Methods for making a plurality of nanoparticles are provided. The method may include flowing a first component of the core into a reaction chamber; flowing a polymeric material into the reaction chamber; and flowing a second component of the core into the reaction chamber such that the first component reacts with the second component to form a core. The polymeric material forms a polymeric shell around the core.

An underwater milling suction robot, and relates to the technical field of milling equipment. The underwater milling suction robot comprises a self-propelled platform. A jacking and slewing mechanism is arranged on a top surface of the self-propelled platform. A powerful milling suction actuator and an obstacle cleaning mechanism are arranged on the outer side of the jacking and slewing mechanism. The underwater milling suction robot also comprises an automatic control system. The self-propelled platform, the jacking and slewing mechanism, the powerful milling suction actuator and the obstacle cleaning mechanism are electrically connected with the automatic control system.

Smart membranes (14) are integrated into a small, unmanned surface vessel (20) to enable the efficient, automated cleanup of oil spills. Such a vessel (20) has the potential to provide a low-cost, modular solution for day-to-day oil-spill cleanup operations, especially in confined aquatic areas, such as under piers and in the small spaces between marine vessels and piers. The smart membranes (14) are provided on the surface of a conveyor belt (34) that circulates the membranes (14) through the surrounding body of water (10) for oil collection, as well as through an internal reduction chamber (22) of the vessel (20) for oil release. The smart membranes (14) are adapted to attract and repel oil (12) in response to low-voltage commands applied across the conveyor belt (34), using a process that is repeatable for a number of cycles, offering high efficiency and long durability (FIG. 5).

A containment system consists of a set of filtering units, a first float, a second float, and a sliding mechanism. The set of filtering units is used to filter an oil spill or other hazardous material. The first float and the second float allow the apparatus to stay afloat in the water source. The sliding mechanism allows the user to control the first float and the second float and thus, control the submersion level of the set of filtering units. Each of the set of filtering units is interconnected through a first interlocking mechanism and a second interlocking mechanism. A plurality of perforated filter cartridges of the set of filtering units executes the filtering process. Preferably, the plurality of perforated filter cartridges will be removably positioned within an enclosure.

A system for removing an oil from a surface of a body of water including a vessel capable of floating on the body of water, with a bow arrangement having a port and a starboard deflector plate and with a downward facing deflector plate, a flow control foil attached to the bow arrangement below the surface of water, a horizontal elongated roller capable of breaking solidified fluids mounted just above the control foil. Behind and below the bow arrangement is a flow opening on the vessel underside where the flow opening is openly submerged below the surface of water. The system includes a separation compartment with walls, a roof, an open bottom and an oil pump having an inlet located near the top of the separation compartment and connected for transfer of collected oil to an onboard or remote storage unit.

A system and method for repairing and reconfiguring an oil containment boom, using end connectors and attached curtain members in various arrangements to form outer booms, inner booms, extending booms, and transverse booms for added safety and protection and for an enhanced ability to contain, collect, and recover spilled oil contaminates.

A containment boom system for remediating an oil spill in a body of water includes a base support structure and a containment boom. An elongated rod has a proximal end and a spaced apart distal end. The proximal end is hingedly attached to the base support structure and extends laterally therefrom. A buoy is coupled to the distal end of the elongated rod. The buoy has sufficient buoyancy so as to remain floating on the liquid body while supporting the elongated rod. A reclamation loop is disposed in the water, a first portion of which is disposed in the oil spill and a second portion is disposed the water on the opposite side of the containment boom from the oil spill. The reclamation loop is continuously driven through a reclamation station, which removes oil therefrom.

An igniter device (10) operable to remediate a floating oil spill in a body of water is provided. The device (10) comprises a pyrotechnic device (28) that is actuated through an actuator assembly (20) comprising time delay circuitry (24). Upon actuation, the time delay circuitry (24) begins a countdown permitting the device (10) to be safely deployed from an aerial vehicle. The pyrotechnic device (28) ignites a fuel source (38), which in turn ignites the floating oil spill.

Two segments according to the invention, which form a brush structure created by brush fibres and plastic rings, are joined together by bolts or screws and sleeves with a water-permeable discoid hub, in such a way that a separate brush structure can be joined to the segments by stud bolts or similar, to the metal ring of which a plastic ring, equipped with brush fibres, is attached for the collection of very heavy oils. For the cleaning of the brush fibres of the segment and the good recovery of the oil being collected, there is a curved metal sheet, preferably on supports, as a continuation of the cleaner, and which forms a casing-like space, preventing the oil flowing off the brushes from returning to the water circulation and improving the collection capacity. The device is suitable, for instance, for the collection of all grades of oil, with continuously changing properties.

A composite silt fence configured for capturing pollutants in one embodiment comprises a silt fence fabric including i) a polymeric geotextile fabric particulate filtering layer defining the hydraulic flow capacity for the silt fence, ii) a pollutant capturing layer coupled to the polymeric geotextile fabric particulate filtering layer and configured to capture some select pollutants in water from flow that has passed through the polymeric geotextile fabric particulate filtering layer, and iii) a backing layer coupled to the pollutant capturing layer; and a plurality of stakes secured to the silt fence fabric at spaced locations. The silt fence fabric yields higher hydraulic flow than existing fence constructions with greater sediment retention and pollutant containment features.