Method of encapsulating a polluting liquid
AssigneeThe British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
InventorsRobert G. Fisher, Ian G. Meldrum, Alan J. Plomer, Richard A. Robinson
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Abstract
A method for forming a three-dimensional network containing encapsulated organic material comprises reacting a functionalized polymer and a complementary functional cross-linking agent in the presence of the organic material. The method may be used for recovering oil spilled on sea or land, for treating organic wastes or preventing leakage of oil from tanks or pipelines.
Claims30
A method of encapsulating a liquid organic material to reduce hazard or pollution risk said organic material selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, organo phosphates, silicones, esters and ethers said method comprising adding to and mixing with said organic material a liquid polymer miscible with the organic material and containing functional groups, which functional groups are carboxylic acid, anhydride or acid chloride groups and reacting with said liquid polymer in the presence of said organic material a cross-linking agent, also miscible with the organic material and containing complementary functional groups which complementary functional groups are primary or secondary amine groups or alcohol groups, the aforementioned reactants being capable of forming a three dimensional network within an hour at ambient temperatures and allowing a three dimensional polymer network containing encapsulated organic material to form a relatively solid handleable substance thereby rendering the organic material more tractable or innocuous.
A method of encapsulating a liquid organic material to reduce hazard or pollution risk, said organic material selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, organo phosphates, silicones, esters and ethers, said method comprising adding to and mixing with said organic material, a liquid polymer, miscible with the organic material and containing functional groups, which functional groups are primary or secondary amine groups or alcohol groups, and reacting with such liquid polymer in the presence of said organic material, a cross-linking agent, also miscible with the organic material and containing complementary functional groups, which complementary functional groups are carboxylic acid, anhydride or acid chloride groups, the aforementioned reactants being capable of forming a three dimensional network within an hour at ambient temperatures and allowing a three dimensional polymer network containing encapsulated organic material to form a relatively soid, handleable substance thereby rendering the organic material more tractable or innocuous.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.