DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOVING OF UNWANTED MATERIAL

Abstract

A collection kit for the removal of unwanted material from a surface, said kit comprising: iv) ferromagnetic material to absorb and/or adsorb the unwanted material when spread across the unwanted material creating an area of operation; v) an apparatus having a magnetic source operable to attract the ferromagnetic material together with absorbed and/or adsorbed unwanted material when the magnetic source is touching or in the vicinity of the area of operation; and vi) means to dislodge the ferromagnetic material and absorbed and/or adsorbed unwanted material from the apparatus once the ferromagnetic material has been removed from the area of operation.

Claims

1. A collection kit for the removal of unwanted material from a surface, said kit comprising: i) ferromagnetic material to absorb and/or adsorb the unwanted material when spread across the unwanted material creating an area of operation; ii) an apparatus having a drum and a magnetic source arrangement within the drum and operable to attract the ferromagnetic material together with absorbed and/or adsorbed unwanted material to the surface of the drum when the magnetic source is in the vicinity of the area of operation; and iii) the arrangement of the magnets within the drum allows for the ferromagnetic material to rotate with or around the surface of the drum and be dislodged at an area removed from the area of operation.

2. (canceled)

3. A collection kid according to claim 1 wherein the drum rotates around the magnetic source, the magnetic source being operable through the surface of the drum to attract the ferromagnetic material that is spread across the area of operation.

4. A collection kit according to claim 1 wherein the magnetic source is housed within the drum in a fixed position; the drum operates to rotate around the magnetic source; the magnetic source being arranged to have lifter magnets having a stronger magnetic strength operate near the area of operation to attract the ferromagnetic material to the outer surface of the drum, and carrier magnets providing a lesser magnetic strength positioned away from the area of operation.

5. A collection kit according to claim 3 wherein the lifter magnets are rare earth magnets and the surface of the lifter magnets is located at a distance of from 2 mm to 200 mm, preferably from 10 to 100 mm from the inner surface of the drum when the drum is at or near the area of operation, and the carrier magnets are ferrite ceramic magnets and the surface of the carrier magnets is located at a distance of from 2 to 300 mm, preferably from 10 to 200 mm from the inner surface of the drum when at a distance from the area of operation.

6. A collection kit according to claim 1 wherein either the drum or magnetic source housed within the drum rotate while the other is stationary; or they both rotate in the same or different direction and at the same or different rate; wherein the rotation of both the drum and the magnetic source is controlled by a gearing mechanism.

7. (canceled)

8. A collection kit according to claim 1 wherein the ferromagnetic material is dislodged from the drum by centrifugal force, cleaning bristles or scraping at a location remote from where the magnetic source first attracts the ferromagnetic material.

9. A collection kit according to claim 1 wherein the ferromagnetic material is a zero valent iron particle material or a composite of zero valent iron powder with other powdered magnetic materials such as magnetite, preferably gamma-iron oxide particles, and is blended with a non-magnetic absorbent material, or a non-magnetic absorbent material that has been subsequently magnetized or imparted with an electric charge.

10. A collection kit according to claim 9 wherein the non-magnetic absorbent material is selected from zeolites, absorbent and/or adsorbent clay, aluminium silicates and minerals, recycled waste wood, paper products, grain by-products, plastic particles or other naturally occurring absorbent and/or adsorbent material.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. A collection kit according to claim 1 wherein the ferromagnetic material is housed in a container that is able to maintain the temperature of the ferromagnetic material at or above 14? C., and a device to aid in the spreading of the material.

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. A method of cleaning unwanted material from a surface, said method comprising the steps of: (i) spreading and mixing a ferromagnetic material on or across the unwanted material creating an area of operation, the ferromagnetic material being able to preferentially absorb and/or adsorb the unwanted material; (ii) collecting the ferromagnetic material with an apparatus having a drum and a magnetic source arranged within the drum and operable to attract the ferromagnetic material together with the absorbed and/or adsorbed unwanted material, when the magnetic source is in the vicinity of the area of operation; and (iii) magnets within the drum allows for the ferromagnetic material to be rotated with or around the surface of the drum to a position to dislodge the ferromagnetic material for disposal or recycle.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the unwanted material includes oils, fats, chemicals, paints, abattoir wastes, wine, detergents and/or any material able to be adsorbed or absorbed by the ferromagnetic material.

18. A ferromagnetic material, suitable for use with the collection kit of claim 1, including a ferromagnetic material, preferably zero valent iron powder or a composite of zero valent iron powder with other powdered magnetic material, together with a non-magnetic absorbent and/or adsorbent material.

19. A ferromagnetic material according to claim 18 wherein the iron particles are spongy grade, atomised or annealed particles having an average particle size of between 5 and 100 microns, but most preferably with an average particle size of between 30 to 50 microns.

20. A ferromagnetic material according to claim 18 wherein the non-magnetic absorbent and/or adsorbent material is selected from zeolites, absorbent and/or adsorbent clays, aluminium silicates and minerals, recycled waste wood products, paper products, grain by-products, plastic particles or naturally occurring absorbent and/or adsorbent material.

21. A ferromagnetic material according to claim 18 where the non-magnetic absorbent and/or adsorbent material is a modified zeolite product that has been soaked in ferric chloride or other salts to impart a charge on the zeolite.

22. A ferromagnetic material according to claim 18 wherein the modified zeolite is soaked in an aqueous ferric chloride solution for up to 5 days, preferably between 1 day and 4 days, to impart a charge on the zeolite.

23. A ferromagnetic material according to claim 18 wherein the non-magnetic absorbent material is blended or reacted with the ferromagnetic material in a ratio of 5:95 wt. % to 95:5 wt. %, preferably 40:60 wt. % to 60:40 wt. % and most preferably 50:50 wt. % to form a composite material or product that is able to be attracted to the magnetic source.

24. A collection kit according to claim 4 when the lifter magnets at or near the area of operation have a magnetic strength of from 1,000 to 15,000 Gauss, preferably 1500 to 10,000 Gauss at their surface and the carrier magnets which are placed at a distance from the area of operation have a magnetic strength of 100 to 5,000 Gauss, preferably 500 to 3,000 Gauss at their surface.

25. A collection kit according to any one of claim 1 wherein the drum is positioned to operate at 5 to 50 mm, preferably 10 to 30 mm above the surface of the area of operation, and includes cups or fins on its surface to assist in lifting and carrying the ferromagnetic material.

26. A collection kit according to any one of claim 1 further including a trolley having driving wheels to move the trolley in a forward or backward direction, and including gearing mechanism to control the rotation of the drum such that it rotates in the opposite direction to the driving wheels when the collection kit is moved in a forward direction and remains stationary when the trolley is moved backwards; or is geared such that the drum will continue to rotate in the opposite direction from the driving wheels regardless of whether the driving wheels are moved in a forward or backward direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a trolley type device.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows the same device from a front orientation.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the Section A-A from FIG. 2.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a side orientation of the trolley type device of FIG. 1.

[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment that includes a rotating cylinder.

[0057] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment where cups are included to assist with the transfer of the ferromagnetic material

[0058] FIG. 7 illustrates yet an alternative embodiment that includes a stationary cylinder and a rotating wheel of magnets

[0059] FIG. 8 illustrates a trolley having a central roller arranged to rotate in the opposite direction to the driving wheels

[0060] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section of the embodiment of FIG. 8 showing the arrangement of the magnets, driving wheels and drum

[0061] FIG. 10 illustrates a gearing mechanism with a one-way bearing

[0062] FIGS. 11 to 14 show a blend of the ferromagnetic material together with a modified zeolite demonstrating how the material absorbs and/or adsorbs oil and may be removed by a magnet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that these drawings are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments, and the invention as described and claimed herein should not be considered to be limited thereto.

[0064] The present invention is illustrated with reference to FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the collection kit consists of ferromagnetic material (1) that has been spread across a surface that is covered with unwanted material. The unwanted material may for example be oil but could be fats, paints, chemicals, abattoir wastes, wine, detergents or any other material able to be adsorbed and/or absorbed by the ferromagnetic material. Spreading the ferromagnetic material over the unwanted material allows for the ferromagnetic material to adsorb and/or absorb the unwanted material.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment illustrated with reference to FIG. 1, the apparatus of the kit is a trolley type device having outer driving wheels (2) and handle (3) to allow the trolley to be rolled over unwanted material such as oil spills that have been covered with the ferromagnetic material. The magnetic source includes an operable surface that is a collection belt (4) which is operated by belt wheels (5) (see FIG. 3) to drive and rotate the collection belt.

[0066] Ferromagnetic material is placed over the spilled unwanted material to be absorbed and/or adsorbed by the ferromagnetic material. In use, the trolley type device will roll over the ferromagnetic material that has been spread over the unwanted material such that the collection belt operates just above the ferromagnetic material, while the driving wheels (2) run on the surface to be cleaned.

[0067] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the trolley type device with line A-A illustrating the cut through section which is illustrated in FIG. 3, and shows the relationship between driving wheels (2) and collection belt (4).

[0068] In the cut through illustration of FIG. 3, the magnets (6) can be seen and are affixed to a portion of the collection belt so that approximately a third of the collection belt is magnetically functional. The amount of the collection belt that becomes magnetically functional is simply a matter of design and can vary. The magnets will rotate with the collection belt.

[0069] When the magnets are in the lower position (7), they are able to attract the ferromagnetic material that has been spread over the unwanted material (not shown), such as oil, to the collection belt. The ferromagnetic material rotates with the collection belt as the belt wheels and magnets rotate. The ferromagnetic material remains on the collection belt until it reaches Point (8) where cleaning bristles (9) (see FIG. 1) will remove the ferromagnetic material together with the absorbed and/or adsorbed unwanted material which then falls into the collection tray (10). The collection tray is removable for disposal of the ferromagnetic material and waste product.

[0070] The collection belt together with the magnets continues to be rotated and collect further ferromagnetic material together with the adsorbed and/or absorbed unwanted material.

[0071] The height of the collection belt may be adjusted through the collection belt height adjustor (11). Stability casters (12) may also be provided. There is also a gear box assembly (13) that allows rotation of the main driving wheels to translate the rotation of the belt wheels and hence the rotation of the collection belt.

[0072] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment that includes a handle (3) together with a rotating drum (18) and an inner fixed wheel of magnets (14). The drum is able to rotate around axle point (15) while the fixed wheel of magnets remains fixed and so does not rotate when the drum is pushed in a forward motion. The apparatus may include a trolley or chassis (not shown) to maintain the drum at a height just above the surface to be cleaned. The trolley or chassis may have its own set of wheels to allow for the apparatus to be readily rolled over the surface to be cleaned.

[0073] The apparatus is able to be rolled over ferromagnetic material (1) such that the ferromagnetic material will be attracted to the magnets and will become fixed to the rotating drum when in the vicinity of the magnets. The drum will rotate in the direction of arrow (17) while the wheel of magnets will remain in a fixed position.

[0074] The rotating drum may also be operated to rotate in the opposite direction and at a controlled rotation rate, sufficient to maintain the ferromagnetic material on the surface of the drum. The apparatus may include a motor or gearing mechanism (not shown) to control the direction and rate of rotation of the rotating drum. The ferromagnetic material will be dislodged from the rotating drum when it is no longer in the vicinity of the magnets and will fall into collection tray (10).

[0075] A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 6 where the rotating drum (18) includes cups (16) able to assist in collection of the ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material is again dislodged from the rotating drum when no longer in the vicinity of the magnets (14). The magnets remain in a fixed position while the rotating drum is able to rotate in direction of arrow (17) providing a forward motion for the apparatus.

[0076] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative device where the drum (20) is stationary and attached to a trolley or chassis (not shown) having its own wheels to allow the drum to be moved in the direction of arrow (21). The trolley or chassis may be positioned to maintain the drum above the surface to be cleaned. The magnetic source is a wheel of magnets (22) located concentric and internal to the stationary drum. The apparatus may include either a motor or a gearing arrangement to allow the wheel of magnets to rotate in either direction. The wheel of magnets maintains the attracted ferromagnetic material (1) on the surface of the stationary cylinder and guides it around the surface of the drum. The ferromagnetic material is then dislodged from the surface of the drum by scraper (23) into collection basket (24) for disposal.

[0077] In a comparable arrangement, both the drum and inner magnetic source may be geared to rotate either in the same direction or in opposite directions and at the same or differing speeds. The apparatus may be designed to allow for variation in the set-up of the movement, both direction and speed, of the drum on the inner concentric magnetic source dependent on the need.

[0078] FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of a preferred trolley having outer driving wheels (25) and handle (26) to allow the trolley to be pushed in a forward motion. Drum (27) is geared to rotate in the opposite direction to the driving wheels (25). The drum includes cups or fins (28) to assist in picking up the ferromagnetic material that may be spread over the floor or area of operation. A collection tray (29) is located at the rear of the trolley.

[0079] FIG. 9 illustrates the positioning of magnets within the roller (27). Ferromagnetic material (30) is positioned on the area of operation being the surface to be cleaned. The driving wheel (25) rotates in a clockwise direction (31) as illustrated. The magnets are in a fixed position with stronger rare earth lifter magnets (32) positioned near the surface to be cleaned, with ceramic carrier magnets having less strength (33) positioned at positions away from the surface to be cleaned. The drum (27) rotates in an anti-clockwise (34) direction as illustrated.

[0080] As an alternative, or in conjunction with different magnet types being used, the magnets themselves may be placed at a graduation of distances from the surface to be cleaned. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the carrier magnets further from the surface to be cleaned are graduated to be a greater distance from the inner surface of the drum at the farthest point from the surface to be cleaned than the lifter magnets at or near the surface to be cleaned.

[0081] The ferromagnetic material is picked up at the surface to be cleaned, and is rotated with the assistance of cups or fins (28) to a position away from the surface to be cleaned, where the contaminant-laden ferromagnetic material is then released to collection tray (29), assisted by the centripetal force. The ferromagnetic material (30) may then be disposed of or potentially recycled.

[0082] FIG. 10 illustrates a gearing arrangement with outer driving wheel (25) having a gear arrangement (34) on the inner surface of the driving wheel. This gear engages with and rotates a one-way bearing (35). This one-way bearing turns a smaller gear (36) which rotates gear (37) connected to the axis of the drum (38) to rotate the drum in the opposite direction to outer driving wheel (25).

Example 1

[0083] The zeolite used was commercial grade SpillZorbe.

[0084] The iron powder was supplied by Hoganas AB Grade MH300.29 spongy annealed superfine (average particle size 37 microns).

[0085] A quantity of the zeolite material was soaked in a saturated aqueous solution of ferric chloride, FeCl.sub.3, allowing several days for maximum absorption and/or adsorption of ions into the zeolite to occur. The resulting material was then dried in an oven (to constant weight) at around 60? C. This is referred to as the modified zeolite.

[0086] The modified zeolite was ground to a finer powder using a mortar and pestle and intimately mixed (with stirring) with an equivalent amount (by solid volume) of the iron powder.

[0087] A vigorous exothermic solid-state reaction ensued and appeared to be complete after several hours. This reaction appeared to produce two products: (1) a dark, rusty-brown product that is highly magnetic and around 26% lighter than the iron powder (on a solid volume basis) and (2) a dark yellow powder that is slightly magnetic and that is 65% lighter than the iron powder. Due to their differences in magnetic susceptibility, products (1) and (2) could be magnetically separated from one another.

Example 2

[0088] To make a Mark II version that is 50% lighter than the iron powder, product (1) and product (2) from Example 1 were recombined in equivalent proportion by solid volume and the mixture was ground using a mortar and pestle to produce a grey-brown powder. This blend is 50% lighter than the original pure iron powder and appears to be equally effective.

[0089] The effectiveness of this blend is shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 where FIG. 11 is crude oil in a petri dish. FIG. 12 illustrates the Mark II blend spread across the crude oil. In time, the ferromagnetic material of Mark II will absorb and/or adsorb the crude oil, as shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 demonstrates how ferromagnetic material, with the absorbed and/or adsorbed oil will be attracted to a magnet and removed from the contaminated area.

[0090] The invention described herein is illustrative of the invention and provides examples of the best method of performing the invention. The invention described should be considered to be inclusive of minor modifications that may be made without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention described.