Sorbent compositions, uses, and methods of manufacture
AssigneeValkyrie Scientific Proprietary, L.C.
InventorJoseph B. Kaylor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dry, particulate sorbent composition containing an organic absorbent, a combustible adsorbent, a water swellable polymer and a water soluble polymer is used to soak up and contain flammable liquids and to render the resulting product fire-safe by misting the product surface with water. Water contacting the polymers contained in the sorbent composition forms with those polymers a surface film which is resistant to the passage of combustible gases thus rendering the sorbed mass fire-safe even when briefly exposed to an open flame.
Claims23
A sorbent composition useful for soaking up and containing flammable liquids, said sorbent comprising a particulate solid absorbent in admixture with an effective amount of a particulate solid adsorbent, an effective amount of a first polymer and an effective amount of a second polymer, said absorbent making up more than 50% by weight of the composition, said adsorbent making up more than 0.5% but less than 25% by weight of the composition, said first polymer and said second polymer together making up less than 25% by weight of the composition, each of said polymers making up at least 0.1% by weight of said composition, said first polymer being a particulate, water soluble polymer having a molecular weight in excess of 1 million, and said second polymer being a water swellable polymer capable of at least a ten-fold absorption of an aqueous fluid, wherein said water swellable polymer cooperates with the said water soluble polymer to form a gas impervious film on sorbent surface when said surface is wetted with water.
A sorbent composition comprising at least 90% by weight of finely powdered rice hulls, from 1% to about 7% by weight of particulate activated carbon derived from coconut husks, from 0.1% to 2% by weight of a water soluble poly(ethyleneoxide) polymer having a molecular weight in excess of 1 million compounded with an alkali metal bicarbonate and an acid or acid salt so as to rapidly dissolve without agglomeration upon contact with water, and from 1% to 5% by weight of a lightly crosslinked, water swellable alkali metal polyacrylate.
A masterbatch useful for preparing sorbents and cleaning compositions comprising 10% to 90% by weight of a particulate activated carbon, 1% to 10% by weight of a water soluble, high molecular weight poly(ethyleneoxide) compounded with an alkali metal bicarbonate and an acidic compound so as to rapidly dissolve without agglomeration upon contact with water, and 5% to 60% by weight of a water swellable, alkali metal polyacrylate polymer.
A method for preparing a sorbent composition useful for soaking up and containing flammable liquids comprising:
- combining a solid combustible adsorbent, a water swellable polymer, and a water soluble polymer in a mill, said mill being adapted to comminute and to mix solids placed therein;
- cooling said mill to a temperature whereat said polymers become brittle and operating said mill for a period of time sufficient to obtain a masterbatch, said masterbatch being a blend of the materials placed in said mill;
- combining a minor quantity of said masterbatch with a major quantity of a finely divided organic absorbent;
- mixing said masterbatch and said absorbent to obtain a blend;
- adding to that blend a minor amount of a water soluble polymer;
- and
- mixing said blend and polymer to obtain a sorbent product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.