MAGNETIZATION CONTROL AND TRANSPORTATION OF OIL

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an oil spill which comprises the steps of: introducing a plurality of magnetizable particles into the oil spill in an amount sufficient to form a colloidal mixture; applying a magnetic field to the colloidal mixture; and moving the colloidal mixture in response to movement of the magnetic field.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the colloidal mixture is formed as a result of a bond between the plurality of magnetizable particles and oil from the oil spill.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the bond is at least partially formed from a Van der Waals force.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of magnetizable particles are introduced into the oil spill so as to be disposed in a random distribution, the method further comprising: applying the magnetic field about the plurality of magnetizable particles disposed in the random distribution so as to rearrange at least a portion of the plurality of magnetizable particles to a distribution that is at least partially aligned with the direction of the magnetic field.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the colloidal mixture is disposed at a surface, further comprising: lifting the colloidal mixture in a direction away from the surface in response to the magnetic field.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the oil spill is dispersed within water, the method further comprising: moving the colloidal mixture into contact with the separation barrier disposed in the water; and using a magnetic field to separate at least a portion of the plurality of magnetizable particles from the colloidal mixture in response to engaging the magnetizable particles with the separation barrier.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the at least a portion of the separated magnetizable particles are reintroduced into the oil spill.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of magnetizable particles are sized on the micron-scale.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of magnetizable particles have a size in the range of 2 m-10 m.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of magnetizable particles are selected from a group consisting of magnetite, iron oxides, iron filings, ferrite dust filings.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the oil is disposed in an aqueous solution that acts as a transport medium for the colloidal mixture.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the magnetic field is created using an electromagnetic pulsed-wave.

13. A method of using magnetizable particles for controlling oil disposed at a surface, the method comprising: adding magnetizable particles to oil in an amount sufficient to form a colloidal mixture; inducing a magnetic field to the colloidal mixture; and raising the colloidal mixture away from a surface in response to the magnetic field.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the formation of the colloidal mixture results from a bond formed between the magnetizable particles and the oil.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the colloidal mixture is raised from the surface that is nonporous.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the colloidal mixture is raised from the surface that is water.

17. A method of using magnetizable particles to control the diffusion of oil in water, the method comprising: identifying the diffusion of oil in water; and introducing a plurality of magnetizable particles each having a dipole and associated internal magnetic field into the oil in an amount sufficient to exert a force greater than an opposing diffusion force associated with the oil.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the amount of magnetizable particles introduced into the oil results in an equilibrium.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the magnetizable particles are selected from a group consisting of magnetite, iron oxides, iron filings, ferrite dust filings.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1A a side view of magnetizable particles introduced into water according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 1B is side view of magnetizable particles introduced into an oil spill in water according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2A is a top view of oil diffusion in water according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2B is a top view of the magnetizable particles interacting with oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 3A illustrates magnetizable particles randomly disposed at an oil spill according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 3B illustrates magnetizable particles that are disposed in general alignment with a magnetic force at an oil spill according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 4A illustrates a magnetic field being applied to magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 4B illustrates a magnetic field being applied to magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 4C illustrates a magnetic field being applied to magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 4D illustrates a magnetic field being applied to magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 5A is a side view of a system having magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 5B is a side view of a magnetic field being applied to magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 6A is a side view of a system having magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 6B is a side view of a magnetic field being applied to magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 7A illustrates a magnetic field being applied to magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 7B illustrates a magnetic field being applied to magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 7C illustrates a magnetic field being applied to magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 7D illustrates a magnetic field being applied to magnetizable particles disposed at oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 8 is a side view of a system having magnetizable particles disposed at oil and an interaction with a magnetic field according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates an electromagnetic pulsed-wave system having a plurality of magnetic solenoids according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 10 is a graphical view of a waveform sequence associated with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a system for using an electromagnetic pulsed-wave system for transportation of oil according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 12 illustrates a system for magnetically removing oil according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0041] FIG. 13 illustrates a system for magnetically removing oil according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the system, methods, and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0043] This detailed description relates to an invention for seeding magnetizable particles with oil. Once seeded, the oil becomes susceptible to a magnetic field that can be used for controlling or moving oil. Various applications can include the identifying, separating, lifting, raising, or otherwise transporting of the oil.

[0044] The invention and processes described herein are generally controlled by the Van der Waals force in the aqueous phase. As known in the art, the Van der Waals force is a term used to define the attraction of intermolecular forces between molecules, and it is particularly relevant in molecules sized on the micro-scale (110.sup.6 meters). The Van der Waals force can provide short-range, electrostatic attractive forces between molecules that arise from the interaction of permanent or transient electric dipole moments.

[0045] When dispersed in oil, magnetizable particles can form a unique and preferential bond with the oil. This bond is formed as result of a combination of forces including the intermolecular Van der Waal forces associated with the magnetizable particles and oil. If the oil is dispersed in water, the surface tension of the water may also assist in forming the bond. As a result of this bond, a colloidal mixture is created that includes the particles and oil. Once the bond is formed, oil can be controlled and moved in response to a magnetic field. As used herein, a colloidal mixture may be any type of mixture or combination formed as a result of the interaction of the Van der Waals forces between the magnetizable particles and oil.

[0046] Oil can be seeded with magnetizable particles in many different environments. For example, the bonding may occur when oil is spilled or discovered in many different types of aqueous solutions associated groundwater, rivers, lakes, oceans, marshes, swamps. This can be salt water, or fresh water environments. The seeding process can also be implemented on oil trapped below the surface of the water and on non-porous surfaces.

[0047] The magnetizable particles include iron oxides such as Fe.sub.3O.sub.4, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3,FeO as well as iron filings. However, magnetite (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) is preferred because it is stable, does not oxidize (rust) and is natural to the environment. These magnetizable particles may also generally be sized on the micron scale (110.sup.6 meters) and preferably in the range of 2 m-10 m. In some applications, the amount of magnetizable particles that are required can vary based on a number of factors including the amount of oil that is present, the environment, the applied magnetic field, or the type of control or movement of the oil that is desired.

[0048] Consistent with the teachings of this invention, as used herein, oil may be many different types of hydrocarbons including petroleum, petrol, gasoline, crude oil, motor oil and any oil spill, other similar compounds that are capable of bonding with the magnetizable particles.

[0049] A system 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B that includes magnetized particles 102 and oil 106 dispersed in water 104. In this example, the seeding process can help probe for the existence of oil even if it cannot be seen by the naked eye. As shown in FIG. 1B, the magnetizable particles 102 are introduced to system 100. Once introduced, the magnetizable particles 102 will seed with the oil 106 they contact while passing through any water 104 that is not exposed to the oil 106. As a result, a colloidal mixture 110 is formed and can be visually detected.

[0050] In contrast, the system 100 in FIG. 1A includes water 104 but no oil. When the magnetizable particles 102 are introduced, they will flow through the water 104 without any seeding and thereby indicate that no oil is present.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, when oil 206 is disposed in water 204, it will typically diffuse outward under its own viscous forces until it reaches an equilibrium. As shown in FIG. 2A, an initial plume of oil 206 is disposed in the water 204. Over time, the oil will spread outwardly 212 as a result of diffusion and viscous forces 214. In cases such as an oil spill, this outward spreadif left uncontainedcan cause significant pollution and contamination.

[0052] By seeding magnetizable particles 202 with the oil 206, however, the diffusion rate of the oil can be reduced. Referring to FIG. 2B, magnetizable particles 202 are introduced into the system 200 to contain the spread of the oil 206. The magnetizable particles 202 bond with the oil 206 and introduce new forces 216 into the system 200. These new forces 216 include the Van der Waals forces associated with the bond between the magnetizable particles 202 and the oil 206 as well as the individual internal forces associated with each of the magnetizable particles 202. The distribution of these forces 216 can oppose the diffusion and viscous forces 214 resulting in a reduction of the rate of oil spread. Eventually, the oil spread will stop once the system forces reach equilibrium.

[0053] An additional amount of magnetizable particles 202 may be introduced to the system 200 to add additional force. In one example, the ratio between the amount of magnetizable particles 202 that are introduced into the system 200 relative to the amount of oil 206, could be such that the amount of the oil 206 does not introduce more diffusion and viscous drive force than the forces exerted as a result of the introduction of the magnetizable particles 202.

[0054] Once seeded, the particles may be generally dispersed on the oil in a random distribution. A magnetic field can be used to align the magnetizable particles in a rigid configuration as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Referring to FIG. 3A, the magnetizable particles 302 are randomly seeded throughout the oil 306. Generally, this less structured and randomized configuration is weaker and makes it more difficult to control or move the oil 306. As shown in FIG. 3B, however, a magnet 316 applies a magnetic force to the particles 302. Each particle 302 includes an internal dipole magnet. Accordingly, when the magnetic force is applied to the particles 302, they move from the random distribution to an orientation that is generally aligned in the direction of the magnetic field. This results in a stronger configuration that permits increased control over the magnetizable particles 302, oil 306, and the colloidal mixture 310.

[0055] A magnetic field can also be used to move the oil in a general direction as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4D. The system 400 includes magnetizable particles 402 and an oil plume 406 that is dispersed in water 404. A resulting colloidal mixture 410 is formed as a result of the bond formed by the seeding of the magnetizable particles 402 with the oil 406. In this example, a magnet 416 exerts a force creating a magnetic field gradient 414 within the system 400. Accordingly, the strength of the magnetic force as applied to the colloidal mixture 410 changes based on distance from the magnet 416. Generally, the magnetic force applied on the colloidal mixture 410 is proportional to the magnetic field gradient.

[0056] In this example, water serves as the medium for transporting the oil. Given the low coefficient of friction on the water, the colloidal mixture 410 can move smoothly towards the magnet 416. Also, due to the nature of the size of the particles 402 and the nature of the bond with the oil 406 formed by the Van der Waals force, magnetic fields generally work well at moving the colloidal mixture 410 on water.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 4A, magnetizable particles 402 have bonded with oil 406 to form the colloidal mixture 410 in water 404. In FIG. 4B, a low magnetic force begins to attract the colloidal mixture 410 in the direction of the magnet 416. As shown in FIG. 4C, the colloidal mixture 410 continues to move toward the magnet 416 as the magnetic force becomes stronger.

[0058] Still referring to FIG. 4C, the stronger magnetic force causes the bonded magnetizable particles 402 to move relative and toward the distal end of the oil plume 406. While the magnetizable particles 402 are not uniformly distributed about the oil plume 406, the bond continues to exist between the magnetizable particles 402 and the oil 406. In addition, the internal and strong elemental bonds between the individual oil molecules are not broken. Accordingly, and referring to FIG. 4D, the magnetic particles 402 and the oil plume 406 are transported to the desired location.

[0059] A magnetic field can be used to lift oil from a surface as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B, 6A-6B, and 8. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, a system 500 includes magnetizable particles 502 that are bonded with oil 506. The resulting colloidal mixture 510 is disposed on water 504. In this example, a magnet 516 exerts a magnetic force 514 that lifts the colloidal mixture 510 away from the water 504 and toward the magnet 516. In water, both the magnetic force 514 and water surface tension force facilitates the lifting of the colloidal mixture 510. The amount of magnetizable particles 502 needed for the lifting application depends on many factors such as the amount of oil, the strength of the magnetic force, and other environmental conditions. In one example, this amount should be enough to provide an attractive force with respect to the magnetic field, and coupled with the water surface tension force, that is greater than the other opposing forces. Application of this embodiment of the invention can occur in many different ways including for the removal of oil from contaminated groundwater, lakes, oceans, rivers and the like. Similarly, this embodiment can also apply to other possibly more dense porous landscapes such as marshes, swamps, and bogs where additional forces may exist.

[0060] FIG. 8 illustrates a system 800 for removing a colloidal mixture 810 from water 804. A magnet 816 creates a magnetic field 814 for attracting the colloidal mixture 810. In this example, the magnet 816 is disposed at the water 804 in an inclined configuration. Accordingly, the magnetic field 814 can be applied to move the colloidal mixture 810 up the inclined configuration for removal from the system 800. As a result of the angle of inclination and the non-absorbent nature of the materials used, the system does not collect water and is more efficient at collecting oil than existing methods.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a system 600 is shown that includes a nonporous surface 618. System 600 includes a magnet 616 that exerts a magnetic force 614 for raising a colloidal mixture 610 from a nonporous surface 618. A nonporous surface 618 may include any fields, grass, dirt, concrete or other ground surface. With respect to nonporous surfaces, however, additional force may be needed to lift the colloidal mixture 610 as the water surface tension force may not exist. This can be achieved by using a stronger magnetic force 616 or by adding more magnetizable particles 602 to the system 600.

[0062] As discussed above, a magnetic field can be used to move magnetic particles from a random distribution to an orientation that is generally aligned in the direction of the magnetic field. This can also facilitate the lifting of the colloidal mixtures 510, 610 that is described in FIGS. 5A-5B and 6A-6B. This directional alignment of the magnetic particles 502, 602 adds rigidity to the colloidal mixture 510, 610 which enhances its viscosity effects orthogonal to the direction of the induced field. This induced viscosity effectively produces the rigidity that helps the colloidal mixture 510, 610 to be lifted from water or from other surfaces.

[0063] It may also be useful to separate the particles from the colloidal mixture once the oil has been moved to a safe and desired location. The removed particles can then be recycled and reused. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7D, a magnet 716 is used to separate the bonded magnetizable particles 702 from the oil 706. An interface exists between the water and a separation barrier 720. In this instance, the separation barrier 720 is a vertical column disposed between the magnet 716 and the colloidal mixture 710, but it can be any type of object that provides the friction capable of separating the magnetizable particles from oil. At this interface, the friction and surface tension forces differ enough to extract the particles 702 as they pile up at the boundary interface between the magnet 716 and the water 704. The particles 702 are strongly attracted to the magnet 716 and can be separated from the oil 706 as the magnetic field moves them vertically upward against the separation barrier 720. This principle may also be used to separate the particles from oil in the absence of water.

[0064] A electromagnetic pulsed-wave system 900 is illustrated in FIGS. 9-11. This system 900 provides a pulsed-wave for moving oil that has been dispersed in water to a desired location. As described above, the magnetizable particles are introduced into the system 900 to bond with oil and form a colloidal mixture 910. The system 900 includes a group of electrically coupled solenoid magnets that are configured to generate a time-varying magnetic gradient pulse that travels axially in the flow direction 924. In this example, solenoid magnets 927, 929, 931, 933, 935, 937, 939, 941, and 943 are described, but any number of solenoid magnetics may be used.

[0065] In this example, each of the solenoid magnets are linearly connected and exert a magnetic field that is capable of attracting the colloidal mixture 910 and then moving it along a desired path in the flow direction 924. In particular, the magnetic field produced from each solenoid can attract the colloidal mixture as represented by attraction flow paths 926. Each solenoid is also capable of transporting the colloidal mixture along direction of the magnetic force.

[0066] In this example, each solenoid is separated by approximately 0.79 times the radius R of the solenoid coils. This spatial configuration provides gradient coupling between the coils because it is less than the known Helmholtz spacing for coils. In operation, a magnetic gradient also exists between each of the solenoids as the associated magnetic field varies as it moves further away from the solenoid.

[0067] The parameters for the electromagnetic pulsed-wave system 900 are based on a stepped multiphase concept. The number of phases for the system 900 can be based on parameters such as power consumption, flow efficiency, magnetic field strength, timing and the spacing of the associated magnets or solenoids. This can also include the geometric factors associated with the magnets themselves. Ideally, the parameters identified above would be optimized so as to accommodate the magneto-fluid dynamics associate with oil flow on water.

[0068] An electromagnetic pulsed-wave can be generated by many different wave sequences. In this example, a 4-phase sequence is used to generate the electromagnetic pulsed-wave and magnetic gradient in the desired flow direction 924. Referring to FIG. 9, first phase solenoids 927 and 935 are paired to generate an electromagnetic pulses 928 and 945 at the same time. Similarly, second phase solenoids 929 and 937 are paired to generate an electromagnetic pulse 930, 936 at a later time offset from that of the first phase solenoids 927, 935. Third phase solenoids 931 and 939 generate an electromagnetic pulse 932, 938 at a time offset from the second phase solenoids 931, 939. And fourth phase solenoids 933 and 941 generate an electromagnetic pulse 934, 940 at a time offset from the third phase solenoids 931, 939. This configuration results in the propagation of an electromagnetic pulsed-wave capable of moving the colloidal mixture in the flow direction 924.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 10, an electromagnetic pulsed-wave can be generated by powering the solenoid magnets on and off in cycles so as to produce a chain of magnetic dipole fields that move from one end of a string of solenoid magnets to the other. FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic plot of current versus time for different time intervals for phases associated with the first 927, 935, second 929, 936, third 931, 939, and fourth 933, 939 solenoid magnets as identified in FIG. 9.

[0070] These operational states can be governed by the following 4 variables: [0071] 1) T.sub.rampthe time it takes for magnet to turn on or off [0072] 2) T.sub.peakthe time when the solenoid is at its peak [0073] 3) T.sub.offthe time between pulses [0074] 4) T.sub.delaythe time between the start of a magnet's power cycle and the start of the next magnet's power cycle

[0075] Accordingly, T.sub.on is determined as T.sub.on=T.sub.ramp+T.sub.peak+T.sub.ramp.

[0076] T.sub.period is determined as T.sub.period=T.sub.on+T.sub.off.

[0077] In order to produce a chain of magnetic dipole fields that move from one end of a string of magnets to the other, T.sub.delay should divide evenly into T.sub.period. The optimum separation between the dipole fields occurs when T.sub.on=T.sub.off.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 11, the pulse-wave system 900 includes an electromagnetic boom system 942 and a depository 944. The electromagnetic boom system 942 includes the plurality of solenoid magnets, as described above, that are capable of providing an electromagnetic pulsed-wave. Each of solenoids provides a magnetic force for attracting and transporting the colloidal mixture 910 in a flow direction 946. The rate at which the colloidal mixture 910 moves in the flow direction 946 is proportional to the magnetic field gradient and viscosity of the spilled oil.

[0079] The colloidal mixture 910 can move along the electromagnetic boom 942 until it reaches the depository 944. Referring to FIGS. 12-13, a depository 944 includes an electromagnetic skimmer 950 that is used to remove the colloidal mixture 910 from water 904. The electromagnetic skimmer 950 can be generally disposed in an upward and inclined configuration and magnetically coupled to the electromagnetic boom 942 such that the colloidal mixture 910 can be transferred. The skimmer 950 also includes an electric dipole magnet 955 disposed proximate to the interface of the electromagnetic boom 942 and skimmer 950 so as to facilitate transfer of the colloidal mixture 910.

[0080] The electromagnetic skimmer 950 also includes a rotating outer belt 952 and a rotating permanent magnet belt 954. Both belts 952 and 954 can rotate continuously about the electromagnetic skimmer 950 and can be configured to move at different relative speeds. The electric dipole magnet 955 assists in magnetically removing the oil 906 from the system 900 to the rotating outer belt 952. In this example, the rotating outer belt 952 is magnetically coupled with the electromagnet boom 942 so as to receive the oil 906 from the water 904. This permits the rotating outer belt 952 to carry the oil upward toward a separator section 956. The rotating permanent magnet belt 954 includes a plurality of magnets 958 that are located interior to the rotating outer belt 952. These magnets 958 can apply a magnetic force to facilitate control and attraction of the oil disposed on the outer rotating belt 952. Since the speed of the rotating permanent magnet belt 954 can be adjusted, the magnetic force created by the magnets 958 can vary in direction and scope.

[0081] The electromagnetic skimmer 950 also forms a separator section 956 where the colloidal mixture can exit to the separation container 948. The separator section 956 is positioned within the electromagnetic skimmer 950 so as to be affected by little to generally no magnetic force. When the carried colloidal mixture 910 reaches the separation section 956, it is able to exit to the separation container 948 under the force of gravity. As shown in FIG. 13, the separation container 948 is filled with water 958 and includes a magnet 960 disposed toward its bottom section. Once the colloidal mixture 910 enters the separation container 948, the magnet 960 is configured to provide a strong enough magnetic field to attract the magnetizable particles 902 toward the bottom of the container 948 while the oil 906 remains in the water 958 at a top portion of the container 948. This separation permits the magnetizable particles 902 to be recycled and reused.

[0082] It is understood that the exemplary system and method described herein and shown in the drawings represent only presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions may be made to such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.