Abstract: An emergency filtration response method to an underwater oil emergency, useable in deepwater.

Abstract: Skimming systems are provided which include one or more externally positioned fluid jet generating devices to generate one or more fluid jets to impinge on a target surface to collectively impart motion of the surface and any contaminants thereon toward a collection device for ultimate collection and removal of the contaminants. Related skimming methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhanced water treatment comprise inorganic filter systems for impurity removal. Embodiments for water impurity removal include introducing contaminated water into an impurity removal system having an inorganic filter. The inorganic filter comprises an inorganic membrane layer supported by an inorganic support. The inorganic membrane layer comprises pores sized from about 1,000 Daltons to about 10 microns for filtering impurities such as kinetic hydrate inhibitor. Other pre-treatment and post-treatment stages may be included. The inorganic membrane layer or inorganic membrane support may comprise a ceramic such as alumina, zirconia, silica, silicon carbide, and mixed oxides.

Abstract: A system and a method for collecting oil from the surface of a body of water, which includes a vessel for receiving oil being collected; an articulating arm, having a first end secured to the vessel and a second end extending above the body of water; an oil collection portion, comprising a funnel shaped member suspended from the second end of the articulating arm, the funnel shaped member having a large opening at is lower end, and an angulated wall portion terminating in a small apex at the upper end of the funnel shaped member; a pump secured to and communicating with the apex end of the funnel shaped member, having a float switch to activate the pump; a line extending from the pump to the interior of the vessel, so that when the funnel shaped member is lowered into the water, oil floating on the water will become more concentrated as the oil is moved from the large opening of the funnel to the apex of the funnel, and when the oil contacts the float switch the pump pumps the oil from atop the water to the i

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for removing contaminants from a body of surface water. The method and apparatus may include tubular members such as hollow-fiber components. The tubular members have a reactive gas diffused through wall of the member. Contaminants in the water can be removed when the reactive gas reacts with bacteria on the tubular member.

Abstract: The water aeration capsules provide a quick and highly portable system for aerating polluted water. The capsules contain bubbles of air, oxygen, and/or other gas(es) surrounded by a water soluble shell or membrane of a suitable substance, e.g., various salts, sugars, water-soluble polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol. The capsules are ballasted to make their specific gravity greater than the water they displace. The ballast may comprise any non-toxic metal, sand, clay, or other non-organic material, and/or fish bait or other food for aquatic animals. Magnetically attractive ballast elements may be provided, and a magnetic sheet may be placed on the bottom of a smaller body of water to enhance the settling of the capsules. Various to means of dispensing the capsules from various mobile carriers are also disclosed, including dispensing by hand from shore or by a diver, from a small boat or larger ship, and/or from aircraft.

Abstract: The water aeration capsules provide a quick and highly portable system for aerating polluted water. The capsules contain bubbles of air, oxygen, and/or other gas(es) surrounded by a water soluble shell or membrane of a suitable substance, e.g., various salts, sugars, water-soluble polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol. The capsules are ballasted to make their specific gravity greater than the water they displace. The ballast may comprise any non-toxic metal, sand, clay, or other non-organic material, and/or fish bait or other food for aquatic animals. Magnetically attractive ballast elements may be provided, and a magnetic sheet may be placed on the bottom of a smaller body of water to enhance the settling of the capsules. Various means of dispensing the capsules from various mobile carriers are also disclosed, including dispensing by hand from shore or by a diver, from a small boat or larger ship, and/or from aircraft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering contaminated water from an oil or gas well.

Abstract: A method of treating an agricultural-water canal to decompose organic debris in the agricultural-water canal provides a controlled delivery of calcium hypochlorite particles to the surface of water by entraining calcium hypochlorite particles in an air stream and then propelling the calcium hypochlorite-laden air stream at high velocity to the surface of the water, whereat the calcium hypochlorite particles are released from the air stream. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed. The device includes a gas blower, a feed hopper and a port which is adapted to direct and propel the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of water in the agricultural-water canal.

Abstract: A method for separating an oil-substance mixture includes communicating the oil-substance mixture into a first separator tank to separate the oil from the substance, and communicating a remaining portion of the oil-substance mixture into a second separator tank to separate the oil from the substance of the remaining portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering contaminated water from an oil or gas well.

Abstract: A subsea contaminate remediation apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a conduit. The conduit includes a first end adapted to receive a first liquid stream having at least one contaminate; a second end adapted to release a second liquid stream; a grating associated with the second end of the housing; and at least one chemical injection port. The chemical injection port is adapted to introduce a chemical to the first liquid stream to form the second liquid stream.

Abstract: A method of treating an agricultural-water canal to decompose organic debris in the agricultural-water canal is disclosed. The method provides a controlled delivery of biocide particles to the surface of water by entraining biocide particles in a gaseous stream and then scattering the biocide particles across the surface of the water by propelling the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of the water, whereat the biocide particles are released from the gaseous stream. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed. The device includes a gas blower, a feed hopper and a port which is adapted to direct and propel the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of water in the agricultural-water canal.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting a material from a body of liquid and methods therefore are disclosed. A transport member comprises at least one continuous loop configured to pass through a continuous orbit. The material sufficiently adheres to at least a portion of the at least one continuous loop. A scraping member urges against at least a portion of the continuous loop for removing at least some of any of the material adhered to the continuous loop. Such an apparatus can be a harvester that includes a frame having a first end and a second end. A first conveyor drum can be supported by the frame adjacent the first end and can have an outer surface for engaging the transport member. A second conveyor drum can be supported adjacent the second end and can have an outer surface for engaging the transport member.

Abstract: Water intake structures for power plants and other industrial facilities may include an inflow channel, a deep well, an outflow channel, and an intake channel These structures may include a fish screen, such as a wedge-wire screen or the like, positioned between the deep well and the intake channel to separate fish, fish larvae and fish eggs from water supplied to the intake channel from the deep well. These structures may further include one or more circulating or sweep flow pumps positioned proximate an outlet of the outflow channel. The sweep flow pumps may be used to maintain a sweep flow through the deep well of the intake structure to help sweep fish, fish larvae and fish eggs away from the fish screen and into the outflow channel.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a system for collecting surface material in marine environments, comprising (1) one or more arm members extendable from an operation platform; (2) at least one sprayer releasably attachable to a distal end of at least one arm member; (3) at least one skimmer releasably attachable to a distal end of at least one arm member, the skimmer being operationally configured to collect material from a water surface; and (4) a fluid delivery means in fluid communication with the sprayer, the sprayer being operationally configured for linear discharge of fluid to a target, the direction of fluid discharge being adjustable in relation to the location of the operation platform.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a sterilization method of contaminated areas with biological agents by making use of the acidic ozone water that very effectively kills spores of Bacillus atrophaeus, thereby demonstrating the capability of sterilizing a large surface-area in a very short time and reinstating the contaminated environment as free from toxic biological agents. The effective sterilization of the acidic ozone water is due to synergic benefits derived from the combination of ozone and acidity. The acidic ozone water can also effectively kill other ordinary microbes of viruses, bacteria, and fungi, hence being applicable to agriculture, seafood and livestock industries for the preservation of various products as well as being useful in hospitals or other germ infested areas for disinfections. Particularly, the acidity and ozone in the seawater sterilize microbes effectively, demonstrating a potential for the sterilization of a large amount of seawater in a short time.

Abstract: A non-filtration pre-separation device and method for the removal of algae using the same, comprising a system having a hydrodynamic separator including at least one curved structure for the removal of bio-organisms from seawater, such structure having an inlet in operative connection with a source of raw seawater and a bifurcated outlet operative for passing pre-treated effluent fluid to a downstream filtration system and the removal of waste fluid. Various fluidic structures, implementations and selected fabrication techniques to realize such a device, whether singular or in stacked and/or packed parallel configuration are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for picking up particles from the surface of a water system, in particular oil, algae or dirt particles, comprising a particle separation space, which is connected to an inflow opening through which water that contains particles can enter the particle separation space, a particle-collecting space into which particles that have been separated from the water that contains particles reach from the particle separation space via a separation mechanism and an adjustment mechanism, which is configured to regulate a filling level of the water that contains particles in the particle separation space. In addition, the invention relates to a method for picking up particles, in particular oil, algae or dirt particles, from the surface of a water system.

Abstract: A filter sleeve is fabricated from a variety of media selected to preferentially remove particulates and specific contaminants from water or other liquids. The layers of the filter sleeve may be configured to remove 1-micron particulates, while another layer or layers may be configured to remove a range of petroleum hydrocarbons, fats, oils, and greases, while yet another layer may be configured to remove metals, and yet another layer could be configured to remove bacteria, algae, mold, and fungus. Filter sleeves that are configured to remove different particulate sizes and contaminants can be used simultaneously by placing the filter sleeves inside one another to accrue the capabilities of several individual filter sleeves as one unit. The filter sleeve can be used to remove particulates and hydrocarbons from waste water accumulated in underground vaults, enabling such waste water to be discharged directly into the ambient environment.

Abstract: An apparatus having flotation ballasts, a flotation platform and on the flotation platform, an intake equipment, such as a screen, check valve and/or pump intake and a coupling for a discharge pipe. In an embodiment of the present invention comprises, there are a plurality of substantially symmetrical flotation ballasts, each having a ballast chamber. The composition of the flotation ballast may be made of a material having a density appropriate for the fluid in which it is to be submerged. The method includes the steps of using an apparatus as herein described to ascend and descend intake equipment.

Abstract: An offshore water-hydrocarbon separator system is capable of entrapping spilled oil offshore, and recovering the oil to a usable state for subsequent refining. The kinetic energy of a towing vessel provides the energy for establishing a flow path of oil and seawater through the hydrocarbon separator. Annular venturi provided at each successive stage in the separator accelerate a core flow of sea water substantially down the center of the flow path, while drag associated with aggregated oil particles forces oil outward, away from the core, to flow along the walls of each stage. The energy that establishes the core flow of water is provided by the kinetic energy of the surface vessel and the acceleration of core flow at each successive venturi. No other source of energy is needed to induce the water hydrocarbon separation.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for utilizing a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid for the purpose of remediation and retrieval of, e.g., spilled crude oil and other “oil spill”-related products from marine/aquatic and terrestrial environments. In some implementations, systems and apparatus are provided for applying a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid to a volume of spilled oil, and further having structure for collecting the spilled oil. Some implementations are environmentally-neutral. Substances other than oil may be remediated as well.

Abstract: A system and method for remediating a body of water and collecting suspended and dissolved solids therefrom are provided. The system includes a water-impervious lining positionable in a depression in or adjacent a body of water. The lining and depression define a treatment vessel, which includes a treatment portion, an outlet portion for containing treated water, and an outflow weir between the treatment portion and the outlet portion. Water to be treated is transported from the water body to the treatment portion. An entrapment element is delivered and mixed into the transported water, the entrapment element for capturing suspended and dissolved solids in the transported water and effecting a separation between the captured solids and water cleansed therefrom. The captured solids can be removed from the treatment basin, and the cleansed water can move through a channel in the outflow weir into the outlet portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for passively generating a current flow in a body of water is disclosed. The passive water circulating apparatus has an aeration plate having a central opening; a plurality of flotation members joined to the aeration plate, the plurality of flotation members being adapted and disposed for maintaining buoyancy of the aeration plate above a water surface; an uplift tube member having a central orifice in fluid communication with the central opening of the aeration plate; a concentrator member disposed at an end of the uplift tube opposite the aeration plate, the concentrator member having a bottom opening in fluid communication with an upper opening, the bottom opening being wider than the upper opening and the upper opening being connected to the uplift tube member; and a plurality of bio-substrates suspended from the concentrator member below the bottom opening, the plurality of bio-substrates providing a substrate for growth of microbes.

Abstract: A screening installation includes, provided in a flume (5) conveying a fluid flowing with a total flow QE: a screening device (10) including a screen which includes at least one filter member in order to screen a fraction Q10 of the total flow, at least one first passage (31) in the flume which is adapted to allow a fraction Q31 of the total flow to pass such that QE=Q10+Q31, so long as the head loss between the upstream side and the downstream side of the screening device is less than a predetermined value, and at least one second passage (32) in the flume which is adapted to allow a fraction Q32 of the total flow to pass such that QE=Q10+Q31+Q32 when the head loss is greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: Described is a system for creating a microenvironment around a high volume water intake pipe. Specifically, a microenvironment cage incorporating fiber optics, sonar and monitoring sensors may be placed around such a pipe with the express purpose of keeping fish, wildlife and debris away from intake holes and any associated filters. The cage protects marine habitat by keeping the high intake forces away from fish and wildlife and it lowers the energy and maintenance requirements of an associated facility by only allowing water to approach the facility's intake pipe.

Abstract: A method for disposing of carbon dioxide is provided. According to the invention, CO2 is dissolved in seawater and the salinity of the seawater is increased to produce CO2-containing brine. The CO2-containing brine is denser than the seawater from which it is made. Therefore, when it is released into the ocean, the CO2-containing brine sinks to depth and sequesters the carbon dioxide. The brine may be produced by forming CO2 hydrate, which extracts fresh water from the seawater. Alternatively, the brine may be produced by forming water ice from the seawater and injecting CO2 into the seawater either before or, more preferably, after the water ice has been formed.

Abstract: A device for removing silt from flowing water by temporarily slowing the water enough to permit silt to settle naturally to the bottom is disclosed. The water may be slowed by a combination of increased depth and obstructions in the form of rough rocks and chain link fencing.

Abstract: Slags, including the harmful-substance-containing slags, are not directly melted but are neutralized and processed into eco-resource materials, so that the slugs can be effectively utilized to purify and revive a large area of polluted water without any burden on the environment. Predetermined proportions of a non-recyclable harmful-substance-containing unused slag selected from by-product slags produced during the refining of a metal such as iron, copper, or aluminum from an ore, a porcelain clay for ceramics, and a mineral clay for ceramics, such as a quartz powder or an alumina powder, are kneaded to form a clay material with a suitable size. The clay material is burnt in a burning oven for ceramics at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time so that a liquid glaze can sufficiently penetrate into the inner region of the clay material, thereby forming a biscuit clay material.

Abstract: Systems, methods and processes teach by specific examples how the cost of sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) can be totally offset and turned into profits during coal powered electricity generation from revenue and co-benefits. The process is provided whereby fly ash-carbon mixtures, or de-volatilized coal char, or anthracite coal culm is co-fired in an air-cooled, slagging combustor with limestone or similar slag fluxing materials converts the ash into cementitious slag with properties similar to ground granulated blast furnace slag.

Abstract: Ballast and/or cooling water biocidal treatment and disinfection systems and techniques are provided. The systems utilize oxidation reduction potential control to regulate addition, or concentration of an electrocatalytically generated biocidal agent to disinfection levels in ship buoyancy and to biofouling levels in ship cooling water systems. The disinfection and biofouling control systems provide suitable treatment while reducing the potential for corrosion of ship components and, in some cases, undesirable disinfection byproducts.