Abstract: A granulated absorbent material comprises cement, a clay preferably comprising sodium bentonite and an aggregate together with water, the weight ratio of cement to the total of the aggregate being in the range of 55:45 to 65:35, the ratio of clay to water being such that a mixture thereof has a viscosity in the range of 15-25 centipoises at 20.degree. C., and the quantity of water being in the range of 60-120% by weight of the dry constituents. The method of preparing the absorbent material comprises forming a paste of the constituents, hardening and drying the composition, and forming particles of the composition before, during or after hardening and drying.

Abstract: A method for producing synthetic liquid absorbent granules to serve the same purposes as granules made from naturally occurring sorptive minerals such as absorbent clays. Water is mixed with powdered gypsum plaster in mixing apparatus and a paste or slurry condition results, with the volume of water relative to the plaster being varied to vary the bulk density and the absorption capacity characteristics of the ultimate granular product from each mix. The mix is taken from the apparatus and is allowed to set and harden in a form to be readily handled for crushing and sizing into desired screen mesh size granules, or the mix can be directly formed into pellets or granules so as to be allowed to set and harden and be correspondingly sized as the commercial product. Additives can be included in the mixing to vary the density and the absorption characteristics of the final absorbent granules.