Nanotechnology and Oil Spills 1

Research Plan: Can Nanotechnology Help Clean Up Oil Spills?

Gursaagar Singh, Emran Habib, Conner Scherrep

November 13, 2017

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RATIONALE: BACKGROUND RESEARCH & INTRODUCTION

Background Research

Ferrofluid is a liquid that becomes magnetized when it comes in contact with a magnetic

field (Helmenstein). Ferrofluid becomes magnetic near a magnetic field because of the magnetic

nanoparticles that it contains (Scherer, and Neto). Ferrofluid contains 5% magnetic solid, 10%

surfactant, and 85% carrier (Ferro Tec).

When Ferrofluid is not near a magnetic field, the magnetic nanoparticles become

randomly distributed. Ferrofluid's magnetic nanoparticles can spread onto different liquids if

mixed together (University of Wisconsin-Madison). Neodymium magnets are the strongest

magnet available on the market, so the pickup of oil would be more effective when using a

neodymium magnet rather than another magnet (Fraden 73).

The current method that is being used to clean up oil spills is both costly and hazardous

to ocean life. The oil dispersant used in the BP Oil Spill, Corexit, costs $50 per gallon and is

non-reusable (McMillan). BP has bought over 1.6 million gallons of Corexit ever since 2010

(McMillan). That is over eighty-million dollars spent on oil dispersants since 2010. Ferrofluid

has many different prices from different manufacturers, but there is a seller selling Ferrofluid

with a price of ~$60 per gallon on Amazon (Amazon). Even though the Ferrofluid is more

expensive than Corexit, Ferrofluid is reusable and reaches more oil than Corexit since Corexit

only disperses surface oil (Dispersants Frequently Asked Questions). Corexit and is also four

times more toxic than the oil itself (Goodbody-Gringley). This research could contribute to the

cause of easing the process of cleaning up oil spills.

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Introduction

The oil dispersants used in the BP oil spill was four times more toxic then the oil

itself. Using Ferrofluid, oil can be magnetized then picked up by a magnet due to the mixing of

Ferro fluid’s magnetic nanoparticles and the oil. This can lessen the chance of harming oceanic

wildlife, since Ferrofluid could be re-used and picked up, it can then be disposed after the

cleansing oil contaminated water.

Research Question, Hypothesis, and Expected Outcomes

Research Question

How could oil spills be cleaned by using a safer and more cost-efficient method? The

independent variable in the experiment is the number of drops of Ferrofluid used. (No drops, 1

drop, 5 drops) The dependent variable is the amount of oil left in the water. The control would be

the group with zero drops.

Hypothesis

If Ferrofluid can magnetize and separate oil from the water, then the oil can be effectively

removed. This problem was chosen because our research was based on how Ferrofluid’s

magnetic properties can be used to separate oil from water and how this method is more effective

and safer than using oil dispersants.

Expected Outcomes

We expect for our method to work because a similar method has been proven to work

during the BP oil spill and because our research backs our ideas. We expect limitations since we

can’t exactly replicate the conditions of an actual oil spill.

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Materials and Methods

Materials

 2 Oz Ferrofluid (mL)

 50 mL motor oil

 1.5 inch x .25 inch (3.175 cm x 0.635 cm) Neodymium magnet

 Ten 60 mm x 15 mm Petri dishes

 3mL Plastic transfer pipettes, graduated (9)

 3 pairs of nitrile gloves

 White poster board (28 X 20in)

 Water (60 mL )

 Plastic sandwich bag

 Paper towels (Bounty Brand)

 Cups (Holds at least150 mL)

 2 drops of food coloring (any color besides black)

 Drinking straws (Bendable Straws)

 Graduated Cylinder (25mL volume)

 Lab coats

 Goggles

Procedure

1. Prepare the work area by placing a white poster board on the table.

2. Draw three columns in the middle of the board by drawing four vertical lines. Title the

columns, “5 drops Ferrofluid”, “1 drop Ferrofluid”, and “No Ferrofluid”.

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3. Prepare the water.

a. Fill a cup with at least 100mL of tap water.

b. Add a drop of food coloring so the water is more visible and mix it.

c. Put the cup above the columns drawn in the previous steps.

d. Place a pipette next to it. It will be used for only the colored water.

4. Prepare the motor oil.

a. Pour about 25 mL of motor oil in a small cup.

b. Place the cup above the columns next to the colored water.

c. Place a graduated pipette next to it. It will only be used for the motor oil.

5. Prepare the Ferrofluid.

a. Put the bottle containing Ferrofluid next to the two cups, above the columns on the

poster board.

b. Put a pipette next to it on a cloth or paper towel. This pipette will be only be used for

the Ferrofluid..

c. Have paper towels and a sponge ready to clean up any spilled Ferrofluid.

d. Equip the gloves.

6. Wash out the graduation cylinder with dishwashing soap.

7. Have an empty cup ready to hold discarded fluids.

8. Prepare the test

a. Put one Petri dish in each column, three in total.

b. Use a pipette to fill each Petri dish with about 14 mL of the colored water.

c. Use the graduated pipette to add exactly 2.5 mL of motor oil to each of the Petri dishes

in the middle. This would represent the oil spills.

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9. Make the motor oil magnetic my adding Ferrofluid.

a. Shake the bottle of Ferrofluid before opening.

b. Place one drop of Ferrofluid in the Petri dish in the“1 drop Ferrofluid” column.

c. Place five drops of Ferrofluid in the Petri dish in the “5 drop Ferrofluid” column.

d. Close the Ferrofluid bottle and place the pipette on the cloth or paper towel next to it.

e. No Ferrofluid is going into the Petri dish in the “No Ferrofluid” column since that Petri

dish is the control.

10. Observe the changes in the dishes for about one minute. Record results and take photos.

11. Clean up the oil spill with a magnet.

a. Repeat the following cleanup procedure for all three Petri dishes, starting with the “No

Ferrofluid” Petri dish.

b. Open a clean plastic sandwich bag.

c. Put the neodymium magnet in the corner of the sandwich bag.

d. Move the magnet enclosed in the bag through the oil in one movement. Wipe the bag

off with a paper towel when done.

e. Put the magnet in the other corner of the plastic bag since that side should be clean; if

not, use a new bag.

f. Move the magnet through the oil a second time.

g. Wipe the bag off on the paper towel and put the bag in the trash.

h. Record the observations.

12. Measure how much oil is left on the water.

a. Repeat the following procedures for all three Petri dishes.

b. Transfer the leftover liquid from the Petri dish to a graduated cylinder. Try to get as
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much as you can have transferred over.

c. Wait till the oil settles on top of the water in the cylinder.

d. Read and record the amount of oil left on top of the water.

13. Discard fluid from the cylinder in a cup and properly dispose it by having Waste

Management pick it up. Then, wash the equipment and tidy up the work space.

Risk and Safety

Life-threatening risks are possible to occur during performing the experiment. In order to

stay safe, don't let any chemicals come in contact with eyes. If that happens, then the eyes should

be carefully cleansed with water. If the chemicals come in contact with skin, then rinse the skin

with plenty of soap and water. If the chemicals are accidentally swallowed, then get immediate

medical attention. Inducing vomit will worsen the situation. If body parts affected by the

chemicals begin to irritate, then seek immediate medical attention. Also, don’t place any magnets

near electronic devices, pacemakers, or people who are allergic to nickel. Wear lab coats, gloves,

and goggles.

Data Analysis

Data is going to be analyzed by firstly determining the average of the volume of leftover

motor oil (mL) from the three tests we conducted. Efficiency is going to be determined by the

cleanup process. The equation to measure the efficiency will be efficiency= (volume of the

original spill – volume of the leftover oil) / volume of the original spill). Bar graphs should be

used because data isn’t being recorded over time and because we’re measuring and comparing

separate groups.
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Bibliography

Book Citations:

Fraden, Jacob. “3.3.4.” Handbook of Modern Sensors: Physics, Designs, and Applications, 4th

ed., vol. 1, Springer, 2016, pp. 73–73.

Scherer, and Figueiredo Neto. “Ferrofluids: Properties and Applications.” Brazilian Journal of

Physics, vol. 35, Brazilian Journal of Physics, 2005, pp. 718–718.

Online Citations:

Amazon. (2017). Ferrotec Magnetic Ferrofluid -2oz- 60ML Bottle, Great for Science Projects.

Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Ferrotec-Magnetic-Ferrofluid-Science-

Projects/dp/B00126P1NW

“Dispersants Frequently Asked Questions.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 10 July 2015,

www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/centers/gulfconsortium/dispersants/index.cfm.

Goodbody-Gringley, Gretchen, et al. “Toxicity of Deepwater Horizon Source Oil and the

Chemical Dispersant, Corexit® 9500, to Coral Larvae.” PLoS ONE, Public Library of

Science, 9 Feb. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3541341/.

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Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie. “How To Make Liquid Magnets.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 4

Oct. 2016, www.thoughtco.com/how-to-make-liquid-magnets-606319.

McMillan, Traci. “Nalco Holding Set to Report First Earnings Impacted by Oil Spill.” Medill

Money Mavens, Medill School of Journalism, 26 July 2010,

moneymavens.medill.northwestern.edu/2010/07/nalco-holding-set-to-report-first-

earnings-impacted-by-oil-spill/.

“Technology.” Ferro Tec, Ferro Tec, 4 Nov. 2017, ferrofluid.ferrotec.com/technology/.

“University of Wisconsin-Madison Materials Research Science and Engineering Center

Interdisciplinary Education Group.” Ferrofluids | Exploring the Nanoworld, University

of Wisconsin-Madison, 6 Nov. 2017, education.mrsec.wisc.edu/background/ferrofluid/.

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