Patent ID: 6632501
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: B01D,B01J,C02F,Y10T

Abstract:
A sorbent wadded mass suitable for adsorbing a liquid hydrocarbon that is contaminating a body of water, said sorbent mass comprising:(a) a plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic synthetic fibers, said relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic synthetic fibers having rough, delustered surfaces, wherein said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic synthetic fibers comprises a mixture of polyester fibers and nylon fibers; (b) a plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic synthetic fibers, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic synthetic fibers having rough, delustered surfaces, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic synthetic fibers and said rough delustered surfaces binding said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic synthetic fibers and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into a wadded mass, said wadded mass including a plurality of interstitial spaces and having a density that is substantially less than that of water, so that said wadded mass is adapted to float on a surface of a body of water, wherein said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic synthetic fibers comprises a mixture of polyester fibers and nylon fibers; and (c) a porous cover encasing said wadded mass.