Optimization of a temperature gradient-based oil spillage remediation system

Abstract

This paper examines the deficiencies of existing oil spillage remediating techniques and their inabilities to achieve optimal result at maximum efficiency. The development of alternative strategy for remediating oil spillage is an idea conceived from a natural phenomenon based on obvious physical changes between oil and water at lower temperature. The technique involves extensive studies of the physical, chemical and thermodynamic properties of water and hydrocarbons as well as oceans and characteristics of oceans as it is affected by temperature change, climatic condition, heat gradient, salinity, wind speed, and heat stratification. The paper also exploited critical analysis of the thermodynamics of heat transfer between two objects in constant contact as well as the existing oil spillage remediating techniques or devices for sea and land pollution. The new device was designed to generate high quality crude oil continuously from crude oil/water mixture optimally when the operational conditions are followed strictly. The step by step derivation of equation for the quantity of recovered oil from the empirical data through graphical analyses is a real representation of the conditions for effective operation of the machine in an oceanic environment. The new technique has shown a very high efficiency in quality oil separation and remediation process for a short run as well as optimal efficiency close to one hundred percent for a long run. The results achieved in the operation of the new system are well appreciable when compared with the existing remediating techniques, although, it may be necessary to use an intermediary wave neutralization system in a rough oceanic environment to improve the oil quality and maximize efficiency. © 2014 The Author(s).