Materials and methods for photocatalyzing oxidation of organic compounds on water
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsAdam Heller, James R. Brock
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Abstract
A bead having an exterior surface which is at least partially coated with a material that under illumination and in the presence of air is capable of accelerating the oxidation of organic compounds floating on water. The coated bead is water floatable and has an equivalent diameter of less than about 2 mm, preferably on the order of 10-30 microns. These coated beads can be used to accelerate under illumination oxidation of a floating oil film (e.g. from an oil spill) by dispersing the coated beads in the film and allowing them to be exposed to solar illumination and oxygen.
Claims35
A method for treating an oil film floating on a body of water, comprising the steps of:
- dispersing a plurality of water floatable particles on such an oil film, the particles comprising a material that under illumination and in the presence of air is capable of accelerating the oxidation of organic compounds in the oil film;
- and
- allowing the particles to be exposed to solar illumination and ambient air such that the particles accelerate the oxidation of organic compounds in the oil film.
A method for treating an oil film floating on a body of water, comprising the steps of:
- dispersing a plurality of beads on such an oil film, the beads being at least partically coated with a material that under illumination and in the presence of air is capable of accelerating the oxidation of organic compounds in the oil film, each coated bead being water floatable and having an equivalent diameter of less than about 2 mm;
- and
- allowing the coated beads to be exposed to solar illumination and ambient air such that the coating material accelerates the oxidation of organic compounds in the oil film.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.