hemphill, D P; Oxenham, J P; Scott, P R

A system has been developed for recovering spilled oil from water surfaces under a wide variety of environmental conditions and for all types of oils. The system is designed to recover oil at rates up to 9000 gal/h. The system is based on the use of polyurethane foam, foamed on the job site, as a sorbent for the spilled oil. The foam is recirculated to increase efficiency and to lower unit costs. Equipment needed includes collection booms, and open-mesh chain-link belt for harvesting the oil-soaked sorbent, and a roller-wringer to remove oil and water from the foam. The foam is initially comminuted and distributed onto the water by means of a hay blower (mulcher), and recycled foam is distributed by an open-throat centrifugal blower. Recovered oil and water are transported to shore in large fabric bags for further treatment prior to disposal. Used foam is disposed of by incineration.

• Research Organization: Edison Water Quality Lab., NJ (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6647047
• Report Number(s): PB-231838
• 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
BLOWERS
COLLOIDS
CONVEYORS
COST
DESIGN
DISPERSIONS
EQUIPMENT
FOAMS
HAULAGE EQUIPMENT
MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
OIL SPILLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
POLYAMIDES
POLYMERS
POLYURETHANES
REMOVAL
SORBENT RECOVERY SYSTEMS
TESTING
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL