Methods and compositions for sorbing flammable liquids

Flammable liquids are soaked up and rendered safe from ignition by mixing with the liquid a particulate composition containing an absorbent solid, a first high molecular weight polymer soluble in the flammable liquid, a dry chemical fire extinguishing agent and, optionally, a second polymer which is not soluble in the flammable liquid but is soluble in water. The first polymer gels the flammable liquid and the solution of polymer and liquid serves to adhesively bind particles of absorbent solid together while the second polymer when wet with water forms a non-combustible film over all exposed surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to methods and compositions for sorbing flammable 
liquids and rendering them non-hazardous. 
Specific embodiments of this invention include sorbent compositions which 
readily soak up hydrocarbons and other flammable liquids and both 
immobilize the liquid and render it fire safe. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Spills of fuels, oils, hydraulic fluids, solvents and other flammable 
liquids are common in the course of equipment maintenance procedures, 
refueling operations and accidents involving vehicle collisions or roll 
overs. A great variety of absorbent materials have been used to soak up 
such flammable liquids from the ground, from garage floors, roadways and 
the like. Commonly used absorbents for this purpose include both organic 
and inorganic materials. Useful organic absorbents include activated 
carbon, sawdust, wood pulp, paper, peanut hulls, shredded peat moss and 
similar cellulosic materials. Commonly used inorganic absorbents include 
clays, pumice, expanded micas, diatomaceous earth, fullers earth and many 
more. A patent to Ericsson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,877 effectively summarizes 
the state of the art and presents a comprehensive description of solid 
absorbents, both organic and inorganic, which are used to soak up organic 
liquids and sets out advantages and disadvantages of the various 
materials. 
Small spills of flammable liquids, those from a few gallons to a few tens 
of gallons, have ordinarily been treated quite casually in the past. It 
has been common practice to simply wash down small spills with water in 
order to reduce the hazard of fire at an accident scene or at a refueling 
site. Spills on shop floors and maintenance facilities were often washed 
down drains and into the sewer system or were soaked up with an absorbent 
which was then discarded with solid waste to a land fill. 
Environmental concerns and regulations have rendered many of those past 
practices unacceptable. In most instances the practice of washing 
hydrocarbon spills into sewers or surface waters has been severely 
restricted or totally prohibited. Land fill regulations now ordinarily 
prohibit placement of wastes which contain leachable hydrocarbon or 
solvent liquids. Consequently, there has developed an increasing reliance 
on solid absorbents to clean up those liquid spills. 
Solid absorbent compositions available today have a lot of short comings 
when used to clean up spills of flammable liquids. Many organic absorbents 
have a relatively high absorption capacity for flammable liquids but such 
materials are ordinarily quite flammable themselves and, if finely 
powdered, can even present an explosion hazard during use. Such absorbents 
are, of course, highly flammable after soaking up a flammable liquid and 
consequently tend not to reduce the fire hazard during the cleanup 
procedure. Inorganic absorbents, although not being combustible, offer 
little if any improvement in fire safety over organic absorbents as the 
absorbed liquid is readily ignited. Typical inorganic absorbents do not 
have as large an absorption capacity as do their organic counterparts and 
tend not to strongly retain liquid but instead tend to allow the liquid to 
bleed from the absorbent. Both organic and inorganic absorbents, 
especially if in powder form, are messy and difficult to clean up after 
being applied to a spilled liquid. 
The safety aspects of spilled flammable liquids are receiving increasing 
attention and concern. Such safety concerns have at least two dimensions. 
In one aspect, there is concern over the exposure to fumes and vapors 
received by workers or others in the proximity of the spill. In another 
aspect, there is increasing concern and increasing regulation directed to 
the hazards of explosion or fire presented by the spilled liquid. The 
regulatory climate is tending toward requiring that spills of flammable 
liquids be immediately treated so as to make remote the chance of 
explosion or fire. Such regulations generally require that the spill be 
treated in a manner that effectively increases the flash point to a level, 
typically 140.degree. F. (60.degree. C.), which is relatively safe from 
ignition. In the case of a spill of jet fuel on tarmac during the 
refueling of an airplane, for example, attainment of the required safe 
flash point level is ordinarily accomplished by spreading an absorbent 
clay or similar material on the liquid and then capping the spill area 
with foam. The absorbent containing the spilled fuel and the foam are then 
gathered up, usually by hand, and placed in containers for transport to a 
disposal facility. Because of the highly caustic nature and fluorocarbon 
polymer base of the foams typically used for this purpose, the entire 
collected mass, absorbent, fuel and foam, usually must be treated as 
hazardous waste thus greatly increasing the disposal cost. 
With this background, it can readily be appreciated that an absorbent 
composition which has a high absorption capacity for flammable liquids, 
which is easy to clean up and remove after soaking up a spilled liquid, 
which can raise the flash point of the composition containing the spilled 
liquid to a safe level, and which is neither caustic nor toxic provides 
important advances in the art of art of spilled liquid control. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Spilled flammable liquids are rendered easily handleable and fire safe by 
spreading on the liquid an absorbent composition comprising a particulate 
high molecular weight polymer, a solid, absorbent material and a fire 
extinguishing agent. The polymer must be soluble in the flammable liquid 
and the ratio of the components must be such that when the absorbent 
composition is loaded to capacity with a flammable liquid, sufficient 
polymer is dissolved in the liquid to render it highly viscoelastic and 
adhesive and sufficient fire extinguishing agent is present to effectively 
raise the flash point to a safe level. 
Hence, it is an object of this invention to provide novel absorbent 
compositions for flammable liquids which contain as necessary components 
an absorbent solid, a high molecular weight polymer which is soluble in 
the flammable liquid and one or more solid fire extinguishing agents. 
Another object of this invention is to provide methods for soaking up and 
removing spilled flammable liquids and to render the liquids safe from 
ignition, fire and explosion. 
A specific object of this invention is to pick up spilled fuels and similar 
hydrocarbon liquids and to prevent their ignition or combustion during 
cleanup and transport for disposal. 
Other objects will be apparent from the following description of exemplary 
embodiments and uses. 
DESCRIPTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION 
This invention includes methods and compositions for soaking up and 
removing spilled flammable liquids while rendering the compositions 
containing the soaked up liquid cohesive and safe from ignition. 
The inventor herein has previously developed fire extinguishing 
compositions containing particles of a thermoplastic polymer which may 
suitably be a high molecular weight rubber such as polyisobutylene. The 
polymer particles are arranged in association with a sufficient quantity 
of a chemical extinguishing agent to protect the polymer particles during 
transit through flame to the burning surface. Upon striking the surface of 
a flammable liquid the polymer dissolves therein causing the liquid to gel 
and concentrating fire extinguishing agents on the liquid surface which 
secures the liquid against reignition. That previous invention is the 
subject of a U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 07/511,729, which was filed 
on Apr. 20, 1990. The entire disclosure of that patent application is 
incorporated by reference herein. 
Certain of the fire extinguishing compositions disclosed in that previous 
patent application can appropriately be used as one of the necessary 
components of the sorbent compositions of this invention. In point of 
fact, the sorbent compositions of this invention are also fire 
extinguishing compositions although often not as effective for that 
purpose as are most of those disclosed in that previous application. 
The sorbent compositions of this invention necessarily contain three 
different components. A first necessary component is an absorbent solid or 
mixture of absorbent solids. In most instances it is preferred that at 
least the bulk of the absorbent solids used be non-flammable but that 
consideration is not necessary to the functioning of the invention. A 
second necessary component is a polymer which is soluble in the liquid 
being sorbed and is of a sufficiently high molecular weight to impart a 
substantial degree of viscoelasticity to the liquid. The last necessary 
component comprises one or more dry chemical fire extinguishing agents. It 
is advantageous and preferred that all three components be in finely 
divided form and the sorbent compositions of this invention comprise an 
intimate physical admixture of the components. Certain preferred 
embodiments of this invention include a fourth component comprising a 
second polymer which is not soluble in the liquid being sorbed but instead 
is soluble in water. 
The ratio of the components making up the sorbent compositions of this 
invention must be set within certain parameters. There must be sufficient 
polymer within the composition so that, when the absorbent solid is loaded 
to capacity with a flammable liquid, there is imparted to the liquid a 
sufficiently high degree of viscoelasticity to inhibit liquid bleeding 
from the absorbent solid and to adhesively bond particles of the absorbent 
solid with sufficient strength so as to allow convenient mechanical 
removal from a surface. Finally, the ratio of dry chemical fire 
extinguishing agents to the other components must be such that the desired 
degree of fire safety is achieved. 
The specific ratios of the three components depends upon a number of 
variables which are introduced through choice of the particular compounds 
or materials selected for use. Generally speaking, the absorbent solid 
will make up at least one-third and ordinarily less than about 
three-fourths of the sorbent composition by weight. Polymer content, again 
by weight of the actual polymer, will in most cases make up less than 10% 
of the sorbent composition. In those embodiments wherein a fourth 
component, the second and water soluble polymer, is included within the 
sorbent composition that second polymer may be present in minor amount 
ranging from about 2 to 20% by weight of the composition. The balance of 
the composition comprises solid fire extinguishing agents along with minor 
additives such as surfactants and lubricants, calcium stearate for 
example, which may be used to control dusting and enhance the flow 
characteristics of the composition. In most cases, the solid fire 
extinguishing agents will make up from about one-fourth to one-half of the 
composition by weight. 
A wide variety of absorbent solids are suitable for use in the sorbent 
compositions of this invention. Inorganic, non-combustible absorbents 
including diatomaceous earth, absorbent clays, pumice, expanded micas such 
as vermiculite and the like are preferred although in certain instances 
organic absorbents, especially activated carbons, may be used to advantage 
either alone or in admixture with inorganic absorbents. For best results, 
it is necessary that the absorbent solids be in finely divided form so as 
to allow for thorough mixing with the other components of the sorbent 
composition. 
The polymer component of the sorbent composition must be compounded such 
that it readily dissolves when contacted with the flammable liquid which 
is to be soaked up. It is most convenient to introduce the polymer moiety 
into the sorbent composition in the form of those polymer-containing fire 
extinguishing compositions described in U.S. application Ser. No. 
7/511,729. In any event, the polymer used must be soluble in the flammable 
liquid to be soaked up and must be of sufficiently high molecular weight 
to impart a significant degree of viscoelasticity and adhesiveness to the 
liquid. Viscoelasticity is a property of a solution which causes the 
solution to display an elastic character when subjected to flow forces. It 
is expected that the compositions of this invention will find substantial 
use in the cleanup of spilled gasoline, jet fuels, lubricants and other 
hydrocarbon liquids. Accordingly, for such uses, the polymer selected must 
be soluble in hydrocarbon liquids. Many of the common rubbers such as, for 
example, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, copolymers of 
styrene and butadiene and the like are suitable as those rubbery polymers 
are all soluble in hydrocarbons generally and are soluble in a number of 
other common flammable solvents as well. 
The polymer selected for use must have a sufficiently high molecular weight 
to impart viscoelasticity to the sorbed liquid and to body or to gel the 
liquid when dissolved therein at relatively low concentration; on the 
order of a few tenths of one percent to a few percent by weight. Such 
effects are readily obtained using polymers having a molecular weight of 
about 2 million or more. While lower molecular weight polymers may be 
used, the bodying or gelling efficiency of the polymers rapidly decreases 
as the molecular weight decreases. 
Dry chemical extinguishing agents appropriate for use in formulating the 
compositions of this invention include broadly all of those agents known 
and conventionally used in the art. Examples of appropriate dry chemical 
agents include the alkali metal bicarbonates, potassium chloride, ammonium 
phosphates, particularly monoammonium phosphate, calcium phosphates, 
particularly tricalcium phosphate, the so-called carbamic powders which 
are addition products of urea with potassium bicarbonate, and the like. 
Particularly preferred chemical extinguishing agents are those which are 
accepted to be non-toxic and of sufficient purity to be used as a 
component of food products or in the processing of food products. Such 
particularly preferred agents include sodium bicarbonate, monoammonium 
phosphate and tricalcium phosphate. 
It is possible, by careful selection, to make up sorbent compositions of 
this invention using only "food grade" components. Diatomaceous earth and 
absorbent clays of that quality are readily available and can be used as 
the absorbent solid component of the composition. Polyisobutylene of 
chewing gum base grade works well as the polymer moiety of those 
compositions used for soaking up hydrocarbon liquids. Sodium bicarbonate 
and monoammonium phosphate are both available in food grade purity and, 
either singly or preferably in combination, are effective as the fire 
extinguishing component of the composition. Such compositions are 
environmentally benign and, at least in small quantity, may be ingested 
without harm. 
As has been set out before, it is preferred that the polymer moiety of the 
sorbent compositions be compounded as a polymer-containing fire 
extinguishing composition such as those taught by the 511,729 application. 
In particular, a polymer such as polyisobutylene may be chilled below its 
glass transition temperature and comminuted in an impact mill to obtain 
small particles. Size of the polymer particles is not critical but should 
generally be small enough to pass a 40 mesh screen. Those polymer 
particles are mixed with a very finely powdered coating agent while 
raising the temperature of the mixture to and above the glass transition 
temperature of the polymer. As a result, there is obtained polymer 
particles having a tightly adhering coating or shell of coating agent 
thereabout. That coating can be built up in thickness or a coating of 
another finely divided solid can be applied on top of the first one 
through use of conventional coating techniques. For example, the coated 
polymer particles can be tumbled in a cone blender or similar device along 
with a quantity of finely powdered dry chemical agent which may be the 
same as or different from the first coating. A small amount of water or 
other binding liquid may be added in the form of a mist to cause the 
powdered agent to adhere to and build up on the surfaces of the 
polymer-containing particles. 
The sorbent compositions of this invention can be obtained by physical 
mixing of the absorbent solid with the polymer-containing fire 
extinguishing compositions and additional dry chemical fire extinguishing 
agents. Best results are obtained if the absorbent solids and the dry 
chemical fire extinguishing agents are in powdered or very finely divided 
form. 
Application of the powdered sorbent composition to a flammable liquid can 
be accomplished by hand or the powder may be applied using equipment 
designed for dispersing other kinds of powders. It has been found that 
fire extinguishers designed for application of dry powder extinguishing 
agents can be readily adapted for this purpose. The sorbent compositions 
readily soak up gasoline, jet fuel and other hydrocarbon liquids and 
enough of the sorbent is applied to the liquid so that it takes on a paste 
or crumb-like appearance. The amount of sorbent required to completely 
soak up and immobilize a flammable liquid depends to some extent upon the 
volatility of the liquid; the more volatile is the liquid the more sorbent 
is required. With gasoline, for example, one part by weight of the sorbent 
will soak up and immobilize about two parts by weight of gasoline. At that 
ratio of gasoline to sorbent, a modest amount of physical mixing of the 
applied sorbent composition causes the sorbent particles to stick together 
with sufficient tenacity to form unitary globs which can be picked up by 
use of a fork. 
At a weight ratio of one part of sorbent composition to two parts of 
gasoline, the gasoline is not only immobilized but a substantial degree of 
fire safety is achieved as well. The resulting sorbed compositions 
ordinarily display an increased flash point, often in excess of 
140.degree. F. (60.degree. C.), but burn readily with a slow and 
controlled flame. Addition of more of the sorbent composition, so that the 
weight ratio of gasoline to sorbent is approximately one to one, improves 
the handling characteristics of the sorbed mass making it much easier to 
pick up from roadways and other solid surfaces. The fire safety is also 
further improved with the sorbed mass displaying even higher flash points 
but it can still be ignited by playing an open flame directly on the mass 
surface. 
As has been set out before, certain preferred embodiments of this invention 
include a fourth component as a part of the sorbent composition. That 
fourth component is a second polymer which is not soluble in the flammable 
liquid being soaked up but instead is soluble in water. Suitable polymers 
for this purpose include water-soluble resins such as the polyacrylamides 
and the ethylene oxide polymers. Polyacrylamide polymers are preferred for 
this purpose because of the storage instability and the increasing 
environmental concerns over possible ethylene oxide residues commonly 
associated with the ethylene oxide polymers. The presence of the second 
polymer in the sorbent compositions of this invention does not seem to 
interfere in any way with the functioning of the other three sorbent 
components. Rather, it appears to act as would an inert filler when the 
sorbent composition is applied to a flammable liquid. However, when a 
sorbent composition containing the second polymer is applied to a 
flammable liquid, the resulting sorbed mass can be made essentially 
non-ignitable by misting water over the mass surface. The water may be 
applied by use of a fog nozzle, for example, and only enough water to 
dampen the surface is necessary. Any additional water will merely run off. 
The water mist applied to the mass surface dissolves available amounts of 
the water soluble polymer and appears to create a thick film barrier on 
the surface. An open flame played on the film surface will not ignite the 
sorbed mass; this in spite of the fact that it contains about 50% by 
weight of gasoline. It is postulated that the water-polymer film also 
severely inhibits the passage of hydrocarbon vapors from the sorbed mass 
to the atmosphere and that consequence may contribute to the fire-safe 
effect achieved. 
The ability to obtain a fire-safe condition as is provided by this 
invention has enormous practical benefit. Take for example, the situation 
in which there is a spill during the refueling of an airplane. Application 
of the described sorbent composition immediately immobilizes the spilled 
fuel and substantially decreases the chances for an accidental ignition. 
Thereafter, misting a water spray over the sorbed mass renders it safe 
from ignition even in the presence of an open flame. 
An additional benefit is obtained from use of the preferred sorbent 
compositions. The film barrier created by misting water over the surface 
of the sorbed mass will dry out over a period of time. After two or three 
days open exposure to air, the polymer film will dry out sufficiently that 
it will no longer prevent ignition. At that time, the sorbed mass may be 
disposed of by controlled burning rather than by treating it as a 
hazardous waste material. The fire-safe condition of the sorbed mass may, 
of course, be maintained as long as is necessary or desired merely by 
periodically misting the surface with water. 
Burning of the sorbed mass progresses in a slow and controlled fashion 
almost like the burning of charcoal. Much of that effect is believed 
caused by the distribution of particles of fire extinguishing agent around 
and about the absorbent particles. As the flammable liquid being soaked up 
contacts the polymer-containing fire extinguishing compositions, the 
polymer dissolves in the liquid and the resulting solution migrates to the 
pores within the absorbent particles and forms an adhesive or glue between 
the particles. As the polymer core dissolves, the particles of coating 
agent around that core are freed up and will tend to migrate with the 
solution. Thus, there is obtained a concentration of fire extinguishing 
agents on the surfaces of and between particles of the absorbent solid. 
Fire extinguishing agents such as sodium bicarbonate and monoammonium 
phosphate decompose under heat and that decomposition results in a slow 
and controlled burn of the sorbed flammable liquid.

Illustrative examples of the invention are set out below. Those examples 
are intended to provide a more clear understanding of the invention and 
are not to be considered as limiting the principles and scope of the 
invention. 
EXAMPLE 1 
A quantity of the polymer-containing fire extinguishing agent described in 
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 511,729 was prepared by taking a quantity 
of polyisobutylene having a molecular weight of about 6 million and 
chilling it with liquid nitrogen. The cold polymer was then comminuted by 
passing it through an impact mill to obtain fine particles. Those polymer 
particles were contacted with finely powdered tricalcium phosphate (TCP) 
while the polymer warmed to thereby form an adherent coating around the 
individual polymer particles. The tricalcium phosphate used had a median 
particle size of less than one micrometer and the coating amounted to 
about 35% by weight of the resulting composition. About 20% by weight of 
powdered monoammonium phosphate was then applied to the TCP-coated 
particles by tumbling the mixture while adding a small quantity of water 
as a mist to bind the coating. That composition was then coated in similar 
fashion with about 20% by weight of sodium bicarbonate. Lastly, a small 
amount of calcium stearate was added to the composition with additional 
mixing to enhance the flow characteristics of the powder. 
EXAMPLE 2 
A portion of the polymer-containing fire extinguishing composition of 
Example 1 was used as the polymer component in a sorbent composition. Two 
parts by weight of the fire extinguishing composition was added to a 
mixture of absorbent solids consisting of one part of diatomaceous earth, 
two parts of finely powdered bentonitic clay and two parts of bentonitic 
clay in the form of small granules. That material was added to a blend of 
chemical fire extinguishing agents consisting of one part of sodium 
bicarbonate and one part of monoammonium phosphate. That combination was 
thoroughly mixed to obtain a homogeneous and uniform sorbent composition. 
A portion of the sorbent composition was mixed with an equal weight of 
commercial, unleaded gasoline. The gasoline was rapidly soaked up by the 
sorbent resulting in a coherent, gelled, unitary mass. The flash point of 
the gasolinecontaining sorbed mass was determined by slowly heating a 
portion in an open cup and periodically passing an open flame in proximity 
to the material surface. The flash point was taken to be that temperature 
of the material at which the test flame caused an ignition flash. The 
flash point, by that test, was in excess of 250.degree. F. 
EXAMPLE 3 
A sorbent composition was prepared which was identical to that of Example 2 
except that a second, water soluble, polymer was added in an amount equal 
to that of the fire extinguishing composition. That second polymer was a 
polyacrylamide of about 5 million molecular weight. 
A portion of the sorbent composition was mixed with an equal weight of 
commercial unleaded gasoline. The rate at which the gasoline was soaked up 
and the properties of the resulting sorbed mass were essentially no 
different than was observed with the Example 2 sorbent. The sorbed mass 
obtained was dampened with a water mist. Thereafter, a torch flame was 
played across the surface of the mass. It did not ignite. In contrast, a 
torch flame played across the surface of the sorbed mass of Example 2 
would cause ignition. 
EXAMPLE 4 
Another sorbent composition was prepared again using the polymer-containing 
fire extinguishing composition of Example 1 as the polymer moiety. This 
sorbent contained, by weight, two parts of the fire extinguishing agent, 
two parts of diatomaceous earth, two parts of powdered bentonitic clay, 
two parts of bentonitic clay granules, two parts of sodium bicarbonate, 
two parts of monoammonium phosphate, and onehalf part of potassium 
carbonate. The ingredients were mixed together to form a uniform and 
homogeneous composition. 
One part by weight of the sorbent was added to two parts by weight of 
unleaded gasoline. That resulted in the gasoline becoming immobilized and 
gelled into a paste-like mass. One additional part by weight of the 
sorbent was added to give equal weights of gasoline and sorbent. The 
resulting sorbed mass was firm and adhered tightly together. Overall, this 
composition displayed a higher flash point and was rated to be somewhat 
better in physical properties than that one of Example 2. 
EXAMPLE 5 
Yet another sorbent composition was prepared using the polymer-containing 
fire extinguishing composition of Example 1 as the polymer moiety. This 
sorbent composition contained, in weight percent, about 13% of the fire 
extinguishing composition, 49% diatomaceous earth, 12% bentonitic clay 
powder, 3% powdered activated carbon, 13% sodium bicarbonate, 7% 
monoammonium phosphate, and 3% potassium carbonate. The ingredients were 
blended together by tumbling until a uniform and homogeneous mixture was 
obtained. A small amount of a surfactant comprising sodium lauryl 
sulfonate was added during the mixing to lay the dust. 
One part by weight of this sorbent composition was added to two parts by 
weight of unleaded gasoline with mild mixing to obtain a gelled, coherent 
mass. That sorbed mass displayed a flash point in excess of 140.degree. F. 
Additional sorbent composition was added with stirring until there was 
present an equal weight of sorbent and gasoline. At that point the sorbed 
mass would ignite when a flame was played across the surface and would 
slowly burn. 
EXAMPLE 6 
Another sorbent was prepared having a composition identical to that of 
Example 5 except that it additionally contained a second, water soluble, 
polymer in an amount equal to that of the fire extinguishing composition. 
The second polymer was again a polyacrylamide having a molecular weight of 
about 5 million as was used in the composition of Example 3. 
The performance of this sorbent when used to soak up gasoline was 
essentially the same as that of the Example 5 sorbent. However, when a 
sorbed mass containing equal weights of this sorbent and gasoline was 
dampened by a water mist, it could not be ignited by playing an open flame 
on the surface of the mass. Overall, this sorbent was rated to be somewhat 
better than that one of Example 4 and considerably better than those of 
Examples 2 and 3. 
While the examples of sorbent compositions set out above all utilized the 
polymer-containing fire extinguishing compositions of parent application 
Ser. No. 511,729 as the polymer moiety, it is not necessary to provide the 
polymer in that form. Rather, the polymer can be added in any convenient 
fashion so long as it is in the form of small, discrete particles which 
are available to rapidly dissolve in a flammable liquid. For example, the 
polymer may be mulled with a finely divided particulate material, 
preferably but not necessarily a dry chemical fire extinguishing agent, 
and the mulled mixture may then be shredded into small particles. 
As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, there is a 
wide number of available choices for the specific components making up the 
sorbent compositions of this invention. For example, the polymer may be 
selected specifically for its solubility in one particular flammable 
liquid. The level of fire safety obtained may be varied by changing the 
ratio of the various components. Rather than being employed only to soak 
up a spill, the sorbent compositions of this invention can also be used to 
catch and contain leaks from operating machinery, storage tanks and the 
like.