SBIR (RAPID):Process Development to Restore Osorb Swelling Glass Fouled While Recovering Gulf Oil-Water Mixtures

这项RAPID提案将进行紧急研究和开发，以适应Osorb（一种亲有机可膨胀玻璃）的使用，用于修复墨西哥黄金的原油污染。提议者已经在围绕纳米工程Osorb材料的独特特性设计先进的水净化系统。在深水地平线钻井平台发生事故之前，我们一直在与油气公司合作，积极开发使用Osorb来净化采油和采收率的系统。待处理的水包括采出水和压裂液。我们现在的商业任务是重新设计我们的系统，以处理被海湾原油污染的海水。初步测试已经确定了我们在研发方面需要解决的一系列关键挑战，这些挑战集中在开发方法来快速恢复改良采出水处理系统中的Osorb，以处理重风化石油输入。解决再生问题的策略将从试验台水平开始，并有可能在充分利用NSF资金的基础上迅速发展到全面的工程设计。目的是在45天内完成该项目。这项工作的广泛影响将是为墨西哥湾和其他地方的原油污染修复提供一种新的工艺和材料系统。Osorb材料有潜力解决清理过程中的一个关键挑战（去除和处理某些乳剂），因此大大加强和加快清理工作。它也有可能在当前危机之外带来巨大的社会和经济效益。

This RAPID proposal will perform urgent research and development to adapt the use of Osorb, an organophilic swellable glass, for remediation of crude oil contamination in the Guld of Mexico. The proposer is already developing advanced water purification systems designed around the unique properties of the nano-engineered Osorb material. Prior to the Deepwater Horizon accident, we were actively working on systems to use Osorb to purify water produced in oil extraction and recovery with partnering oil and gas companies. The waters to be treated included produced water and frac fluids. We are now being tasked commercially to re-engineer our systems to handle ocean water contaminated with crude oil from the gulf. Preliminary testing has identified a key series of challenges that need to be addressed on our research and development side which center about developing methods to rapidly restore the Osorb in modified produced water treatments systems to handle heavy weathered petroleum inputs. The strategy to solve the regeneration problem will start at the bench level and has the potential to rapidly progress to full scale engineering designs, based on leveraging the NSF funding. The intent is to complete the project in 45 days.The broader impact of this work will be to provide a new process and material system for remediation of crude oil contamination in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere. The Osorb material has the potential to solve a key challenge in the clean-up process (removal and disposal of certain emulsions) and therefore to greatly enhance and accelerate the clean-up effort. It also has the potential for large societal and economic benefits beyond the current crisis.