Hydrocarbon absorbing apparatuses and methods of preparing and using the same
OwnerStephen C. Kurtzmaninventor
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Abstract
The present embodiments disclose apparatuses and methods for extracting oil and other hydrocarbons from bodies of water (and, in some embodiments, from solid ground), using, for example, polyester (typically polyethylene terephthalate fibers coated in latex) and/or nylon tire reinforcement cords contained within water-permeable containment devices.
Claims13
A hydrocarbon absorbing apparatus, comprising:
- a containment device, at least a portion of which is comprised of a permeable material, wherein the containment device has a volume to outer surface area ratio of about 0.50 to 3;
- and
- an absorbent material, comprised of at least one of polyester fibers and nylon fibers that have been shredded such that the apparatus floats when placed onto water,
- wherein the absorbent material is enclosed within the containment device, and wherein the absorbent material is present within the containment device in a ratio of between about 0.015 to about 0.12 oz. of the absorbent material per cubic inch of the containment device, with the caveat that the apparatus does not include polystyrene.
A hydrocarbon absorbing apparatus, comprising:
- a containment device, at least a portion of which is comprised of a permeable material;
- and
- an absorbent material contained within the containment device in a ratio of between about 0.02 to about 0.11 oz. of the absorbent material per cubic inch of the containment device, the absorbent material being comprised of at least one of polyethylene terephthalate fibers and nylon fibers reclaimed from used tires, the fibers having been shredded such that the apparatus floats when placed onto water.
A method for absorbing hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-contaminated body of water, comprising placing an absorbent material contained within a water permeable containment device in contact with a surface of the body of water, wherein the absorbent material is reinforcement cord reclaimed from used tires, and is comprised of polyester fibers and/or nylon fibers that have been shredded such that the apparatus floats when placed upon the surface, the absorbent material being present within the containment device in a ratio of between about 0.015 to about 0.12 oz. of the absorbent material per cubic inch of the containment device and the containment device has a volume to outer surface area ratio of about 0.75 to about 2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.