May 17 2016
TSU researchers have developed an efficient oil cleansing method that is experimentally proven to reduce the oil content in water by 35-40 times. This technology provides an optimal solution for lake ecosystems.
This is Danil Vorobiev, doctor of biological sciences and director of biological institute near the lake. (credit:TSU)
The study results have been reported in the Water Practice & Technology journal.
Danil Vorobiev, director of the Biological Institute and doctor of biological sciences, informed that the flotation method forms the basis for the new technique. Vorobiev is also one of the authors of the paper. The novel method carries out mechanical and pneumatic action in the areas of oil accumulation, making the oil rise to the surface by allowing it to stick to the section of the two phases (air and liquid).
The TSU technique is ideal for lakes consisting of thick sediments such as sandy, clay or stony bottom. It allows both the water and the sediments to be cleaned, and is not limited by the depth of the pond.
The innovative method avoids the use of any chemicals and can also be utilized in winter when there is limited intervention with the underwater world and vegetative processes in lakes are brought to a standstill (freeze).
Since fish and aquatic organisms are actively involved in reproduction during spring and summer, it is recommended to carry out any cleaning work during the winter season of a year, the TSU scientist says. Also, since most Russian contaminated lakes are located in remote areas, reaching over there and taking out the oil from the lake bottom is possible only with the winter road. The under-ice cleaning method is a possible option for such reservoirs.
During cold weather, the perforated hose is moved down to the bottom to guide the pressurized air stream to the oil accumulations. This makes the oil rise to the surface and pass through the guide channels placed on the surface to an oil collector. A mobile hangar is mounted over the oil collector, where a favorable temperature is created by heat guns for pumping oil. As a result, water cleaning from oil can be carried out during any weather, even at temperatures of -50°C.
For this invention, a patent has been received by the TSU Institute of Biology.