Jackson Jambalaya

A few weeks ago I wrote about a very small company called Inventive Solutions in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Earlier post. Inventive Solutions developed a process that disperses petroleum in water and is completely safe for the fish and environment. There are other chemical dispersants claiming to rid the water of the crude oil and are not toxic. However, the oil still has to be collected even though it is separated from the water (not an easy task as one can imagine) or it sinks to the floor where it never completely leaves the environment.

Inventive Solutions developed PEP: Petroleum Evaporation Process. The company recently submitted three patent applications for PEP and received patent numbers. JJ obtained a copy of the test results. Toxicology results. The tests were conducted with both fresh and sea water at Truesdal Labs in California. The report stated:

"The 625 base neutral acids reports indicate that the crude oil has been broken down and is mixing into the water.... the increase in the Tentatively Identified Carbons in the 24hr and 48hor water samples of the treated Tray B confirm that the surface crude is dissolving into the seawater."

"The Acute Aquatic Toxicity test of the treatment water shows 100% survival and no marine life toxicity..."

"It is our contention that the hydrocarbons that have been removed were toxic and the remaining TIC's are actually minerals, being the hydrocarbons reverting back to their original mineral forms prior to crude formation. The crude hydrocarbons were or are now rendered non-toxic and will readily breakdown in the ocean or shoreline environment. The residue is carbon free and made up of non-toxic mineral..."

"The volatile hydrocarbons are immediately oxidized into a neutral inert gas and the noxious smell is removed within minutes of spray treatment.

"If the process were to occur in the open water/ocean, it would cause a faster reaction and allow for greater breakdown of the remaining organic minerals floating on the surface. The density of the formula will cause it to spread through the surface layers of crude. Due to the continuous movement of the ocean, wind, sun exposure, and depth of the ocean, the treatment process is greatly enhanced."

Translation: PEP breaks down the crude oil into its original minerals and a harmless gas that evaporates. The procedure requires two separate applications of two different chemicals. Within a few hours, small bubbles appear as the reactions start to occur. The process takes two days to complete as the crude oil completely disappears. I have taken the liberty of including a series of photos taken during the tests. If the results hold up under further review, there might be some real hope of saving the Gulf Coast from the devastation starting to take place. Photo gallery (Follow the pictures in numerical order).

Inventive Solutions has had little success in getting much notice from those who would benefit most from this product. It is a very small company lacking the marketing resources and political connections of large corporations. It was negotiating with BP, but BP's negotiating tactics left something to be desired. BP kept lowering its offer and refused to even discuss the possibility of licensing. BP made it clear it wanted to buy PEP outright and claim all the credit for developing the product, thus denying the inventors their much-deserved recognition. BP refused to budge on the attribution issue. It makes one wonder if BP is more concerned with things like politics and publicity more than cleaning up the Gulf.

Hopefully, other interested parties and government agencies will take a closer look at what Inventive Solutions has developed. The Gulf Coast could use a shot of good news right now.

Note: I have a copy of one of the patent applications. Interested parties can email me for information. Company website, Description of how it works