Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer

INL Scientist Develops Oil Spill Remedy
Inspired by the 1988 oil spill on the Monongahela River, Idaho National Laboratory chemist and inventor David Meikrantz applied his expertise in nuclear fuel and waste separations technology to separate oil from water for cleanup and recovery of the spill. He invented a new oil-water separation process using centrifugal contactors, for which he received a patent in 1990. The technology was licensed and used in the aftermath of the 1989 Exxon-Valdez oil spill in Alaska. Meikrantz subsequently worked at a privately held company, and created four more patented inventions to improve the technology's efficiency and effectiveness. The explosion of the BP oil rig and the subsequent leak into the Gulf of Mexico required an effective, efficient, and immediate response. Tests by BP and government agencies proved that the V20 version of the centrifugal contactor separation technology is effective. BP ordered 32 V20 units immediately; that has been followed by significant interest by others, including Norway. A new company formed by actor Kevin Costner, Ocean Therapy Solutions, based in Santa Barbara, California is working with CINC Manufacturing, and will be providing the first 32 V20 units as well as any additional requests.