Oil slick disposal - by electrolytic thermal pyrolysis between towed electrode plates

摘要

Oil slicks or other oil residues floating on surface waters are removed by electrolytic and thermal pyrolysis and decompsn. A buoyant structure, towed by a boat, carries a horizontal lower anode plate and a parallel cathode plate above it at a distance of 1 mm. to 1 m. A voltage of 2-10,000 V (12-50 V) is applied between the electrodes and the oil is decomposed at a current density of 0.1-100A/mm2 (1-50A/mm2). This makes use of the large amt. of energy released by an electrolytic-thermal decompsn. of NO2 for the pyrolytic decompsn. of oil slicks to volatile or innocuous prods. of dissociation.