The present invention relates in part to a lignin composition and a method of fabricating a lignin composition. The invention also relates in part to a method of using a lignin composition to adsorb onto a petrochemical oil comprising the steps of providing a solution of lignin in an alcohol, providing an oil on a liquid surface, contacting the oil with the solution of lignin in an alcohol, adsorbing the lignin to the oil, and removing the adsorbed oil from the surface of the liquid.

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 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 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.

Absorbent element for spilled petroleum or its derivatives comprising an oil-absorbent, hydrophobic and oleophilic material, essentially based on polyurethane foam, having a specific weight in the range of 15-30 g/l and delimiting open cells and closed cells, the latter being in a percentage equal to or lower than 10% of the total cells. The invention further relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of such elements and a method for fabricating an oil-absorbent material.

The present invention relates to a rubber-based substance for removing saturated and unsaturated fats, oils and petroleum products, as well as organic solvents from the aqueous surface, and/or an aqueous emulsion and aqueous solutions of organic solvents. In addition, the present invention also relates to a process for producing a given rubber-based substance. More specifically, the present invention relates to the application of this rubber-based substance for removing saturated and unsaturated fats, petroleum and petroleum products, as well as organic solvents from the water surface of open water bodies, including seas and oceans.

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.

Methods for synthesizing macroscale 3D heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials (such as boron doped carbon nanotube materials) and compositions thereof. Macroscopic quantities of three-dimensionally networked heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials are directly grown using an aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. The porous heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material is created by doping of heteroatoms (such as boron) in the nanotube lattice during growth, which influences the creation of elbow joints and branching of nanotubes leading to the three dimensional super-structure. The super-hydrophobic heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube sponge is strongly oleophilic and can soak up large quantities of organic solvents and oil. The trapped oil can be burnt off and the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material can be used repeatedly as an oil removal scaffold. Optionally, the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotubes in the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials can be welded to form one or more macroscale 3D carbon nanotubes.

The present technology provides a process comprising: subjecting flocculated thin stillage comprising stillage solids and a polymer flocculent to a barrel screen to separate a liquid stream from a solids stream, wherein the solids stream comprises flocs of the polymer flocculant and the stillage solids; combining the solids stream with an effective amount of a demulsifier and/or inorganic particles to form a treated solids mixture; aging the treated solids mixture for a period of time at a temperature of 160 to 212 F. to form an aged solids mixture; and separating oil and water from the aged solids mixture to provide a high protein cake comprising at least 35% dry weight crude protein.

Methods for synthesizing macroscale 3D heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials (such as boron doped carbon nanotube materials) and compositions thereof. Macroscopic quantities of three-dimensionally networked heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials are directly grown using an aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. The porous heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material is created by doping of heteroatoms (such as boron) in the nanotube lattice during growth, which influences the creation of elbow joints and branching of nanotubes leading to the three dimensional super-structure. The super-hydrophobic heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube sponge is strongly oleophilic and can soak up large quantities of organic solvents and oil. The trapped oil can be burnt off and the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material can be used repeatedly as an oil removal scaffold. Optionally, the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotubes in the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials can be welded to form one or more macroscale 3D carbon nanotubes.