U.S. patent number 3,661,497 [Application Number 04/829,746] was granted by the patent office on 1972-05-09 for process for burning a combustible liquid using cellular ceramic nodules.
Invention is credited to Nicholas T. Castellucci, Ned C. Krouskop.
United States Patent |
3,661,497 |
Castellucci , et
al. |
May 9, 1972 |
PROCESS FOR BURNING A COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID USING CELLULAR CERAMIC
NODULES
Abstract
A process for the substantially complete combustion of a layer
of combustible liquid floating on a body of water comprising
spreading a layer of substantially spherical ceramic nodules on the
upper free surface of the layer of combustible liquid. The nodules
are wetted with the combustible liquid and the combustible liquid
is ignited on the upper surface of the nodules until combustion is
self-sustaining. The combustible liquid on the upper surface of the
nodules consumed by combustion is continually replaced with
combustible liquid from the layer until substantially all of the
combustible liquid in the layer is consumed. The cellular ceramic
nodules have a multiplicity of separate closed cells and the outer
surface of the nodules has a plurality of cup shaped recess
portions.
Inventors: |
Castellucci; Nicholas T.
(Pittsburgh, PA), Krouskop; Ned C. (Pittsburgh, PA) |
Family
ID: |
25255433 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/829,746 |
Filed: |
June 2, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/7;
431/326 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02B
15/042 (20130101); Y02A 20/204 (20180101) |
Current International
Class: |
E02B
15/04 (20060101); F23d 003/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;431/7,2,4,170,326,331,356,298 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Matteson; Frederick L.
Assistant Examiner: Anderson; W. C.
Claims
We claim:
1. A process for burning a combustible liquid comprising,
floating impermeable discrete particulate material on the surface
of a body of combustible liquid with a portion of said particulate
material above the surface of said body of combustible liquid and a
portion below the surface of said body of combustible liquid,
forming a relatively thin film of said combustible liquid on the
upper exposed surface of said discrete particulate material, said
particulate material having insulating properties to insulate said
thin film of combustible liquid from said body of combustible
liquid,
igniting and burning said combustible liquid in said thin film,
and
continuously replacing the burned combustible liquid in said thin
film with combustible liquid from said body of combustible liquid
by separating a film of said combustible liquid from said body of
combustible liquid and positioning said film on the upper exposed
surface of said particulate material.
2. A process for burning a combustible liquid as set forth in claim
1 in which,
said body of combustible liquid comprises a layer of combustible
liquid floating on the upper surface of a body of water, and
insulating said thin film of combustible liquid from said body of
water.
3. A process for burning a combustible liquid as set forth in claim
2 in which said layer of combustible liquid is crude oil.
4. A process for burning a combustible liquid as set forth in claim
2 in which said combustible liquid is not readily ignitable with an
open flame,
adding A small quantity of a readily ignitable combustible liquid
to said layer of combustible liquid at a preselected location,
and
igniting that portion of said combustible liquid containing said
readily ignitable combustible liquid.
5. A process for burning a combustible liquid comprising,
floating a plurality of impermeable cellular ceramic nodules on the
upper surface of a body of combustible liquid with the upper
portion of said cellular ceramic nodules exposed above the upper
surface of said body of combustible liquid and a portion of said
cellular ceramic nodules below the surface of said body of
combustible liquid,
forming a relatively thin film of said combustible liquid on the
upper exposed surface of said nodules,
igniting and burning said combustible liquid in said thin film,
and
continuously replacing said combustible liquid in said thin film
from said body of combustible liquid.
6. A process for burning a combustible liquid as set forth in claim
3 which includes,
wetting the exposed upper surface of said nodules with said
combustible liquid.
7. A process for burning a combustible liquid as set forth in claim
5 in which said cellular ceramic nodules are substantially
spherical in shape.
8. A process for burning a combustible liquid as set forth in claim
5 in which,
said cellular ceramic nodules have a textured irregular outer
surface.
9. A process for burning a combustible liquid as set forth in claim
5 which includes,
depositing a monolayer of cellular ceramic nodules on the upper
surface of said body of combustible liquid in a manner that said
adjacent nodules are in contiguous relation to each other.
10. A process for burning a combustible liquid comprising,
floating a plurality of impermeable cellular ceramic nodules on the
surface of a body of liquid comprising a layer of combustible
liquid floating on the upper surface of a body of water, said
cellular ceramic nodules having an upper portion exposed above the
surface of said layer and a portion below the surface of said
layer,
forming relatively thin films of said combustible liquid in said
layer on the upper exposed surfaces of said cellular ceramic
nodules,
insulating said thin films of said combustible liquid from said
body of liquid by said cellular ceramic nodules positioned between
said thin films and said body of liquid,
igniting and burning said combustible liquid in said thin film,
and
continuously replacing said combustible liquid in said thin film
from said body of combustible liquid.
11. A process for burning a combustible liquid as set forth in
claim 10 in which,
said cellular ceramic nodules are substantially spherical in shape
and have a diameter greater than one-eighth inch,
wetting the exposed upper surface of said cellular ceramic nodules
with said combustible liquid,
continuously replacing said thin film of combustible liquid by
separating a film of said combustible liquid from said layer and
having said film flow along the upper exposed surface of said
cellular ceramic nodules.
12. A process for burning a combustible liquid as set forth in
claim 10 in which,
said cellular ceramic nodules are substantially spherical in shape
and have a textured irregular outer surface,
said cellular ceramic nodules having a density less than 30 lb./cu.
ft. and a diameter of between about one-eighth and one-half
inch.
13. A process for burning a combustible liquid as set forth in
claim 10 in which,
said cellular ceramic nodules are substantially spherical in shape
and have a textured irregular outer surface,
depositing a monolayer of said cellular ceramic nodules on the
upper surface of said layer of said combustible liquid in a manner
that said adjacent cellular ceramic nodules are in contiguous
relation to each other.
14. A process for burning a combustible liquid as set forth in
claim 13 in which said combustible liquid is not readily ignitable
with an open flame,
adding a small quantity of a readily ignitable combustible liquid
to said layer of combustible liquid at a preselected location,
and
igniting that portion of said combustible liquid containing said
readily ignitable combustible liquid.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
U. S. Pat. No. 3,493,218 entitled "Tower Packing Elements"
discloses cellular ceramic nodules with an external surface having
a plurality of cup shaped recessed portions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for the burning of a
combustible liquid and more particularly to a process for the
complete combustion of a layer of combustible liquid floating on a
body of water.
2. Description of the Prior Art
During the transfer of liquid fuel from one vessel to another,
either at sea or on other navigable waters, discharge of
combustible hydrocarbon liquids or other pollutants onto the water
often occurs. Similarly, accidents in the production and
transportation of petroleum products, such as weld blowouts and
pipeline leaks, cause major water pollution problems. Such
accidents and other catastrophes, such as the sinking or damaging
of an ocean going or river transportation vessel, cause water
pollution problems that are often unsolvable or that are remedial
only at exorbitant expense. The possibility of such incidents of
water pollution and contamination of adjacent land areas has
severely restricted the recovery of large amounts of petroleum from
off-shore reservoirs.
An inexpensive solution would be the combustion of the layer of
pollutant liquid from the surface of the water. This solution,
however, has not been found feasible for many reasons. For example,
many hydrocarbon liquids and other pollutant liquids are not
readily ignitable. Furthermore, in many instances in which ignition
can be obtained, it is not possible to sustain combustion long
enough or at sufficiently high temperatures, to consume the
pollutant liquid.
Even when dealing with liquids that ordinarily are readily
ignitable and relatively combustible, the presence of a relatively
thin layer of such liquid underlain by a large body of water
produces a physical system in which ignition can not be obtained or
in which combustion can not be sustained at all or can not be
sustained at sufficiently high temperatures to effect removal of
the pollutant liquid. These problems generally arise from the rapid
transfer of heat into the underlying body of water and away from
the combustible liquid.
Several other solutions to the pollution problem have been
suggested in the prior art. It has been suggested that the
pollutant be confined with a ring of trash booms or similar devices
and then scooped from the water's surface. That solution has been
proved to be exorbitantly time consuming and expensive and not
completely effective.
Attempts have also been made to absorb the pollutant liquid in
straw or other absorbent material which is subsequently transported
from the scene and destroyed. That solution has also proved too
expensive, time consuming and not entirely satisfactory.
In reference to the combustion of the liquid on the surface of the
water, attempts have been made to burn away the pollutant liquid
through the use of various igniters or combustion catalysts. This
method has proved unsatisfactory because of the inherent expense
and the inability to completely consume and remove the pollutant
liquid.
Another proposed solution to the problem comprises covering the
surface of the pollutant liquid with particulate silica particles
which have been coated with a surface active agent to render the
silica particle hydrophobic. One problem inherent in the use of
this method arises from the fact that not all of the pollutant
liquid is consumed and the residue agglomerates with the silica
particles leaving crusty patches of siliceous pollutant residue
floating on the water's surface. The pollutant residue must be
scooped or otherwise removed from the surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the process herein described, a plurality of
cellular ceramic nodules are deposited on the free surface of the
combustible liquid to be burned so that they float thereon. The
nodules are wetted by the combustible liquid and then the liquid is
ignited and burned on the exposed upper surface of the nodules
remote from the major portion of the layer of liquid being burned.
Combustion of the liquid on the exposed upper surface of the nodule
is thereafter continued in a substantially self-sustaining manner
until substantially all of the combustible liquid has been burned
or consumed in the combustion process.
The process includes isolating a portion of the combustible liquid
as a film on the upper surface of the nodules so that the film of
combustible liquid is separated from the body of water. On the
upper exposed surface of the nodule, remote from the body of water,
ignition and sustained combustion of the liquid takes place. The
film of combustible liquid on the upper surface of the nodule is
continually replaced with liquid from the layer of combustible
liquid through capillary action.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a process
for substantially completely burning a liquid pollutant and thereby
removing the liquid pollutant from the surface of a body of
water.
Another object of this invention is to provide a process for
enabling or enhancing the combustion of a combustible liquid which
is otherwise difficult to ignite or difficult to sustain
combustion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
This invention provides an improved process for removing liquid
combustible pollutants from a body of water and for enabling and
enhancing the combustion of liquids generally. The cellular ceramic
nodules deposited on the upper free surface of the combustible
liquid enable and enchance the combustion that results in the
complete combustion and removal of the combustible liquid from the
surface of the body of water. Although it is not completely
understood how the cellular ceramic nodules enhance and maintain
the combustion of the liquid, it is believed the nodules isolate
portions of the combustible liquid from the layer in contact with
the body of water and continually replace the isolated liquid
burned by other liquid from the layer floating on the body of water
until substantially all of the liquid is thereby burned. It should
be understood, however, that there is no intention to be bound by
the above or any of the following explanations concerning the
manner or mechanisms through which this invention functions.
The cellular ceramic nodules suitable for use in this process may
be prepared in accordance with the process described in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,354,024 from a pulverulent glassy material and a cellulating
agent or from other pulverulent materials and a cellulating agent
in accordance with the process described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,441,396. A description of the process for providing a textured
surface on the nodule may be found in copending application Ser.
No. 727,242, filed May 7, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,218, and
entitled "Tower Packing Element". The cellular ceramic nodules
enable and enhance combustion of the combustible liquid to be
removed from the body of water through interaction of the physical
characteristics of the nodules, such as the surface morphology, the
density the impermeability, the chemical composition, the thermal
characteristics, and the like. The nodules may have an apparent
density of between about 6 and 30 pounds per cubic foot and a
thermal conductivity of between about 0.40 to 0.50
Btu./hr./sq.ft./.degree.F./in. at 75.degree. F. The nodules can be
made in many different sizes. Nodules of a size between one-eighth
and one-half inch with an apparent density of between 10 and 20
pounds per cubic foot were found suitable.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,354,024 the nodules are made by admixing
relatively fine pulverulent glass with a cellulating agent such as
carbon black or the like. A binder is then added to the mixture
which is then pelletized and subsequently coated with a parting
agent that serves to maintain the pellets discrete during the
cellulation process. The coated pellets are heated in a rotary
furnace or kiln to a cellulating temperature and the pellets
cellulate to form substantially spherical cellular ceramic nodules
with a continuous outer skin. Although pulverulent glass is a
preferred constituent of the cellular ceramic nodules, other glassy
materials as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,441,396 may be used. The
term ceramic is intended to encompass both pulverulent formulated
glass and other suitable pulverulent glassy materials.
The cellular ceramic nodules thus produced have a core of
individual completely closed cells of ceramic material and a
continuous outer skin of ceramic material. For use with the herein
described process, it is preferred that the cellular ceramic
nodules produced as described above be abraded or otherwise treated
to remove the relatively thin continuous outer skin and a portion
of the layer of underlying closed cells to expose, over the entire
surface of the nodule, a portion of the layer of cells
therebeneath. The cells on the abraded surface are opened to form a
surface having a plurality of contiguous individual cup like
recessed portions or cell fragments. Since the outer surface of the
abraded nodules appears as an irregular textured surface, for
brevity the plurality of concave cup shaped depressions comprising
the outer surface of the abraded nodules will be referred to
hereinafter as an irregular textured surface.
The cellular ceramic nodules produced as described above exhibit
many characteristics which are readily and preferentially adaptable
for the herein described process. For example, in this process the
combustion enhancing agent should be impervious or impermeable to
the flow of fluids into and through the combustion enhancing agent.
Therefore, all of the liquid to be burned remains on the surface of
the combustion enhancing agent and is accessible for combustion and
ultimate burning. The combustion enhancing agent remaining after
combustion of the combustible liquid is substantially devoid of the
combustible liquid, thereby obviating further treatment or
purification of the combustion enhancing agent.
The nodules have a density less than the density of the water and
preferably less than the density of the liquid to be burned. It is
essential that the nodules float on the upper surface of the water
and preferably on the upper free surface of the liquid to be
burned. It is also preferred that the nodules float on the liquid
to be burned with only a portion of the nodule submerged below the
surface of the liquid to be burned. Nodules produced as previously
described generally have an apparent density of between about 6
pounds per cubic foot and 30 pounds per cubic foot. Nodules with a
density of the above range have exhibited a high degree of
efficiency when used in this process.
Another preferred property of the combustion enhancing agent is
that the agent have a chemical composition that is inert and
unreactive with the material to be burned as well as with the
surrounding atmosphere and the body of water on which it floats.
The cellular ceramic nodule is chemically inert with respect to
combustible liquid hydrocarbons, air and water so that the surface
morphology of the nodule will not be altered substantially during
the combustion process and the density and other desirable
properties of the nodule will not be altered substantially during
the combustion of the combustible liquid thereon.
Although it is preferred that the outer surface of the cellular
ceramic nodule be irregular and textured with a continuum of
contiguous concave cell portions, it is preferred that the gross
configuration of the nodule be substantially spherical. The
substantially spherical configuration provides greater efficiency
and is therefore preferred. However, the process can be practiced
even with an inventory of nodules that exhibit a substantial degree
of nonsphericity.
The size of the cellular ceramic nodule is a function of several
parameters, among which are the nature of the liquid to be burned;
the specific composition and unique morphology of the cellular
ceramic nodule employed; the cell size of the nodule; the ambient
physical conditions around the system comprising the nodule; the
combustible liquid to be burned, and the underlying water; and the
temperature and other physical and chemical characteristics
internal to the system comprising the nodules and the two liquids.
In some relatively common circumstances nodules having a diameter
of between about one-eighth inch and one-half inch were found
suitable for use in this process. In use with common crude oil and
other petroleum products, nodules having a diameter of about
one-fourth inch were found to be highly effective for use in this
process.
It is believed that the thermal properties of the cellular ceramic
nodules contribute substantially to the combustion process. The
efficiency of combustion and of liquid removal are substantially
enhanced where the combustion enhancing agent operates in the
physical system as a thermal insulator between the body of water
and the film of combustible liquid on the surface of the nodule.
The nodules used in this process have a thermal conductivity
substantially lower than the combustible liquid. With crude
petroleum, other common petroleum products and other hydrocarbon
liquids, nodules having a thermal conductivity of between about
0.40 and 0.50 Btu./hr./sq.ft./.degree.F./in. at 75.degree. F.
function extremely efficiently and result in the complete
combustion and removal of the combustible liquid with no residue
remaining in the system.
To maintain a continued burning efficiency, it is also desirable
that the melting point of the nodules be substantially higher than
the flash point and combustion temperature of the combustible
liquid. The cellular ceramic nodules produced according to the
above described process maintain their physical integrity and
surface morphology up to temperatures of about 1,600.degree. F. The
use of nodules having a high melting point is also desirable
because the process has been found to enhance both the temperature
and the rate of combustion for a given combustible liquid. The high
melting point enables and supports extremely rapid and complete
combustion of the combustible liquid and reduces the amount of
unburned hydrocarbons introduced into the atmosphere.
It appears, as the nodules float in the liquid to be burned, that
the liquid is lifted from the layer in two ways. First, the liquid
forms a thin film around the exposed outer surface of each cellular
ceramic nodule and that film is maintained in place by the
attractive or adhesive forces generated by the intermolecular
forces and attractions between the molecules of the liquid and the
cellular glass nodules. Secondly, it is believed that surface
capillarity on the surface of the nodule takes place in that
preferentially the film of combustible liquid rises onto the
exposed nodule surface from the surrounding layer of combustible
liquid and the film is continually replaced from the layer by this
surface capillarity.
Because of the formation of the thin film of liquid around each
nodule and the continued replacement of the liquid, the process
functions efficiently if only a monolayer, or partial monolayer, of
cellular ceramic nodules are positioned on the surface of the
combustible liquid.
The ignition and combustion of the combustible liquid is sustained
in a combustion zone which may be defined as the upper or exposed
surface of the cellular ceramic nodules remote from the underlying
body of water. In most instances, the creation of the thin film of
liquid permits ignition of the liquid by the mere application of
heat by means of an open flame on the upper surface of the nodules.
In some circumstances, however, where the combustible liquid is not
readily ignitable, an igniter such as a highly flammable fluid
which has a relatively low flash point can be added to the
combustible liquid to facilitate ignition of the combustible
liquid. It should be noted, however, that only a relatively small
amount of the igniter need be added to the combustible liquid to
initiate ignition. After ignition is initiated there is a flame
spread across the other nodules in the layer to propagate
combustion throughout the entire layer of nodules.
During combustion the amount of liquid supplied to the combustion
zone, that is the upper surface of the cellular ceramic nodules,
is, in this process, optimized in the sense that sufficient liquid
is supplied to the combustion zone to support rapid, high
temperature combustion while excess combustible liquid is
maintained below or out of the combustion zone, thereby preventing
the wasteful transfer of heat through the combustible liquid to
portions of that liquid not being burned in the combustion zone. In
addition, the zone of combustion is maintained at the upper surface
of the cellular ceramic nodules which have the previously discussed
thermal insulating properties, thereby separating the heat source
from the underlying water and minimizing the heat loss to the body
of water therebelow.
With their low thermal conductivity, the nodules function as
thermal insulators during combustion thereby preventing loss of
heat to the underlying water and confining and concentrating the
available heat to the region of combustion in the thin film of
liquid on the surface of the nodules.
The creation and maintenance of a restricted and insulated
combustion zone with a continuous supply of combustible material
provides a highly efficient thermal system effecting complete
combustion of the liquid at unusually high temperatures and rapid
combustion rates. The observed combustion obtained with this
process leaves substantially no residue on the surface of the water
other than the nodules and provides less noxious fumes and
smoke.
The impervious nature of the cellular ceramic nodules prevents the
absorption of liquid into the nodules themselves with the result
that all of the liquid is maintained available for combustion and
the surface area of the nodules remains unchanged throughout the
process to provide a relatively fixed combustion zone.
A substantially spherical shape of the nodules is preferred in
their use in this process because the spherical characteristic
provides only point contact between contiguous nodules so as not to
interfere substantially with capillary spaces between the nodules.
It is also believed that the surface morphology of a spherical
nodule contributes substantially to the film formation of the
combustible liquid previously discussed.
In certain circumstances, such as on a large body of water, it is
not always possible to completely cover the surface of the
combustible liquid with a layer of cellular ceramic nodules. It
appears, however, during the combustion process, that the
combustible liquid is drawn into the area of the nodules and
upwardly into the combustion zone by the kinetic effects of
combustion and the intermolecular cohesion between the liquid
molecules and adhesion between the liquid molecules and the
cellular ceramic nodule. Where necessary, the process can be
performed over successive areas of the body of water by confining
the combustion process within a suitable boundary element such as a
floating ceramic or insulated metal container or fence. The
following examples are merely illustrative and are not intended to
limit this invention.
EXAMPLES
The process was practiced in a cylindrical container having a
height of about 20 inches and a diameter of about 10 feet and
filled with water to a location within about 6 inches of the brim.
Motion was imparted to the water by wave machine to form waves
having a 4 to 5 inch height. As a comparison, a test was performed
in which the water was covered with a relatively thin film of Ohio
crude oil which was readily ignited without the presence of
cellular ceramic nodules but which was incapable of sustaining
combustion without the addition of a combustion enhancing agent.
Without the cellular ceramic nodules a large amount of unburned
residue remained after combustion terminated and it appeared that
only the low boiling constituents of the Ohio crude oil were
consumed. In a subsequent test, cellular ceramic nodules having a
diameter of about one-fourth inch and an apparent density of 17
pounds per cubic foot were floated on the upper surface of the
layer of Ohio crude oil. It appeared that a film of the crude oil
formed on the upper surface of the nodules. The film on the upper
surface of the nodules was ignited by an open flame from a propane
torch and could be considered as almost instantaneous. Combustion
of the crude oil with the nodules floating on the upper surface
thereof was extremely rapid and self-sustaining. After the
combustion had terminated, the nodules were examined and the nodule
surfaces were dry and substantially devoid of oil. The surface of
the body of water was clean with little or no residue remaining.
The temperature of the water adjacent the upper surface thereof
appeared to be substantially the same as the temperature of the
water a substantial distance therebelow, indicating that little, if
any, of the heat of combustion was transferred through the nodules
to the body of water therebelow.
Another series of tests were conducted using a commercially
available grade of motor oil rated at SAE 30, HD-1 certified 101-B
and 6041-M. The motor oil had a flash point of 430.degree. F. and a
fire point 480.degree. F. From the combustion it did not appear
that the motor oil contained any highly volatile hydrocarbon
fractions. A layer of the motor oil was poured onto the upper
surface of a body of water. Without the nodules, the oil could not
be ignited with a propane torch. The addition of a low flash point
igniting agent did not sustain combustion of the motor oil without
the nodule combustion enhancing agent.
A layer of cellular ceramic nodules having a diameter of about
one-fourth inch and an apparent density of about 17 pounds per
cubic foot were floated on the upper surface of the motor oil. A
few millimeters of a low flash point igniting agent were added to
the motor oil at one location on the surface. The motor oil in the
vicinity of the igniting agent was easily ignited by an open flame
from a propane torch. After ignition, combustion was continuous and
spread over the entire surface of the container. It appeared that
combustion was taking place on the upper surface of the cellular
ceramic nodules. The combustion of the motor oil was rapid and
complete. The surface of the water after combustion terminated
appeared clean with little or no residue remaining and the cellular
ceramic nodules were dry and substantially devoid of residue.
A third series of tests under equivalent conditions were conducted
with Ohio crude oil using 1/4 inch cubes of foamed polyurethane
instead of cellular ceramic nodules. In those tests, combustion was
not self-sustaining and a substantial amount of heavy oil residue
remained. In addition, the urethane absorbed a substantial volume
of oil, forming a sticky mass which exuded large amounts of oil
when squeezed or compressed.
A similar series of tests were performed using polystyrene beads as
a combustion enhancing agent. The polystyrene beads produced very
poor combustion with rapid degredation of the polystyrene leaving a
charred layer of carbonaceous material and a heavy unburned oil
residue.
As will be apparent from the above description, the process of this
invention provides a means for ignition and complete combustion of
a liquid with complete combustion of even the heavy and less
combustible constituents of that liquid. Combustion occurs rapidly
and at high temperatures, reducing the volume and noxious nature of
the smoke and fumes produced thereby avoiding or reducing pollution
of the atmosphere. The water on which the layer of combustible
liquid was floating is left clean and uncontaminated and the
nodules remaining present no problem and do not require removal
from the area. The nodules as previously discussed are
substantially free of the oil residue and if left on the surface of
the water are not harmful to human beings or to plants or animals.
Eventually, the nodules will abrade against each other and
disintegrate, or if washed up on a beach or stream bank, will
eventually disintegrate by abrasion due to wave action and be
assimilated into the soil of the area. The nodules, although made
of a glassy or ceramic material, do not have sharp edges in the
sense that they do not cut the surface of the skin and are
therefore harmless to persons coming in contact with the cellular
ceramic nodules.
According to the provisions of the patent statutes, we have
explained the principle, preferred construction and mode of
operation of our invention and have illustrated and described what
we now consider to represent its best embodiment.
* * * * *