09 March 2004 12:24
Russian scientists develop oil removing technology on shoestring budget
[Presenter] A new way of protecting nature from harmful industrial affects [has been developed]. Scientists from
Ivanovo propose a quick method of treating oil spills in water. The technology is based on the unique properties of yet
another discovery - magnetic fluid. All the details are in the report from Ivanovo.
[Correspondent Anna Sokulina] An accident at a refinery. Some R500,000 [17,500 dollars] is required to treat the
river. While the company was searching for money, the oil slick moved along the Volga River.
Ivanovo scientists have been proposing a fast way of water treatment for several years. The oil can be easily
collected with the help of magnetic fluid, they say.
[Unidentified scientist] When you take a magnet to magnetic fluid, the magnet starts attracting the fluid. The liquid
follows the magnetic field upwards.
[Correspondent] The technology was developed at the Ivanovo Energy University. The laboratory model of an emergency
situation has been created. Magnetic fluid was dispersed on spilled oil using an ordinary pump. An electric magnet was
placed in the centre of the container. When switched on, it starts to attract the oil.
[Nikolay Morozov, captioned as candidate of technical sciences] The idea of the [pilot] unit is to collect a thin
film of magnetized petroleum products in order to skim it without water.
[Correspondent] Environmentalists approve of the scientists' idea. In Ivanovo Region alone, up to 48 t of oil
gets spilled every year. In spring, diesel fuel and fuel oil go into rivers together with water from melted snow.
[Yevgeniy Saburov, captioned as environmentalist] This is an acute problem. We have learned to deal with a thick
slick, there are special oil-collecting devices and special systems to separate water from oils. However, lighter
petroleum products, starting with diesel fuel, cannot be handled so far.
[Correspondent] Magnetic liquid has been used in other spheres for a long time. Astronauts are using it to assemble
space stations. In space, liquid lubricants boil and evaporate. The solution could be used in agriculture as well, the
scientists say.
One litre of magnetic fluid costs 3,000 dollars. There is no money in regional coffers for the project. The Ivanovo
authorities say that the state should finance it.
[Nikolay Zimin, captioned as deputy governor of Ivanovo Region] Any fundamental scientific research should naturally
be financed by the federal budget. If this is not done, only those directions that provide immediate payback will
survive in science.
[Correspondent] The Ivanovo scientists' technology has already aroused interest abroad. It received a gold medal
at the international innovation salon in Brussels last year. The idea will see a real implementation in Russia only when
small businesses get interested in it.
Anna Sokulina, Aleksandr Bykov, Trio news agency, specially for NTV.
[NTV] |
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