| 摘要 |
POROUS LOW DENSITY SHOT-LIKE DEGRADABLE ABSORBENT MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING PROCESS THEREFOR Degradable particulate absorbent materials and processes for manufacture, wherein the absorbent materials have: i) in most forms of the invention, on the order of not more than 10% by weight inorganic solids or "fillers", and in all cases less than 30% inorganic solids by weight; ii) an open, porous, shot-like fiber structure with low bulk density on the order of not more than 30 lbs./ft.3 and, preferably, in the range of 15 to 18 lbs./ft.3; iii) shape and size gradations typical of clay based floor sweeps and animal litters; iv) an absorptive capacity by weight up to four times greater than that of clay products and by volume up to twice that of products disclosed in Phillips U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,931,139 and 5,091,245; v) high retention rates for products absorbed; and vi), rapid absorption rates when compared with clay products and extruded tubular pellets; yet which: vii) are highly flammable both before and after absorption of liquid materials which are often nonflammable and, therefore, which have high heat values for recycling as an energy source; viii) produce little ash when incinerated, thereby minimizing disposal costs and related problems; ix) are biodegradable in an aerobic atmosphere given suitable moisture and temperature; x) permit the addition of additives to rapidly biodegrade absorbent particulates and a wide range of hydrocarbonbased oils and chemicals; and xi), permit addition of process chemicals rendering the otherwise hydrophilic absorbent materials hydrophobic--e.g., oleophitic--and/or forming barriers/filters for toxic and/or noxious odors.
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