Bangladeshi Scientist Discovered Oil Absorber Machine

Oil Absorber Machine

Scientist of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Md. Faruk Bin Hossain (Yamin) discovered a new machine for the removal of oil from river or sea water. He was successful in the initial test.

After the recent oil tanker sunk in the Sundarbans, the local people took charge of removing the oil from the river. Men, women and children used their bare hands to try and clean the river from the spill. This deeply moved Md. Faruk Bin Hossain Yamin, a scientist of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute. At great risk of his own health, he began working on how to mechanically remove this oil at a low cost.

From this idea, he created an oil removal device. The device created was small in size but was able to successfully remove oil and there is scope to make it into a bigger structure. Yamin said there are two parts to this device - an oil absorber and a pump. The oil absorber has the capability of sucking out oil of a certain layer. This is built in a way that it absorbs the oil and makes it flow inwards. This absorbed oil is then collected with the help of the pump. Hence, the collector is filled with oil and some water. If the bottom valve of the collector is opened, the layer of water will flow out while only the oil will remain. This can later be transferred to a larger container.

If the device is constructed with steel and larger dimensions, each unit of this machine will be of 20 feet length. Also, the dimensions of the device can be altered depending on the depth of the layer of oil.

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Account BenefitAccording to Yamin, for a 20 feet device, a diesel pump with a horse power of 8W to 10W will be required, which will be capable of removing 40-50,000 liters of oil successfully. This capacity is dependent on the horse power of the pump. This means how many units will be required depends on the width of the river and the amount of oil. To build such a device using local material will cost around Tk. 1.5-2 lakhs.

The device was tested initially at the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute's pond on Monday and Yamin has stated that it functioned successfully. Yamin said that after an accident occurs and oil spills in a river, immediately the area of spillage should be restricted with rubber tubes or rubber domes. This will prevent the oil from being spread further. Later, this device could be used to remove almost 80-90% of the oil.

The device absorbs 70% oil and 30% water. The two can later be separated and the oil can also be used again after processing. "I want to help the country with this device. If authorities from any ministry or government approach me to aid them in disaster management, I will make a large scale version of the device" added Yamin, who also went on to say that he would be willing to work for any large commercial companies if they are willing.