The Oil Tanker Worth your Thoughts?

The results of midnight oil I've been burning in the previous years...

Article courtesy of Kristi Sayles.



Dr. Chaalal, Adjunct Professor of the Chemical Engineering and Process Department-United Arab Emirates University, has designed a tanker for recovering lost oil.

A recovery ship carries a large tank filled with seawater. When the ship approaches an oil slick, it opens a series of holes in the bottom of the tank; the movement of the ship's hull forces the oil past the holes. Because oil is less dense than seawater, it rises to the top of the tank and gradually displaces all the seawater. The holes are then closed and the ship returns to dock to unload the oil.

Explaining the technique, Dr Chaalal says the recovery ship carries a large tank filled with seawater.

When the ship approaches an oil slick, it opens a series of holes in the bottom of the hull to connect the water in the tank to the water outside. Just like a glass full of water which is upturned in a filled sink.

The water in the tank does not flood out as long as the holes remain unchanged. As the ship moves along, its specially designed hull shape forces any oil it encounters underneath the boat pass the holes.

"Because oil is less dense than seawater, it rises up through the holes to the top of the tank." Dr. Chaalal explains. "As the oil builds up in the tank, it gradually displaces the seawater until it contains nothing but oil. The holes are closed and the ship returns to dock to unload its catch."

Dr Mohamed said Dr Chaalal also demonstrated the technique using a 60cm long scale model in a tank containing a one-litre 'slick' of crude oil. To simulate sea conditions, the tank was agitated. In only a couple of minutes, the boat recovered 99 per cent of the oil.

Dr Will Hendry, Operations Supervisor for Briggs Environmental Services, a counter-pollution specialist based in Aberdeen, Scotland, said the idea will certainly be welcomed by the oil industry