Compressed Absorbing Medium
An absorption medium includes compressed coir particles having been compressed from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1, and having been ground to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½ inch.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/014,129 filed on 29 Aug. 2013, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/628,777 filed on 27 Sep. 2012, which application was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/348,239 filed Jan. 11, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,316,581; which application was a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/368,216 filed Feb. 9, 2009, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,160, which application was a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/993,599 filed Nov. 19, 2004, each entitled “COMPRESSED GROWING MEDIUM.” This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/249,837, which was filed on 2 Nov. 2016 and titled “An Absorbing Medium.” Each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference for all that they disclose.
BACKGROUNDSolidifiers are composed of tiny pellets that can either absorb or adsorb. Solidifiers are sometimes used to clean up oil spills. In this situations, the solidifier is added to the spilled oil. Solidifiers then adsorb or absorb the oil or other type of liquid. Removal of the solidified oil is performed by removing the solidifiers which takes the oil with it. Some solidifiers are relatively non-toxic to aquatic and wild life and suppress harmful vapors commonly associated with hydrocarbons. The reaction time for solidification of oil is controlled by the surface area or size of the polymer or dry pellets as well as the viscosity and thickness of the oil layer.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, an absorption medium includes compressed coir particles having been compressed from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1, and having been ground to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½ inch. The compressed coir particles includes coir dust and coir fibers where the coir fiber have a length between ¼ inch and ½ inch.
The compressed coir particles may have the characteristic of having been compressed with an oil absorbent.
The oil absorbent may be kenaf.
The oil absorbent may be perlite, cotton, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite, pumice, or combinations thereof.
The compressed coir particles may be admixed with an uncompressed oil absorbent.
The uncompressed oil absorbent may be kenaf.
The compressed coir particles may have the characteristic of having been compressed with superabsorbing polymer.
The compressed coir particles may have the characteristic of having been compressed with spagham peat moss.
The compressed coir particles may have the characteristic of having been compressed with eating microbes.
In one embodiment, a method of making an absorption medium includes compressing coir from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1, and grinding the compressed coir into ground coir with to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½ inch. The ground coir particles includes coir dust and coir fibers where the coir fiber have a length between ¼ inch and ½ inch.
Compressing the coir particles may include compressing the coir with an oil absorbent.
The oil absorbent may be kenaf.
The oil absorbent may be perlite, cotton, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite, pumice, or combinations thereof.
The method may also include admixing the ground coir an uncompressed oil absorbent.
The uncompressed oil absorbent may be kenaf.
Compressing the coir particles may include compressing the coir with a superabsorbing polymer.
Compressing the coir particles may include compressing the coir with spagham peat moss.
Compressing the coir particles may include compressing the coir with eating microbes.
In one embodiment, a method of using an absorption medium adding an absorbing medium onto the harmful material, where the absorption medium includes compressed coir particles having been compressed from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1, and having been ground to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½ inch. The compressed coir particles includes coir dust and coir fibers where the coir fiber have a length between ¼ inch and ½ inch.
The method may include removing the absorbing medium after the harmful material is at least partially absorbed into the absorbing medium.
The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present system and method and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present system and method and do not limit the scope thereof.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONA system and method for absorbing liquids is disclosed. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present products and methods may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
According to one embodiment, the absorbing medium comprises a bulking agent in combination with a water retentive polymer and other components as described below.
A hydrophilic fibrous bulking agent forms the majority of the absorbing medium. Generally, the bulking agent ranges from about 50% to about 98% of the absorbing medium. Examples of the bulking agent include coir, peat, cotton, mineral wool, paper pulp, peat bark, birch bark, wool and/or hair. In one embodiment the bulking agent comprises coir dust with coir fibers, and possibly other parts of the coconut that might enhance drainage and growth. Coir fibers assist in drainage of water while the coir dust enhances the expansion of the absorbing medium.
The grind size of the bulking agent helps to control the structural integrity of the absorbing medium even when wet, and also affects the expansion process. Generally, the grind size of the bulking agent depends on various factors of the absorbing medium, such as its size in compressed form, and the amount of water drainage needed. Thus, the grind size is influenced by the location of use of the absorbing medium since the atmospheric conditions of locations vary from arid to humid. Generally, the bulking agent grind size range from being able to pass through an approximately ½ inch mesh screen to being able to pass through an approximately 1 inch mesh screen.
Before grinding, the coir fibers may be several inches long. After grinding, coir fibers ranging from the original length of several inches long to very short fibers may be included in the ground, yet compressed absorbing medium. In some examples, at least a subset of the coir fibers that remain intact after grinding may be between ¼ inch to ½ inch in length.
The bulking agent may also include any added natural porous substrate that enhances the bulking agent, such as by adding beneficial nutrients or improving water drainage. Examples of suitable natural porous substrates include, but are not limited to, pine bark, fir bark, redwood bark, hardwood bark, polystyrene foam, sawdust, rock wool, perlite, vermiculite, pumice, scoria, composted organic materials, shale rock, calcined clay pellets and volcanic pumice. These porous substrates enhance the rate of water percolation or drainage pulled by gravity and the quantity of water stored after drainage.
The absorbing medium also includes one or more water-retentive polymers. These polymers, also called superabsorbing polymers (SAP's), are hydrophobic materials that can absorb fluid and retain it under pressure without dissolution in the fluid being absorbed. The materials used are generally all synthesized by one of two routes. In the first, a water soluble polymer is cross-linked so that it can swell between cross-links but not dissolve. In the second, a water-soluble monomer is co-polymerized with a water-insoluble monomer into blocks. Generally, the water-retentive polymer is a non-foamed polymer. Suitable water-retentive polymers include, but are not limited to, saponified starch graft polyacrylonitrile copolymers, polyacrylic acid, polymalsia anhydride-vinyl monomer superabsorbents, starch-polyacrylic acid grafts, polyacrylonitrile based polymers, cross-linked polyacrylamide, cross-linked sulfonated polystyrene, cross-linked n-vinyl pyrrolidone or vinyl pyrrolidone-acrylamide copolymer, and polyvinyl alcohol superabsorbents. These polymers absorb many times their own weight in aqueous fluid. Additional suitable water-retentive polymers include, but are not limited to sodium propionate-acrylamide, poly (vinyl pyridine), polyethylene imine, polyphosphates, poly (ethylene oxide), vinyl alcohol copolymer with acrylamide, and vinyl alcohol copolymer with acrylic acid acrylate. Combinations of the above polymers may also be used, depending on the intended use of the absorbing medium, and the desired absorption and release rates of water and nutrients.
In one exemplary embodiment the water-retentive polymer is a potassium- or sodium-based polymer, such as a synthetic polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymer. Like many absorbent polymers, it can absorb many hundred times its weight in water. In an embodiment, the absorbent polymer is acrylamide/potassium acrylate copolymer. Potassium-based polymers are non-toxic and do not cause harm to the environment. Additionally, potassium is a nutrient that promotes plant development. Generally, the water-retentive polymer used ranges up to about 25% by dry weight of potassium acrylate acrylamide copolymer, more preferably in an amount from about 2% to about 15% by dry weight of the absorbing medium.
The absorbing medium may also include a non-ionic surfactant or emulsifier that wets the dry hydrophilic bulking agent and decreases surface tension that would otherwise prevent water take up. Thus, the surfactant increases the rate at which the bulking agent absorbs water. Suitable surfactants include, but are not limited to polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block co-polymers; alkanol amides, betamol derivatives; block co-polymers comprising a series of condensates of ethylene oxide with hydrophobic bases formed by condensing propylene oxide with proylene glycol; ethyoxylated compounds comprising alcohols, alkyl phenols, amines and amides, alkylphenol ethoxylates, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, oxo-alcohol polyethylene glycol ethers, alkylphenol-ethoxylates, fatty or oxo-alcohol polyethylene glyco ethers, and hydrophilic and hydrophobic block copolymers. In one embodiment the non-ionic surfactant is polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer in an amount from about 0.001% to about 3.5% by dry weight of the total matrix.
The absorbing medium is also free of a water soluble binder material. Conventional absorbing media having a water-retentive polymer also contain a water soluble binder material, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl acetate or a polyacrylate, to bind an absorbing medium together when wet and help to maintain the structural integrity of the absorbing medium. However, the compressed absorbing medium described herein does not require a binder material to maintain its structural integrity, and thus contains no PVA or other binder material.
A compressed absorbing medium typically uses a water retentive polymer that has a water absorbtivity from about 50 to about 600 times its weight. At such absorption levels, the entire composition upon exposure to rainfall or watering is converted to a wet, gas-permeable gel.
The compressed absorbing medium may also contain a fertilizer. The majority of the added fertilizer is in water-insoluble granular form, and may be either organic or inorganic. The fertilizer also usually does not inhibit the water absorption or release functions of the water-retentive polymer. The specific fertilizer used in the compressed soil is specifically targeted to a particular plant or plants and geographical region, since different regions and plants can be benefited by different fertilizers. The fertilizer is preferably configured and chosen to contain nutrients that are effective for up to about 8 weeks. Examples of suitable fertilizers include, but are not limited to, manures, bone meals, blood meals, cottonseed meal, fish emulsion, sewage sludge, compost, urea, ureaform, isobutylidene diurea, slow-release fertilizers, sulfur-coated urea, oxamide, melamine, calcium nitrate, ammonium bicarbonate, nitrate of soda, calcium cyanamide, ammonium sulphate (sulphate of ammonia), calcium ammonium nitrate (limestone ammonium nitrate), ammonium chloride, ammonium sulphate nitrate, nitrogen solutions, ammonium nitrate, anhydrous ammonia, basic slag, single superphosphate, rock phosphate (raw), dicalcium phosphate, triple superphosphate, kainit, potassium magnesium sulphate (sulphate of potash magnesia), potassium chloride (muriate of potash), potassium sulphate (sulphate of potash), mono (di)-ammonium phosphate, ammoniated superphosphates, ammoniated polyphosphates, nitrophosphates, potassium nitrate, potassic slag, potassic superphosphates, compound fertilizers, complex fertilizers, mixed fertilizers, bulk blend and combinations thereof.
The compressed absorbing medium may also contain other components, such as nutrients, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, plant growth enhancers, or other beneficial components known to those of skill in the art. These components are absorbed, stored and released by the water-retentive polymer(s) on a consistent level as needed by the plants.
In an exemplary method of making a compressed absorbing medium, the bulking agent is decompressed to a volume-to-volume ratio of about 3:1 or less. The absorbing medium components, including the bulking agent, the water-retentive polymer and any other additional components, are then blended together with a blender or other mixer. The mixture is then transported by an auger (screw type conveyer) to a hopper that feeds a press. The auger takes air out of the mixture and keeps the mixture blended, which could separate if left standing for a period of time.
The absorbing medium is then compressed at a volume-to-volume ratio ranging from about 2:1 to about 10:1 in order to provide a compressed absorbing medium suitable for packaging, shipment and sale. Preferably the absorbing medium is compressed at a volume-to-volume ratio ranging from about 5:1 to about 10:1, and more preferably from about 7:1 to about 8:1. The absorbing medium is typically compressed into bricks, slabs, wafers, pellets, cubes, triangles and any other shape. The terms “wafer” and “pellet” as used herein are not limited to any one shape, but may include shapes that are spherical, elliptical, egg-shaped, square, rectangular, crescent, convex, concave, flat or any other regular or irregular shape. The compressed bricks, slabs, wafers and pellets may then be packaged in pouches, grow-bags, cans, canisters, jars, boxes, and other packages known to those of skill in the art.
In one embodiment, compressed wafers and pellets are made by first blending together the absorbing medium components in the manner described above. The mixture is then compressed at about room temperature to form a compressed absorbing medium. The compression can be carried out by means of a pressing device, such as a compactor or two form cylinders rotating in opposite directions. The pressure or tonnage used may vary. In one embodiment, the absorbing medium is compressed with concurrent agitation, such as by an auger, in order to thoroughly mix all components of the absorbing medium and prevent settling of heavier components, such as the water-retentive polymers and/or other constituents. The compressed absorbing medium may then be molded, shaped or formed into wafers and/or pellets. The wafers and/or pellets are then packaged, as will be described in further detail below.
In another embodiment, a compressed absorbing medium wafer is made by first preparing an absorbing medium from the above-described components. This absorbing medium is then pressed at high pressures (approximately 7500 psi). The pressure usually varies, depending on the shape of the compressed absorbing medium. In one embodiment the absorbing medium cavities are plugged with a paste composed of 50% by dry weight dry peat and 50% by dry weight of an aqueous solution containing 11.25% by dry weight PVA and 0.125% by dry weight non-ionic surfactant. The compressed absorbing medium is then formed into wafers and pellets and then packaged for sale.
In another embodiment, compressed pellets are formed by first preparing an absorbing medium. The absorbing medium is then contacted with the granulation pan and the mixture is granulated in the granulation pan to form pellets.
Other methods for forming compressed pellets include spraying while rotating in a mixer, the use of drum coaters, fluidized bed techniques, Wurster air suspension coating processes, pan coaters and spouted beds.
As illustrated in the exemplary methods mentioned above, the compressed absorbing medium wafers and pellets can be packaged for storage and transport. Since many factors can affect the absorbing medium, such as ambient moisture, proper temperature, ample oxygen, and light, many methods are available to alter these factors during storage and transport. Maintaining humidity and/or oxygen levels at the lowest possible levels in the packaging may be employed. Suitable methods for producing a packaging include vacuum-packing, pillow packing, controlled atmosphere packing, modified atmosphere packing, desiccant packing, and other methods known to those of skill in the art.
In one embodiment, the compressed absorbing medium wafers and pellets are vacuum-packed. Vacuum packing is a process whereby air and/or the water in it are evacuated from a storage bag or container, thus decreasing the oxygen content and humidity in and around the soil mixture. Generally, the vacuum-packing process may be carried out by any process or apparatus known to those of skill in the art. Conventional vacuum-sealing or vacuum-packing machinery may be used, such as external clamp pouch machines, external clamp snorkel machines (also known as retractable nozzle machines) and chamber machines.
In other embodiments, the wafers and pellets are packaged by pillow packing, controlled atmosphere packing or modified atmosphere packing. In these methods, after the absorbing medium is vacuum-packaged a gas or combination of gases is injected into the package to yield a package that has substantially all atmospheric oxygen removed but is not drawn down tight around the absorbing medium. Suitable gases include, but are not limited to nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and inert gases such as helium, argon, xenon and neon. These anoxic packages contain little to no oxygen, while permitting a higher moisture content to help maintain the integrity of the absorbing medium structure. In another embodiment, the compressed absorbing medium is vacuum freeze dried before packing.
In yet another embodiment, the absorbing medium is packaged with a desiccant to reduce the ambient humidity. Suitable desiccants include, but are not limited to, silica gel, clays, calcium oxide, calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, molecular sieves, charcoal, alumina, alumino silicate, calcium fluoride, lithium chloride, starches, a zeolite, barium oxide, magnesium perchlorate, glycerin, calcium hydride, phosphoric anhydride, phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, ethylene glycol, barium oxide, sodium sulfate and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, inert gas may also be introduced into the package to replace air and/or moisture. Including a desiccant or inert gas significantly reduces humidity.
The packages used for packaging the absorbing medium according to the above methods include, but are not limited to jars, cans, plastic pouches, standard flat vacuum pouches, and other packages known to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment the package comprises vacuum pouches made of multi-layered nylon and polyethylene. In another embodiment the package comprises plastic cans such as tennis ball cans. Since the vacuum-packing and other methods of packing described above are used to produce substantially anoxic packages, other methods of packing known to those of skill in the art that do not reduce humidity or oxygen content can be used for a compressed absorbing medium that is not pre-seeded.
Generally, the compressed absorbing medium, whether in bricks, slabs, wafers and pellets, cubes or other shapes can be used anywhere a conventional soil or absorbing medium is used, including sports fields, parks, home lawns, gardens, indoor pots, outdoor pots, greenhouses, nurseries, farms, forests, and other agricultural, forest, commercial and home uses. The compressed, packaged absorbing medium is also easier to transport and handle, being roughly 10% of the weight or a traditional planting medium.
The wafers and pellets can be deposited according to any method known to those of skill in the art, such as by hand or with machinery. After depositing the wafers and pellets, water is added to the soil mixture. Approximately one inch of rain is required to activate the preferred capsule matrix; however, water requirements can be varied in light of local climate conditions, and resulting proportions of matrix components. The resulting gel-like structure permits the exchange of oxygen and the retention of water. It also forms a mechanical barrier to predators. In addition, the encapsulating process permits the optional inclusion of nutrients, fertilizers and fungicides selected to address local conditions. In other embodiments the soil mixture includes commercial fungicides such as Banlate™ at levels to 5000 ppm, Ridamil™ at levels to 50 ppm, and Thiaram™ at levels up to 25 ppm without toxic effect, the polymers or the nutrients that might be added.
Precise ratios of ingredients affect the most advantageous characteristics of the absorbing medium. The particular use made of the absorbing medium and local absorbing conditions will dictate the ratios chosen. Generally the absorbing medium, when wetted, holds sufficient water, but not a deleterious amount of water. The combination of component characteristics in the absorbing medium yields a product that has qualities of performance, convenience and cost-effectiveness.
The principles described herein can also be applied to cleaning harmful and/or liquid materials, like those materials that are spilled during an accident, pose a threat from flooding, or other types of harmful materials. In some examples, the harmful material may be weather related water that poses an erosion risk. In other examples, the harmful materials are from oil spills, water spills, bodily fluid spills, salt spills, flooding, other sources, or combinations there. The harmful material may be water based and/or oil based materials.
In some examples, the absorbing medium includes kenaf, which may have the capability of absorbing oil based materials. Thus, in situations like an oil spill, the kenaf in the absorbing medium may remove the oil from the surface on which the oil is deposited. As the oil is absorbed, the kenaf is enlarged and spreads, which can carry the oil farther away from the surface. In the enlarged state, the absorbing medium can be removed from the scene. In some examples, the absorbing medium can be removed through shoveling the material up. In other examples, the enlarged absorbing medium may be pushed away from the sensitive scene. In yet other examples, the enlarged absorbing medium may be blasted away from the scene with a power washer, hose, or another type of removal mechanism.
The absorbing medium may include compressed coir. For example, the coir may be compressed from an uncompressed state to a volume to volume ratio of at least 3:1. Thus, the volume of the coir may be reduced to one third or less of the volume that the coir was while in an uncompressed state. In some examples, the coir particles are compressed at a ratio of 4-6:1. The compressed coir may include coir fiber, coir pith, coir dust, other forms of coir, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the compressed coir is compressed with other constituents. For example, an oil absorbent, kenaf, peat moss, superabsorbing polymers, pesticide, fungicides, fertilizers, deodorizers, fragrances, coloring dies, and so forth may be compressed with the coir.
After compression, the coir and whatever other constituents are added are melded together to function as a single material. Further, in the compressed state, the compressed coir has a characteristic of being able to expand more than the coir would have otherwise been capable of expanding while in the uncompressed state.
In the compressed state, the coir and the other melded together constituents are ground to a grind size. The absorption medium may be ground to any appropriate grind size. In some examples, the grind size is between 1/25 inches and ½ inch.
In some examples, other constituents are added to the absorption medium after the coir is ground. In one particular example, uncompressed kenaf is admixed with the ground coir particles.
The coir can absorb the water. Thus, the kenaf can be used to absorb the oil contaminants, and the coir can be used to absorb the water based contaminants. Thus, the same absorbing medium can be used in multiple types of applications.
The kenaf may be processed to be kenaf fiber and/or kenaf coir. The coir may be processed to be coir dust and/or coir fiber.
In some cases, the other constituents are added to the coir during the compression stage, in which the added constituents are compressed and ground with the coir. But, in other examples, the other constituents are added to the coir after grinding. In this type of example, the other constituents are mixed with the ground coir in an uncompressed state. These additional materials may include superabsoring polymers, spagham peat moss, peat, cotton, mineral wool, paper pulp, peat bark, birch bark, wool and/or hair, oil absorption medium s, eating microbes, perlite, cotton, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite, pumice, minerals, fragrances, deodorizers, pesticides, fungicides, other types of materials, or combinations thereof.
The absorbing medium may be poured into the harmful material to absorb the harmful material's contents. The liquid portions of the harmful material may be carriers that transport the solid portions of the harmful material into the absorption medium. As the liquid of the harmful material is absorbed into the absorbing medium, the absorbing medium enlarges, which makes the removal of the absorbing medium easier. When the enlarged absorbing medium is removed, the liquid and solid portions of the harmful material is removed with the absorption medium.
In some cases, the harmful material may be a salt. In some situations, water can be added to the salt before adding the absorbing medium so that the salt can dissolve in the water, which is then absorbed into the absorbing medium for removal. In other situations, the absorbing medium is added to the dry salt first, and then water is added to the absorbing medium so that the absorbing medium is moist which also dissolves the salt for absorption into the absorbing medium. In yet other examples, water is added to the absorbing medium before being added to the salt. In this situation, the moisture that dissolves the salt is already contained in the absorption medium. In even additional examples, the salt spill may have occurred in a moist environment or the salt was spilled with a liquid. In these situations, the moisture in the environment may be sufficient to absorb the salts into the absorption medium. In some cases, salt destroying agents may be used to destroy the salt when the salt is absorbed into the absorption medium.
In flooding situations, such as in a basement of a home, the absorbing medium can be added directly to the damp areas in the home. In cases where the basement has a concrete floor, the absorbing medium with the absorbed harmful material can be removed through shoveling. In cases like flooding, the harmful material may just be water. But, the water is harmful because stagnant water in the basement, wall, carpet, and so forth may mildew and result in unhealthy living conditions. In some cases, the absorbing medium may be placed on a carpet and absorbed water that is underneath the carpet. In yet other examples, the absorbing medium may be placed adjacent to joints between the wall and floor, cracks in the wall, soggy portions of the wall, or other hard to reach areas, and the absorbing medium may absorb at least some of the moisture from these hard to reach places.
The absorbing medium may also include microbes that process at least a portion of the harmful material. For example, oil eating microbes may be mixed into the absorbing medium that eat the oil that is absorbed into the absorption medium. In some cases, the microbes are part of the kenaf.
The coir and the kenaf may have different particle sizes. In some cases, the kenaf particular sizes are relatively larger than the coir particle sizes. In one particular example, the coir particles are compressed and the kenaf is uncompressed.
The absorbing medium may be added to parks, fields, streets, race tracks, tennis courts, sport arenas, chicken coops, farms, horse stalls, barns, and so forth to minimize flooding damage or minimize a swampy characteristics of the area. The absorption medium may be carried by emergency and/or health personnel. For example, first responders can carry the absorption medium to clean up spills involving bodily fluid, blood, urine, vomit, paint, liquids, water, oils, other biomedical hazards, or combinations thereof.
In some cases, the absorption medium may go through an extraction process, which may include applying external pressure to the absorbing medium to extract the absorb the liquid material. In cases where oil is spilled, the oil may be extracted from the absorbing medium for energy, making products, lubrication, or for other types of reuse.
The absorption medium may be significantly lighter than conventional sand. In this situation, the absorption medium may be lighter than the conventional sand bags used to control the flow of water during a flooding situation. The absorption medium may be added to bags and used as a replacement to the sand bags. These bags have advantages to the conventional sand bags in that they are lighter, which means that they are easier to carry and transport. But, when the bag comes into contact with the water, the absorption medium absorbs the water causing both an increase in the bag's size and weight, which is sufficient to cause the bags to operate in at least a similar manner to the conventional sand bags.
In some examples, the method may also include removing the absorbing medium after the harmful material is at least partially absorbed into the absorbing medium. For example, the absorbing medium may be placed on an oil spill in a mechanic garage and absorb at least a portion of the oil. As the oil is absorbed, at least some of the constituents of the oil is absorbed causing the absorbing medium to expand. In the expanded state, the absorbing medium can be shoveled up, swept away, push away, or otherwise removed from the scene. As the absorption medium is removed, the absorbed portions of the harmful material are so removed.
In other examples, the absorbing medium is left in place and is not intended to be removed. For example, if an oil pipeline traveling through a forest were to have a spill, the absorbent medium may be placed on the forest floor. The oil may be at least partially absorbed into the absorbing medium. In those examples where the absorbing medium includes microbes, the microbes can eat the absorbed oil thereby removing the oil from the environment. The coir and other components of the absorbing medium are environmentally friendly and may also include nutrients that promote growth on the forest floor. Thus, adding the absorption medium may be a one-step remediation process.
Product 1 includes compressed coir particles that have a 4-6:1 compression ratio. In some examples, no more than 25 percent of the coir particles include coir dust. The remainder of the coir particles include coir fibers. At least some of these coir fiber may range from ¼ inch to ½ inch long. In contrast, Product 2 is not compressed and all the coir particles are coir dust or short coir fibers that are shorter than 2 mm.
In this comparison, one cup of Product 1 was placed in a first tray and another single cup of Product 1 was placed in a second tray. Each of the single cups of Product 1 weighed about 99 grams. Additionally, one cup of Product 2 was placed in a third tray and another single cup of Product 2 was placed in a third tray. Each of the cups of Product 2 weigh about 30 grams. While the volume of Product 1 and Product 2 are both a single cup, Product 1 is heavier because Product 1 has a greater density resulting from the compression.
As can be seen, Product 1, which is an absorbing material based on the principles described herein, absorbs both oil and water significantly more than Product 2, which is a material that includes primarily coir dust and short coir fibers under 2 mm long. Additional experiments that included Product 1 mixed with kenaf material resulted in similar absorption results for water. But, the absorption rates for Product 1 mixed with kenaf resulted in better oil absorption rates than just Product 1 alone.
The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe exemplary embodiments of the present system and method. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the system and method to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the system and method be defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. An absorption medium, comprising:
- compressed coir particles having been compressed from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1, and having been ground to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½;
- wherein the compressed coir particles including coir dust and coir fibers where the coir fibers have a length between ¼ inch and ½ inch.
2. The absorption medium of claim 1, wherein the compressed coir particles have a characteristic of having been compressed with an oil absorbent.
3. The absorption medium of claim 2, wherein the oil absorbent is kenaf.
4. The absorption medium of claim 2, wherein the oil absorbent is perlite, cotton, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite, pumice, or combinations thereof.
5. The absorption medium of claim 1, wherein the compressed coir particles are admixed with an uncompressed oil absorbent.
6. The absorption medium of claim 5, wherein the uncompressed oil absorbent is kenaf.
7. The absorption medium of claim 1, wherein the compressed coir particles having a characteristic of having been compressed with superabsorbing polymer.
8. The absorption medium of claim 1, wherein the compressed coir particles having a characteristic of having been compressed with spagham peat moss.
9. The absorption medium of claim 1, wherein the compressed coir particles having a characteristic of having been compressed with eating microbes.
10. A method of making an absorption medium, comprising:
- compressing coir from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1; and
- grinding the compressed coir into ground coir with to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½ inch;
- wherein the ground coir particles includes coir dust and coir fibers where the coir fibers have a length between ¼ inch and ½ inch.
11. The absorption medium of claim 10, wherein compressing the coir includes compressing the coir with an oil absorbent.
12. The absorption medium of claim 11, wherein the oil absorbent is kenaf.
13. The absorption medium of claim 11, wherein the oil absorbent is perlite, cotton, diatomaceous earth, vermiculite, pumice, or combinations thereof.
14. The absorption medium of claim 10, further including admixing the ground coir with an uncompressed oil absorbent.
15. The absorption medium of claim 14, wherein the uncompressed oil absorbent is kenaf.
16. The absorption medium of claim 10, wherein compressing the coir includes compressing the coir with a superabsorbing polymer.
17. The absorption medium of claim 10, wherein compressing the coir includes compressing the coir with spagham peat moss.
18. The absorption medium of claim 10, wherein compressing the coir includes compressing the coir with eating microbes.
19. A method of using an absorption medium, comprising:
- adding an absorbing medium onto a liquid material, where the absorption medium includes compressed coir particles having been compressed from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1, and having been ground to a grind size of 1/25 inches to ½ inch;
- wherein the compressed coir particles includes coir dust and coir fibers where the coir fibers have a length between ¼ inch and ½ inch.
20. The method of claim 19, further including removing the absorbing medium after the liquid material is at least partially absorbed into the absorbing medium.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 2, 2016
Publication Date: Feb 23, 2017
Inventor: Patti D. Rubin (Aventura, FL)
Application Number: 15/341,826
