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: 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 granular elastomeric gum comprising a block copolymer of ethylene/butylene and styrene. The treatment material 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 copolymer granular elastomeric gum 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: 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: Compositions useful for absorbing oil from the surface of oil contaminated water, or land, constituted of a particulate admixture of wood fiber, preferably in concentration ranging about 20 to 70 wt. %, and hydrophobic, organophilic water wettable cotton linters, preferably in concentration ranging from about 80 to 30 wt. %. The compositions can be spread upon the oil contaminated water, or land, to absorb the oil, and the oil contaminated compositions then swept up or otherwise removed, and disposed of to leave the water or land surface cleansed of oil.

Abstract: The method of removing oil from a body of water that includes providing a flexible mesh container, and filling waterfowl feathers into the container, introducing the feather filled mesh container into contact with the oil near or at the surface of the water body, allowing absorption of the oil through the mesh into the feathers in the container, and removing the container from the body of water, for disposition of the absorbed oil. Reclamation of the oil may be effected by squeezing the container and feathers therein to separate oil from the feathers, and collecting the separated oil.

Abstract: An apparatus for skimming oil from the surface of a liquid is disclosed. The apparatus includes an endless belt which is formed from the loop portion of a loop and hook type fastener. The belt is supported to move in a path of travel with a portion of the belt disposed within the liquid. As the belt travels, oil is captured within the material of the belt. A scraping mechanism is provided for scraping an initial amount of oil off of the belt. Rollers are provided for squeezing out the remaining oil on the belt. Oil which is removed by the scrapers and the rollers is captured in a pan and collected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing organic liquids from water is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wick of hydrophobic material which absorbs organic liquids and drains the absorbed liquid into a containment vessel. The collected organic liquid can be easily removed from the containment vessel.

Abstract: Presented is a device which includes a container within which is confined a body of material that will absorb liquid oil and gasoline and also the fumes generated by these two liquid contaminants. The container is provided with a multiplicity of openings formed in such a way as to prevent the intrusion of water with which the oil and gasoline may be mixed, but which permits the passage of the oil and gasoline. The container is constructed in such a way that as the weight of the container increases because of the absorption of liquid oil and gasoline floating on water, the container progressively sinks into the water until the openings in the container are completely submerged, thus entrapping within the container all of the oil and gasoline that has been absorbed and the fumes thereof. When placed in a compartment where liquid oil or gasoline is present in the absence of water, the device will absorb the oil and gasoline and vapors thereof and retain them trapped within the container.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for use in the preparation of food materials, to substantially de-oil or de-grease same. The preferred arrangement comprises a two component structure having an outer protective layer and an inner absorbent layer. The inner absorbent layer may comprise a variety of oil absorbing materials, including conventional ones. The outer protective layer is generally permeable, and operates to protect food from direct contact with the absorbent material, and also to disperse heat from the food, which might otherwise inhibit the ability of the absorbent inner material to perform. The preferred outer protective material is a permeable, non-woven, polypropylene web arrangement having the particular physical characteristics described. A method is provided for degreasing food through application of such an arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for picking up oil from water and from the surface of water, the device being installed to a water craft and comprising at least one collecting means passing around rolls and being installed obliquely, there being at the upper end of the collecting means devices for removing the oil collected by the collecting means and for directing it into a tank in the water craft. The object is especially to eliminate the disadvantages of previously known devices of the mat type that, when the craft moves, the mat tends to direct water and, along with it, also oil to the sides, past the mat. In accordance with the invention the device comprises a number of parallel loop-like collecting means, each of which is made up of pieces provided with upwards and sidewards extending bristles and fixed to the chain, the sidewards-directed bristles extending sufficiently far to come into contact with each other, but allowing water to flow without hindrance through the device.

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 liquid collecting and retaining device consists of a tubular, triangularly shaped casing of a material substantially non-porous to granular solid matter and which is permeable to liquids, which is partially filled with a material that collects and retains liquids passing through the casing, and which is incapable of itself passing through the casing.

Abstract: An oil absorbing and confining product includes a by-product from manufacture of wooden lead pencils and the like. Incense-cedar in its natural state has a natural hydrophobic constituent in a form of a natural resin material. During processing of incense-cedar wood for pencil making, various dyes and the like are added and in addition a small additional amount of wax is added. A waste by-product is generated in the form of fine shavings, fibers and sawdust which uniquely functions for oil absorption with rejection of water absorption. The material can be applied in its waste form to a water surface covered with oil or can be conveniently retained within a suitable flexible and porous covering such as a fabric sock or bag structure for use as a confining and absorbing dam member. The use of incense-cedar is readily destroyed through incineration or the like.

Abstract: An amphibious self-contained oil spill absorbing machine having a chassis supported and propelled on land by front and rear rollers. The front roller has a covering of oil absorbing material and works against a pinch roller to squeeze oil absorbed by the covering into a trough for collection. The machine may be driven into the water supported by floats adjustable by rams to control the depth of penetration of the roller. Operation is possible in shallow water, on beaches and in estuary conditions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for absorbing bases, acids, alcohols and radioactive liquids using phenol resin foamed plastic particles. The size of the particles should lie between about 0.3 and 3 mm. The particles are initially closed-celled, but have been powdered or fine flaked. They may be treated with an acid for absorbing a base, or with a base for absorbing an acid. A preferred use is in the form of packing material. The particles may be disposed in the form of powder or flakes in liquid-permeable padding. The padding may be composed of a plastic web, in particular a nylon web, or of a non-woven fabric. As packing material the phenol resin foamed plastic may be in the form of sheets, blocks, cubes, tablets, balls or fragments.

Abstract: A filter including a flexible mesh having feathers secured thereto is disclosed for separating out oil from an oily liquid. The feathers sorb the oil. In a first embodiment of the filter the feathers are adhesively secured to the mesh. In a second embodiment of the filter, portions of a fibrous polyester layer extend through the feathers and the mesh to secure the feathers to the mesh in fixed positions. A filter assembly, including a plurality of filters supported by a movable conveyor in spaced relationship, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved contamination control boom having walls defining an elongated hollow flotation chamber. Apertures may be provided in the walls of the flotation chamber to allow material from the body of liquid on which the boom is utilized, which may be the liquid, the contaminant, or a mixture thereof. Pump means may be incorporated to remove the material from the flotation chamber. A float means is positioned inside the flotation chamber to provide a desired freeboard for the condition of liquid in the flotation chamber. Special materials may be utilized to fabricate the boom for high temperature resistant applications where the contaminent is burning, but the boom must continue to operate as a boom during the burning.

Abstract: An oil-absorbing article comprises a porous outer fabric which encloses fibrous oil-absorbing particles. The porous fabric of the invention is a nonwoven fibrous polyolefin layer of polyethylene or polypropylene that is stitch-bonded with an elastic thread.

Abstract: To protect shores against oil pollutants, a web-like oil-retaining textile, is lowered into the water in parallel with the shore and the textile is drawn up on the shore over a strip of land which is in danger of getting polluted in such a manner that a longitudinal edge of the textile remains in the water. The oil which is thrown towards the shore by the waves adheres to the textile and is thereby prevented from contacting the strip of land.One longitudinal edge of the textile is provided with a heavy foot rope and the other longitudinal edge is provided with floats and cords for drawing the textile up on the shore. The textile may be a needled fibrous felt having a width of 4 to 8 meters, the width being comparable to that of the strip of land to be protected.

Abstract: Device allowing the selective and continuous recovery of hydrocarbons present in the form of a sheet or nappe at the surface of an aqueous medium. It is essentially constituted by a roller covered with a hydrophobic and oleophilic material 5 partially surrounded by a mobile recipient 6 provided with evacuation means of the aqueous medium 52. This device is particularly well adapted to the deoiling of a decanting basin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydrophobic sorbent, particularly useful for the sorption of oil or other similar tacky or viscous hydrocarbons, which is prepared by subjecting a water-containing, fibrous cellulosic product, particularly sulphite reject fibers, to rapid heating to cause expansion of the fibers through gasification of the water therein. The sorbent is capable of exceptionally rapid and tight sorption and binding of even heavy oils.

Abstract: Excessive oil contamination creates difficulties for water entering waterways. The invention reduces these difficulties by causing the water to flow through three passages on its way to the inlet, the first passage comprising an oil barrier having a net stretching from the surface of the water, preferably down to the bottom of the waterway, the second comprising a filter cloth with a mesh size between 0.2 and 2 mm.sup.2 and the third comprising a filter formed of particles with closed cells which have been perforated.

Abstract: A probe comprising an electrically conductive polymer and a pair of electrodes is placed to be contacted by the chemical. Contact changes the molecular structure or arrangement and changes the resistivity of the polymer, which is measured to actuate an indicator and/or alarm. The probe may be incorporated in a float. The chemical detector may be combined with a water detector.

Abstract: An oil absorbing member and method are provided including an elongate tubular member filled with a highly absorbent particulate material of capillary nature having a wicking action and closed at each end which can be arranged around a machine tool base as a continuous absorbing member.

Abstract: A liquid separator utilizing an endless belt for skimming extraction of oil from a liquid body and doctoring rollers for gathering the oil from both sides of the belt.

Abstract: A dry-type textile cleaning article is disclosed which comprises a friable hydrophilic polyurethane foam body which incorporates abrasive particles, solvents, surfactants, and adjuvants such as fragrance, biocides, and fiber emollients. When rubbed over a textile surface the foam body yields shreds which are effective to remove both liquid and dry soils from textiles.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained skimming apparatus having a rotatable drive wheel and a rotatable idler star wheel disposed in a spaced apart relationship. An endless belt is extended over the rotatable drive wheel and the rotatable idler star wheel, a portion of the endless belt descends downwardly into the liquid to be skimmed. One or more scraping devices are provided between the rotatable idler wheel and the rotatable drive wheel for removing fluid from the endless belt. A pressure roller is provided to bias a portion of the endless belt into engagement with the rotatable drive wheel so that the rotatable drive wheel may drive the endless belt. A collector is provided below the one or more scraping devices so as to collect fluid removed from the endless belt.

Abstract: A dry-type carpet cleaning composition is disclosed which comprises shreds of a hydrophilic polyurethane foam which incorporates abrasive particles surfactants, and adjuvants such as fragrance, solvents, anti-static agents and fiber emollients. The foam shreds are effective to clean both wet and dry carpeting since they are highly water-absorbent and can be readily removed from the carpet surface when wet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing oil from the surface of a body of water, subtidal seafloor, a riverbed, a shoreline or a beach are disclosed. The method employs a sweeping action of oleophilic bristles comprising at least one brush to remove oil from such a surface and a suction means to remove oil from the bristles. The apparatus comprises one or more oleophilic bristled brushes connected to a support means. The brushes are positioned so that they have a lower portion in contact with the oil and an upper portion above the oil. A motor means moves the brushes so that the oil is drawn into the brushes. A suction means, such as an air conveyor system, removes the oil from the brushes.

Abstract: An improved floating sensor for the detection of oil leaks at a water surface is provided wherein a cloth layer is affixed to the outside of a leak detector which, by capillary action, results in a threshold level of oil film thickness below which no alarm sounds and above which an alarm will sound. The invention provides means for the pre-selection of the thickness of oil film which will be detected and eliminates the detection of very thin, inconsequential oil leaks.

Abstract: A water and oil absorbant concrete cleaning composition is disclosed comprising shreds of a hydrophilic, open-celled, solids-loaded polyurethane foam. Methods are also disclosed to bind the solids to the cellular foam matrix.

Abstract: A large buoyant roller having absorbent material on its surface is power driven in alternate clockwise and counter clockwise rotation and located in a buoyant enclosure incorporating movable breakwater members for reducing wave action while admitting oil and water into the enclosure. A movable scraper is arranged for engagement with said absorbent material on said roller when said roller revolves in a clockwise direction for removing oil from the absorbent material.

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 for absorbing oil and a particulate oil-absorbing composition are provided, which composition in dust form displays a low explosion hazard and a low flammability, but which after absorption of oil is flammable and entirely consumed when burned, the particles comprising as the major component at least 50% by weight hydrophobic cellulose pulp fibers blended with at least 30% up to 50% of an inorganic cellulose paper pulp filler.

Abstract: A mixture containing dispersed phase and continuous aqueous phase, with particulate solids being part of either or both phases, is separated by passing it one or more times through apertures in an endless oleophilic conveyor belt in a separation zone wherein bitumen phase adheres to the belt and bitumen adhering to the belt is conveyed to one or more bitumen treatment zones and to a recovery zone where bitumen is removed from the belt. The end rolls of the belt are not immersed in a water bath; however, portions of the belt, while in the separation, treatment and recovery zones, may be partly or completely in an aqueous environment. More than one set of separation, treatment and recovery zones may be used on the same endless belt conveyor. Also, a mixture containing dispersed aqueous phase and continuous bitumen or oil phase, and possibly gas, is deposited onto an apertured oleophilic endless belt conveyor and is treated in one or more treatment zones and is then removed from the belt.

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: Drips-catching mats for installation in combination with a minor proportion of a floor especially a garage floor beneath a motor vehicle to capture oil drippings therefrom. The mat essentially comprises generally horizontally extending laminar elements including: a base member highly-tenaciously bonded to the underlying floor environment; an oleophilic blotter member having a lower-tenacity attached to the base member whereby an oleo-laden blotter can be manually replaced with a fresh blotter without disrupting the high-tenacity flooring bond to the base member, the lower-tenacity attachment preferably comprising an oleo-resistant laminar adhesive; and visual indicator means to indicate when blotter replacement is necessary.

Abstract: A material for scavenging oil slick and/or oleaginous fluids comprising paper-machine sludge combined in the presence of water with a hydraulic cement and dried.

Abstract: An expendable pillow in the form of a container having at least one pocket partially filled with a granular absorbent material is disclosed. The container is a fabric of high permeability coated with a surfactant. The granular material is highly absorbent and expandable upon contact with liquids. The pillow is light weight, has an absorption capacity in excess of 500%, and will float on liquids.

Abstract: A method and a device to clean up oil spills or similar substances. Sorbent material for oil or similar products is blown out by means of an air current on to the oil via a spreading duct through a spreading opening. The sorbent material is brought to sorb the oil and oil and sorbent material is sucked up by means of a suction opening via a suction duct to a receptacle.

Abstract: Chemicals spilled on porous surfaces may be removed therefrom by applying to the spill site a poultice in the form of a slurry or paste of finely divided particulate material dispersed in a volatile solvent in which the spilled chemical substance is soluble, allowing the solvent to be absorbed into the porous substrate. The poultice is then allowed to dry, thereby effecting a wicking action causing extraction of the chemical substance from the substrate into the poultice.

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: An open sea skimmer barge comprising a hull having a bow, bottom, side walls, stern having a substantially horizontal elongate slot extending across a portion thereof and a deck, a spill suction tunnel, a collection tank, secondary oil separation means and tertiary oil separation means.

Abstract: Bags loosely containing feathers are distributed onto oil on water to enable the feathers to take up the oil. The bags have openings sufficiently large to permit the oil to enter and contact the feathers within the bags. The bags can be linked together, for example in a chain using ropes. Once the feathers have become saturated with oil the bags can be picked up from the water.

Abstract: A collecting rope which is intended especially for collecting oil from the surface of water, the rope comprising a drive chain which is situated inside a cylindrical part, which is surrounded by a lightweight float layer, which is surrounded by another cylindrical part, oil-collecting bristles being attached to the outer surface of the outer cylinder. The cylindrical parts can rotate in relation to the drive chain, since the joint between them consists of resilient protrusions on the inner surface of the inner cylinder. The cylinders and the chain are, however, locked to each other in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A method of treating salt water-in-oil dispersions comprises mixing with the dispersion a latex of a rubber having a high wet gel strength. The incorporation of the latex into the dispersion causes exudation of water from the dispersion with resulting thickening. If sufficient latex is used the dispersion may be transformed into a solid. Suitable rubbers include natural rubber, polychloroprene rubber, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, styrene butadiene rubber and poly (methyl methacrylate) graft natural rubber.The tackiness of solids formed using for example a natural rubber latex can be reduced by using in addition to the natural rubber latex, a latex of a low or zero wet gel strength polymer e.g. PVC, poly (vinyl acetate) or polystyrene. The effectiveness of the method of treatment may be improved by the use of a suitable compatible solvent e.g. toluene or a filler such as a clay filler.

Abstract: Less viscous liquids (7) such as diesel oil may be unintentionally spread on water surfaces or on the ground (6). Loose sawdust (2) or chemicals are used to clear said surfaces (6). These clearing aids (2) with the liquid (7) absorbed in them are difficult to remove. The use of cases (5) of filter material, filled with sawdust (2) provides an aid which is easy to remove when the liquid has been cleared.

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: A liquid-absorbing textile product which is in the form of a double-layer fabric wherein the two layers are interwoven by pile threads of a hydrophobic and oleophilic synthetic material. The resulting product is very manageable and capable of absorbing considerable quantities of oil despite its low weight.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of magnetic particulate matter coated with a protective layer of chromium(III) hydroxide, oxyhydroxide or oxide, optionally crosslinked with polyacrylic acid, which process comprises a first step of depositing a hydrogel of chromium(III) hydroxide onto magnetic material in a desired particulate form, a second step of heating to form chromium(III) hydroxide, oxyhydroxide or oxide, and a third optional step, which may precede or follow the said second step, of crosslinking with polyacrylic acid. The coated protected magnetic particles are useful for the preparation of composite magnetic polymeric particles for use in processes involving ion exchange, filtration and adsorption.