Innovative BP Oil Spill Solution Proposed by Michigan Engineers

June 2, 2010 - PRLog -- Ann Arbor. Inventor, Robert Hess of Ann Arbor, Michigan had a flash of inspiration watching the televised reports of the Gulf oil spill recovery efforts.  He observed that BP’s attempts to stop the flow of oil from the damaged pipe were being hindered by their inability to create a seal that would allow the oil to be collected. He made a sketch of a device that he believed would allow the flow of oil to BP’s barges and stop the leak. Hess then set out to find a way to contact BP with his idea.

Hess took the sketches of his idea to friend and engineer, Sheldon Smith for validation. Smith found the concept simple and elegant, and brought in engineer, David Weber of South Lyon for further development. Weber added to the design and concept. To be sure the idea was viable, he constructed a computer model and conducted computer simulated tests. After running the computer simulations, Weber was able to confirm the feasibility of the device for actually sealing the leak while taking current conditions into account.

The device is simple and when inserted into the riser pipe will allow BP to inflate an expandable bladder creating a seal that will both contain the oil still coming from the well and prevent sea water from entering the riser pipe. The current attempts to siphon off oil from the gushing well have allowed sea water to mix with the crude. The mixing creates hydrate crystals which hamper the recovery efforts.  A second bladder on the inside of the device expands around an inserted pipe which can then siphon the oil out of the riser.

Weber has tested the design in computer simulations that demonstrate the validity of their concept from his engineering laboratory in South Lyon, Michigan,. Weber is the principle at Grey Wolf Innovations, Inc. The three are now striving to get their idea to where it can do the most good – in the hands of BP and those involved in the recovery effort. Getting the ear of BP executives is not an easy task. Hess, Smith and Weber have begun a campaign to present their idea to Tony Hayward, BP CEO. They have written to BP directly, submitted their ideas through the BP sanctioned website and started contacting everyone they know to secure an introduction.

Last weekend they published a website asking for help in contacting BP with their idea. The website, http://www.HelpUsContactBP.com has an introductory video of the three men explaining their concept, a video showing computer simulation of the device and images of the device. They are requesting leads and suggestions that will help them reach out to BP in an effort to help solve the oil leak crisis. The trio is still waiting to hear from anyone that can help them contact BP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_rczrbznpM



To learn more about the proposed solution and the campaign to reach BP, visit their website, http://www.HelpUsContactBP.com.

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David Weber, Principle, Grey Wolf Innovations, Inc..Mechanical Systems Design: CAD, Mechanical Simulation: FEA & CFD, Flow Thermal and Stress Analysis. Mr. Weber is an active technical closed circuit tri-mix diver, a certified PSD and NAUI Divemaster. His passion is the Great Lakes ship wrecks. He is dedicated towards the education and safe proliferation of Closed Circuit Rebreather Systems (CCR)