STRATCAT
I am a third generation Exxon Employee (retired). I am a Louisiana native (currently living in Orlando FL) and my father and I had a combined 50 years working in the Louisiana, Gulf of Mexico oilfields flying out of Grand Isle, LA. My Grandfather started with Humble Oil (Exxon) in Texas around 1920 before working the inshore/marsh fields of Louisiana. I am also founder of Operation Ensuring Christmas...for children of fallen US troops and Bran-Rae an EV related concept company.
Oil Recovery concept:
STRATCAT Super Tanker Recovery and Transfer Catamaran
The STRATCAT system is a globally based, large Catemaran based on but smaller than the US Navy's new concept X-Carrrier Catamaran. The large upper deck would be used to house a unique filtering system, pumping modules and recovery bladders dropped by commercial or military lift helicopters. The STRATCATs would be strategically based around the world. The Filtering and Pumping modules could be based on land and airlifted by Cargo aircraft to facilities near the spill and then helo-lifted to the STRATCATs. This would allow the STRATCAT to travel light at maximum speed (in excess of 30 knots) to the spill location. Once the entire system is on sight it could begin recovering oil at a comparatively high rate of speed across the spill. The oil would be pumped to BOBERS (see below) until an empty supertanker arrives at the sight. Note that high speed transfers of oil and fuel are done every day by the US Navy when refueling ships at sea.
COLFAD - Continuous Loop Filter And Disposal system - The COLFAD filtering system uses a reusable, closed loop, continuous feed filter media that is strung across the under belly of the STRATCAT. It is wound in a continuous loop back into the STRATCATs COLFAD system. The media is pressed betweeen high rpm rotating cylinders and oil is sqeezed out into tanks below the "squeegees' located on the lower deck of the STRATCAT. The oil is pumped from the tanks to the BOBERS or Super Tanker. This is similar to a high speed newspaper printing system only the cylinders squeeze oil out of a filter media instead of applying ink onto paper...for the media.
BOBERS Big Oil Bladder Emergency Recovery System - Floating bladders fitted with GPS tracking devices and special markings containing recovered oil from ORCAs (see below). The BOBERS take up minimal space when empty and folded for transport to spill area. BOBERS would be allowed to float free at sea or wash up harmlessly on beaches. BOBERS would then be recovered/towed to processing facilities ASAP. Larger BOBERS could also be utilized by STRATCATs instead of or while waiting for Super Tankers.
ORCA Oil Recovery Catamaran - Smaller version of STRATCAT used in shallow water or in addition to STRATCAT. Oil would be transferred into BOBERS.
This entire concept allows for Speed, Volume and Efficiency! It is a very expensive system but the costs could be borne globally across companies and countries.DRILLS - Drill Responsibly, Intelligently for Long Lasting Security
I am founder and CCO of Bran-Rae, a concept development and marketing firm focusing on Electric Vehicles and alternative energy (yes, even though I am third generation 'Big Oil'). Our first concept is EVtones.com, downloadable MP3 tones/sounds (music, engine, etc.), for silent running Electric vehicles. These sounds are to alert the blind, pedestrians and pets to oncoming, silent running Electric Vehicles. The sounds also contain a frequency similar to a dog whistle to pre-alert pets and seeing eye dogs. Other Bran-Rae concepts include EVSolarPower.com (utilizing nano solar technology), EVWindPower.com, EVEZcharge.com, EVVillage.com ("it takes a village to raise awareness"), among others. (These are all initial concepts and Beta websites with much more to be done.)
I am also founder and director of OperationChristmas.org, an organization supporting children of fallen US Troops. OperationEnsuring Christmas has been featured on The Today Show, and numerous other local and regional media outlets. We produced a Christmas CD that made #8 on billboard charts featuring some of the children of fallen troops we have helped. I have met with President Bush in the White House and two secretaries of Defense in the Pentagon on behalf of Americas 'precious lil heroes'.
My main purpose with all of these things I do is to reduce our dependence on Foreign Oil. If our troops only have to fight for our National Security and not our Energy Security it may mean that OperationChristmas.org will have fewer 'precious lil heroes' to support in the future.
Robert (BOB) McDowell
OperationChristmas.org / Bran-Rae
oechristmas@aol.com
407-702-7943
