Abstract: An oil absorbing article is made of an outer covering of wool felt that forms an enclosure containing pine bark. The covering may be in the form of a mat, a pillow, or a boom. The outer covering allows the oil to pass through into the bark, which becomes saturated with the oil. This saturation prevents flow of water to the bark, whereby the article remains floating after absorption of oil.

Abstract: A method for tailoring naturally occurring zeolite materials with silane compounds and using such silane tailored naturally occurring zeolite solid sorbent materials to remove benzenes and alkyl benzenes (BTEX) from contaminated water streams is described.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an ion-exchange composition has been formed which comprises synthetic resin support particles, dispersant capable of suspending the support particles in an aqueous medium to inhibit or prevent agglomeration, and fine synthetic resin layering particles. In a preferred embodiment, the complex can be formed by contacting a suitable dispersant with monomer in an aqueous solution in which the monomer is insoluble. Under suitable conditions for suspension polymerization, the monomer will polymerize to form resin support particles having dispersant irreversibly attached to those particles. The dispersant is irreversibly attached to the synthetic resin support particles, either by covalent bonding or permanent physical entanglement. The dispersant is also attached to the fine layering particles, either by covalent bonding or electrostatic forces. The result is formation of a support particle-dispersant-layering particle complex.

Abstract: A microfibrous sorbent article is provided. The microfibrous sorbent article comprises an elongate boom having a substantially oval cross-section. The boom is formed of multiple adjacent microfibers layers, the layers being bonded to each other by entanglement of fibers between adjacent layers. The boom further contains ion exchange resin, selectively absorbent particulate material, catalytic agent or selectively reactive particulate material.

Abstract: Oil and oil products are adsorbed with a three-dimensional lattice structure formed by coating individual glass fibers, assembling them and drying them at a temperature of about 150.degree. C. so that the structure will have; sufficient capillarity to pick up substantial amounts of oil and yet the mat will have sufficient structural stability to be stable. The coating is formed by a mixture of hydrophobizing silicone oil and starch (94 to 96% by weight starch to 6 to 4% by weight silicone). The latticework of the fibers and baked silicone oil/starch mixture can be used to pick up oil on a surface and recover oil from the latticework before the latticework is ultimately destroyed in a garbage incinerator.

Abstract: A method for treating waster water containing oil composed of esters, which makes reactivation of spent adsorbent possible or unnecessary, and facilitates treatment of waste adsorbent. In order to realize the above method, oil composed of esters is adsorbed into an electroconductive adsorbent from the waste water, and is converted to water soluble materials by electrolytic hydrolysis using the adsorbent as a part of cathode for separating from and reactivating the adsorbent, or adsorbing step and reactivating step are performed concurrently. In accordance with the present invention, reactivation of spent adsorbent becomes possible and an amount of generated waste decreases remarkably, and generated waste adsorbent hitherto can be readily incinerated because of eliminating adsorbed oil. Secondary waste is not generated because no chemicals are used other than electric power.

Abstract: Methods are described for treating sludge, e.g. biological and/or chemical sludge, with processed cellulose material combined with another material, e.g. a surface active agent, a detergent, a surfactant, a polymer and/or an organic polymer.Cellulose flakes and methods for making them are disclosed; in one aspect the flakes are useful as animal litter or bedding; in one aspect such used flakes are re-pelletized for use as litter, food or fertilizer. Methods for absorbing, removing, and for cleaning up a first liquid floating on or in a second liquid are disclosed, the method employing absorbent pellets which, in preferred embodiments, have a particular size, density, and configuration. A pellet and a method for making the pellet are disclosed for cleaning up a first liquid floating on or in a second liquid; and a method for making pellets for absorbing a combustible material to produce fuel pellets. A method for producing fuel pellets is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus or mechanism and a method of using it to recover petroleum from a floating slick or spill by means of absorbing the petroleum in powder particles principally comprising a reaction product of polyurethane, a catalyst, and a strong cationic polymer comprising an agent which produces a foam product that has a strong affinity for combining physically with petroleum resembling a magnetic attraction between the same. The reaction product is formed into desired sizes of elongated block-like shapes which are fed to a shredding assembly of saw blades that reduce the solid shapes into irregularly-shaped powder particles that are capable of being used in at least two ways to attract and adsorb petroleum by bonding. One way is to employ a porous boom of substantial diameter and length that is used to at least partially enclose a predetermined area of the slick or spill, the particle content of the boom absorbing adjacent petroleum.

Abstract: An open celled plastic foam treated with a polymer which is adsorbed in the surface of the foam and causes the polymer adsorbed foam to become an oil wick and to be impervious to water. The polymer adsorbed foam when the cells of the foam are saturated with oil exhibiting a density heavier than oil and lighter than water.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a two-part sorbent pad having a flat, chemically treated polyethylene foam inner core completely surrounded by a flexible, durable, chemically treated polypropylene fabric cover. In use, the sorbent pad of the present invention floats on top of petroleum covered water to rapidly soak up the petroleum or oil and hold it within the inner core until it can be removed by squeezing the sorbent pad between rollers, thereby depositing the oil into a container for storage. The non-petroleum laden sorbent pad is then returned to the surface of the petroleum covered water to pick-up more petroleum. The sorbent pad is chemically treated to increase the pads ability to attract and hold oil by both adsorption and absorption and to further increase its ability to repel water.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric cylinder adapted for insertion within a canister of screened casing pipe that is placed in underground monitor wells to collect and contain spilled or leaked hydrocarbons such as gasoline or diesel by absorbing same upon contact. The absorbed substance is solidified within the cylinder as a rubber-like mass. The consolidated mass is contained within the screened canister, will float indefinitely and is easily retrieved and handled for disposal. The cylinder will not leech solidified hydrocarbons when exposed to pressure limits used to determine landfill suitability.

Abstract: A method and materials for separating oil from water, using stacked disks to coalesce the oil, is disclosed. The method of coalescence allows configuration of systems which are compact, efficient, adaptable to modular configuration, and have a very high flow rate.

Abstract: A process for absorbing a water-soluble oil present as an aqueous emulsion in a cutting fluid which comprises contacting said cutting fluid with a composition containing at least one norborene polymer selected from polycyclo [2.2.1]-2-heptene or poly-5-methylbicyclo[2.2.1]-2-heptene, and at least one alkaline earth metal halide as an agent for breaking an aqueous emulsion of a water-soluble oil.

Abstract: A microfibrous sorbent article is provided. The microfibrous sorbent article comprises an elongate boom having a substantially oval cross-section. The boom is formed of multiple adjacent microfibers layers, the layers being bonded to each other by entanglement of fibers between adjacent layers. Also provided is a method for making the microfibrous sorbent article.

Abstract: A method of removing hazardous fluid waste material from a body of water by exposing a carrier (10) containing a porous bladder (20) filled with sorbent material to the waste and then removing said carrier(10). The exposed bladder (20) may be removed from the carrier (10) for disposal of the waste. The carrier (10) may be recharged with a fresh bladder (20) and reused. An apparatus for removing hazardous fluid waste material having a carrier (10) for a porous bladder (20) filled with sorbent material such as waterfowl feathers. The carrier (10) is fabricated to allow the removal of an exposed bladder (20) and refilling with a fresh bladder (20) without removal of the apparatus from the surface of the water while still containing the pool of hazardous waste. The carrier (10) may be fabricated of flexible (40) or rigid (60) mesh material. An adhesive coating may be applied to the bladder (20) to aid in containment of the sorbent material within the bladder (20) especially during handling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for oil cleanup or protection includes meltblowing equipment mounted on a vessel or vehicle for the generation and deposition of an oil absorbent web at the site of the spill.

Abstract: Liquid hydrocarbon is absorbed from a liquid hydrocarbon-contaminated substrate by a chemical absorbent composition of the formula A.sub.m B.sub.n C.sub.p, wherein A.sub.m is an acid leached bentonite, B.sub.n is a modified aminoplast resin, and C.sub.p is a solid hydrophobic material, and wherein at least one of m and n is a positive numerical value. Oil, crude oil, fuel oil, diesel fuel, bunker oil, gasoline, liquid hydrocarbons and synthetic oils may be cleaned up.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for controlling the deposition of pitch in a paper-making process, wherein there is incorporated into the paper-making composition a coated inorganic particulate material which comprises a clay mineral coated with (a) a cationic polyelectrolyte which is a water-soluble substituted polyolefin containing quaternary ammonium groups or with (b) an inorganic gel or with (c) a mixture of (a) and (b).

Abstract: The performance of mechanical skimmers for the removal of oil from water is enhanced through use of an oil-avid contacting member consisting of a non-woven mat of oleophilic fibers; the fiber surfaces having a film coating of a non-crosslinked rubber. A drum-type skimmer having the drum surfaces covered with such an oil-avid mat may be operated at very high rim speeds to obtain high rates of oil recovery with little water contamination. A process for coating the fiber surfaces with a rubber film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing oil from the surface of a body of water using a layered sheet comprised of natural fabric fibers to absorb oil between the layers in the sheet, the natural fabric fibers in the sheet not requiring or undergoing treatment by or with synthetic chemical compositions during formation of the layered sheet. The layered sheet absorbs at least seven times its weight in oil without submerging in water. The layered sheet is placed on the floating oil which is absorbed by the sheet. The sheet is later removed from the water surface and compressed to squeeze oil from between the layers of the sheet.

Abstract: A filter for removing at least one hydrocarbon from water is disclosed where the active filter medium is fibrous peat which has been dried to a water content of 5 wt.% or less. A process for removing at least one hydrocarbon from contaminated water involves contacting the contaminated water with peat as described above. A filter assembly is also disclosed where at least two of the filters as described above are connected in series.

Abstract: A method of cleaning oil slicks or chemical spills on a body of water or on the ground or other floor surface is disclosed. The method includes spreading a poplar bark-based product either onto a floating net on a body of water or onto oil or a chemical spill on a ground surface and absorbing the oil or chemical into the product. The soaked product may then be removed and a substantial portion of the oil or spilled chemical is recoverable from the product, such as by compressing it. The product may be spread onto a beach or shoreline for cleaning up a prior oil spill or the product may be spread on a clean beach or shoreline to protect it from contamination by any future oil slicks or chemical spills. The poplar bark-based product may be placed in flexible elongated socks for convenient handling for cleaning smaller spills from a surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for treatment of an oil slick resulting from an oil spill on a body of water. The oil slick is treated with a mixture of a granular elastomeric gum comprising a block copolymer of ethylene/butylene and styrene and an oleochemical synthetic wax, the latter being used in amounts of from 1 to 33 weight percent of the mixture. The adsorbent mixture has a low density, typically from 14 to about 15 pounds per cubic foot and will absorb oil and form a dry solid which has a non-tacky and non-oily surface. The adsorbent mixture is broadcast on the surface of an oil slick in proportions from about 0.2 to about 1 part per weight part of oil. The wave action on the body of water is generally sufficiently turbulent to admix the absorbent with the oil of the oil slick, resulting in the formation of floating solids which are dry to the touch and which have a non-oily, non-tacky surface. These solids can be readily recovered from the water or from a shoreline after they have washed ashore.

Abstract: A novel zeolite, NU-87 has in its "as-prepared" form an X-ray diffraction pattern including the lines given in Table 1. It is prepared from a reaction mixture containing sources of silica, a polymethylene alpha, omega-diammonium cation and optionally sources of alumina and metal oxide.

Abstract: Decontaminating article comprising a preagglomerated, powdered polymer of bicyclo[2.2.1]-2-heptene or its methyl derivative in at least one fine-mesh textile bag. The bag is at least partially filled with the polymer. The decontaminating article can be used to absorb a liquid contaminating product, in particular petroleum hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An oil degradation compound, comprising a mixture of a carrier, namely flour, a first oil-reactive agent, namely dry powdered mustard, and a second wetting agent, the carrier and first agent being each in a concentration which may vary from 1 to 99% by weight relative to the total amount of carrier and first agent. The wetting agent is in a small amount just sufficient to produce a paste when admixed with the first agent and carrier. The paste is destined to be spread onto an oil spill on a land surface, wherein the oil is to be absorbed by the paste and broken down into a crumbly powder, which can then be easily collected.

Abstract: A method for in-situ removal of hydrocarbon contaminants from groundwater comprises contacting in-situ groundwater containing hydrocarbon contaminants such as gasoline and its components in aqueous solution with a permeable barrier comprising a peat material. In one embodiment, the groundwater stream containing hydrocarbon contaminants in aqueous solution is contacted in-situ with the permeable barrier, with the permeable barrier being positioned substantially perpendicular to the groundwater stream incident thereto. In another embodiment, the groundwater stream containing hydrocarbon contaminants in aqueous solution is contacted in-situ with a permeable barrier which comprises, in series, an immobilized nutrient layer and peat material layer, and the permeable barrier is positioned substantially perpendicular to the groundwater stream incident thereto.

Abstract: An improved process for absorbing oils and especially separating and recovering oils from an aqueous medium or aqueous/wetted medium using an absorbent oleophilic biodegradable sponge material comprised of essentially fat-free, foamable natural products, specifically animal proteins or plant polysaccharides, such as gelatin, collagen, egg white albumen, gum agar, gum arabic, gum karaya, and locust bean gum, which absorb oils at a rate of at least about 30 times their weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for removing oil from water surfaces. The composition comprises a fine grained particulate material, such as expanded perlite or vermiculite, or sand, coated with an oleophilic/hydrophobic layer comprising sulfur, a metallic sulfate, an alkali metal nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil. The invention is particularly applicable to the treatment of oil spills on the surfaces of open bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers and oceans. The invention also relates to methods for preparing the oil removal composition, and for stripping and recycling the compositions after use.

Abstract: Oil spills on water and land may be contained and cleaned by the process of applying wood chips in direct contact with the spilled oil. The wood chips are selected from the group consisting of air-dried, kiln-dried, hot wax-dried and hot oil-dried wood chips having a water content of less than about 30% by weight. The wood chips will float on water and attract the oil. The wood chips pick up oil at a ratio of about 3:1.

Abstract: Degradable particulate absorbent materials, together with processes for manufacture thereof, wherein the absorbent materials: (i) have, in most forms of the invention, only on the order of 0% to 10%, by weight, of inorganic solids or "fillers", and in all forms have less than 30% inorganic solids by weight; (ii) are not in pellet form; (iii) are characterized by an open porous fiber structure having relatively low bulk densities on the order of not more than 13 lbs./ft..sup.3 and preferably only from about 6 to about 10 lbs./ft..sup.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions and methods for neutralization and solidification of hazardous alkali spills. A dry particulate composition containing an organic neutralizing acid and, materials having varying adsorption rates may be used to neutralize alkaline spills, and solidify the spills to render them harmless. These compositions may be applied to the spills by fire-extinguisher-like delivery devices which spread the compositions on the spills from a relatively safe distance without splattering the hazardous materials.

Abstract: A method of removing oil from a surface contaminated with oil comprises spreading elongated mat (A) of nonwoven cotton fiber on the surface of the oil to absorb the oil. The mat is prepared by forming cotton fibers into at least a first nonwoven fiber web (30) and a second nonwoven fiber web (32). A composite is formed by arranging the first and second fiber webs together with a scrim (34) intermediate the first and second fiber webs. The composite is delivered to a needle punch machine (54) and the first and second fiber webs are needle punched into the scrim. The mat is formed in a continuous length greater than its width. The cotton waste fibers are short and are needle punched and compacted into the scrim. Compacted interlocked mat (A) has sufficient strength to facilitate feeding of the mat longitudinally onto the oil (14) and surface, and pulling longitudinally from the surface after absorbing oil through an oil removal device (24) from said mat.

Abstract: A porous water-treating material comprising cut porous strands each comprising a resinous matrix material which consists essentially of a thermoplastic polymer material or a mixture thereof with an inorganic particulate material. Each strand having a number of pores connected to each other and an irregularly rugged peripheral surface which has a ratio in diameter of a circumscribed circle to an inscribed circle in any cross-sectional profile from 1.10:1 to 5.00:1 and a ratio of the distance between circumscribed lines to that between inscribed lines in any side projection profile of from 1.10:1 to 3.00:1. The cut porous strands are prepared by melt-extruding a resinous mixture of the resinous matrix material with a blowing agent at a temperature higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer material and the thermally decomposing point of the blowing material so as to cause the strands to have a number of pores and an irregularly rugged peripheral surface thereof.

Abstract: An improved method of disposing of radioactive or hazardous liquid aqueous waste compositions having a substantial amount of dissolved solids comprises mixing the liquid under a high mechanical shear with a clay selected from the group consisting of attapulgite, sepiolite, and mixtures thereof. Water soluble or miscible organic liquids as well as liquid hydrocarbon mixtures thereof may also be solidified by utilizing the aforesaid clays together with an organic ammonium montmorillonite having at least 10 carbon atoms, the amount of montmorillonite used being proportional to the amount of liquid hydrocarbon present.

Abstract: An improved method of disposing of radioactive or hazardous liquids comprises placing the liquids in a container and adding a sodium montmorillonite over intervals until the composition is substantially solid in the container.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions and methods for control and clean-up of hazardous organic spills. A dry particulate composition of activated carbon and, alternatively, absorptive materials may be used to control and contain organic spills, solidify the spills and elevate their flashpoints to render them harmless. These compositions may be applied to the spills by fire-extinguisher like delivery devices which spread the compositions and the spills from a relatively safe distance without splattering the hazardous material.

Abstract: Mixtures of water with water-miscible solvent(s) containing suspended, emulsified and/or colloidal impurities are purified by contacting the water-solvent mixture with an at least partially open celled foam containing 1-75 weight percent active pulverulent additives. The liquid and solid phases are then separated. The active pulverulent additives which may be incorporated into the foam by means of a binder or by incorporation in the reactants used to form the foam include active coals, brown coal dust, peat, iron oxides and brown coal coke dust.

Abstract: A granule comprises an inner core, which is formed from a material which does not expand appreciably in the presence of organic compounds, and an outer shell formed from an organo-clay which is preferably held on the inner core with the aid of a binder.The granule can be prepared by tumbling a particle of the inner core material in admixture with a powdered organo-clay and a binder therefor. A particulate bed of the granules can be used for separating organic compounds from a mixture thereof with an aqueous medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an absorbent, particularly useful for the sorption of oil or other petroleum-based products contaminating a body of water. The absorbent is prepared by subjecting sulphite reject from a paper mill process, or a combination of sulphite reject and sulphate reject from a paper mill process, to rapid forced heating at a temperature effective to gasify moisture in the starting material and the cause the starting material to expand or burst.

Abstract: A process is provided for the absorption of organic liquids, particularly oil, using hydrophobic fibrous material prepared by impregnating fibrous material comprising cellulose fibers with a liquid resinous material selected from the group consisting of acrylate prepolymers and polymers, alkyd prepolymers and polymers, and polyester prepolymers and polymers in an amount to provide in the impregnated fibrous material from about 0.5 to about 30% by weight polyacrylate, polyalkyd or polyester, and then heating the impregnated fibrous material to convert the polymer or prepolymer by chemical reaction into a hydrophobic polymer rendering the fibrous material hydrophobic.

Abstract: Gypsum as a byproduct in the manufacture of phosphoric acid is converted into potassium sulphate or sodium sulphate by subjecting an aqueous slurry to anion exchange under acidic conditions. Adding solid potassium chloride to the obtained solution of potassium sulphate causes the latter to crystallize in pure state, the potassium chloride solution recovered after filtering off the crystallized potassium sulphate being used for the regeneration of the anion exchanger.

Abstract: Granular media are featured which cleanse oil from oil-in-water emulsions. These media comprise a glass or filter sand substrate. The substrate is treated with at least one trialkoxysilane wherein the alkoxy moiety comprises from 1 to 2 carbons. The granular media are backwashable to refresh their lipophilic properties.

Abstract: Method for removing a liquid floating on water, for example oil, particularly crude oil on sea water, with a water-resistant synthetic resin foam formed in situ in the region of the water surface to be cleaned, a mixture containing a solvent-free liquid epoxy resin, 5-15%, by weight, based on the epoxy resin, of a resin hardening agent on the basis of an alkylphenol and a biphenol as well as a methylalkyl ketone and 20-30%, by weight, of an accelerator being cured with a di- or polyamine around the liquid to be removed and, optionally, also around the center thereof.

Abstract: The invention deals with calcium silicate granulates or powders with a microporous structure, which are obtained, by reacting crystalline or, if required, amorphous silicon dioxide, or materials containing the same, with calcium oxide or materials containing the same, in a CaO to SiO.sub.2 molar ratio of 0.

Abstract: Water containing traces of oil is cleaned by passing the oil containing water through a foraminous body, the foraminous body having a coating on the surface thereof of an oil-imbibing, oil-swellable latex polymer in a quantity sufficient to blind the foraminous body when the latex is oil swollen.

Abstract: An improved process for removing oil from oily waste water streams, particularly from aqueous refinery streams wherein the oil is present as a stable oil-in-water emulsion, which comprises passing the stream through a filter bed of particulate, unprocessed PVC or its copolymers mixed with a granular, inert and preferably porous filler material such as particles of coke or carbon. The improvement substantially increases bed life and has unexpectedly resulted in higher oil-absorption capacity of the filter bed.

Abstract: An improved method of disposing of radioactive or hazardous liquids comprises placing the liquids in a container and adding a sodium montmorillonite over intervals until the composition is substantially solid in the container.

Abstract: An improved method of disposing of radioactive or hazardous liquid aqueous waste compositions having a substantial amount of dissolved solids comprises mixing the liquid under a high mechanical shear with a clay selected from the group consisting of attapulgite, sepiolite, and mixtures thereof. Water soluble or miscible organic liquids as well as liquid hydrocarbon mixtures thereof may also be solidified by utilizing the aforesaid clays together with an organic ammonium montmorillonite having at least 10 carbon atoms, the amount of montmorillonite used being proportional to the amount of liquid hydrocarbon present.