I have a layman's thought about plugging the oil leak...

[Kablooie]

If the water pressure down where the leak is 2000 psi, that means that anything down there would weigh at least 1 ton.
It seems this pressure could be leveraged to help plug the leak.
If the oil escapes at 2000 psi, then a heavy object dropped on top of the leak would hold it shut temporarily.
A heavy cover could be dropped down and manipulated by the subs to cover the openings.
Also a malleable bottom surface, a clay-like substance for instance, might help to conform to the opening shapes.
It seems something like this, though temporary, might help until they get the permanent solution implemented.
I'm assuming that the leaks aim up, of course, but from the videos it looks like they might.

I'm sure this is a naive suggestion, I'm not an engineer, but thought I'd throw it out here anyway.

It just occurred to me that the robot subs down there weigh a ton, plus their normal weight. They must have awesome
engines to be able to float and maneuver when they weigh that much. They must be part of the exotic, rare machinery
that was needed for this operation.

[virgdem]

1. I read somewhere..

in all of the bazillions of articles I've read on the oil spill that the EPA is open to accepting ideas from the general public as to how to plug this damned leak. Check it out.

[Kablooie]

2. Thanks, I will.

[oldtime dfl_er]

3. epa

http://www.epa.gov/open/

[NYC_SKP]

4. One correction:

You wrote:

"If the water pressure down where the leak is 2000 psi, that means that anything down there would weigh at least 1 ton. "

and

"It just occurred to me that the robot subs down there weigh a ton, plus their normal weight."

I respectfully disagree...

Actually, the additional pressure doesn't make them a ton "heavier".

The pressure is applied to all surfaces of the ROVs, top bottom and side, so it's not pushing them down, or making them heavier.

Gases in chambers that are part of any underwater robot or subs are adjusted to make them neutrally buoyant, so they actually have no "weight" and can be propelled around relatively easily, except for contending with currents.

:hi:

[Kablooie]

7. Ah, I didn't realize the pressure does not press down from above.

Like I said, I was sure it was naive, but hey, I tried.
I wanted to take a physics class in college but it didn't fit my schedule.
Darn!

[Logikal1]

5. Where's those Senators when you need 'em?

What with all the illicit sex going on up on Capitol Hill those guys are experts at plugging things.:sarcasm:


Shoulda let them have a go at it a month ago!:rofl:

[Sherman A1]

10. +1, Agreed & Well Said!

[Hempathy]

6. Another correction...

"If the oil escapes at 2000 psi, then a heavy object dropped on top of the leak would hold it shut temporarily."

The oil is escaping at way more than 2000 psi. if the sea water were exerting 2000psi on the well, and the oil was also at 2000psi- it wouldn't be gushing.

if they could have stopped the leak, even "temporarily" with a heavy object- that probably would have been the first thing they did.

[Kablooie]

8. I thought I read it was coming out at 1900 psi but I'm sure you're right. Oh well. I tried.

[TheMadMonk]

11. Pressures are always measured relatively to the ambient pressure.

So 1900 psi above the water pressure at that depth.

[napi21]

9. If all that psi is correct, that "thing" they tried to put on top

of it would have worked and it didn't. I can't remember what they called it, but it looked like a small building.