The system of separating water and oil is one that can be laborious and expensive. Fortunately, engineering researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have come up with a simpler yet more efficient method of removing oil from water: magnetic nanoparticles.
“It’s a simple idea,” stated Hugh Daigle, a petroleum and geosystems engineering professor. “We are leveraging the magnetic properties of these nanoparticles to get them to stick to the oil droplets and essentially magnetize the oil droplets so they can be pulled out with a magnet.”
According to Science Daily, Daigle and his colleagues were inspired by the versatility of nanoparticles, which are tiny particles that can be coated with different chemicals and utilized in a vast range of areas and industries. Nanoparticles have seen use in the fields of medicine and electronics, and this prompted the team to explore the possible uses of nanoparticles in oil production. (Related: Silver nanoparticle solutions can treat difficult mouth infections.)
For this purpose, the team designed positively-charged surface coatings for magnetic nanoparticles. When exposed to oil, these nanoparticles would latch onto the negatively-charged oil droplets via electrostatic attractive force. In situations where the reverse is in effect, then the magnetic nanoparticles can be coated with negatively-charged surfaces for target substances with positive charges. The entire process has been documented and described in a study published in the Journal of Nanoparticle Research.
“This new technique is really aimed at removing that little bit of oil in that water that needs to be removed before you can consider it treated,” explained Saebom Ko, a research associate in the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering. “The advantage of employing magnetic nanoparticles is that the small oil droplets that attach to the nanoparticles are much more quickly separated from water than traditional physical separation processes because magnetic force can be orders of magnitude larger than gravitation.”
On the use of their nanoparticles in oil and gas production, Ko had this to say: “We are currently developing a chemical-free regeneration process to reuse nanoparticles. Other regeneration methods use chemicals to extract the oil, resulting in production of other hazardous waste. We believe that by recycling and reusing nanoparticles, it could not only reduce operational costs, but it could be an environmentally friendly process that reduces hazardous waste.”
Since their technique is flexible and easy to execute (taking mere seconds in laboratory tests), Ko, Daigle, and the other members of the team believe that it has applications beyond that in onshore and offshore drilling operations. For one, they’ve considered utilizing the nanoparticles to develop a more efficient method of cleaning up oil spills in the ocean. Another possibility is using the nanoparticles to remove contaminants, like lead and mercury, from drinking water.
For more stories covering scientific achievements, simply visit Scientific.news. You can also drop by Environ.news to read up on any current events about the environment.
Frances Bloomfield
Sources include:
ScienceDaily.com
Link.Springer.com
Related Posts
Published by dreddymd
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD focus on Biological Medicine (Biologische Medizin) #Biological #Medicine #videos http://bit.ly/2LF3Ro3, Darkfield Microscopy (Dunkelfeld Mikroskopie), Orthomolecular Medicine (Orthomolekulare Medizin), Ayurvedic Medicine (Ayurveda), Psychosomatic Medicine (Psychosomatische Medizin), raw food (Rohkost), fasting (Fasten):
Our primary integrative medicine goal is the maintenance of your health and wellness, and we are committed to safe and effective healthcare.
Our specialties include online integrative medicine education by alternative doctor: food and allergy management through the use of Integrative medical therapy, Environmental Medicine, General Family Medicine, Ayurveda, Panchakarma, Chronic Fatigue, ADHD, autism, Fibromyalgia, Yeast/Fungus related diseases – Candidacies, mercury dental replacement and detoxification, Natural Thyroid Replacement, Weight loss, Lyme Disease, Irritable Bowel Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Addiction related programs, Intestinal Dysbiosis, as well as trigger point therapy using Neural Therapy.
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD, physician from Germany, consultant and teacher in biological medicine, especially dark field microscopy known as Live Blood Analysis in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines. But he lecture also in the USA, Canada and the U.A.E. He speaks english and german.
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/the-interactive-live-blood-cd-and-the-certified-training-live-blood-analysis-online-course/
https://dreddymd.com/courses/
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/live-blood-microscopy-analysis-darkfield-course/
“Let thy Food be thy Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food.” — Hippocrates
Physician Member of the Medical Board at AOX Singapore,
Medical Doctor at Nurse Mobile Clinic and
Physician at DrEddy Clinic
Our Mission:
The mission of the Integrative Medicine is to search for the most effective treatments for patients by combining both conventional and alternative approaches that address all aspects of health and wellness – biological, psychological, social and spiritual. Biological Medicine is a big part of my work and so is Dark field Microscopy, what I use in my daily practice and what I teach more then 15 years in Asia and around the world: Live Blood Analysis in dark field based on Haematology.
We utilize Live blood analysis since 2004, conventional as well as specialty laboratories for a thorough diagnostic work up of the disease in question. Our integrative medicine treatment regimens are especially unique and are tailored specifically to the individual needs of each patient.
Our Mission: don’t harm, prevent, use food as medicine
We are a reliable partner for integrative medicine in Medical Spa & Clinic Development and integrative medicine Education Training for alternative doctors – we bring different holistic approaches, like Integrative Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda Medicine together. On your request we offer our service in your place as well.
Heavy metal poisoning
Heavy metal poisoning is much more common than most people realize, and if you’re thinking that it doesn’t apply to you because you haven’t been exposed to any, think again. If you’ve eaten fish regularly, had amalgam fillings, received vaccinations, drank contaminated water, or done industrial or agricultural work or pharmaceutical manufacturing, there’s a good chance that you have a fair amount of toxic metals in your system..
We are here to help and to educate!
Wishing your health and happiness
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD
We are affiliated The Wellness Company https://bit.ly/3V726zc
The Wellness Company Coupon for membership, supplements, doctor appointment, online consultation https://bit.ly/3V5NsIy
DrEddyClinic is affiliate of Amazon and get commission for the products, which we recommend https://www.amazon.com/shop/dreddyclinic , same as GlobalHealing https://dreddymd.com/shop/supplements/
View all posts by dreddymd
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 