Skip to content

You are using an outdated browser

Internet Explorer is not supported by this site and Microsfot has stopped releasing updates, therefore you may encounter issues whilst visiting this site and we strongly recommend that you upgrade your browser for modern web functionality, a better user experience and improved security.

Upgrade my browser

Student creates non-toxic solvent to remove 90% of crude-oil from wildlife victims of oil spills

3 min read

Good Stuff
Source: CrudeSpillCleaningCo.com

A chemical engineering student has developed two synthesised solvents that not only outperform the current leading product — these are VOC-free, recyclable, biodegradable, non-toxic and water soluble — therefore kinder to wildlife and to the environment.

CSCC’s mission is to research new and innovative methods for oil spill response

Raegan Reeves founded the Crude Spill Cleaning Co (@crudespillcleaningco), a company that develops a VOC-free, recyclable, biodegradable, non-toxic and water-soluble solvent that helps remove up to 90% of oil from feathers. ⁣She has already developed two different chemical solvents to clean oil from feathers in a way that is “much faster, more efficient, and easier on the wildlife". Raegan believes this innovation could easily reshape the future of oil-spill response and in turn, greatly improve wildlife survival rates.⁣

Source: Wikipedia Creative Commons CC0 1.0

Mitigating manmade environmental disasters is necessary for the future of our world as a whole

The Crude Spill Cleaning Co. (CSCC) began as a research project by Raegan Reeves, a chemical engineering student at North Carolina State University. Together with Dr. Robert Troxler, they have now transitioned from a small scale research project to the Crude Spill Cleaning Company, in hopes of procuring funding and continuing to explore ways of improving outcomes for wildlife affected by oil spills.

The CSCC is dedicated to researching and developing new and innovative methods of environmental cleanup. Mitigating such manmade environmental disasters as oil spills is not only an important cause, but a necessary one for the future of our world as a whole.

The research has been selected to be presented at the ACC Meeting of the Minds in April.
The research has been selected to be presented at the ACC Meeting of the Minds in April. Source: Facebook/CrudeSpillCleaningCo

The Solvents

The CSCC has developed two synthesized solvents that outperform the current leading product, Dawn® dish detergent, in all of their experimental trials. 

CSCC‘s solvent is able to remove 85-90% of oil from feathers, whereas dish detergent only removes around 35%. 

Dish detergent is typically formulated with some VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and a small percentage of petroleum, whereas CSCC’s solvent is more environmentally friendly as it is VOC free, recyclable, biodegradable, non-toxic and water soluble.

Here they are before being dipped into the crude oil.
Red-tailed Hawk feathers. Here they are before being dipped into the crude oil. Source: Facebook/CrudeSpillCleaningCo
During experimental trials, CSCC’S chemical solvents removed 85-90% of oil from feathers, whereas dish detergent removed only ~35%
Solvents VS Dish Detergent During experimental trials, CSCC’S chemical solvents removed 85-90% of oil from feathers, whereas dish detergent removed only ~35% Source: Facebook/CrudeSpillCleaningCo.
On the left we have a feather cleaned using our solvent and on the right we have a feather cleaned using a 7% Dawn dish detergent solution. ~80-90% oil removed Vs. ~35% oil removed
Both feathers were dipped in oil and allowed to hang dry for 1 hour. On the left we have a feather cleaned using our solvent and on the right we have a feather cleaned using a 7% Dawn dish detergent solution. ~80-90% oil removed Vs. ~35% oil removed Source: Facebook/CrudeSpillCleaningCo
During experimental trials, CSCC’s chemical solvents removed 85-90% of oil from feathers, whereas dish detergent removed only ~35%
Solvents VS Dish Detergent During experimental trials, CSCC’s chemical solvents removed 85-90% of oil from feathers, whereas dish detergent removed only ~35% Source: Facebook/CrudeSpillCleaningCo
The first picture shows feathers cleaned with CSCC’s chemical solvent and the second picture shows feathers cleaned with a Dawn dish detergent solution (the current leading product for oil spill response).
Examining some cleaned feathers with 60x and 120x magnification. The first picture shows feathers cleaned with CSCC’s chemical solvent and the second picture shows feathers cleaned with a Dawn dish detergent solution (the current leading product for oil spill response). Source: Facebook/CrudeSpillCleaningCo.
Photomicrographs taken at 120x and 60x magnification show oiled feathers after being cleaned with dish detergent vs after being cleaned with CSCC’s solvent.
Photomicrographs taken at 120x and 60x magnification: Photomicrographs taken at 120x and 60x magnification show oiled feathers after being cleaned with dish detergent vs after being cleaned with CSCC’s solvent. Source: Facebook/CrudeSpillCleaningCo
ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTION SAVES WILDLIFE FROM OIL SPILLS This new harmless solution washes off oil from animal feathers and fur way better than Dawn dish soap! @CrudeSpillCleaningCo's solution is nontoxic, while Dawn is actually made with a small amount of petroleum! This might just be the new best way to save lives in the aftermath of human-made catastrophes like large oil spills! Source: Facebook/Crude Spill Cleaning Co.
Make an Impact

HOW TO CLEAN OIL OFF BIRDS: 14 STEPS (WITH PICTURES)

Bird populations are especially vulnerable to oil spills because their plumage soaks up the oil. This reduces their feathers’ ability to keep them afloat, flying, and warm. In addition, as the birds preen themselves to get rid of the oil they ingest it, which can be toxic. Without human intervention, most oil-contaminated birds die. If you live in the vicinity of an oil spill, get involved in professionally run rescue operations targeted at cleaning oil-coated birds. Doing so is the only safe and legal way to help these animals, cleaning oil off birds is a dangerous task that requires professional veterinary supervision.