Oil recovery method in ice conditions by means of magnetic field and finely dispersed magnetite

Abstract

The oil spill response using skimmer systems in the glacial seas continues to be relevant in world practice. A complex approach based on the combination of oil slick dispersion by solid fine magnetic particles and skimmer cleaning, the operative parts of which are equipped with metallic magnetized bristles, has been proposed as a promising and innovative solution. Application of finely dispersed magnetite – ferromagnetic spherical particles (iron oxides) as fine solid particles to create stable Pickering emulsions with formation of oil-ferromagnetic units is considered. Mathematical modeling has been performed to estimate the possibility of extraction of such oil-ferromagnetic units from water-oil emulsion under the influence of nonhomogeneous magnetic field created by magnetized steel bristles of skimmer operative parts. The results obtained confirmed the possibility of a practical application of the solution proposed by the authors to improve the efficiency of mechanical cleaning of oil spills in glacial seas.