Magnetization and manipulation of hydrophobic absorbents
The present invention includes a method of controlling an oil spill through introduction of a plurality of magnetizable particles into the oil spill in an amount sufficient to form a colloidal mixture. An absorbent is, also introduced into the oil spill to form an absorbent mixture. A magnetic field can be applied to the system to move, manipulate, or otherwise control the absorbent mixture in response to movement of the magnetic field.
1. A method of controlling an oil spill which comprises the steps of:
introducing a plurality of electrolytic iron oxide particles into the oil spill in an amount sufficient to form a colloidal mixture;
introducing an absorbent into the oil spill and colloidal mixture to form an absorbent mixture comprising the colloidal mixture, the absorbent, and oil from the oil spill;
applying a magnetic field to the absorbent mixture; and
moving the absorbent mixture in response to movement of the magnetic field.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the ratio of absorbent to electrolytic iron oxide particles in the absorbent mixture is 25:1 by volume.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the absorbent mixture is formed as a result of an electrostatic force between the electrolytic iron oxide particles and the absorbent.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein absorbent mixture is formed as a result of an adhesion force between the electrolytic iron oxide particles and the absorbent.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the magnetic field is used to lift the absorbent mixture in a direction away from a surface.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the oil from the oil spill is disposed in an aqueous solution that acts as a transport medium for the absorbent mixture.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of electrolytic iron oxide particles are sized on the micron-scale.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of electrolytic iron oxide particles are sized on the nano-scale.
9. There method of claim 8 wherein the colloidal mixture is formed as a result of a bond between the plurality of electrolytic iron oxide particles and oil from the oil spill.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the bond is at least partially formed from atomic forces.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the absorbent is a hydrophobic absorbent.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the absorbent is dried prior to introduction into the oil spill.