Thermodynamic Optimization of Marine Oil Spill Separation through Integration of Cryogenic Skimming with an LNG Regasification Loop

Modern mechanical methods for marine oil spill response are limited by low efficiency due to high ballast water entrainment (up to 80% by volume), which exponentially increases logistical and energy costs. This problem, exacerbated by the rapid formation of persistent water-in-oil emulsions under wave action, necessitates a transition to fundamentally new phase separation methods. This paper proposes and theoretically substantiates the concept of continuous cryogenic skimming using an artificially induced hydrocarbon phase transition. The uniqueness of the approach lies in closing the thermodynamic cycle of the harvester vessel: the waste exergy of liquefied natural gas (LNG, -162 °C) during its regasification for the power plant is utilized as a cold source, while the waste heat from the diesel cooling jacket (+80 °C) is used to enhance solid phase recovery. Furthermore, the prevention of water freezing on the cryogenic skimmer is achieved by employing femtosecond laser texturing of the working body's surface (Cassie-Baxter state). Advanced mathematical modeling, accounting for crude oil surfactant kinetics and wave convection (Biot number), proves the stability of the air plastron under dynamic storm conditions. The developed cyber-physical architecture advances the technology to Readiness Level TRL-3 and opens clear prospects for designing next-generation autonomous environmental vessels. According to calculations, the purity of the recovered product can reach record-high values (> 98%).