CHEMICAL METHODS
Sorbents
Sorbents are insoluble materials or mixtures used to recover liquids through the mechanism of adsorption, absorption or both. [1]
Absorption vs Adsorption
Absorption involves the recovering of liquids in bulk. Absorbents can pick up and retain liquid distributed throughout its molecular structure causing the solid to swell, usually more than 50%. They must be at least 70% insoluble in excess fluid.
Adsorption involves the liquid going on the surface and forming a layer. Adsorbents are insoluble materials coated by a liquid on the surface, and may be used where the solid swelling is no more than 50% in excess liquid.
Sorbents and Oil
The sorbents used in oil clean-ups must be oleophilic (oil attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repellent).
The sorbents are usually the sole clean-up method in small oil spills, and are often used to remove final traces in areas that can't be reached by skimmers. They recover oil which must be properly disposed of or recycled.
Absorption involves the recovering of liquids in bulk. Absorbents can pick up and retain liquid distributed throughout its molecular structure causing the solid to swell, usually more than 50%. They must be at least 70% insoluble in excess fluid.
Adsorption involves the liquid going on the surface and forming a layer. Adsorbents are insoluble materials coated by a liquid on the surface, and may be used where the solid swelling is no more than 50% in excess liquid.
Sorbents and Oil
The sorbents used in oil clean-ups must be oleophilic (oil attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repellent).
The sorbents are usually the sole clean-up method in small oil spills, and are often used to remove final traces in areas that can't be reached by skimmers. They recover oil which must be properly disposed of or recycled.
Basic Types of Sorbents
1. Natural Organic Sorbents: moss, straw, hay, sawdust, carbon-based products
2. Natural Inorganic Sorbents: clay, sand, volcanic ash
3. Synthetic Sorbents: man made materials similar to plastics such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polyproplyene
[1] http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/learning/sorbents.htm
[2] http://primaryscience.ismonacoblog.org/files/2011/10/CristobalSorbents.
[3] http://www.saftrol.com/images/1133922184/1151326074.jpg
1. Natural Organic Sorbents: moss, straw, hay, sawdust, carbon-based products
2. Natural Inorganic Sorbents: clay, sand, volcanic ash
3. Synthetic Sorbents: man made materials similar to plastics such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polyproplyene
[1] http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/learning/sorbents.htm
[2] http://primaryscience.ismonacoblog.org/files/2011/10/CristobalSorbents.
[3] http://www.saftrol.com/images/1133922184/1151326074.jpg