Posted on 05/14/2010 10:13:46 PM PDT by Kirkwood
NEW ORLEANS -- A longtime Hollywood star is now in the Metro area and in the business of cleaning up oil.
Motivated by the Exxon-Valdez oil spill, Kevin Costner began assembling a team of scientists to construct a machine that could clean up massive spills. A decade and a half later, that technology might now be put to use off the coast of Louisiana.
A massive oil slick creeping to the coast, vulnerable Louisiana wildlife just miles from its path, and Kevin Costner mingling on the lakefront. These are unusual times, and the Hollywood star is introducing his unusual machine -- one designed to separate oil from water.
(Excerpt) Read more at wwltv.com ...
Didn’t find this posted already using a title and keyword search.
They say oil and water don’t mix so I guess it is POSSIBLE to separate them. But it what kind of volume can you do it?
Does this mean we can still use the oil he sucks up this way?
You win the prize.
First of all, I believe that Costner and his team does not need BP's approval to take their contraption into the Gulf. If Costner's team had any entrepreneurial sense, they would simply go out that and show that it works. If they get a contract, then continue. If not, pack up and go home.
Apparently the device already exists despite what the title suggests. Whether or not Costner actually invented it is in doubt. Could be he simply invested in the company that invented it many years ago and he’s trying to recoup his investment and get some free publicity.
Cream separators have been in use for over a hundred years that separated cream from milk. I’m sure the principle would be the same for this machine.
The only issue would be particle contamination in the water. You don’t have to deal with that with milk...
You know, the one that broke him financially?
/johnny
Next we’ll have Sean Penn and his row boat to the rescue.
There already are oil skimmers out there in the Gulf, so I’m not sure this is anything new.
But maybe this will spare us by him not acting for awhile.
If Costner has a machine that can efficiently remove crude oil from seawater, and wants a go at the slick, why not?
If it's really good, maybe he can sell the recovered oil (marine salvage?) as well, and not just depend on a cleanup contract for revenue.
One of the beauties of America has traditionally been that someone with an idea can make a go of it, even Hollywood actors.
Early 1990s technology:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrZ2_Mj3LUg&feature=related
I thought he was going to propose stuffing and plugging the exposed hole with VHS/DVD copies of WATER WORLD that have never sold.
I for one appreciate someone trying a practical solution. I hope it works and he makes a fortune. Good on him.
Yeah, that was the plan, but Dennis Hopper wasn’t available to keep an eye on the situation.
Yeah... their level of concern is pretty pathetic right now.
But inventor Wayne Bennett said despite his constant calls to BP, he’s yet to hear back. "So far we've had no luck,” said Bennett.
Do they need BP's permission? Go out there and collect your oil! BP lost it so they have no claim on it.
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