A method for cleaning up oil spills using multi-layered carbon fiber-based absorbents is disclosed. The method for cleaning up oil spills requires an oil-contaminated area including a quantity of oil, a first storage vessel, an oil extraction machine, a heating element, and a multi-layered carbon fiber absorbent. The multi-layered modified carbon fiber absorbent is distributed to the oil-contaminated area, where the multi-layered modified carbon fiber absorbent is configured to extract the quantity of oil from the oil-contaminated area while maintaining hydrophobic. The quantity of oil is extracted and separated from the multi-layered modified carbon fiber absorbent using the oil extraction machine. The extracted quantity of oil is collected into the first storage vessel. The extract quantity of oil is then transferred over to a second storage vessel for later refinement.

A method for cleaning up oil spills using multi-layered carbon fiber-based absorbents is disclosed. The method for cleaning up oil spills requires an oil-contaminated area including a quantity of oil, a first storage vessel, an oil extraction machine, a heating element, and a multi-layered carbon fiber absorbent. The multi-layered modified carbon fiber absorbent is distributed to the oil-contaminated area, where the multi-layered modified carbon fiber absorbent is configured to extract the quantity of oil from the oil-contaminated area while maintaining hydrophobic. The quantity of oil is extracted and separated from the multi-layered modified carbon fiber absorbent using the oil extraction machine. The extracted quantity of oil is collected into the first storage vessel. The extract quantity of oil is then transferred over to a second storage vessel for later refinement.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus (10) for remediation of a site contaminated by an oil spill. The apparatus (10) comprises a porous capsule (12) encapsulating material (14) for sorbing oil. The material (14) comprises granules of an at least semi-open cell polymeric foam, the granules being less than 10cm3 in size. Ingredients from which the polymeric foam is formed comprise acrylonitrile butadiene rubber as a major constituent thereof by weight.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus (10) for remediation of a site contaminated by an oil spill. The apparatus (10) comprises a porous capsule (12) encapsulating material (14) for sorbing oil. The material (14) comprises granules of an at least semi-open cell polymeric foam, the granules being less than 10cm3 in size. Ingredients from which the polymeric foam is formed comprise acrylonitrile butadiene rubber as a major constituent thereof by weight.

A method is for preparing acrylic acid from β-propiolactone and for using β-propiolactone. The process is based on a specific reactivity of β-propiolactone whereby acrylic acid is formed under operating conditions that are mild, especially in terms of temperature.

A method is for preparing acrylic acid from β-propiolactone and for using β-propiolactone. The process is based on a specific reactivity of β-propiolactone whereby acrylic acid is formed under operating conditions that are mild, especially in terms of temperature.

A polymer composition for use in the removal and recovery of oil slicks or spills floating on the surfaces of bodies or water or present on land, such as beaches comprising a foam of a blend of polyethylene and an ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer and a process for using such foams in the selective removal of oil from fresh water or salt water and the recovery of the absorbed oils from the foams is disclosed. The polymer composition is also for use in other applications in which absorption of liquids is desired.

A polymer composition for use in the removal and recovery of oil slicks or spills floating on the surfaces of bodies or water or present on land, such as beaches comprising a foam of a blend of polyethylene and an ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer and a process for using such foams in the selective removal of oil from fresh water or salt water and the recovery of the absorbed oils from the foams is disclosed. The polymer composition is also for use in other applications in which absorption of liquids is desired.

The invention relates to a process for producing polymer composites suitable for absorbing and storing aqueous liquids, to the polymer composites obtainable by this process, and to the use of the polymer composites. The process comprises free-radical polymerization of a monomer composition M comprising 50 to 100% by weight, based on the total amount of monomers A and B, of at least one monomer A having one ethylenic double bond and at least one neutralizable acid group, 0 to 50% by weight of optionally one or more comonomers B which are different than the monomers A and have one ethylenic double bond, and 1 to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of monomers A and B, of at least one crosslinker C.

The invention relates to a process for producing polymer composites suitable for absorbing and storing aqueous liquids, to the polymer composites obtainable by this process, and to the use of the polymer composites. The process comprises free-radical polymerization of a monomer composition M comprising 50 to 100% by weight, based on the total amount of monomers A and B, of at least one monomer A having one ethylenic double bond and at least one neutralizable acid group, 0 to 50% by weight of optionally one or more comonomers B which are different than the monomers A and have one ethylenic double bond, and 1 to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of monomers A and B, of at least one crosslinker C.