# US 6,723,791 B2 · Systems for ameliorating aqueous hydrocarbon spills > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,723,791 B2 - Document ID: US6723791B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/038,461 - Filed: 2001-12-31 - Published: 2002-11-07 - Granted: 2004-04-20 - Earliest claimed: 1997-01-10 - Assignees: AbTech Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Glenn R. Rink; James F. Morris; Stephen C. Stelpstra; Robert L. Rosania; Jan R. Hegeman; Peter A. Allen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6723791B2 ## CPC - B01D 17/0202: {by ab- or adsorption} - B01D 17/0214: {with removal of one of the phases} - B01J 20/26: Synthetic macromolecular compounds - B01J 20/261: {obtained by reactions only involving carbon to carbon unsaturated bonds (macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds per se C08F)} - C02F 1/681: {by addition of solid materials for removing an oily layer on water} - C08L 23/16: Ethylene-propylene or ethylene-propylene-diene copolymers - C08L 51/006: {grafted on to block copolymers containing at least one sequence of polymer obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds} - C08L 53/00: Compositions of block copolymers containing at least one sequence of a polymer obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers - C08L 53/02: of vinyl-aromatic monomers and conjugated dienes - C09K 3/32: for absorbing liquids to remove pollution, e.g. oil, gasoline, fat - E02B 15/041: {Devices for distributing materials, e.g. absorbed or magnetic particles over a surface of open water to remove the oil, with or without means for picking up the treated oil (E02B15/042 takes precedence)} - C02F 2101/32: Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil - Y02A 20/204: Keeping clear the surface of open water from oil spills - Y10S 210/923: using mechanical means, e.g. skimmers, pump - Y10S 210/924: using physical agent, e.g. sponge, mop - Y10S 210/925: using chemical agent - Y10S 588/90: Apparatus - Y10S 588/901: Compositions - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) - C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) - Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract An oil-sorbent composition of matter has bound combinations of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). The SBS, or both materials, may be in the form of multitudes of granules. In certain preferred embodiments, the combination is 10-30% by weight and the SBS is about 30% styrene and manufactured without talc. The composition of matter can be formed into a solid, compliant body and utilized in a product for absorbing oil. The body can be formed, in one preferred embodiment, into an extended cylinder having an axial hole. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A composition of matter comprising styrene-butadiene-styrene, predominately in the form of granules, embedded in an ethylene propylene diene monomer matrix. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1 substantially consisting of styrene-butadiene-styrene and ethylene propylene diene monomer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The composition of claim 2 wherein the ethylene propylene diene monomer is in the range of about 10-30% by weight. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1 wherein the styrene-butadiene-styrene is about 30% styrene. ### Claim 5 A product for absorbing oil comprising a solid, compliant body comprised of styrene-butadiene-styrene, predominately in the form of a multitude of granules, and ethylene propylene diene monomer, predominately in the form of a multitude of granules, bound together. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The product of claim 5, wherein the body substantially consists of styrene-butadiene-styrene and ethylene propylene diene monomer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The product of claim 6 wherein the ethylene propylene diene monomer is in the range of about 10-30% by weight. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The product of claim 5 wherein the styrene-butadiene-styrene is about 30% styrene. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The product of claim 5 further comprising a multitude of inert flakes wettable with respect to oil. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The product of claim 5 wherein the body is formed generally cylindrically. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The product of claim 5 wherein the body is formed generally cylindrically. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The product of claim 7 wherein the granules of styrene-butadiene-styrene are in the range of about 4-20 mesh and lack talc. ### Claim 13 A device for ameliorating oil spills comprising: (a) a sack comprised of a mesh material that is porous to both water and oil; and (b) a solid, compliant, cylindrical body comprised of styrene-butadiene-styrene and ethylene propylene diene monomer, wherein the length along the major axis exceeds the outer diameter, and wherein the body is formed around a hole along the major axis of the cylinder. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13 wherein the external surfaces of the body contain a multitude of fissures. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13 wherein the body is comprised of granules of the SBS and granules of the EPDM physically bound together. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15 wherein the granules of SBS of the body lack talc. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13 wherein the body consists of the SBS and the EPDM. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13 wherein the EPDM of the body is in the range of about 10-30% by weight and wherein the SBS of the body is about 30% styrene. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) the device of claim 13 wherein the sack is comprised of a woven polypropylene mesh. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13 wherein the sack contains a multitude of solid, compliant bodies, each comprised of SBS and EPDM, wherein the length along the major axis exceeds the outer diameter, and wherein the body is formed around a hole along the major axis of the cylinder.