Systems and methods for removing oil from fluid streams

Abstract

The invention provides systems and methods for removing a target oil from an aqueous fluid stream using a capture medium. In embodiments, the capture medium can comprise an anchor substrate and a modifier technology supported on the anchor substrate, where the modifier technology complexes with the oil to form a removable complex.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for removing a target oil from an aqueous fluid stream, comprising:
 a capture medium that complexes with the oil to form a removable complex that can be removed from the aqueous fluid stream, thereby removing the target oil from the aqueous fluid stream,   
       wherein the capture medium comprises an anchor substrate and a modifier technology supported on the anchor substrate, the modifier technology complexing with the oil to form the removable complex. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor substrate has a density greater than that of the oil. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor substrate has a density less than that of the oil. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor substrate comprises a plurality of loose particles or fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor substrate is formed as a formed article. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the formed article is selected from the group consisting of a sheet, a fibrous network, a screen, a plurality of elongated fibers, an agglomeration of particulate matter, a mop, a boom, an open-cell foam mass, a closed-cell foam mass, and a swab. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the modifier technology comprises an oleophilic capture substance. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the modifier technology further comprises an attachment technology that modifies the surface of the anchor substrate to attach the oleophilic capture substance thereto. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment technology comprises a physical modification of the surface of the anchor substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment technology comprises a mechanical mechanism for adhering the oleophilic capture substance to the surface of the anchor substrate. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment technology comprises an attachment chemical that attaches the oleophilic capture substance to the surface of the anchor substrate. 
     
     
         12 . A method for removing a target oil from an aqueous fluid stream, comprising:
 preparing a capture medium comprising an anchor substrate and a modifier technology supported on the anchor substrate, wherein the modifier technology complexes with the target oil to form a removable complex,   deploying the capture medium into contact with the target oil,   directing the capture medium to contact the target oil for a contact time such that the capture medium forms a removable complex with the target oil,   removing the removable complex from the aqueous fluid stream, thereby removing the target oil from the aqueous fluid stream,   
       wherein the step of preparing takes place before the step of deploying. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor substrate has a density greater than that of the oil. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor substrate has a density less than that of the oil. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor substrate comprises a plurality of loose particles or fibers. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the anchor substrate is formed as a formed article. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the formed article is selected from the group consisting of a sheet, a fibrous network, a screen, a plurality of elongated fibers, an agglomeration of particulate matter, a mop, a boom, an open-cell foam mass, a closed-cell foam mass, and a swab. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the modifier technology comprises an oleophilic capture substance. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the modifier technology further comprises an attachment technology that modifies the surface of the anchor substrate to attach the oleophilic capture substance thereto. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the attachment technology comprises a physical modification of the surface of the anchor substrate. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the attachment technology comprises an attachment chemical that attaches the oleophilic capture substance to the surface of the anchor substrate. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of disposing of the removable complex. 
     
     
         23 . A method for removing a target oil from an aqueous fluid stream, comprising:
 combining the anchor substrate and a modifier technology supported on the anchor substrate to form a capture medium, wherein the modifier technology complexes with the target oil to form a removable complex,   contacting the capture medium with the fluid stream bearing the target oil for a contact time such that the capture medium forms a removable complex with the target oil, and removing the removable complex from the aqueous fluid stream, thereby removing the target oil from the aqueous fluid stream.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of combining takes place simultaneously with or following the step of contacting. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of contacting further includes a step of directing the fluid stream into contact with the capture medium for the contact time.