Foam Compositions for Selective Recovery of Oil Spills and Other Applications
AssigneesScott C. Smith, Opflex Technologies, LLC
InventorsScott C. Smith, Robert F. Hurley, Kevin M. Hoffman
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Abstract
A polymer composition for use in the removal and recovery of oil slicks or spills floating on the surfaces of bodies of water or present on land, such as beaches comprising a foam of a blend of polyethylene and an ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer and a process for using such foams in the selective removal of oil from fresh water or salt water and the recovery of the absorbed oils from the foams is disclosed. The polymer composition is also for use in other applications in which absorption of liquids is desired.
Claims23
An open-cell cross-linked foam composition comprising:
- a blend of ingredients, wherein ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer comprises from about 40 to about 80 parts per hundred of the total resin content of the blend;
- wherein the blend is processed to create an open-cell foam that has the following properties:
- i) open-cells with an average cell size of from 0.65 mm to 1.4 mm by ocular;
- and
- ii) a density of at least 1.5 pounds per cubic foot.
An open-cell cross-linked foam composition comprising:
- a blend of ingredients comprising:
- from about 40 to about 80 parts per hundred total resin content ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer;
- an elastomer;
- a chemical foaming agent that decomposes to form a gas when the blend is heated during processing into the foam composition;
- and an organic peroxide cross-linker;
- wherein the blend is processed, at least in part by crushing the foamed blend, to create an open-cell foam that has the following properties:
- i) open-cells with an average cell size of from 0.65 mm to 1.4 mm by ocular;
- and
- ii) a density of at least 1.5 pounds per cubic foot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.