# US 8,772,219 B1 · Oil spill bioremediation compositions and processes for use

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- Number: US 8,772,219 B1
- Document ID: US8772219B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/838,848
- Filed: 2013-03-15
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15
- Assignees: Clean Control Corporation
- Applicants: Clean Control Corporation
- Inventors: Cory S. Hammock; Stephen Davison
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8772219B1

## CPC

- B01D 17/047: {with separation aids}
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)

## Abstract

Oil remediation compositions and methods for preparing such compositions are disclosed. The oil remediation compositions comprise particles of a first wax ester, such as a synthetic beeswax, and an anti-caking agent. The anti-caking agent may be a natural cellulosic material, such as particulate hay. In methods for preparing these compositions, the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the composition may be adjusted by adding a second wax ester or fatty acid ester with a different HLB to reach a desired HLB for the composition that is based on defined environmental conditions, such as the temperature and salinity of the water in which oil has been spilled, the nature of the oil spilled, and the degree of evaporation of organic compounds.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An oil remediation composition, comprising:
particles of a first wax ester, the particles having a size in the range of from about 10 μm to about 500 μm and a first hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB);
an anti-caking agent wherein the anti-caking agent is hay;
a second wax ester or fatty acid ester having a second HLB different from the first HLB, the second wax ester or fatty acid ester being present in a quantity sufficient to give the oil remediation composition a desired HLB different from the first HLB and the second HLB.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the first wax ester comprises a synthetic beeswax.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the hay has a particle size from about 100 μm to about 200 μm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the second wax ester or fatty acid ester comprises sorbitan monostearate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The composition of claim 4, wherein the sorbitan monostearate has a particle size from about 100 μm to about 200 μm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the particles of the first wax ester have a size from about 100 μm to about 200 μm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The composition of claim 1, wherein the first HLB is less than about 2.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The composition of claim 7, wherein the second HLB is greater than about 2.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The composition of claim 8, wherein the second HLB is in a range from about 2 to about 20.

### Claim 10

A method for preparing an oil remediation composition, comprising:
preparing particles of a first wax ester having a size in the range of about from about 10 μm to about 500 μm, the first wax ester having a first hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB);
adding an anti-caking agent wherein the anti-caking agent is hay;
determining a desired HLB for the oil remediation composition sufficient to form a water-in-oil emulsion using the oil remediation composition in defined environmental conditions; and
adding at least a second wax ester or fatty acid ester having a second HLB different from the first HLB in a quantity sufficient to achieve the desired HLB.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the first wax ester comprises a synthetic beeswax.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the second wax ester or fatty acid ester comprises sorbitan monostearate.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the defined environmental conditions comprise defined conditions of at least temperature and salinity.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the first HLB is less than about 2.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the second HLB is greater than about 2.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the first HLB is less than about 2 and the second HLB is in a range from about 2 to about 20.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the second wax ester has a melting point in the range of about 56-58° C.