Kevin Costner is a Hollywood star who puts his money where is mouth is - $26 million to be precise. After the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, Kostner, his brother and scientist, Dan Kostner, and a group of investors and developers created a machine that cleans oil from seawater.

Mr. Costner’s machine, named “Ocean Therapy” is a high-speed centrifuge oil separator . When placed on a barge, the Ocean Therapy will draw in oil-polluted water and discharge 97% clean water.  Costner’s team obtained a license from the Department of Energy in 1993.

Mr. Costner has donated the use of his group’s invention to BP and BP is set to test six of his machines this week.
Further reading:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/05/19/2010-05-19_gulf_oil_spill_bp_oks_tests_of_kevin_costners_invention__device_to_clean_oil_fro.html

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/73942470@N00/210764010/

KJC