CA2363350C - Absorbent for absorbing hydrocarbon material - Google Patents
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- CA2363350C CA2363350C CA 2363350 CA2363350A CA2363350C CA 2363350 C CA2363350 C CA 2363350C CA 2363350 CA2363350 CA 2363350 CA 2363350 A CA2363350 A CA 2363350A CA 2363350 C CA2363350 C CA 2363350C
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Abstract
A composition for absorbing hydrocarbon material. The composition contains less than weight percent of water, has an absolute density of from about 1.2 to about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter, and has a bulk density of from about 0.46 to about 0.85 grams per cubic centimeter. The composition also contains from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of organic matter and from about 85 to about 50 weight percent of inorganic matter, provided that the ratio of the weight of inorganic matter to the weight of organic matter is at least about 1Ø Said composition has a particle size distribution such that from about 30 to about 100 weight percent of the particles of said composition are smaller than 0.125 inches, and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent of such particles are within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches.
Description
i ABSORBENT FOR ABSORBING HYDROCARBON MATERIAL
Field of the invention An absorbent made from organic compost material for absorbing hydrocarbons, such as oil, from the surface of water.
Background of the invention Uncontained liquid oil can cause serious environmental damage. Thus, for example, oil on the surface of ocean water damages aquatic life by preventing sufficient sunlight from penetrating the water, reduces the level of dissolved oxygen in the water, and renders the feathers and gills of birds and fish ineffective. Thus, by way of further example, in March of 1996 it was reported that 2,500 gallons of jet fuel remained in storm and sewer drains under the New York State Thruway in Victor, New York and that a heavy rain or quick thaw could flood these drains and force the fuel into nearby creeks and/or the water table.
Efforts have been made to provide absorbents which will effectively and economically absorb such uncontained liquid petroleum products. By way of illustration, in 1973 (in United States patent 3,771,653), John P. Harnett described a compost material for removing oil films from water.
Field of the invention An absorbent made from organic compost material for absorbing hydrocarbons, such as oil, from the surface of water.
Background of the invention Uncontained liquid oil can cause serious environmental damage. Thus, for example, oil on the surface of ocean water damages aquatic life by preventing sufficient sunlight from penetrating the water, reduces the level of dissolved oxygen in the water, and renders the feathers and gills of birds and fish ineffective. Thus, by way of further example, in March of 1996 it was reported that 2,500 gallons of jet fuel remained in storm and sewer drains under the New York State Thruway in Victor, New York and that a heavy rain or quick thaw could flood these drains and force the fuel into nearby creeks and/or the water table.
Efforts have been made to provide absorbents which will effectively and economically absorb such uncontained liquid petroleum products. By way of illustration, in 1973 (in United States patent 3,771,653), John P. Harnett described a compost material for removing oil films from water.
2 0 The compost material described in United States patent 3,771,653 was "...prepared from organic material by aerobic digestion..." (see claim 2), and it had a low bulk density, being ...lighter than water..." (see lines 25 et seq. of column 4 of the patent). The patentee disclosed that "Because of its hydrophobic and oleophilic characteristics and low bulk density (6 pounds per cubic foot), the compost floats on 2 5 water and absorbs. oil so that compost containing the absorbed oil can be easily scooped up...."
When a "...compost containing the absorbed oil..." floats upon water, it can readily be ignited and, thus, presents a fire hazard. Furthermore, it is often difficult to "...scoop up..." a very large area of'...compost containing the absorbed oil...,"
When a "...compost containing the absorbed oil..." floats upon water, it can readily be ignited and, thus, presents a fire hazard. Furthermore, it is often difficult to "...scoop up..." a very large area of'...compost containing the absorbed oil...,"
3 0 especially in a choppy sea.
In order to overcome this difficulty, it is suggested in United States patent 3,771,653 that one could prepare a mixture of'...one part of compost mixed with two parts of sand wetted with 1 % crude oil." Such mixture is substantially less effective as a hydrocarbon sorbent than the pure compost material and, because of the presence of the crude oil, is itself a hazardous material whose use is proscribed by many environmental regulations.
Another compost material is described in applicant's United States patents 4,971,616 and 5,082,486. When this compost material is used an oil absorbent,.
it absorbs the oil poorly. The oil that it does absorb sinks with it to the bottom of a body of water; but, thereafter, the oil separates from the compost material and rises to the top of the water.
It is an object of this invention to provide an absorbent for removing liquid hydrocarbons from water which, after absorbing the liquid hydrocarbon(s), sinks in the water and restrains the oil to which it is bound from rising in the water.
Summary of the invention In accordance with this invention, there is provided an absorbent for removing liquid hydrocarbons from water. This absorbent has a density of from about 1.2 to about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter; it comprises from 50 to about 85 weight percent of inorganic matter and from about 15 to about 85 weight percent of organic matter; it also comprises from about contains from 0.01 to about 10 weight percent of water and from about 7 to about 35 weight percent of carbon; it has a pH of from about 6 to 2 0 about 8; and it has a particle size distribution such that at least about 100 weight percent of its particles are smaller than 0.25 inches.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided, a composition for absorbing hydrocarbon material, wherein:
(a) the composition contains less than about 10 weight percent and more than 2 5 about 0.01 weight percent of water, has an absolute density of from about 1.2 to about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter, and has a bulk density of from about 0.46 to about 0.85 grams per cubic centimeter;
(b) the composition is comprised of from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of organic matter (by combined weight of organic and inorganic matter) and 3 0 from about 85 to about 50 weight percent of inorganic matter (by combined weight of inorganic and organic matter), provided that:
1. the ratio of the weight of the inorganic matter to the weight of the organic matter in the composition is at least about 1.0, d1 2. the absorbent is comprised of at least 10 parts per million of nitrates, from about 10 to about 1,100 parts per million of elemental phosphorous, from about 20 to about 3,000 parts per million of elemental potassium, and at least about 200 parts per million of elemental calcium;
(c) the composition is comprised of from about 7 to about 35 weight percent of carbon; and (d) the composition has a particle size distribution such that from about 30 to about 100 weight percent of the particles of the composition are smaller than 0.125 inches, and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent of such particles are within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches.
Brief description of the drawings The claimed invention will be described with reference to the following drawing, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:
Figure 1 is a flow chart of a preferred process for making the absorbent of this invention.
2 0 Descr~tion of the preferred embodiments Figure 1 is a flow diagram of a preferred method for making the absorbent of this invention. In step 10 of this process, the compost material described in United States patent 5,082,486 is prepared.
As is disclosed in Column 8 of United States patent 5,082,486, the compost 2 5 material of such patent comprises from about 45 to about 92 weight percent of water.
This compost material has a particle size distribution such that from about 0.5 to about 35 weight percent of its particles are from about 1 to about 2 inches, from about 0.5 to about 35 weight percent of its particles are from about 0.25 to about 1.0 inches, and at least about 50 weight percent of its particles are smaller than 0.25 inches. The 3 0 pH of this compost material is from about 6.2 to about 8.0, and the ratio of organic matter to inorganic matter in the compost material is from about 0.6 to about 1.
In step 12 of the process, the compost material prepared in accordance with United States patent 5,082,486 is screened to remove all particles greater than 0.25 inches. One may, e.g., use a sieve with 0.25 inch square openings for this purpose.
In step 14 of the process, the sieved material is then dried to a water content of less than about 10 weight percent. It is preferred that the water content of the dried material be less than about 8 weight percent. In one embodiment, the water content of the dried material is less than about 2 weight percent. This drying step may be conducted in an oven. Alternatively, it may be conducted by allowing the sieved material to stand within an enclosed area (sheltered from rain or snow) for a period of at least about six months, in which case it naturally dries to the desired water content.
Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, applicant believes that, when the compost material is allowed to stand for a period of from about six months to about one year, it undergoes further biological, chemical and physical reactions which reduce its moisture content.
~ In step 16 of the process, which is optional, one may sieve the dried compost material so that substantially all the sieved particles are smaller than about 0.125 inches. In one embodiment, all of the sieved particles are smaller than about 0.09 inches.
One may use either or both of the dried materials produced in steps 14 and 16.
2 o In step 18, the dried compost material is distributed onto the hydrocarbon to be absorbed; and it may be so distributed by the means described in United States patent 3,772,653. Thus, by way of illustration, the compost material may be contacted with the oil by dispersing a layer of compost upon the surface of water in the area of an oil leak and, thereafter, agitating the water by boats to achieve turbulence and force 2 5 contact between the film of oil on the water and the compost material.
Thus, e.g., the compost material may be sprayed onto the oil slick by means of high velocity blowers. Other suitable means of application are well known to those skilled in the art.
The compost material of this invention, after it is applied to an oil slick, will combine with the hydrocarbon material and sink in the water. In this respect, its behavior is different from the compost material ofUnited States patent 3,771,653.
It is preferred to use at least about 1 part of dried compost material for each part (by weight) of the hydrocarbon to be absorbed. In one embodiment, at least about 1.2 parts of the absbrbent are used per part of the hydrocarbon material.
The properties of the absorbent material of this invention The absorbent material of this invention has an absolute density of from about 1.2 to about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter. As is known to those skilled in the art, the absolute density of a material (which is also referred to as its "true density") is the weight of the material divided by its volume, excluding open and closed pores (see A.S.T.M. C-242);
and it is determined by using the Archimedean principle that a body immersed in a fluid undergoes an apparent loss in weight equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. Thus, the absorbent is first weighed, then it is submerged in a known volume of water and the water displaced is measured volumetrically to determine the volume of the absorbent. The initial weight of the absorbent divided by its volume is its true density.
In. one embodiment, the absolute density of the absorbent material of the invention is from about 1.5 to about 2.2 grams per cubic centimeter.
The absorbent material of this invention has a bulk density of from about 4 to about 7.4 pounds per cubic foot (which is equivalent to from 0.46 to about 0.85 grams per cubic centimeter); this bulk density is comparable to the bulk density of the compost material of United States patent 3,771,653 (which is disclosed to be "6 pounds per cubic foot" at line 63 of column 3 of such patent). However, unlike the compost material of United States patent 3,771,653, the absorbent of this invention need not be "...weighted to such a degree that it becomes heavier than eater as it absorbs oil..." (see lines 25-27 of U.S. patent 3,771,653) before it will sink with the absorbed oil in the water.
As is known to those skilled in the art, one may determine bulk density be weighing a specified volume of the material, the volume having been determined in air using standard volumetric means such as a graduated cylinder.
The absorbent of this invention contains from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of organic matter, by combined dry weight of organic and inorganic matter. The term organic matter, as used in this specification, refers to any matter which, after being subjected to a temperature of 500 degrees Centigrade, will vaporize. In general, organic matter is matter is which either one or more hydrocarbons and or their derivatives; it commonly is a matter of plant or animal origin; it has been defined as "Of chemical compounds, based on carbon chains or rings and also containing hydrogen, with or without oxygen, nitrogen, or other elements.
The amount of organic matter in a material is commonly determined by the loss on ignition test. In this test, the soil is then dried at a temperature of 50 degrees Centigrade for one hour, and then it is reweighed and then subjected to a temperature of 500 degrees Centigrade for two hours to ignite and vaporize the hydrocarbon matter therein. The material is then cooled and yet again weighed. It is then assumed that all of the material vaporized by the test conditions is organic matter; and the ratio of the organic matter to the total weight of the dried material can then be calculated.
Once the amount of organic matter in the sample_has been calculated., then remaining material in the dried material is assumed to be inorganic matter.
The absorbent of this invention preferably contains from about 50 to about 85 weight percent of inorganic matter, by combined weight of inorganic and organic matter. It is preferred that the ratio of the weight of inorganic material in the absorbent to the weight of the organic material is at least 1.0 and preferably, at least 1.5 and; in one embodiment, such ratio is at least about 2Ø It one embodiment, the absorbent contains from about 25 to about 40 weight percent of organic matter and from about 75 to about 60 weight percent of inorganic material.
In one embodiment, the absorbent contains at least from about 10 to about 100 parts per million of nitrates of one or more metals, from about 10 to about 1100 parts per million of elemental phosphorous, from about 20 to about 3,000 parts per million of elemental potassium, from about 200 to about 35,000 parts per million of elemental calcium, and from about 10 to about 20,000 parts per million of elemental magnesium.
The amount of carbon in the absorbent is from about 7 to about 35 weight percent.
The absorbent material of this invention has a particle size distribution, as measured by conventional means, which is believed to be substantially different than the particle size distributions of most other compost materials. Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, applicant believes that the manner in which his absorbent is prepared contributes to this different particle size distribution.
Particle size analyses of the absorbent material may be conducted by conventional means such as, e.g., means described at pages 251 to 255 of John P. Sibilia's "A
Guide to Materials Characterization and Chemical Analyses" (VCH Publishers, Inc.,220 East 23'd Street, New York, N.Y., 1988). Thus, e.g., one may use conventional sieve:analysis.
Substantially 100 percent of the particles of applicant's absorbent are finer than 0.25 inches.
From about 30 to about 100 percent of the particles of the absorbent are finer than 0.125 inches. It is preferred that substantially 100 percent of the particles of the absorbent be finer than 0.125 inches.
At least about 60 percent of the particles of the absorbent are larger than 0.0098 inches.
In one embodiment, from about 60 to about 100 weight percent of the particles of the absorbent are within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches. In a more preferred aspect of this embodiment, from about 75 to about 100 weight percent of the particles of the absorbent are within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches.
If one isolates that portion of the absorbent material of the invention which has its particles sizes within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches and mixes 10 pounds of such absorbent material with 5 gallons of water, and when the mixture thus formed is mixed for 48 hours using a mixer (such as a Lightning Mixer) run at a rate of from about 200 to about 1,750 revolutions per minute, the particle size distribution of the absorbent material will be substantially reduced. When, after such mixing, the filtrate is removed by filtration through a 0.0098 inch screen, the filtrate will contain suspended particles smaller than 0.0098 inches.
When these suspended particles are allowed to settle and the liquid is decanted, and then the settled particles are allowed to dry to a moisture content of less than 10 weight percent, the settled, dried particles will have a particle size distribution such that at least about 100 weight percent of such particles are smaller than 0.0098 inches. The weight of these particles indicates that at least about 25 percent of the original particles have been reduced in size. The density of this dried material preferably is from about 1.9 to about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
It is to be understood that the aforementioned description is illustrative only and that changes can be made in the apparatus, in the ingredients and their proportions, and in the sequence of combinations and process steps, as well as in other aspects of the invention discussed herein, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
In order to overcome this difficulty, it is suggested in United States patent 3,771,653 that one could prepare a mixture of'...one part of compost mixed with two parts of sand wetted with 1 % crude oil." Such mixture is substantially less effective as a hydrocarbon sorbent than the pure compost material and, because of the presence of the crude oil, is itself a hazardous material whose use is proscribed by many environmental regulations.
Another compost material is described in applicant's United States patents 4,971,616 and 5,082,486. When this compost material is used an oil absorbent,.
it absorbs the oil poorly. The oil that it does absorb sinks with it to the bottom of a body of water; but, thereafter, the oil separates from the compost material and rises to the top of the water.
It is an object of this invention to provide an absorbent for removing liquid hydrocarbons from water which, after absorbing the liquid hydrocarbon(s), sinks in the water and restrains the oil to which it is bound from rising in the water.
Summary of the invention In accordance with this invention, there is provided an absorbent for removing liquid hydrocarbons from water. This absorbent has a density of from about 1.2 to about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter; it comprises from 50 to about 85 weight percent of inorganic matter and from about 15 to about 85 weight percent of organic matter; it also comprises from about contains from 0.01 to about 10 weight percent of water and from about 7 to about 35 weight percent of carbon; it has a pH of from about 6 to 2 0 about 8; and it has a particle size distribution such that at least about 100 weight percent of its particles are smaller than 0.25 inches.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided, a composition for absorbing hydrocarbon material, wherein:
(a) the composition contains less than about 10 weight percent and more than 2 5 about 0.01 weight percent of water, has an absolute density of from about 1.2 to about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter, and has a bulk density of from about 0.46 to about 0.85 grams per cubic centimeter;
(b) the composition is comprised of from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of organic matter (by combined weight of organic and inorganic matter) and 3 0 from about 85 to about 50 weight percent of inorganic matter (by combined weight of inorganic and organic matter), provided that:
1. the ratio of the weight of the inorganic matter to the weight of the organic matter in the composition is at least about 1.0, d1 2. the absorbent is comprised of at least 10 parts per million of nitrates, from about 10 to about 1,100 parts per million of elemental phosphorous, from about 20 to about 3,000 parts per million of elemental potassium, and at least about 200 parts per million of elemental calcium;
(c) the composition is comprised of from about 7 to about 35 weight percent of carbon; and (d) the composition has a particle size distribution such that from about 30 to about 100 weight percent of the particles of the composition are smaller than 0.125 inches, and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent of such particles are within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches.
Brief description of the drawings The claimed invention will be described with reference to the following drawing, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:
Figure 1 is a flow chart of a preferred process for making the absorbent of this invention.
2 0 Descr~tion of the preferred embodiments Figure 1 is a flow diagram of a preferred method for making the absorbent of this invention. In step 10 of this process, the compost material described in United States patent 5,082,486 is prepared.
As is disclosed in Column 8 of United States patent 5,082,486, the compost 2 5 material of such patent comprises from about 45 to about 92 weight percent of water.
This compost material has a particle size distribution such that from about 0.5 to about 35 weight percent of its particles are from about 1 to about 2 inches, from about 0.5 to about 35 weight percent of its particles are from about 0.25 to about 1.0 inches, and at least about 50 weight percent of its particles are smaller than 0.25 inches. The 3 0 pH of this compost material is from about 6.2 to about 8.0, and the ratio of organic matter to inorganic matter in the compost material is from about 0.6 to about 1.
In step 12 of the process, the compost material prepared in accordance with United States patent 5,082,486 is screened to remove all particles greater than 0.25 inches. One may, e.g., use a sieve with 0.25 inch square openings for this purpose.
In step 14 of the process, the sieved material is then dried to a water content of less than about 10 weight percent. It is preferred that the water content of the dried material be less than about 8 weight percent. In one embodiment, the water content of the dried material is less than about 2 weight percent. This drying step may be conducted in an oven. Alternatively, it may be conducted by allowing the sieved material to stand within an enclosed area (sheltered from rain or snow) for a period of at least about six months, in which case it naturally dries to the desired water content.
Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, applicant believes that, when the compost material is allowed to stand for a period of from about six months to about one year, it undergoes further biological, chemical and physical reactions which reduce its moisture content.
~ In step 16 of the process, which is optional, one may sieve the dried compost material so that substantially all the sieved particles are smaller than about 0.125 inches. In one embodiment, all of the sieved particles are smaller than about 0.09 inches.
One may use either or both of the dried materials produced in steps 14 and 16.
2 o In step 18, the dried compost material is distributed onto the hydrocarbon to be absorbed; and it may be so distributed by the means described in United States patent 3,772,653. Thus, by way of illustration, the compost material may be contacted with the oil by dispersing a layer of compost upon the surface of water in the area of an oil leak and, thereafter, agitating the water by boats to achieve turbulence and force 2 5 contact between the film of oil on the water and the compost material.
Thus, e.g., the compost material may be sprayed onto the oil slick by means of high velocity blowers. Other suitable means of application are well known to those skilled in the art.
The compost material of this invention, after it is applied to an oil slick, will combine with the hydrocarbon material and sink in the water. In this respect, its behavior is different from the compost material ofUnited States patent 3,771,653.
It is preferred to use at least about 1 part of dried compost material for each part (by weight) of the hydrocarbon to be absorbed. In one embodiment, at least about 1.2 parts of the absbrbent are used per part of the hydrocarbon material.
The properties of the absorbent material of this invention The absorbent material of this invention has an absolute density of from about 1.2 to about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter. As is known to those skilled in the art, the absolute density of a material (which is also referred to as its "true density") is the weight of the material divided by its volume, excluding open and closed pores (see A.S.T.M. C-242);
and it is determined by using the Archimedean principle that a body immersed in a fluid undergoes an apparent loss in weight equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. Thus, the absorbent is first weighed, then it is submerged in a known volume of water and the water displaced is measured volumetrically to determine the volume of the absorbent. The initial weight of the absorbent divided by its volume is its true density.
In. one embodiment, the absolute density of the absorbent material of the invention is from about 1.5 to about 2.2 grams per cubic centimeter.
The absorbent material of this invention has a bulk density of from about 4 to about 7.4 pounds per cubic foot (which is equivalent to from 0.46 to about 0.85 grams per cubic centimeter); this bulk density is comparable to the bulk density of the compost material of United States patent 3,771,653 (which is disclosed to be "6 pounds per cubic foot" at line 63 of column 3 of such patent). However, unlike the compost material of United States patent 3,771,653, the absorbent of this invention need not be "...weighted to such a degree that it becomes heavier than eater as it absorbs oil..." (see lines 25-27 of U.S. patent 3,771,653) before it will sink with the absorbed oil in the water.
As is known to those skilled in the art, one may determine bulk density be weighing a specified volume of the material, the volume having been determined in air using standard volumetric means such as a graduated cylinder.
The absorbent of this invention contains from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of organic matter, by combined dry weight of organic and inorganic matter. The term organic matter, as used in this specification, refers to any matter which, after being subjected to a temperature of 500 degrees Centigrade, will vaporize. In general, organic matter is matter is which either one or more hydrocarbons and or their derivatives; it commonly is a matter of plant or animal origin; it has been defined as "Of chemical compounds, based on carbon chains or rings and also containing hydrogen, with or without oxygen, nitrogen, or other elements.
The amount of organic matter in a material is commonly determined by the loss on ignition test. In this test, the soil is then dried at a temperature of 50 degrees Centigrade for one hour, and then it is reweighed and then subjected to a temperature of 500 degrees Centigrade for two hours to ignite and vaporize the hydrocarbon matter therein. The material is then cooled and yet again weighed. It is then assumed that all of the material vaporized by the test conditions is organic matter; and the ratio of the organic matter to the total weight of the dried material can then be calculated.
Once the amount of organic matter in the sample_has been calculated., then remaining material in the dried material is assumed to be inorganic matter.
The absorbent of this invention preferably contains from about 50 to about 85 weight percent of inorganic matter, by combined weight of inorganic and organic matter. It is preferred that the ratio of the weight of inorganic material in the absorbent to the weight of the organic material is at least 1.0 and preferably, at least 1.5 and; in one embodiment, such ratio is at least about 2Ø It one embodiment, the absorbent contains from about 25 to about 40 weight percent of organic matter and from about 75 to about 60 weight percent of inorganic material.
In one embodiment, the absorbent contains at least from about 10 to about 100 parts per million of nitrates of one or more metals, from about 10 to about 1100 parts per million of elemental phosphorous, from about 20 to about 3,000 parts per million of elemental potassium, from about 200 to about 35,000 parts per million of elemental calcium, and from about 10 to about 20,000 parts per million of elemental magnesium.
The amount of carbon in the absorbent is from about 7 to about 35 weight percent.
The absorbent material of this invention has a particle size distribution, as measured by conventional means, which is believed to be substantially different than the particle size distributions of most other compost materials. Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, applicant believes that the manner in which his absorbent is prepared contributes to this different particle size distribution.
Particle size analyses of the absorbent material may be conducted by conventional means such as, e.g., means described at pages 251 to 255 of John P. Sibilia's "A
Guide to Materials Characterization and Chemical Analyses" (VCH Publishers, Inc.,220 East 23'd Street, New York, N.Y., 1988). Thus, e.g., one may use conventional sieve:analysis.
Substantially 100 percent of the particles of applicant's absorbent are finer than 0.25 inches.
From about 30 to about 100 percent of the particles of the absorbent are finer than 0.125 inches. It is preferred that substantially 100 percent of the particles of the absorbent be finer than 0.125 inches.
At least about 60 percent of the particles of the absorbent are larger than 0.0098 inches.
In one embodiment, from about 60 to about 100 weight percent of the particles of the absorbent are within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches. In a more preferred aspect of this embodiment, from about 75 to about 100 weight percent of the particles of the absorbent are within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches.
If one isolates that portion of the absorbent material of the invention which has its particles sizes within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches and mixes 10 pounds of such absorbent material with 5 gallons of water, and when the mixture thus formed is mixed for 48 hours using a mixer (such as a Lightning Mixer) run at a rate of from about 200 to about 1,750 revolutions per minute, the particle size distribution of the absorbent material will be substantially reduced. When, after such mixing, the filtrate is removed by filtration through a 0.0098 inch screen, the filtrate will contain suspended particles smaller than 0.0098 inches.
When these suspended particles are allowed to settle and the liquid is decanted, and then the settled particles are allowed to dry to a moisture content of less than 10 weight percent, the settled, dried particles will have a particle size distribution such that at least about 100 weight percent of such particles are smaller than 0.0098 inches. The weight of these particles indicates that at least about 25 percent of the original particles have been reduced in size. The density of this dried material preferably is from about 1.9 to about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
It is to be understood that the aforementioned description is illustrative only and that changes can be made in the apparatus, in the ingredients and their proportions, and in the sequence of combinations and process steps, as well as in other aspects of the invention discussed herein, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims (8)
1. A composition for absorbing hydrocarbon material, wherein:
(a) said composition contains less than about 10 weight percent and more than about 0.01 weight percent of water, has an absolute density of from about 1.2 to about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter, and has a bulk density of from about 0.46 to about 0.85 grams per cubic centimeter;
(b) said composition is comprised of from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of organic matter (by combined weight of organic and inorganic matter) and from about 85 to about 50 weight percent of inorganic matter (by combined weight of inorganic and organic matter), provided that:
1. the ratio of the weight of said inorganic matter to the weight of said organic matter in said composition is at least about 1.0,
(a) said composition contains less than about 10 weight percent and more than about 0.01 weight percent of water, has an absolute density of from about 1.2 to about 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter, and has a bulk density of from about 0.46 to about 0.85 grams per cubic centimeter;
(b) said composition is comprised of from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of organic matter (by combined weight of organic and inorganic matter) and from about 85 to about 50 weight percent of inorganic matter (by combined weight of inorganic and organic matter), provided that:
1. the ratio of the weight of said inorganic matter to the weight of said organic matter in said composition is at least about 1.0,
2. said absorbent is comprised of at least 10 parts per million of nitrates, from about 10 to about 1,100 parts per million of elemental phosphorous, from about 20 to about 3,000 parts per million of elemental potassium, and at least about 200 parts per million of elemental calcium;
(c) said composition is comprised of from about 7 to about 35 weight percent of carbon; and (d) said composition has a particle size distribution such that from about 30 to about 100 weight percent of the particles of said composition are smaller than 0.125 inches, and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent of such particles are within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches.
2. The composition as recited in claim 1, wherein said composition has a absolute density of from about 1.5 to about 2.2 grams per cubic centimeter.
(c) said composition is comprised of from about 7 to about 35 weight percent of carbon; and (d) said composition has a particle size distribution such that from about 30 to about 100 weight percent of the particles of said composition are smaller than 0.125 inches, and from about 60 to about 100 weight percent of such particles are within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches.
2. The composition as recited in claim 1, wherein said composition has a absolute density of from about 1.5 to about 2.2 grams per cubic centimeter.
3. The composition as recited in claim 2, wherein said ratio of said weight of said inorganic matter to said weight of said organic matter is at least about 1.5.
4. The composition as recited in claim 2, wherein said ratio of said weight of said inorganic matter to said weight of said organic matter is at least about 2Ø
5. The composition as recited in claim 1, wherein about 100 percent of said particles of said composition are smaller than about 0.125 inches.
6. The composition as recited in claim 5, wherein from about 75 to about 100 weight percent of said particles of said composition are within the range of from about 0.0098 to about 0.125 inches.
7. The composition as recited in claim 1, wherein said composition is comprised of from about 10 to about 20,000 parts million of elemental magnesium.
8. The composition as recited in claim 1, wherein said composition is comprised of from about 200 to about 35,000 parts per million of elemental calcium.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US72183700A | 2000-11-25 | 2000-11-25 | |
| US09/721,837 | 2000-11-25 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2363350A1 CA2363350A1 (en) | 2002-05-25 |
| CA2363350C true CA2363350C (en) | 2005-05-10 |
Family
ID=24899512
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2363350 Expired - Fee Related CA2363350C (en) | 2000-11-25 | 2001-11-15 | Absorbent for absorbing hydrocarbon material |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2363350C (en) |
-
2001
- 2001-11-15 CA CA 2363350 patent/CA2363350C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2363350A1 (en) | 2002-05-25 |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
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| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20121115 |