Various methods, materials, and apparatuses have been used to clean up liquid spills such as oil spills. These methods, materials, and apparatuses are ineffective at best and costly, and non-productive at worst. Several weeks after the recent Exxon Valdez oil spill, only a small percentage of the spilled oil had been cleaned up. Even with spills of lesser magnitude the clean up devices are complex and expensive and the methods are ineffective.

There has long been a need for an efficient method for cleaning up spilled hazardous, obnoxious, or toxic materials, including but not limited to oil, chemicals, and petroleum products. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for absorbing a first liquid floating in or on a second liquid, the method comprising the steps of: introducing absorbent cellulose pellets into a first liquid for absorbing the first liquid, the pellets substantially maintaining their position in the first liquid while absorbing it, and then either allowing the pellets to sink beneath the first liquid after absorbing at least some of the first liquid, or recovering the first pellets and/or setting the pellets on fire.

The present invention also provides a method for producing absorbent cellulose pellets for use in a method according to the present invention, which method comprises: processing newsprint paper into a reduced form suitable for introduction into a pelletizing machine; feeding the reduced form newsprint paper to a pelletizing machine which extrudes compressed pellets; and sizing the pellets and shaping them so that, upon introduction of the pellets into a first liquid floating on a second liquid, the pellets maintain their position in the first liquid and absorb some of the first liquid before sinking beneath it or being removed from it.

Other features can be gathered from the Claims.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference will now be made, to the accompanying Examples.

In one preferred embodiment of a method according to the present invention for producing absorbent pellets, paper is ground up, preferably Kraft paper, cardboard, or newsprint, with newsprint most preferred. The newsprint is fed into a commercially available first stage mill that reduces the paper into pieces in the range of about 25 mm to 38 mm. These pieces are then fed to a finishing mill where they are further reduced to pieces in the range of about 3.2 mm to 6.4 mm. These pieces of newsprint are then conditioned with a water spray. It is preferred that the moisture content be in the range of about 12% to about 14% by weight, with 13% preferred.

The conditioned newsprint material is then fed into a special pelletizing machine (commercially available model machine 26-300 made by The Sprout Bauer Company), and extrudes the material through a die to form pellets. The conditioned newsprint at about 64 to 112 kg/m is fed to the pelletizing machine to produce pellets which are in the preferred density range of about 592 to 752 kg/m . The size of the pellets fed to the machine varies. In one embodiment the best size has been determined to have a diameter in the range of about 3.2 mm to about 6.4 mm and a length of from about 6.4 mm to about 19 mm long; the preferred density for this pellet is about 673 kg/m . It is preferred that these pellets be dried and the preferred range of moisture content after drying is from about 8% to about 10% moisture by weight.

The dried cellulose pellets are then fed to a roller mill for sizing and shaping (commercially available model FRC 936 made by The Roskamp Company).

The action of the roller mill produces an irregularly shaped pellet along with dust and particles of undesired size. By using a shaker screen, the undesired materials can be separated. In one preferred embodiment, the best density for a cellulose pellet for absorbing oil is in the density range of about 320 kg/m per m to about 480 kg/m . The irregularity of shape of this preferred embodiment is a somewhat flattened shape with more surface area than the shape of generally cylindrical non-flattened material. Although the type and degree of irregularity as compared to a smooth cylindrical shape has not been quantified, preferred pellets maintain their position in a first liquid to be absorbed which is floating on a second liquid; the pellets of desired density maintain their position while they are absorbing the first liquid and, in one embodiment, sink in and through the first liquid after absorbing some of the first liquid. The pellets need not become completely saturate with the first liquid; however, they should not be of such a configuration or of such a light density that they float on top of the first liquid without absorbing it or absorbing only an insignificant amount of it. Preferred pellets cover the spectrum up to but not including, pellets that sink immediately and, at the other end of the spectrum up to, but not including, pellets that float on the first liquid as described above. Of course sinking and floating can occur with different pellets on different first liquids. The preferred pellets described above work well with a first liquid which is oil (e.g., crude oil or SAE 90 oil) floating on salt water. Configuration, size, and density can be varied depending on the nature of the first and second liquids.

A study was conducted as reflected in Tables I, II and III. Columns A to G represent data for

cellulose pellets according to embodiments of the present invention. Column H presents data for Buckerfield material which is made from cellulose material and commercially available as Kitty Litter (TM) . Column I presents data for low-density relatively flat pieces made from cellulose material and commercially available as Kitty Flush (TM). Column K presents data for grey fibre which is made from cellulose and is commercially available as insulation material.

Styrofoam cups were used as containers for salt water onto whose surface was introduced either SAE 90 grade oil or crude.

Each type of pellet was introduced into and onto each type of oil floating on 140 cc's of salty water in a cup which could hold about 200 cc's of liquid. One teaspoon of oil was poured slowly over the water in each cup. (One teaspoon of SAE 90 grade oil weighed about 5.15 grams; one teaspoon of the viscous crude oil weighed about 4.23 grams). The surface area of the created oil films or slicks in the cups was about

3 32 cm .

8 grams of each type of absorbent material were spread over the oil in each cup so that each type of absorbent material was used with each type of oil. The amount of oil absorbed and the amount of absorbent material which had sunk or was still on or in the oil was periodically observed.

Table I presents data for a test situation in which the water/oil combination was at a temperature of 23 degrees Centigrade and the pH of the water was 7.68. After about 18 hours some of the materials were still floating on the surface of the water/oil combination; but a slight vibration of the cups caused the sinking of virtually all these floating materials.

Table II presents data for a testing situation in which the temperature of the water/oil combination was about 9 degrees Centigrade and the water pH was 8.02. After 20 hours the temperature has risen to 24 degrees Centigrade and some of the materials were still floating; again, a slight vibration caused them to sink. Table III presents date on the densities of the various materials.

After two hours of such testing as reported in Tables I-III, it was discovered that under these conditions, absorption was faster and pellets sank faster in the warmer water at the lower pH with the lower density oil. After 18 to 20 hours of such testing, it became apparent that pellets sank more with the more viscous crude oil than in the SAE 90 oil. The Buckerfield material (type H) absorbed oil/water faster than the other materials and sunk to the bottom so relatively quickly (in about 110 minutes) that unabsorbed oil remained on the water'ε surface (about 10% of the SAE 90 oil remained; about 15% to about 20% of the viscous oil remained). The flat pieces (type I) absorbed a significant amount of water and sank in about 20 minutes leaving behind about 10% of the SAE 90 oil and about 30% of the viscous oil. The type C, F and G pellets (Table I; Table

II) of relatively high density (about 465 kg/m cellulose pellets) were found to absorb oil faster than the other pellets. These pellets sank more in viscous oil than in SAE 90 oil. Although the type A and B pellets had the same density (about 344 kg/m pellets), the B pellets were smaller in size and surface area as compared to the A pellets. The B pellets absorbed oil and water more slowly than the A pellets and less of the B pellets sank than the A pellets.

All pellets can absorb both oil and water; but they can be preconditioned to absorb only oil or mostly oil by pretreating them with oil; e.g., spraying them with No. 2 diesel oil. Pellets treated in this way may not readily absorb water thus making them float on top of the first liquid, e.g., oil more readily so that a less dense pellet can be used (e.g., a pellet less dense than certain preferred pellets, a pellet less dense than 320 kg of cellulose per cubic metre). It is preferred that pretreatment occur during the pellet manufacturing process, preferably prior to the final pelletizing step.

The type E, A and C pellets performed better than the type B, D and J (Cincinnati Fiber material) in

SAE 90 oil--they absorbed more oil more quickly. Pellets of types A through G absorb the SAE 90 almost completely leaving little or no oil on the surface and about 1% of the oil around the edge of the cups, leaving the water looking clean. With the viscous oil, these pellets left about 2% to 3% of the oil behind around the edge of the cup. The grey fibre (type K) did not sink. These fibres were generally so light that they formed an agglomeration of fibres and floated on the surface. Fibres remaining above the agglomerated fibres did not absorb oil, even after about 18 to 20 hours. The fibres at the bottom of the agglomeration absorbed only about half of the oil.

The commercially available prior art Buckerfield's flushable cat litter (type H) is biodegradable and can absorb up to 150% of its own weight and it is described as useful for spilled oil.

The use of the word "pellet" herein includes a piece of material which functions as described to produce the desired results and is made by compressing cellulose material or its equivalent. Preferred pellets are irregular and have enough surface area to break the

surface tension of a first liquid, e.g., oil, floating on a second liquid, e.g., water. In one embodiment the pellets can be pretreated with oil which makes them repel water so that a less dense pellet can be used for those applications in which sinking is not desired, i.e., in those applications in which the pellets after absorbing the first liquid are to be removed from the surface of the first liquid.

In various preferred embodiments of this invention, pellets are provided which can absorb liquid and from which the absorbed liquid can be recovered and subsequently disposed of or treated further or refined. For example, from pellets which have absorbed spilled crude oil, the crude oil can be extracted or squeezed out. Of course, the pellets can be recovered by any suitable manual or mechanical means from the surface, from beneath the surface, or from the bottom of the reservoir, bay, ocean, or container of the liquid. Recovered pellets can be disposed of without removing the absorbed liquid. Pellets which have absorbed a combustible material according to any of the previously described methods can be used as fuel or can be incinerated to dispose of them. Also, pellets in place on a first liquid floating on a second liquid can be set on fire to burn absorbed combustible material and to assist in the burning of liquid in which they are floating. It is also within the scope of this invention to provide agitation or vibration to a first liquid/second liquid combination to enhance either pellet absorption or sinking or both.

Regarding certain preferred embodiments in which the pellets sink after absorbing a material like oil, if the pellets and the oil will be biodegradable by natural causes, there may be no need to recover them. In one preferred embodiment of a method

according to this invention the use of a surfactant can decrease the amount of time for the pellets (which have absorbed a first liquid, such as oil) to sink. Using cups containing salty water with a heavy crude oil top film and cups containing salty water with an SAE 90 oil top film, pellets of types B through G (Table I) were sprinkled on the oil, one type of pellet per cup, a total of 10 cups. After 10 minutes, the bulk of the oil had been absorbed in each cup and about 2% to 5% of the pellets had sunk to the bottom of the cups. Then a .1% solution of a surfactant (commercially available Witconate AOS (TM) surfactant) was misted onto the top of the still-floating pellets. Immediately almost all of the remaining pellets combined with oil and fell to the bottom of the containers.

The relative absorption rates of different amounts of pellets, pellets of types A, C, E, F and G according to the present invention were demonstrated, again using the previously described styrofoam cups as reservoirs and using four cups of each type of pellet, placing 2, 4, 6 and 8 grams of each type of pellet on the oil film (5.15 grams of SAE 90 oil) in each cup. Pellets A, C and E were 320-352 kg/m ; types E and F, 464 to 480 kg/m . Pellets of types G and F are generally heavier and more uniformly round than pellets of types A, C and E, and pellets of types E and F were more round than types A, C and E. At 20 minutes after sprinkling the pellets on the liquid, the cups with 4 and 6 grams of pellets of types A, C and E exhibited the best oil absorption with E being the best. The cups with 8 grams of pellets of types A, C, E and F showed generally good oil absorption. The type G pellets did not perform as well as the other types at any given weight. Also, after the pellets of type G in the cup with 4 grams of pellets

had sunk, stirring the pellets caused release of some of the absorbed oil, and it floated up to the surface. Less absorbed oil was released by pellets of type E in the cup with 4 grams of pellets. Such stirring did not result in the release of oil from the pellets in cups with 6 or 8 grams of pellets. All the cups with only 2 grams of pellets had free unabsorbed oil at 20 minutes after sprinkling the pellets. Slight agitation of the cups containing 2 grams of pellets resulted in almost no pellets sinking. Spraying surfactant on the pellets still floating after about 25 minutes resulted in the sinking of almost all the pellets in the cups with 4, 6 or 8 grams of pellets.

In testing the liquid retention of various types of cellulose fibres including Champions Mulch No. 1; Champions Mulch No. 2; Conwed Wood; newsprint; cardboard, 75% newsprint/25% cardboard; and 50% newsprint/50% cardboard; it was determined that 100% newsprint was most absorbent and the mulches were the least absorbent. Regarding water absorption, tests revealed that the most absorbent material was newsprint.

Mulch fibre was shown to be heavier compared to other fibres and it absorbed less water. Newsprint

(100%) retained more water. Mulch retained the least. By compressing cellulose material into pellets according to this invention, relatively more mass (higher density) is utilized in a smaller space to provide relatively more absorbability for a given volume and provided more control of a first liquid (e.g., spilled oil) floating on or in a second liquid (e.g., ocean water). However, in some embodiments, a density which results in premature pellet sinking is undesirable. Compressed pellets fashioned to provide control of an oil spill without sinking will facilitate recovery from the surface. Various biodegrading

microorganisms that attack and degrade oil and other materials may be included in compressed pellets of this invention.

TABLE I

TE3T: 1 ABSORPTION OF OIL/WATER BY A.B.C,D,E. T . O . " ~ I PELL

DATE: 5-3-89 S 5-4-89. TIME STARTED: 2:00 P.M., TEMPERATURE Or OIL/WATER - 23 DEGREES C: pH OF WATER - 7.83: WEIGHT OF SAE 90 OIL - 5.15GM: WEIGHT OF VISCOUS OIL - 4.23 GM:

2 3

AREA OF OIL SPREAD - 32 CM : 140 CM WATER USED

TIME TYPE 5 DATE OF OIL

2.30PM SAE 90 90* ABSORBED 85* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 95* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 05-03-89 0* SANK 0* SANK 5* SANK 0* SANK 10* SANK ISCOUS 90« ABSORBED 80* ABSORBED 97* ABSORBED 97* ABSORBED 97* ABSORBED OIL 10* SANK 0* SANK 10* SANK 5* SANK 20* SANK

3.15PM SAE 90 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 05-03-89 10* SANK 5* SANK 40* SANK 5* SANK 40* SANK

VISCOUS 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED OIL 20* SANK 10* SANK 30* SANK 15* SANK 50* SANK

3.45PM SAE 90 20* SANK 10* SANK 55* SANK 10* SANK 60* SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS 60* SANK 15* SANK 45* SANK 20* SANK 65* SANK

OIL

4.25PM SAE 90 25* SANK 15* SANK 60* SANK 13* SANK 65* SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS 65* SANK 20* SANK 50* SANK 35* SANK 70* SANK OIL

4.55PM SAE 90 30* SANK 20* SANK 60* SANK 15* SANK 70X SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS 75* SANK 40* SANK 55* SANK 50* SANK 75* SANK

OIL

5.25PM SAE 90 35* SANK 25* SANK 65* SANK 15* SANK 75X SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS 80* SANK 50* SANK 55* SANK 50* SANK 78* SANK

OIL

5.55PM SAE 90 35* SANK 25* SANK 65* SANK 17* SANK 75* SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS 85* SANK 65* SANK 55* SANK 55* SANK 80* SANK

OIL

8.00AM SAE 90 35* SANK 25* SANK 65* SANK 20* SANK 75* SANK 05-04-89 VISCOUS 87* SANK 75* SANK 55* SANK 60* SANK 80* SANK

OIL

TABLE IA

TEST: 1 ABSORPTION OF OIL/WATER BY A,B,C,D,E,F,0,H ft I PELL

DATE: 5-3-89 S 5-4-89. TIME STARTED: 2:00 P.M., TEMPERATURE OF OIL/WATER 23 DEGREES C; pH OF WATER » 7.83; WEIGHT OF SAE 90 OIL » 5.15GM: WEIGHT OF VISCOUS OIL 4.23 GM;

AREA OF OIL SPREAD - 32 CM 140 CM WATER USED TIME TYPE F β DATE OF OIL

2.30PM SAE 90 100* ABSORBED 99* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 05-03-89 0* SANK 0* SANK 70* SANK 85* SANK ISCOU3 97* ABSORBED 97* ABSORBED 93* ABSORBED 98* ABSORBED OIL 10* SANK 10* SANK 90* SANK 98* SANK

3.15PM SAE 90 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 05-03-89 0* SANK 5* SANK 85* SANK 100* SANK ISCOUS 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED OIL 30* SANK 75* SANK 98* SANK 100* SANK

3.45PM SAE 90 0* SANK 10* SANK 90* SANK 100* SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS 40* SANK 80* SANK 98* SANK 100* SANK

OIL

4.25PM SAE 90 0* SANK 12* SANK 90* SANK 100* SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS 40X SANK 80* SANK 98* SANK 100* SANK

OIL

4.55PM SAE 90 0* SANK 15* SANK 90* SANK 100* SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS 55* SANK 85* SANK 98* SANK 100* SANK

OIL

5.25PM SAE 90 0* SANK 17* SANK 90* SANK 100* SANK 05-03-89 VISCOUS 60* SANK 85* SANK 98* SANK 100* SANK

OIL

5.55PM SAE 90 0* SANK 20* SANK 90* SANK 100* SANK 05-03-89 ISCOUS 65* 3ANK 90* SANK 98* SANK 100* SANK

OIL

8.00AM SAE 90 10* SANK 20* SANK 90* SANK 100* SANK 05-04-89 VISCOUS 90* SANK 90* SANK 98* SANK 100* SANK

OIL

* BUCKERFIELDS ABSORB MORE WATER THAN OIL FASTER AND SINK TO BOTTOM WITHIN 10 MINUTES.

(30 5-8* OIL REMAINS ALONG THE EDGE OF THE STYROFOAM CUP.) ** THESE LOW DENSITY, FLAT CHIPS ABSORBS, ALSO, WATER MORE THAN OIL AND SINKS FASTER IN

TABLE II

TEST: 2 ABSORPTION OF OIL/WATER BY A,B,C.D,E,F,O.H.I, ~ S K

DATE: 5-4-89 0 5-5-89. TIME STARTED: 11.15 A M., TEMPERATURE OF OIL/WATER - 9 DEGREES C; pH OF WATER - 8.02: WEIGHT OF SAE 90 - 5.15 GM: WEIGHT Or VISCOUS OIL " 4.23 OM; AREA OF OIL SPREAD - 32 CM ; 140 CM WATER USED TIME TYPE A B C

~ DATE OF OIL

11.45AM SAE 90 90* ABSORBED 85* ABSORBED 87* ABSORBED 85* ABSORBED 85* ABSORBED 05-04-89 0* SANK 0* SANK OX SANK OX SANK 0* SANK

VISCOUS 95* ABSORBED 80* ABSORBED 90* ABSORBED 80X ABSORBED 85* ABSORBED OIL OX SANK 0* SANK OX SANK OX SANK 0* SANK

12.25PM SAE 90 98X ABSORBED 90* ABSORBED 95* ABSORBED 90* ABSORBED 90* ABSORBED 05-04-89 0* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK ISCOUS 98* ABSORBED 90* ABSORBED 95* ABSORBED 90* ABSORBED 90* ABSORBED OIL 0* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK OX SANK

1.05PM SAE 90 98* ABSORBED 93* ABSORBED 98* ABSORBED 95* ABSORBED 95X ABSORBED 05-04-89 0* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK OX SANK

VISCOUS 98* ABSORBED 95* ABSORBED 97* ABSORBED 95* ABSORBED 95X ABSORBED OIL 0* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK OX SANK

2.05PM SAE 90 100* ABSORBED 98* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 98* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 05-04-89 5* SANK 0* SANK 5* SANK 0* SANK OX SANK

VISCOUS 100* ABSORBED 97* ABSORBED 98* ABSORBED 98* ABSORBED 100XABSORBED OIL 0* SANK 0* SANK 5* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK

3.05PM SAE 90 100* ABSORBED 98* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 98* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 05-04-89 5* SANK 5* SANK 5* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK

VISCOUS 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 98* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED OIL OX SANK 0* SANK 5* SANK 0* SANK 0* SANK

4.05PM SAE 90 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 05-04-89 20* SANK 10* SANK 35* SANK 0* SANK 15* SANK

VISCOUS 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED OIL 40* SANK 0* SANK 10* SANK 10* SANK 20* SANK

4.50PM SAE 90 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 05-04-89 25* SANK 20* SANK 40* SANK 0* SANK 30* SANK ISCOUS 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED

OIL 45* SANK 10* SANK 15* SANK 20* SANK 40* SANK

8.00AM SAE 90 50* SANK 30* SANK 40* SANK 25* SANK 55* SANK 05-05-89 VISCOUS 60* SANK 40* SANK 50* SANK 55* SANK 65* SANK

OIL

TABLE IIA TE3T: 2 ABSORPTION OF OIL/WATER BY A,B.C.D,E,F.G.H,I,J fi K DATE: 5-4-89 β 5-5-89. TIME STARTED: 11.15 A M.. TEMPERATURE OF OIL/WATER - 9 DEGREES C: pH OF WATER - 8.02: WEIGHT OF SAE 90 - 5.15 GM; WEIGHT OF VISCOUS OIL « 4.23 GM: AREA OF OIL SPREAD - 32 CM ² ; 140 CM ³ WATER USED TIME 6 DATE TYPE OF OIL F O H* I**

11.45AM SAE 90 95* ABSORBED 95* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100X ABSORBED 05-04-89 0* SANK 0* SANK 85X SANK 100X SANK

VISCOUS 95* ABSORBED 90* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100X ABSORBED OIL OX SANK OX SANK 90* SANK 100X SANK

12.25PM SAE 90 95X ABSORBED 98* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100X ABSORBED 05-04-89 5X SANK 5X SANK 87* SANK 100X SANK

VISCOUS 95* ABSORBED 92* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100X ABSORBED OIL 0* SANK 0* SANK 90* SANK 100* SANK

1.05PM SAE 90 97* ABSORBED 99X ABSORBED 100X ABSORBED SAME AS ABOVE 05-04-89 5* SANK 10* SANK 90X SANK

VISCOUS 97* ABSORBED 95X ABSORBED 100X ABSORBED SAME A3 ABOVE OIL 5X SANK OX SANK 95X SANK

2.05PM SAE 90 99X ABSORBED 99* ABSORBED 100X ABSORBED SAME A3 ABOVE 05-04-89 5* SANK 15X SANK 95* SANK

VISCOUS 99* ABSORBED 95X ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED SAME AS ABOVE OIL 5X SANK 5* SANK 95X SANK

3.05PM SAE 90 99* ABSORBED 99* ABSORBED SAME AS ABOVE SAME A3 ABOVE 05-04-89 5* SANK 15* SANK

VISCOUS 99* ABSORBED 95* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED SAME A3 ABOVE OIL 5* SANK 5* SANK 98X SANK

4.05PM SAE 90 99* ABSORBED 99X ABSORBED SAME A3 ABOVE SAME A3 ABOVE 05-04-89 20* SANK 40* SANK

VISCOUS 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED SAME A3 ABOVE OIL 30X SANK 30* 3ANK 99* SANK

4.50PM SAE 90 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED SAME A3 ABOVE SAME AS ABOVE 05-04-89 30* SANK 50* SANK

VISCOUS 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED 100* ABSORBED SAME AS ABOVE OIL 50X SANK 35* SANK 99X SANK

8.00AM SAE 90 45X SANK 50* SANK 95* SANK 100* SANK 05-05-89 VISCOU3 80X SANK 85* SANK 99X SANK 100* SANK

OIL

* BUCKER3FIELD ABSORB WATER FASTER THAN OIL AND SINK TO BOTTOM WITHIN 10 MINUTES.

** THESE LOW DENSITY, FLAT CHIPS, ALSO. ABSORBED MORE WATER FASTER THAN OIL AND SANK BELOW THE SURFACE SO 8-10*

TABLE IIB

TEST: 2 ABSORPTION OF OIL/WATER BY A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H, I,J ft K DATE: 5-4-89 & 5-5-89. TIME STARTED: 11.15 A M.. TEMPERATURE Or OIL/WATER - 9 DEGREES C; pH OF WATER - 8.02; WEIGHT OF SAE 90 - 5.15 GM: WEIGHT OF VISCOUS OIL - 4.23 GM; AREA Or OIL SPREAD - 32 CM ² 140 CM WATER USED TIME ~ DATE TYPE OF OIL J K

11.45AM SAE 90 75* ABSORBED GREY FIBER 13 LIGHTER 05-04-89 OX SANK 30 THE FIBERS IN CONTACT ISCOUS 85* ABSORBED WITH THE OIL SURFACE ONLY OIL OX SANK ABSORBED THE OIL AND THE

12.25PM SAE 90 80* ABSORBED FIBERS ABOVE REMAINED DRY. 05-04-89 0* SANK THE ABSORBED FIBERS WERE

VISCOUS 70* ABSORBED ΓLOATING ON OIL OIL 0* SANK

1.05PM SAE 90 85* ABSORBED 05-04-89 0* SANK

VISCOUS 75* ABSORBED OIL 0* BANK

2.05PM SAE 90 90* ABSORBED 05-04-89 0* SANK

VISCOUS 90* ABSORBED OIL 0* SANK

3.05PM SAE 90 95X ABSORBED 05-04-89 0* SANK ISCOUS 92* ABSORBED OIL 0* SANK .05PM SAE 90 95* ABSORBED GREY TIBER SPREAD ON OIL/ 05-04-89 OX SANK WATER SURFACE ABSORBS SOME ISCOUS 95X ABSORBED OIL AND FORMS MAT OF ABSORBED OIL 0* SANK FIBERS AND FLOATS. THE FIBERS ABOVE THAT MAT IS DRY. ONLY .50PM SAE 90 100* ABSORBED 2-3 GRAMS OF FIBER OIL ABSORBED 05-04-89 5* SANK EVEN AFTER 20 HOURS

VISCOUS 100* ABSORBED

_ IL 5X SANK

8.00AM SAE 90 20* SANK 05-05-89 VISCOUS 90* SANK

OIL

TABLE III