Process for removing oils or petroleum from the surface of the sea

US4284509A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Gesellschaft fur Biotechnologische Forschung mbH (GBF) · DE

Inventors

• Walter Lindorfer · Kassel, DE
• Fritz Wagner · Kronach, DE
• Wilhelm Jahn-Held · Staufenberg, DE
• Walther Schulz · Vechta, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 15, 1979
• Grant date: Aug 18, 1981
• Expiry date: Nov 15, 1999

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S435/872
• WIPO field: Environmental technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

After physical removal of the majority of the oil on the surface of the water, the thin film remaining is treated with microbial metabolites which reduce the surface and interface tension and cause the formation of oil agglomerates. These agglomerates may be drawn off or left to be degraded by hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms normally present in the sea water or added thereto.