Proteinaceous oil spill dispersant
AssigneeNurture, Inc.
InventorRichard Potter
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a substantially intact proteinaceous particulate material that is effective as an oil spill dispersant composition. In a preferred respect, the invention is a grain product (such as oats) from which lipids are removed through organic solvent extraction. When such compositions are applied to an oil spill, they will adsorb oil, emulsify it, and finally disperse the oil with high efficiency. Moreover, the compositions are substantially non-toxic.
Claims26
A method for dispersing an oil spill in open water, comprising the steps of:
- providing an dispersant comprising a proteinaceous particulate material comprising milled seed material having oil sorptive and emulsifying properties;
- and
- applying said dispersant to the oil spill on top of the water to disperse at least a portion of said oil spill wherein said proteinaceous particulate functions as a primary emulsifier for said oil.
A method for cleaning a solid surface contaminated with petroleum oil, comprising the steps of:
- providing a proteinaceous particulate material comprising milled seed material having oil sorptive and emulsifying properties;
- applying said proteinaceous material to said surface in such a manner that said proteinaceous material becomes intimately associated with said oil and sorbs said oil to form a proteinaceous material/oil combination that is readily dispensable in water;
- and
- rinsing with water to remove said proteinaceous material and said oil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.