The present disclosure provides compositions comprising anisotropic chain-like silica nanoparticles functionalized with hydrophilic groups. The anisotropic chain-like silica nanoparticles comprise linked arrays of charged silica nanoparticles, each linked array have at least one linear dimension of from about 100 nm to about 1200 nm and the anisotropic chain-like silica nanoparticles each in have a diameter of from about 10 nm to about 500 nm. These compositions are superoleophobic in the presence of water, e.g., when submerged in water. Also provided are layered coatings comprising these compositions, substrates comprising the layered coatings, articles comprising the layered coatings, methods of filtering a mixture of water and an oil using the compositions described herein, and methods of preparing a superoleophobic coating on a substrate using the compositions described herein.

An electromagnetic pulsed-wave system having an electromagnetic boom for generating a time-varying pulsed-wave to control a colloidal mixture disposed in water and a depository. The electromagnetic boom comprising a plurality of electrically coupled solenoids disposed at the water for providing electromagnetic pulses to generate the time-varying pulsed-wave to transport the colloidal mixture. The depository having an electromagnetic ramp magnetically coupled with the electromagnetic boom and a separation receptacle for separating magnetized particles from the colloidal mixture.

The invention aims to provide a copper mesh coated with manganese molybdate and application thereof in the separation of oil-water emulsion and degradation of organic pollutants in water. A large amount of nano-scale manganese molybdates are grown on the surface of a copper mesh through a two-step hydrothermal method. Thereby, a multifunctional composite material is prepared, which can effectively separate oil-water emulsion and degrade organic pollutants in water. The copper mesh has good recyclability. Most of all, the product is suitable for industrial production to achieve the purpose of treating water pollution.

The present invention relates to a carbon-based substance for removing saturated and non-saturated fats, petroleum and petroleum products from a water surface and/or water emulsion. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method for producing this carbon-based substance. More specifically, the present invention relates to use of this carbon-based substance for removing saturated and non-saturated fats, petroleum and petroleum products from a water surface of open waters, including seas and oceans.

A system of generating steam from an emulsion stream produced from a reservoir via thermal recovery has a heat exchanger for adjusting the emulsion to a first temperature; at least one separation device for separating water from the emulsion at the first temperature to obtain produced water; an optional produced-water preheater, and a high-pressure evaporator for receiving the produced water and generating steam using the produced water. The evaporator has a vapor drum; a heating element receiving the water stream, and in fluid communication with the vapor drum via a pressure letdown device; a heating source for imparting sensible heat to the water stream for generating steam. The evaporator also includes a recirculation pump for circulation of blowdown concentrate, and a bubble generator for generating bubbles and injecting generated bubbles into the heating element to enable self-removal of scales and other solid deposits in the evaporator.

Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a system and method to remove hydrogen sulfide from sour water and sour oil. Particularly, hydrogen sulfide is removed from sour water and sour oil without the need for special chemicals, such as catalyst chemicals, scavenger chemicals, hydrocarbon sources, or a large-scale facility. The system and method in the present invention is particularly useful in exploratory oil and gas fields, where large facilities to remove hydrogen sulfide may be inaccessible. The present invention addresses the need for safe and cost-effective transport of the deadly neurotoxin. Particular embodiments involve a system and method that can be executed both on a small and large scale to sweeten sour water and sour oil.

A method of treating an aqueous composition includes immersing a galvanic cell in the aqueous composition to form a treated aqueous composition. The galvanic cell includes an anode including Mg, Al, Fe, Zn, or a combination thereof. The galvanic cell includes a cathode having a different composition than the anode, the cathode including Cu, Ni, Fe, or a combination thereof.

A method is described for controlling an oil spill by seeding micron-sized magnetizable particles in the oil. Once seeded, particles can form a unique and preferential bond with the oil resulting in creation of a colloidal mixture. This bond forms as a result of a combination of forces including the intermolecular Van der Waal forces. Once this bond is formed, the oil is rendered magnetic and can be controlled and moved in response to a magnetic field. This can include removing oil from water, reducing the diffusion rate of oil on water, magnetically lifting oil from water or nonporous surfaces, as well as separating the magnetic material from the oil.

The present invention provides improved methods for purifying and/or removing multiply charged cations and suspended solids from water. In particular the process relates to an additive composition that has the appropriate surfactant characteristics for effectively removing multiply charged cations and suspended solids from an aqueous or oil/aqueous mixed phase via foam fractionation. According to the invention, a hydrophobically modified polymer that acts as an associative thickener is used in the presence of a source of alkalinity or anionic reactant as well as surfactant in appropriate ratios to facilitate multiply charged cation and suspended solids removal for water purification in any of a number of commercial, environmental and industrial applications.

A method for producing an additive for reclaiming oil from a fluid product stream and a treated silica with controlled hydrophobicity for use in the method are disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing silica or silicate with a particle size of between 3.0 m to 20 m, the silica or silicates having an agglomerate size of between 10 m to 100 m and being chosen to achieve the desired particle-size range and with a controlled level of hydrophobicity; treating the silica or silicate with a silicone or silane to make it hydrophobic; and controlling the hydrophobicity of the silica or silicate by varying the temperature and treatment time of the silica or silicate, amount of a treating material used to treat the silica or silicate, and the molecular weight of the treating material. The additive and related method improves oil extraction and concentration from a fluid product stream.