Sound Waves as a Medium to Separate Crude Oil from Saline Water

A Science Investigatory Project Plan

Submitted as Partial Fulfilment

Of the Requirements in Research IIA

Alva, Maria Beatrice G.

Aranas, Gaiea B.

Flor, Sarah V.

Maldo, Will Heatcliff

Pagulayan, Charles Gabriel E.

Panganiban, Vanessa Clariz D.

Quezon City Science High School

February 2018
 2

Rationale

Contamination of sea water due to an oil pour, as a result of an accident or human error

is termed as oil spill. Oil is among the most important energy sources in the world and because

of its uneven distribution, it is transported by ships across the oceans and by pipelines across

the lands. This has resulted in several accidents in the past while transferring the oil to vessels,

during transportation, breaking of pipelines, as well as while drilling in the earth’s crust.1 While

massive and catastrophic spills receive most of the attention, smaller and chronic ones occur

on a regular basis.1 Oil spilled by damaged tankers, pipelines or offshore oil rigs coats

everything it touches and becomes an unwelcome but long-term part of every ecosystem it

enters. Oil spills frequently kill marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, seals and sea otters.

Even when marine mammals escape the immediate effects, an oil spill can cause damage by

contaminating their food supply. Ultimately, the severity of environmental damages caused by

a particular oil spill depends on many factors, including the amount of the oil spilled, the type

and weight of the oil, the location of the spill, the species of wildlife in the area, the timing or

breeding cycles and seasonal migrations, and even the weather at sea during and immediately

after the oil spill.2 But one thing never varies: oil spills are always bad news for the

environment.

1
Mohit. Marine Insight. n.d. https://www.marineinsight.com/environment/what-is-an-oil-spill-at-sea/ (accessed
December 5, 2017).
2
West, Larry. ThoughtCo. n.d. https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/training-and-education/education-students-
and-teachers/how-do-spills-happen.html (accessed December 5, 2017).
 3

The most commonly used product created for cleaning up oil spills is sorbent boom

which is a sponge; it is a long tube that is thrown into the surface of the water for the sorbent

boom to soak up the spill before it would be removed to be safely disposed.3 However, it is

slow when cleaning up oil spills and it can only be used once. Scientists have engineered a new

material called Oleo Sponge that uses foam and oil-absorbing molecules to soak up the oil.4

The foam used is commonly found in our home insulation or cushions. Oleo Sponge can grab

oil, but the problem is how to get them into a useful structure and bind them permanently. It is

also not clear yet if the Oleo Sponge can perform well while absorbing the oil.4 On the other

hand, the sponge is an innovative material.

Sound is a mechanical wave which results from the back and forth vibration of the

particles of the medium (such as air) through which the sound wave is moving.5 Frequency is

measured as the number of waves that occur in a second. The unit of frequency measurement

is Hertz (Hz for short), the human ear only hears sounds with frequencies in the range from 20

Hz to 20,000 Hz.

3
Laboratory, Argonne National. Argonne National Laboratory . March 6, 2017.
https://www.anl.gov/articles/argonne-invents-reusable-sponge-soaks-oil-could-revolutionize-oil-spill-
and-diesel-cleanup (accessed January 24, 2018).
4
Lerner, Louise. Argonne National Laboratory. March 6, 2017. https://www.anl.gov/articles/argonne-invents-
reusable-sponge-soaks-oil-could-revolutionize-oil-spill-and-diesel-cleanup (accessed January 24,
2018).
5
Princess Grace Hospital. Top 10 Amazing Uses for Sound. n.d. https://listverse.com/2012/11/14/top-10-
amazing-uses-for-sound/ (accessed December 06, 2017).
 4

6
Sound levitation or acoustic levitation is a process in which sound waves are used to

balance the force of gravity; causing objects to hover in midair without any physical support,

by having sound waves travel through a fluid. Gas is commonly the fluid, or medium, used in

this process. This process has been applied in different experiments as well.7 An Ultrasonic

acoustic levitation device was studied and operated in ground-based and space borne

laboratories, where it was used to study certain phenomena on liquids, such as affecting the

surface waves of freely-suspended liquids.7 It has been tested on Zebrafish embryos, where it

was used to levitate the embryos without causing any damage, with the results showing that

when acoustic levitation was applied to the embryos in less than 2000 seconds, the embryos

remained unharmed.8 It may also be used for the manipulation of vertebrae embryos without

interfering with their development.9 In another study, acoustic levitation was used to levitate

objects in three dimensions, where it was proven that the expanded diameter of the polystyrene

particles may be manipulated.

The aim of the study is to effectively separate crude oil from saline water using sound

waves as a medium. Furthermore, to test which frequency of sound waves and time duration is

the most efficient in separating crude oil from water. In addition, to determine its height of

separation.

6
Wilson, Tracy V. howstuffworks. March 6, 2007. https://science.howstuffworks.com/acoustic-levitation2.htm
(accessed December 16, 2017).
7
Trinh, E. H. NTRS: NASA Technical Reports Server. November 1, 1985.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19860029530 (accessed December 6, 2017).
8
Maria Sundvik, Heikki Nieminen, Ari Salmi, Pertti Panula, Edward Hæggström. Scientific Reports. 2015.
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep13596 (accessed December 6, 2017).
9
Yirka, Bob. Phys Org. January 6, 2014. https://phys.org/news/2014-01-levitate-dimensions.amp (accessed
December 6, 2017).
 5

The discoveries of this study will redound to the benefit of the society, especially on

the science field, as this study will lead to more findings regarding using sound waves to

separate crude oil and saline water. It will contribute greatly in finding a solution to some of

the major environmental problems, caused by the experimental unit that we encounter. This

project aims to create a way to separate crude oil from saline water. Furthermore, this project

will test out the effects of using different frequency of sound waves on the viscosity of liquid

substances. Thus, this study can be used as a basis for future researches that revolves around

the study.

Research Questions

1. Which frequency of sound is the most effective in containing crude oil from saline

water in terms of height of crude oil levitation from saline water and time duration?

Hypotheses

Null Hypothesis: The different frequencies of sound waves have no significant effect in the

separation of crude oil from saline water in terms of height of crude oil levitation from saline

water and time duration.

Alternative Hypothesis: The different frequencies of sound waves have a significant effect in

the separation of crude oil from saline water in terms of height of crude oil levitation from

saline water and time duration.

 6

Engineering Goals

The current study aims to test different frequencies of sound waves that contain crude

oil from water. This project aims to test how the sound waves will contain crude oil from water.

Furthermore, this study also aims to find out the duration for the sound wave to contain crude

oil from water.

Expected Outcomes

Sound waves will effectively contain crude oil from water, thus creating a solid area of

crude oil on water. The frequency of sound wave that can effectively contain crude oil from

water is the one with the highest frequency. The expected time it will take to separate the crude

oil from water is 10 minutes.

7
 8

Procedures

Collection of Materials

Setting Up of the Apparatus and with the

Inclusion of the Necessary Material

Exposure of Crude Oil and Water Mixture to Sound Waves

Collection of Data such as Time Duration

 9

Procedures

The materials needed in preparation of the simulated set-up such as waterproof

speakers, will be bought online–lazada.com.ph. Materials such as 200 grams of iodized salt,

synthetic sponge, Vulca Seal, and tape measure will be bought from a local store. A triple beam

balance will be borrowed from Quezon City Science High School. The Duracast Open Top

Tank container will be bought from a local hardware store and a liter of crude oil will be bought

from a local gas station. The laptop will be used for controlling the frequency of the sound

waves.

Setting Up of the Apparatus and with the Inclusion of the Necessary Materials

The saline water will be poured into the container. Afterwards, the crude oil will be

poured into the container as well. The waterproof speakers will be glued to the sides of the

container using Vulca Seal and will be placed in such a manner that the speakers are semi-

submerged in the water. The speakers will be connected to the laptop, which will be used to

control the frequency of the sound waves emitted by the speakers. The levitated crude oil will

be collected using a synthetic sponge. Figure 1

Legend:
Water Container
Waterproof Speakers

Water
Crude Oil
Wires connected to the laptop

Synthetic Sponge

Figure 1
 10

Exposure of Crude Oil and Saline Water Mixture to Sound Waves

The speakers will be turned on simultaneously, its frequency will be manipulated using

the laptop. Three frequencies of the sound waves will be used in the study. The needed data

will be collected and once the crude oil is levitated it will be absorbed by a synthetic sponge.

Collection of Data such as Time Duration and Height of Separation

Data will be collected based on the observed frequency of sound waves and the length

of time it takes for the crude oil to separate from the saline water. The height of crude oil

levitation from the saline water and the time it will take to separate will be measured. The

height will be measured using a tape measure while the time will be measured using a

chronometer (i.e. stopwatch).

11
 12

Risk and Safety

The crude oil must be kept away from fire. Aside from crude oil being flammable, the

fumes caused by the crude oil may cause quite a number of health risks. Light risks consist of

headaches, irritation to the nose, throat, and lungs, dizziness, and drowsiness.10 Worse cases

that could happen would be labored breathing, loss of coordination, fatigue, and the worst

possible scenario would have to be chemical pneumonia.11 Aside from this, crude oil’s

chemicals can directly enter through the skin, and is a known cause of adult leukemia.

To avoid such risks, wearing protective gear, such as gloves, laboratory coats, and

goggles, is highly advised. In case of exposure to chemicals, necessary first aid will be done

until further medical help is advised.

10
Goldstein, Paul. AMFS - American Medical Foreign Specialists. n.d.
https://www.amfs.com/resources/medical-legal-articles-by-our-experts/95/effects-of-
crude-oil-exposure (accessed January 18, 2018).
11
Woodruff, Tracey. Seeker. 6 11, 2010. https://www.seeker.com/how-crude-oil-can-harm-
you-1765067275.html (accessed 1 18, 2018).
13
 14

Data Analysis

A device will be used to apply different frequencies of sound waves on the mixture of

saline water and crude oil. Certain frequencies will be able to successfully make the oil levitate,

with varying lengths of time for each frequency. Results will be recorded according to the

frequency of the sound waves that successfully separated crude oil from saline water, the length

of time it takes for the crude oil and the saline water to separate, and its height of separation.

The type of data analysis that will be used is Kruskal-Wallis. There are more than two levels

of independent variables and with that there are multiple independent groups. Data will be

presented in tabular form.

Frequency (kHz) Height (centimeters) Time (minutes)

Frequency X Height X Time X

Frequency Y Height Y Time Y

Frequency Z Height Z Time Z

15
 16

Bibliography

ACS News Service Weekly PressPac. A complete solution for oil-spill cleanup. November
14, 2012. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2012/acs-presspac-
november-14-2012/a-complete-solution-for-oil-spill-cleanup.html.
—. A complete solution for oil-spill cleanup. 14 2012, November.
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2012/acs-presspac-
november-14-2012/a-complete-solution-for-oil-spill-cleanup.html (accessed
December 03, 2017).
Goldstein, Paul. AMFS - American Medical Foreign Specialists. n.d.
https://www.amfs.com/resources/medical-legal-articles-by-our-experts/95/effects-of-
crude-oil-exposure (accessed January 18, 2018).
Laboratory, Argonne National. Argonne National Laboratory . March 6, 2017.
https://www.anl.gov/articles/argonne-invents-reusable-sponge-soaks-oil-could-
revolutionize-oil-spill-and-diesel-cleanup (accessed January 24, 2018).
Lerner, Louise. Argonne National Laboratory. March 6, 2017.
https://www.anl.gov/articles/argonne-invents-reusable-sponge-soaks-oil-could-
revolutionize-oil-spill-and-diesel-cleanup (accessed January 24, 2018).
Maria Sundvik, Heikki Nieminen, Ari Salmi, Pertti Panula, Edward Hæggström. Scientific
Reports. 2015. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep13596 (accessed December 6,
2017).
Mohit. Marine Insight. n.d. https://www.marineinsight.com/environment/what-is-an-oil-spill-
at-sea/ (accessed December 5, 2017).
Office of Response and Restoration. n.d. https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/training-and-
education/education-students-and-teachers/how-do-spills-happen.html (accessed
December 5, 2017).
Princess Grace Hospital. Top 10 Amazing Uses for Sound. n.d.
https://listverse.com/2012/11/14/top-10-amazing-uses-for-sound/ (accessed December
06, 2017).
Trinh, E. H. NTRS: NASA Technical Reports Server. November 1, 1985.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19860029530 (accessed December 6, 2017).
West, Larry. ThoughtCo. n.d. https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/training-and-
education/education-students-and-teachers/how-do-spills-happen.html (accessed
December 5, 2017).
Wilson, Tracy V. howstuffworks. March 6, 2007.
https://science.howstuffworks.com/acoustic-levitation2.htm (accessed December 16,
2017).
Woodruff, Tracey. Seeker. 6 11, 2010. https://www.seeker.com/how-crude-oil-can-harm-you-
1765067275.html (accessed 1 18, 2018).
Yirka, Bob. Phys Org. January 6, 2014. https://phys.org/news/2014-01-levitate-
dimensions.amp (accessed December 6, 2017).
17