OIL-SPILL RECOVERY

Seamless mesh produced from identical molecular weight (i.e. polypropylene) to oil will mimic an oil slick's movement on the water, even in extreme weather due to the freedom of movement of the individual parts. This breaks the surface tension created by the slick.

Oil then moves into the mesh through capillary action and sticks to it, hanging onto the free-moving 3D mesh structure. Once the mesh containing the oil is removed from the water, the mesh can be water blasted, removing the oil into a containment tank, which is then pumped into a containment system. For smaller spills it can be stored in a containment system and later recovered. The mesh is then immediately reusable. This patented application not only protects the shores and ecosystem from destruction, but also enables the recovered oil to be re-used and not dumped or burnt as existing methods dictate.