|
Table of Contents
What is "non-biodegradable" and why is it important?
What is "hydrophobic" and why is it important?
Why is releasing and leaching liquids so significant in the clean up process?
How does P.O.L. SorbŪ enhance the biodegradation of the hydrocarbons and petrochemicals?
What does abrasion have to do with cleaning a spill?
What is "silica" and why is it harmful to me?
When incinerating waste, why is BTU content and ash residue important?
How can P.O.L. SorbŪ suppress vapors of a petrochemical like gasoline?
Will P.O.L. SorbŪ have a consistent absorption ratio with all types of hydrocarbons?
What is the ratio for usage per pound, per quart or per gallon?
Can we just throw our clay and oil mix in the trash now? Can I really put P.O.L. Sorb in the trash legally?
What is "non-biodegradable" and why is it important?
For our purposes, "non-biodegradable" is a classification for sorbents that is required for that sorbent to be put into a landfill. The sorbent is tested for it's ability to remain in its natural biodegraded state and will not have a secondary release of the liquid originally sorbed. This is crucial for a sorbent to pass because if it fails the tests ASTM G22-76 and ASTM G21-90 (reference Test Data & Results section) it can not go into a landfill. If the sorbent is biodegradable it will leach or release the liquid into the landfill through the leachate water from normal weathering (rain, snow, etc.). In short, the sorbents that are non-biodegradable are better for the environment and will not release or leach the oils in a secondary release. As non-biodegradable absorbent, P.O.L. SorbŪ may be placed in a landfill (check federal, state, and local laws and regulations which set the guidelines for disposal in landfills).
Back to Top
What is "hydrophobic" and why is it important?
Hydrophobic means "fear of water." A sorbent that is hydrophobic can be used on top of water for the absorption of hydrocarbons off that water; it will float for a period of time and will not "fall out" or sink. It is important for a sorbent to be hydrophobic so a response team can place a sorbent on contaminated water and have time to go and take care of another more important part of the spill. They can then come back later to clean up the spill on water without risk of that contaminant spreading over a larger area. P.O.L. SorbŪ is hydrophobic and has been tested to show that it can float on top of water for at least 51 days (reference Test Data & Results section).
Back to Top
Why is releasing and leaching liquids so significant in the clean up process?
When a sorbent releases or leaches the liquid originally sorbed it will leave a residue on the floor after clean up demonstrated using polypropylene or clay. Leaching is significant because if your sorbent releases or leaches the liquid, you will be cleaning up a spill longer and using more product, thus increasing your total cost of clean up. P.O.L. SorbŪ encapsulates the liquid sorbed and will hold the liquid in its cellular structure while biodegrading the oil.
Back to Top
How does P.O.L. Sorb enhance the biodegradation of the hydrocarbons and petrochemicals?
P.O.L. SorbŪ encapsulates the hydrocarbons and entraps them into its cellular structure. After the hydrocarbon is encapsulated, the action of naturally occurring microorganisms enhance the natural breakdown of the hydrocarbons. The microbial activity will break the hydrocarbons down into carbon dioxide and water. This breakdown occurs within a period of three months to a year, depending on variables such as sunlight, oxygen, temperatures, etc.
Back to Top
What does abrasion have to do with cleaning a spill?
Abrasion is sometimes useful in "grinding" a substance from a surface. The traction and the abrasive qualities of clay adsorbents were their original purpose; Clay was used as an adsorbent by default because better alternatives were not available. Eventually, people using clay found out that their machinery was depreciating faster than usual. What was found was that the clay's dust had silica in it, which would then get into seals, pumps, and moving parts. This dust has a hardness factor of 7 (on the Mohr's Hardness Scale), whereas steel has a hardness factor of 6. With the hardness factor of clay being higher than that of steel, the silica particles will be abrasive on these machines and the wear and tear will depreciate the machine faster than normal. P.O.L. SorbŪ has a hardness factor of less than 1 and is safe for use around machinery without the fear of ruining those machines.
Back to Top
What is "silica" and why is it harmful to me?
Silica and quartz are crystalline compounds, known carcinogens, which cause cancer. These carcinogens are within the clay and the clay dust. People who are using these products must wear respirators, not dust masks, because the breathing of this dust is so harmful and can cause silicosis (cancer of the lungs). P.O.L. SorbŪ contains no silica or quartz and has no known health risks other than dust. Prolonged exposure in excess of the permissible exposure limits of any dust is not good. With P.O.L. SorbŪ you only have to use a dust mask for prolonged use of the product.
Back to Top
When incinerating waste, why is BTU content and ash residue important?
First, BTU content is important because this gives the incinerator added fuel or energy when it is burned. This energy is used as an alternative fuel source. When the BTU content is high the bigger the price break you get on incinerating your waste. Second, ash residue is the amount of waste left behind after incineration that will be taken to a landfill. The lower the ash residue the less waste that must be taken to a landfill. P.O.L. SorbŪ has over 17,000 BTU's when incinerated after it has sorbed light crude oil and only 2% ash residue that will have to go to a landfill. This is very favorable when compared to clay which has 5,000 BTU's and 99.99% ash residue when
soaked with light crude oil and incinerated.
Back to Top
How can P.O.L. SorbŪ suppress vapors of a petrochemical like gasoline?
P.O.L. SorbŪ encapsulates the gasoline into its cellular structure and actually will suppress the vapors. This happens because the P.O.L. SorbŪ is being used as a buffer to the environment. The liquid gasoline is trapped inside the P.O.L. SorbŪ and an extra layer of P.O.L. SorbŪ over the top of it is used as the buffer. This helps in cleaning up spills of liquids which give off these flammable vapors and turns a volatile condition into a manageable situation.
Back to Top
Will P.O.L. SorbŪ have a consistent absorption ratio with all types of hydrocarbons?
No, it will be more absorbent with thicker viscosity hydrocarbons and less absorbent with thinner viscosity hydrocarbons. Thinner viscosity oils will require more P.O.L. SorbŪ per gallon to be absorbed than thicker, higher viscosity oils.
Back to Top
What is the ratio for usage per pound, per quart or per gallon?
With P.O.L. SorbŪ the ratio is approximately 1 pound of P.O.L. SorbŪ to 1 gallon of oil. A gallon of oil weighs 7.5 lbs. depending on viscosity.
Back to Top
Can we just throw our clay and oil mix in the trash now? Can I really put P.O.L. SorbŪ in the trash legally?
All clays and other adsorbents leach free-liquids. When you have a presence of a free-liquid you could be subject to a $25,000 EPA fine per day (maximum per day penalty for failing the "free standing liquids" test per Federal Register Section 264.314(d)). You may be permitted to dispose of used P.O.L. SorbŪ in a sanitary landfill depending on local regulations. We recommend checking with your landfill on their classifications and requirements, because the state and local EPA may classify certain situations differently. Knowledge of local EPA requirements is important, and is the user's responsibility. Even when paying to dispose of P.O.L. SorbŪ, you save considerable costs on disposal.
Back to Top
|
