Spill Sorb - Model 150L-AC - Oil Absorbent
Activated Peat, Air Dried, Heat Treated, Non Abrasive, Non Toxic, Non Leaching, Double compressed 17Kg bag absorbs approx. 150L of Oil.
Environmental Intelligence The Natural Oil Absorbent
Over the past few years, major oil spills and the removal of hazardous contaminate from the industrial workplace have received a high level of attention. Environmental issues concerning the clean-up of contaminates that were dumped and neglected for over fifty years now require environmentally safe and effective clean-up services, equipment and products. In addition to the heightened awareness of contamination problems, new laws affect every phase of the clean-up process. These laws have recently been strictly enforced requiring us to rethink how to deal with contamination problems. What will be required are services and products that provide safe, effective, cost efficient products and services that will pick-up contaminates and can be easily disposed or remediated.
Cleanup of hydrocarbons, PCB’s, resins, and fatty acids are difficult for numerous reasons. New laws recently enacted, affect and restrict tried and true methods of the way we contain, control, pickup, transport, and dispose of contaminates. These new regulations being increased liabilities for everyone involved in the cleanup process. Gone are the days where once the contaminates were picked up, we could breath a sigh of relief and go back to the business at hand.
Major expenses and liabilities for spills now rest with the storage, transportation, and disposal of contaminates. In fact, over ½ of the total cleanup costs will increase significantly. New laws governing disposal methods leave fewer disposal options. This creates higher fees to pay for the storage and provide funds for future litigation as a result of the new laws. In some cases, “disposal laws” may be retroactive, requiring additional cleanup of landfill sites. New legislation will significantly affect disposal options. These new laws will vary depending upon which area of the county the spill cleanup takes place
Permitting new state-of-the-art incineration facilities has become almost impossible. Even when approved, construction funds are hard to generate in today’s economy. The general public is reluctant to allow new incineration to be in their own backyards and have successfully blocked construction of new facilities. People are concerned with present and future air quality along with additional contaminates that may filter into their neighbourhood resulting from stack emissions. Without new facilities we will have to burden existing incineration systems that clearly require high levels of maintenance and new additions to confirm to clean air laws.
Presently, landfill space is difficult to find even for non-hazardous waste. Municipal trash and contaminates labelled non-hazardous are shipped quite a distance to their destination. Hazardous waste landfills are expansive and also fall under changing legislation that makes it difficult for storage. Ground water contamination in landfills and underground fuel tanks pose serious environmental problems. A recent EPA study determined 34% of underground fuel tanks leak.
Liability, (for contaminates in a hazardous landfill), is a term used to describe the shared liability the landfill owner has with all of his clients and their hazardous waste. The push is on to reduce the volume of hazardous material disposed in landfills. As a result, landfill owners charge a premium for space. They also have become increasingly selective on the types of contaminates stored at their site, going as far as rejecting cleanup products made of synthetic materials that add to contamination problems.
The full cleanup cycle of operation must be taken into account when considering the cleanup of spilled materials. Focus must take place from first response, containment, control, pick-up, storage, transportation, and disposal. Different laws that are changing rapidly regulate all of these steps. Products utilised in clean-up must conform to the new law changes. They must have flexibility to work under a variety of clean-up conditions and quickly absorb different types of contaminates. Using absorbents that cause additional disposal problems are both counter productive and costly.
Spill-Sorb Canada. Is constantly working to solve difficult spill problems. We have developed natural products to meet the needs for cleanup operations while complying with local, state and federal laws. Spill-Sorb products can be used as stand-alone products, or work in conjunction with other equipment on larger spills. Our absorbents are effective, cost effective and minimise disposal costs.
Spill-Sorb, the natural oil absorbent, has been successfully used for absorbing hydrocarbons for over three years. Our products have been primarily used in “oil patch”, for cleanup of oil spilled as a result of drilling spills or spills associated in the transport of oils. Within the last year, we have been working to introduce Spill-Sorb into the industrial marketplace to absorb an entirely new and diversified group of contaminates.
We have used Spill-Sorb to absorb PCB’s resins, fatty acids, and thick hazardous coal tars. The success of Spill-Sorb has been primarily due to its high absorption rate along with its non-leaching capability that enables cleanup crews the luxury of controlling contaminates. Spill-Sorb has the flexibility to provide many solutions to difficult cleanup situations.
In order to understand the flexibility and capabilities of Spill-Sorb, basic product knowledge is required. Horticulture peat moss has a content of approximately 55%. It is used in gardens to store water for our trees and flowers in time of need. Spill-Sorb works in reverse of this theory.
Spill-Sorb is Canadian peat moss harvested and dried through a dehydration process to approximately 7% moisture content. Our unique drying process allows the fibres to absorb hydrocarbons where the water was once stored. The fibre encapsulates the hydrocarbon and will not allow leaching of hydrocarbons. Spill-Sorb offers true absorption not adsorption that other products offer. Once hydrocarbons are truly absorbed and controlled, contaminates can be quickly picked up and disposed.
Due to our unique drying process Spill-Sorb actually repels water. Because of this, Spill-Sorb actually floats on water while absorbing contaminates. Spill-Sorb has an instant wicking action that allows quick and effective absorbing and continues to absorb hydrocarbons until it reaches saturation. Spill-Sorb can be used on land, water or any combination thereof. (I.e.: marshes, estuaries, wetland, shorelines, rivers, lakes and streams, etc.).
Spill-Sorb has made significant inroads in the industrial cleanup marketplace. Industry has more than hydrocarbons to absorb and dispose. Spill-Sorb, with its unique qualities, has been able to solidify and absorb resins, PCB’s, coal tars, and fatty acids. Since Spill-Sorb is an organic material in nature, new markets for our products are rapidly developing in attempt to cleanup industrial by-products.
Spill-Sorb is sold in double compressed 200L absorbing capacity bags. The material is lightweight and will pick up approximately 1 litre of oil to 1 litre of Spill-Sorb. A full range of booms, pads, mats and cushions in various sizes and absorbing capacities are available. Spill-Sorb is able to pickup an entire range of hydrocarbons from gasoline to crude oil.
Spill-Sorb has many other bonus advantages for many spill cleanups. It is non-abrasive to machinery. This is particularly important due to the many hydraulic leaks that occur, as machinery cannot shut down during a work shift. Oil cleanup around machines is easy and creates a safer area for workers.
The vapour suppressive and static resistant qualities of Spill-Sorb are a significant safety feature for response crew. Spill-Sorb has the ability to absorb flammable liquids and aid in the prevention of flashbacks. Efficiency and worker safety is main reasons for response teams using Spill-Sorb. Recently, Spill-Sorb was used to clean up a 1.4 million litres mixed oil spill in Cape Town.
Transporting hazardous contaminates is a risky business. In addition to the insurance bonding, payments of high premiums, and nightmare of administrative work, there are serious problems in physically relocating hazardous materials. Vibration of trucks hauling over the road causes some leakage. Tarps required to cover the top of roll-off boxes sometimes come off, allowing material to “fly off” the truck. Even if the tarp stays on, there is a tendency for solid contaminates to “cook” in sunny weather. There are
problems that Spill-Sorb can easily solve instead of risking heavy fines or trying to pick-up runaway liquids. Spill-Sorb will solidify liquids and prevent leaching. In the event that a 200 Litre drum accidentally falls off a transport vehicle, contaminates packed in Spill-Sorb make the clean up operations easier, safer and less costly. Picking up solidified PCB’s (Polly-Chlorinated-bythenol) or other contaminates absorbed in Spill-Sorb will take less time and require less equipment than PCB’s suspended in liquid form. Dramatic savings are realised in transporting solid contaminates.
Disposal of contaminates absorbed by Spill-Sorb offers many options depending upon the contaminates and the local laws governing the area of disposal. Spill-Sorb prevents leaching of contaminates. Because of the non-leaching properties of Spill-Sorb, some waste oils can be disposed in regular landfills in New Jersey, and other states. Waste oils absorbed by Spill-Sorb that meet ID 27 guidelines can be disposed in regular landfills.
When forced air incineration can be utilised as a disposal method, Spill-Sorb will save in disposal costs and limit your liability. Spill-Sorb delivers approximately 9000 BTU’s / 2.2 Kg and has been used as a fuel source on its own in several countries. In some cases, users of Spill-Sorb have been able to soak up oils and burn them (with DNR approved) on site without costly transport or disposal fees. Incineration costs are affordable and your liability ends after incineration.
Bio-remediation of oils and other contaminates absorbed by Spill-Sorb is becoming a cost effective option. Spill-Sorb is a non-toxic organic, it serves as an excellent matrix for microbes to eat away at hydrocarbons. This option has been successful in restoring highly contaminated dirt to non-detect levels in less than three weeks.
Spill-Sorb contains a unique organic catalyst (H.A.C.) which is coated inside the walls of the barrel-cell structure. On contact with hydrocarbons the catalyst synergies with the available micro-organisms, initiating the bio-remediation process. The barrel cells also contain essential stores of oxygen, which are vital to the natural eco systems, and in turn, the remediation process.
NETAC (National Environmental Technology Applications Corporation) is testing Spill-Sorb to verify product performance and expand the bio-remediation capabilities of our product line. NETAC is operating under a co-operative agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the University of Pittsburgh Trust.
New products and technology must be effective, cost effective, meet all the ever changing specifications, regulations and local, state and federal laws. Most importantly, Spill-Sorb products work. We feel that today’s technological breakthrough in absorbing spilled hydrocarbons, may have been right under our feet…… For a few thousand years.
Advantages Of Spill-Sorb
Spill-Sorb is a lightweight, biodegradable, industrial oil absorbent, which is effective, economical and easy to use. Spill-Sorb is manufactured from naturally occurring peat moss and is non-toxic.
Spill-Sorb picks up all hydrocarbons (including PCB’s) on contact from land and water. One litre of Spill-Sorb absorbs approximately 1 litre of oil. Its powerful wicking action prevents the spread of the spill and helps reduce the area contaminated by spilled hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are solidified for safe removal and transport. Since Spill-Sorb contains highly absorbed moss fibres, it is non-abrasive and will not harm machinery.
Spill-Sorb is double compressed in 200-L bags. This means that each bag contains approximately double the volume of absorbent. Compression means more products per volume, hence reducing inventory space requirements. Our booms and pads are manufactured with environmental materials and Spill-Sorb allowing the same absorbent qualities while providing the same easy disposal as our loose fibre. Boom, pads, mats and cushions are made in standard sizes and can be custom made.
Spill-Sorb can be incinerated or disposed of in landfills. Since Spill-Sorb is an energy source, it will contribute about 9000 BTU’s per 2.2kg and will assist in the incineration of absorbed oils. If accidentally ignited, Spill-Sorb burns with a controlled wick action and helps reduce the potential for explosive combustion. Covering gasoline saturated Spill-Sorb with a fire suppression foam will completely eliminate the escape of vapours.
Spill-Sorb is an excellent medium for bioremediation. Spill-Sorb absorbs hydrocarbons and prevents them from leaching allowing the microbes to digest oils more efficiently. Spill-Sorb is the natural method of oil spill cleanup.
Abrasiveness Of Spill-Sorb
A major concern with owners and operators of hydraulic or other types of machinery, is the influence of Spill-Sorb on the wearing surfaces. Spill-Sorb is made from treated peat moss from a selected bog in Canada. Peat is the first step in the formation of coal and is little more than the partial decomposition of mosses. Inorganic matter (e.g.: sand, silt, clay, stones, etc) is rare and when peat is burnt, the ash content is usually in the order of 1% to 2% - further proof of a very low inorganic content. Spill-Sorb is therefore a very soft organic matter that will not cause abrasive damage to equipment. For abrasive wear to occur, the particle must be of similar hardness of 6 while steel has a hardness of 5. Silica sand, therefore, will cause abrasive wear on moving parts. Cellulose, with a hardness of about 1, is the major constituent of peat moss. Peat moss is much softer than steel and will not cause abrasive damage.
Peat is harvested using tractors and various types of hydraulic supported equipment. Failure of hydraulic seals, wear on hydraulic cylinders and rams, or abnormal wear is not a common maintenance problem for tractors operating on peat bogs. Experience suggests that Spill-Sorb will, in fact, assist in prevention of abrasive wear. Spill-Sorb will soak up oil and grease on hydraulic cylinders and will reduce the amount of sand and grit that adheres to the oily surfaces and from ultimately being drawn in between moving parts, thus damaging seals, bushings and surfaces.
Some peat processing plants use wooden slats between chain conveyors. The conveyers transport peat along a sheet through to processing equipment. Inspection of the sheet metal after several years of operation did not indicate any abnormal wear patterns that could be attributed to the peat moss moving across the surface of the metal.
Compression Testing
Release of oil from Spill-Sorb was evaluated using a modified soil mechanics consolidated testing machine. Spill-Sorb was mixed with various proportions of soya oil and subjected to a pressure of 50 psi. The test results show that a ratio of one and one quarter part oil to one part Spill-Sorb, no oil was released. At ratios greater than 1¼ to 1, some of the oil was released under 50-psi pressure. Upon calculating the residual ratio to Spill-Sorb following compression, it was found that the final ratio was close to 1¼ to 1. These tests suggest that Spill-Sorb will release any excess oil above the ratio and will retain all oil below the ratio (at 50-psi pressure).
Spill-Sorb will absorb approximately seven times its weight in oil, but under pressure will release a portion of the oil. The final disposal destination should be considered when using Spill-Sorb. In incineration is contemplated, then the maximum amount of oil should be absorbed. If landfilling is the final destination, then a one-to-one ratio may have to be used.
This is the first test on the release of oil form Spill-Sorb and there are some additional considerations with respect to the use of Spill-Sorb. Considering that oil is released under pressure, Spill-Sorb SA has embarked on a study of the potential recovery of absorbed hydrocarbons through pressure filtration. In any spill it is theoretically possible:
- to absorb the oil;
- to pressure remove the oil in excess of 1¼ to 1;
- to reuse the Spill-Sorb for additional spill cleanup.
Equipment capable of removing absorbed oil from Spill-Sorb is being sourced and the decision to pressure remove oil will depend on the size of the spill and the nature of the hydrocarbon. Since absorbent costs are a large part of any spill clean up, significant savings may result.
Incineration Of Spill-Sorb
Spill-Sorb is manufactured from Canadian Sphagnum peat moss. Peat moss is the first step in the formation of coal and oil. Its main components are naturally occurring mosses, grasses and other plant forms. Peat is used in many countries of the world as an energy source. Ireland, Finland and Russia have used peat as a domestic and industrial fuel for centuries.
Spill-Sorb is an energy source and will contribute some of the heat required for incineration. It has a heating value of about 9000 BTU / 2.2 kg and the low ash content (less than 5%) means little waste product is generated during incineration.
Spill-Sorb results in direct and indirect savings to the waste handler. Its high absorbency means less product is required to clean up a spill. Less absorbent is hauled to the landfill or incinerated. Spill-Sorb saves on incineration heating costs and its low ash content reduces ash disposal costs.
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