Designation: F 726 99

Standard Test Method for

Sorbent Performance of Adsorbents
1
This standard is issued under the xed designation F 726; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers laboratory tests which describe
the performance of adsorbents in removing nonemulsied oils
and other oating, immiscible liquids from the surface of
water.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specic precau-
tionary statements are given in 8.3.1.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1596 Test Method for Dynamic Shock Cushioning Char-
acteristics of Packaging Material
2
D 2859 Test Method for Flammability of Finished Textile
Floor Covering Materials
3
F 716 Methods of Testing Sorbent Performance of Absor-
bents
4
F 1127 Guide for Containment by Emergency Response
Personnel of Hazardous Material Spills
4
2.2 Federal Standard:
Fed. Std. No. 141a Paint, Varnish, Lacquer and Related
Materials, Methods of Inspection, Sampling and Testing
5
2.3 Military Specication:
MIL-I-631D Insulation, Electric, Synthetic Resin Compo-
sition, Nonrigid
5
3. Terminology
3.1 General Terminology:
3.1.1 sorbentan insoluble material or mixture of materials
used to recover liquids through the mechanisms of absorption
or adsorption, or both.
3.1.2 universal sorbentan insoluble material or mixture of
materials that will sorb both hydrophobic and hydrophilic
liquid spills.
3.2 Denitions:
3.2.1 absorbenta material that picks up and retains a
liquid distributed throughout its molecular structure causing
the solid to swell (50 % or more). The absorbent is at least
70 % insoluble in excess uid.
3.2.2 adsorbentan insoluble material that is coated by a
liquid on its surface including pores and capillaries without the
solid swelling more than 50 % in excess liquid.
3.2.3 adsorbent cubage factor Cthis is the ratio of
sorbent volume used to the liquid volume sorbed.
3.2.4 cubagedenes cubic content, volume or displace-
ment
3.2.5 gellanta material such as a colloidal network or
other aggregate network which pervades and holds a liquid in
a highly viscous fragile structure. Many gels may rapidly
liquify with added heat or ionic/polar addition. These materials
are soluble/owable in excess liquid.
3.2.6 thickenera material (usually of higher molecular
weight) that is soluble in excess liquid. These materials go
from dry to gummy (viscoelastic) to owable and then soluble.
The nal viscosity depends only on the liquid to solid ratio.
3.3 Denitions of Terms Specic to This StandardThis test
method does not apply to belt, rope or weir type skimming
devices.
3.3.1 oila substantially water immiscible organic liquids
which will oat on water (density less than 1 g/cm
3
), typically
with surface tension less than 40 3 10
3
N/m.
3.3.2 Type I adsorbent (roll, lm, sheet, pad, blanket,
web)a material with length and width much greater than
thickness and which has both linear form and strength suffi-
cient to be handled either saturated or unsaturated.
3.3.3 Type II adsorbent (loose)an unconsolidated, par-
ticulate material without sufficient form and strength to be
handled except with scoops and similar equipment.
3.3.4 Type III adsorbent (enclosed):
3.3.4.1 IIIa, pillowsadsorbent material contained by an
outer fabric or netting which has permeability to oil, but with
openings sufficiently small so as to substantially retain the
sorbent material within the fabric or netting.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-20 on
Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F20.22 on Mitigation.
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 1999. Published April 1999. Originally
published as F726 81. Last previous edition F726 81 (1993)
e1
.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.04.
5
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
1
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
3.3.4.2 IIIb, adsorbent boomsadsorbent material con-
tained by an outer fabric or netting which has permeability to
or is permeable to oil but with openings sufficiently small so as
to substantially retain the sorbent material within the fabric or
netting. The lengthwise dimension substantially exceeds other
dimensions and with strength members running parallel with
length. Booms are also provided with connections for coupling
adsorbent booms together.
3.3.5 Type IV-agglomeration unitan assemblage of
strands, open netting, or other physical forms giving an open
structure which minimally impedes the intrusion into itself of
high viscosity oils. Normally for use with viscous oils, typi-
cally above 10 000 cP viscosity. Said oils are then held in this
structure permitting the composite oil/structure to be handled
(pompoms).
3.3.6 reusethe art of extracting adsorbed liquids from an
adsorbent through rolls or other compression techniques per-
mitting the adsorbent to be used once again; limitations on
reuse may include the U.S. Clean Water Act or other legal
restrictions.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The adsorbent material is tested using established stan-
dard tests for factors relating to storage, while specially
developed tests are used for covering other performance
factors. Oil and water adsorption strength, buoyancy, and
reusability tests are included among these latter tests.
5. Signicance and Use
5.1 This test method is to be used as a basis for comparison
of adsorbents in a consistent manner.
5.2 These tests are not appropriate for absorbent materials
which are covered in Methods F 716.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Exterior Exposure Tester, sufficient to be used under
Federal Test Standard 141a, Method 6152, or actual exposure
as detailed in 8.2.
6.2 Test CellsThe dimensions of the test cells shall be
large enough to enable the adsorbent sample to oat freely
within the test cell. For type I and type II sorbents, the
recommended test cell is a borosilicate 19 cm (diameter) by 10
cm (depth) crystallizing dish with a watch glass or glass plate
cover. For larger samples, a 53 cm 3 56 cm plastic sink
(laundry tub or equivalent) to accommodate the sample is
recommended.
6.3 Mesh BasketsThe basket shall be of a sufficient size
and strength to accommodate the sample size and weight (150
cm
3
, 4 to 10 g minimum) when saturated. The basket must not
be so tall as to interfere with a protective lid for the test cell.
NOTE 1The mesh should retain the sorbent, yet allow free oil to drain
away from the sorbent.
6.4 Shaker Table, capable of variable frequency from 20 to
240 cycles/min and variable amplitude of 1 to 4 cm.
6.5 Top Loading Balancefor Type I and II adsorbent,
tted with a hook or other handing mechanism, 400 + g
maximum capacity with 0.1 g resolution, or equivalent.
6.6 Continuous Reading Hanging Scale, for Type III and IV
adsorbent, tted with a hook or other handing mechanism, 50+
kg maximum capacity with 100 g resolution, or equivalent.
7. Conditioning
7.1 Condition all adsorbent test specimens at 23 6 4C and
70 6 20 % relative humidity for not less than 24 h prior to
testing. Condition specimens is a fully exposed state with no
coverings or wrapping that would hinder the ambient equili-
bration process.
7.2 If temperature conditions other than normal room tem-
perature are expected to be important, then conditioning and
testing should be carried out at temperatures of interest in
addition to those specied in 7.1.
8. Tests for Storage Properties
8.1 Storage DensityThe density of the sorbent sample is
calculated by determining the weight of a known volume
(standard sorbent package as delivered to the consumer) of the
sorbent. If standard storage packages are not available, then the
mass of at least 1 L of sorbent is determined to calculate the
storage density.
8.2 MildewThe susceptibility of an adsorbent to mildew
under normal storage is dened under MIL-1-631D, Section
3.5.7. The objective of this test is to determine expected shelf
life under conditions which could lead to mildew.
8.3 FlammabilityThe procedure for this test is described
in Test Method D 2859, the Methenamine Pill Test. This test
relates to ignition from a spark, cigarette, or other point source
such as might be encountered in normal shipping and storage.
It should not be inferred that an adsorbent which passes this
test will fail to burn if ignited in another manner such as full
building involvement, bonre, etc., and it should likewise be
understood that the test is limited to and pertains to only
unsaturated adsorbent samples as normally supplied by the
manufacturer.
8.3.1 This test method should be used to measure and
describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in
response to heat and ame under controlled laboratory con-
ditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the re
hazard or re risk of materials, products, assemblies under
actual re conditions. However, results of this test may be used
as elements of a re risk assessment which takes into account
all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the
re hazard of a particular end use.
8.3.2 Test Type I adsorbents as a single sheet or pad as
supplied by the vendor.
8.3.3 Uniformly arrange Type II adsorbents in a layer of
sufficient size to t the test apparatus. The thickness should be
1.5 mm uncompressed, and arranged such that the bulk density
is equal to that found in the packaged product as supplied by
the manufacturer.
8.3.4 Any type adsorbent can be tested in the package in
which it is supplied by placing the standard Methenamine test
mask on a at portion of the package surface, and placing the
pill in the center of the mask on the package and igniting it.
Results would be interpreted as in the normal test.
F 726
2
9. Tests for Performance Properties
9.1 These tests involve the use of oils with a range of
viscosities and densities as indicated below.
Oil Type Viscosity Range Density Range Example
Light 1 to 10 cP 0.820 to 0.870 g/cm
3
Diesel fuel
Medium 200 to 400 cP 0.860 to 0.930 g/cm
3
Crude oil
Heavy 1500 to 2500 cP 0.930 to 1.000 g/cm
3
Bunker C or residual
fuel
Weathered 8000 to 10 000 cP 0.930 to 1.000 g/cm
3
Emulsied crude oil
9.2 Dynamic Degradation TestThis procedure is designed
to test for water take-up and to determine oleophilic properties
of an adsorbent sample under dynamic conditions. This test is
performed at 23 6 4C.
9.2.1 Type I AdsorbentSample pieces of the adsorbent (4
pieces cut with a sharp edge (to minimize compaction) into
squares of approximately 6 by 6 cm) are rst weighed then
placed in a 4 L jar which is half-lled with water and sealed.
The container is then placed on its side and mounted on a
shaker table, or similar device, set at a frequency of 150 cycles
per minute and an amplitude of 3 cm for a duration of 15 min.
The contents of the jar are allowed to settle for a period of 2
min. Observations pertaining to the condition of the adsorbent
and the condition of the water are recorded. Any adsorbent
pieces which do not remain oating at the surface of the water
are considered to have failed this test. The contents of the jar
are strained through a mesh basket to catch the adsorbent
samples, which are then weighed after a 30 s drain period. The
water pick-up ratio is calculated from the weight measurements
(see 9.5).
9.2.1.1 The jar is half-lled with fresh water and 3 mL of oil
(medium crude, 300 cP oil or equivalent) is added. The
adsorbent sample is returned to the jar which is then sealed.
The jar is placed on its side and mounted on a shaker table, or
similar device, set at a frequency of 150 cycles per minute and
an amplitude of 3 cm for a duration of 15 min. The contents of
the jar are allowed to settle for a period of 2 min, at which time
observations are noted. Observations include but are not
limited to: quantity of adsorbent submerged, physical appear-
ance of adsorbent and water, and the persistence and color of
residual test liquid sheen.
9.2.2 Type II AdsorbentAn adsorbent sample (approxi-
mately 4 to 10 g or a maximum of 150 cm
3
) is rst weighed
then placed in a 4L jar which is half-lled with water and
sealed. The container is then placed on its side and mounted on
a shaker table, or similar device, set at a frequency of 150
cycles per minute and an amplitude of 3 cm for a duration of
15 min. The contents of the jar are allowed to settle for a period
of 2 min. Observations pertaining to the condition of the
adsorbent and the condition of the water are recorded. If 10 %
or more of the adsorbent material has sunk then the adsorbent
is considered to have failed this test. The contents of the jar are
strained through a mesh basket to catch the adsorbent samples,
which are then weighed after a 30 s drain period. The water
pick-up ratio is calculated from the weight measurements (see
9.5).
9.2.2.1 The jar is half-lled with fresh water and 3 mL of oil
(medium crude, 300 cP oil or equivalent) is added. The
adsorbent sample is returned to the jar which is then sealed.
The jar is placed on its side and mounted on a shaker table, or
similar device, set at a frequency of 150 cycles per minute and
an amplitude of 3 cm for a duration of 15 min. The contents of
the jar are allowed to settle for a period of 2 min, at which time
observations are noted. Observations include but are not
limited to: quantity of adsorbent submerged, physical appear-
ance of adsorbent and water, and the persistence and color of
residual test liquid sheen.
9.2.3 Types IIIa, IIIb, IV AdsorbentsBoth the outer fabric
or netting and the ller material are tested independently for
type III adsorbents. Samples are prepared according to the
protocol listed in 9.2.1 for the outer fabric or netting of Type III
adsorbents and type IV adsorbents, and the protocol listed in
9.2.2 is used for any particulate ller material used in type III
adsorbents. If the adsorbent material fails to remain oating as
described in 9.2.1 or 9.2.2, then the adsorbent is deemed to
have failed the dynamic degradation test.
9.3 Oil Adsorption-Short TestThis test gives idealized
laboratory data which can be used to compare one adsorbents
oil capacity with another and likewise give relative cost
effectiveness. It should be recognized that under normal use
conditions, an adsorbent will not be exposed to sufficient oil
layer thickness to become completely or rapidly saturated. This
test will, therefore, give maximum possible capacity data and
idealized time to saturation. The objective of this test is to
determine optimum adsorbent without the competing presence
of water. As such, this data relates only to oil layer thicknesses
which approximate or exceed that of the adsorbent. All
adsorption test procedures to be run with adsorbent samples
conditioned as in Section 7 and using specied oils at 23 6
4C.
9.3.1 Type I AdsorbentThe test liquid layer should be of a
minimum thickness of 2.5 cm if the thickness of the adsorbent
is under 2.5 cm. If the adsorbent is thicker than 2.5 cm, then a
liquid layer at least as thick as the adsorbent sample should be
used.
9.3.1.1 The adsorbent sample to be tested shall be a mini-
mum weight of 4 g. Cut the sample with a sharp edge (to
minimize compaction) to minimum dimensions of 13 by 13 cm
square. The adsorbent is then weighed and the value is
recorded. The test cell is lled with an initial layer of test
liquid. The adsorbent is lowered into the cell. The adsorbent
shall be allowed to oat freely within the test cell. After 15 min
6 20 s remove the adsorbent in a vertical orientation along an
edge with a clip and let drain for 30 6 3 s (use a 2 min 6 3 s
drain time for heavy and weathered oil). Place a tared weighing
pan under the adsorbent to catch any additional drips and
immediately transfer the adsorbent to the pan. Determine and
record the sample weight. All tests are triplicated with the
mean of the three runs being used for calculations. The oil
pick-up ratio on a weight basis is calculated, as is the volume
of oil per adsorbent sample (see 9.5). If the value of any run
(g/g) deviates by more than 15 % from the mean of the three
runs, then the samples will be rejected and the test repeated
with three new specimens.
9.3.2 Type II AdsorbentThe test liquid layer should be of
a minimum thickness of 2.5 cm if the thickness of the
adsorbent sample spread over the area of the test cell is under
2.5 cm. If the adsorbent is thicker than 2.5 cm, then a liquid
F 726
3
layer at least as thick as the adsorbent sample should be used.
9.3.2.1 The adsorbent sample to be tested shall be a mini-
mum weight of 4 g. The adsorbent sample is weighed and the
value is recorded. The test cell is lled with an initial layer of
test liquid. The adsorbent is placed in the basket which is then
lowered into the test cell. The adsorbent shall be allowed to
oat freely within the test cell. After 15 min 620 s remove the
adsorbent with the basket and let drain for 30 6 3 s (use a 2
min 6 3 s drain time for heavy and weathered oil). Place a
tared weighing pan under the adsorbent to catch any additional
drips and immediately transfer the adsorbent to the pan.
Determine and record the sample weight. All tests are tripli-
cated with the mean of the three runs being used for calcula-
tions. The oil pick-up ratio on a weight basis is calculated, as
is the volume of oil per adsorbent sample (see 9.5). If the value
of any run (g/g) deviates by more than 15 % from the mean of
the three runs, then the samples will be rejected and the test
repeated with three new specimens.
9.3.3 Type III and IV AdsorbentsThe full size adsorbent is
weighed and the value is recorded. The test cell is lled with an
initial layer of test liquid to a depth at least equal to the
thickness of the adsorbent. The adsorbent is lowered into the
cell. The adsorbent shall be allowed to oat freely within the
test cell. After 15 min 6 20 s manually remove the adsorbent
in a vertical orientation and let drain for 30 6 3 s (use a 2 min
6 3 s drain time for heavy and weathered oil). Place a tared
weighing pan under the adsorbent sample to catch any addi-
tional drips and immediately transfer the adsorbent to the pan.
Determine and record the sample weight. All tests are tripli-
cated with the mean of the three runs being used for calcula-
tions. The oil pick-up ratio on a weight basis is calculated, as
is the volume of oil per adsorbent sample (see 9.5). If the value
of any run (g/g) deviates by more than 15 % from the mean of
the three runs, then the samples will be rejected and the test
repeated with three new specimens.
9.4 Oil Adsorption-Long TestThis test gives idealized
laboratory data which can be used to compare one adsorbents
oil capacity with another and likewise give relative cost
effectiveness. It should be recognized that under normal use
conditions, an adsorbent will not be exposed to sufficient oil
layer thickness to become completely or rapidly saturated. This
test will, therefore, give maximum possible capacity data and
idealized time to saturation. The objective of this test is to
determine optimum adsorbent capacity without the competing
presence of water. As such, this data relates only to oil layer
thicknesses which approximate or exceed that of the adsorbent.
All adsorption test procedures to be run with adsorbent samples
conditioned as in Section 7 and using specied oils at 23 6
4C.
9.4.1 Type I AdsorbentThe test liquid layer should be of a
minimum thickness of 2.5 cm if the thickness of the adsorbent
is under 2.5 cm. If the adsorbent is thicker than 2.5 cm, then a
liquid layer at least as thick as the adsorbent sample should be
used.
9.4.1.1 The adsorbent sample to be tested shall have a
minimum weight of 4 g. Cut the sample with a sharp edge (to
minimize compaction) to minimum dimensions of 13 by 13 cm
square. The adsorbent is then weighed and the value is
recorded. The test cell is lled with an initial layer of test
liquid. The adsorbent is lowered into the cell. The adsorbent
shall be allowed to oat freely within the test cell. After 24 h
6 30 min remove the adsorbent in a vertical orientation along
an edge with a clip and let drain for 30 6 3 s (use a 2 min 6
3 s drain time for heavy and weathered oil). Place a tared
weighing pan under the adsorbent to catch any additional drips
and immediately transfer the adsorbent to the pan. Determine
and record the sample weight. All tests are triplicated with the
mean of the three runs being used for calculations. The oil
pick-up ratio on a weight basis is calculated, as is the volume
of oil per adsorbent sample (see 9.5). If the value of any run
(g/g) deviates by more than 15 % from the mean of the three
runs, then the samples will be rejected and the test repeated
with three new specimens.
9.4.2 Type II AdsorbentThe test liquid layer should be of
a minimum thickness of 2.5 cm if the thickness of the
adsorbent sample spread over the area of the test cell is under
2.5 cm. If the adsorbent is thicker than 2.5 cm, then a liquid
layer at least as thick as the adsorbent sample should be used.
9.4.2.1 The adsorbent sample to be tested shall have a
minimum weight of 4 g. The adsorbent sample is weighed and
the value is recorded. The test cell is lled with an initial layer
of test liquid. The adsorbent is placed in the basket which is
then lowered into the test cell. The adsorbent shall be allowed
to oat freely within the test cell. After 24 h 6 30 min remove
the adsorbent with the basket and let drain for 30 6 3 s (use a
2 min 6 3 s drain time for heavy and weathered oil). Place a
tared weighing pan under the adsorbent to catch any additional
drips and immediately transfer the adsorbent to the pan.
Determine and record the sample weight. All tests are tripli-
cated with the mean of the three runs being used for calcula-
tions. The oil pick-up ratio on a weight basis is calculated, as
is the volume of oil per standard adsorbent sample (see 9.5). If
the value of any run (g/g) deviates by more than 15 % from the
mean of the three runs, then the samples will be rejected and
the test repeated with three new specimens.
9.4.3 Type III and IV AdsorbentsThe full size adsorbent is
weighed and the value is recorded. The test cell is lled with an
initial layer of test liquid to a depth at least equal to the
thickness of the adsorbent. The adsorbent is lowered into the
cell. The adsorbent shall be allowed to oat freely within the
test cell. After 24 h 6 30 min manually remove the adsorbent
in a vertical orientation and let drain for 30 6 3 s (use a 2 min
6 3 s drain time for heavy and weathered oil). Place a tared
weighing pan under the adsorbent sample to catch any addi-
tional drips and immediately transfer the adsorbent to the pan.
Determine and record the sample weight. All tests are tripli-
cated with the mean of the three runs being used for calcula-
tions. The oil pick-up ratio on a weight basis is calculated, as
is the volume of oil per standard adsorbent sample (see 9.5). If
the value of any run (g/g) deviates by more than 15 % from the
mean of the three runs, then the samples will be rejected and
the test repeated with three new specimens.
9.5 Calculation:
9.5.1 Using the data obtained in 9.2, calculate water adsor-
bency as a ratio of water adsorbed to dry adsorbent weight as
follows:
F 726
4
water adsorbency 5 S
W
/S
O
(1)
where:
S
O
5 initial dry adsorbent weight,
S
WT
5 weight of adsorbent samples at end of water test,
and,
S
W
5 (S
WT
S
O
) net water adsorbed.
9.5.1.1 Example:
initial sample weight S
O
5 8.1 g
weight after water test S
WT
5 15.3 g
water Adsorbency 5 S
W
/ S
O
5 (15.3 - 8.1)/8.1 - 1.01
Therefore the water adsorbency ratio by weight for this
adsorbent is 1.0 to 1 or 1.0 g/g.
9.5.2 Calculate oil adsorbency as the ratio of oil adsorbed to
dry adsorbent weight:
oil adsorbency
m
5 S
S
/S
O
(2)
where:
S
O
5 initial dry adsorbent weight,
S
ST
5 weight of adsorbent samples at end of oil test, and
S
S
5 (S
ST
S
O
) net oil adsorbed.
9.5.2.1 Example:
initial sample weight S
O
5 9.1 g
weight after oil test S
WT
5 35.3 g
oil adsorbency 5 S
S
/ S
O
5 (35.3 - 9.1)/9.1 - 2.88
Therefore the oil adsorbency ratio by weight for this
adsorbent is 2.9 to 1 or 2.9 g/g.
9.5.3 Calculate oil adsorbency as the volumetric ratio of oil
adsorbed to volume of dry adsorbent.
oil adsorbency
v
5 S
SV
/S
OV
(3)
where:
S
SV
5 net oil adsorbed (S
S
) / oil density, and
S
OV
5 initial dry adsorbent weight (S
O
) / sorbent storage
density.
9.5.3.1 Example:
net oil adsorbed (S
S
from 9.4.2) 5 35.3 9.1 5 26.2 g
oil density (measured during testing) 5 0.927 g/cm
3
initial dry adsorbent weight (S
O
) 5 9.1g
sorbent storage density (measured from sorbent package)
5 0.7 g/cm
3
oil adsorbency
V
5 S
SV
/S
OV
5 (26.2/0.927) / (9.1/0.7) 5
2.17 cm
3
/cm
3
Therefore the oil adsorbency ratio by volume for this
adsorbent is 2.2 to 1 or 2.2 cm
3
/cm
3
.
9.5.4 Calculate cubage factor C as the inverse volumetric
ratio of oil adsorbed to volume of dry adsorbent.
adsorbent cubage factor C 5 S
OV
/S
SV
(4)
9.5.4.1 Example:
S
SV
/S
OV
(from 9.4.3) was found to be 2.17
S
OV
/S
SV
5 1 / S
SV
/S
OV
5 1 / 2.17 5 0.46
Therefore the cubage factor C for this absorbent is 0.46.
10. Reuse (Type I, Type IIIa Only)
6
10.1 Signicance and UseThis test determines the extent
to which an adsorbent can be saturated, have the oil extracted,
and then repeat this cycle. One point to be used in judging the
suitability of an adsorbent for reuse is the number of cycles it
can endure without becoming unusable due to tearing, crush-
ing, or other general deterioration. Other factors are the rate of
decrease in adsorption capacity and the percentage of oil that
can be removed with reasonable effort and equipment. Com-
pression reuse may be tested in two ways using bulk compres-
sion as might be found in a squeeze type mop wringer and
roller type wringers, and reuse involving centrifugation. Reuse
involving solvent washing is regarded as a special uncommon
procedure, and as such is not covered here.
10.2 Compression ExtractionUse the light medium, and
heavy oils indicated in Section 9. Oil removal is effected with
an apparatus consisting of an open container with a porous at
open cover above it with 30 to 60 % open space of sufficient
strength to withstand a force of 70 kPa on each square
centimeter area of adsorbent. Samples are prepared as directed
in 9.3.
10.2.1 Procedure:
10.2.1.1 Weigh the dry adsorbent sample (S
O
) to within 6
2 %, then saturate, drain, and reweigh as in 9.3. Subtract the
dry adsorbent weight to obtain total oil adsorbed (O
S
). Place
the adsorbent sample on the porous cover, and place a stiff
plate (wood, metal) of known weight above it. Add and evenly
distribute sufficient weight to the top of the plate to give a total
weight such that the total weight, when divided by the gross
area of the adsorbent in contact with the plate, gives 0.7
kg/cm
2
. Extract the adsorbent for 15 6 2 s after which remove
the weights and plate. Place the sample in a freshly tared
weighing pan and reweigh to within 6 2 %. Again subtract the
dry adsorbent weight to obtain the net oil remaining (O
N
).
10.2.1.2 Repeat this procedure four more times giving data
over at least ve cycles. Record this data by cycles (for
example, O
S1
, O
S2
, O
S3
), for oil adsorbed each cycle.
10.2.2 Calculation:
10.2.2.1 The total amount of oil the adsorbent is able to
hold after each saturation cycle is a measure of the degree of
deterioration and shall be reported as the adsorbency ratio by
weight and by volume, and as a percentage of the oil adsorbed
in the rst saturation.
10.2.2.2 Calculate the adsorbency ratio by weight for each
cycle based on total oil adsorbed as follows:
oil adsorbency
Mx
5 O
Sx
/S
Ox
(5)
where
S
Ox
5 initial adsorbent weight at beginning of cycle x,
O
STx
5 weight of adsorbent samples at end of cycle x,
and
O
Sx
5 (S
Ox
O
STx
) net oil adsorbed per cycle.
Report the adsorbency ratio by weight for each cycle.
10.2.2.3 Calculate the adsorbency as the volumetric ratio of
oil adsorbed to volume of adsorbent material as follows:
oil adsorbency
Vx
5 O
SVx
/S
OVx
(6)
where
O
SVx
5 net oil adsorbed (O
Sx
) / oil density, and
S
OVx
5 initial adsorbent weight at beginning of cycle x
(S
Ox
) / adsorbent storage density.
Report the volumetric adsorbency ratio for each cycle.
6
The reuse of adsorbent material which contains residual hazardous liquids may
contravene existing waterway or other regulations such as the U.S. Clean Water Act.
The end user is responsible for ensuring that all pertinent regulations are being
followed.
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10.2.2.4 Calculate the performance degradation as follows:
10.2.2.5 For cycle two, the percentage of rst cycle oil
capacity is (O
S2
/O
S1
). This is repeated similarly for cycle three
as (O
S3
/O
S1
), and the remainder of cycles to the end point.
Report the data for each cycle.
10.2.2.6 Calculate the percentage of oil removed for any
given cycle as follows:
% oil removed for run X 5 ~O
Sx
2 O
Nx
!/O
Sx
(7)
Report the performance degradation as a percentage of initial
capacity for each cycle,
10.3 Wringer ExtractionSamples are prepared as directed
in 9.3 except that the sample shall be cut to 16 by 18 cm in size.
This procedure is suitable for light medium and heavy oils
only. The roller to be used should have rollers of sufficient
length to accommodate the unfolded sample and diameter from
3 to 10 cm. Pressure is applied at the rate of 4 kg/cm of nip
while the adsorbent travels through the extractor at a velocity
between 5 and 10 cm/s.
10.3.1 ProcedureWeigh the dry sample, saturate, drain,
and reweigh as in 9.3 and calculate total oil adsorbed (O
s
). Run
the saturated adsorbent through the nip at a velocity of from 5
to 10 cm/s. Repeat this cycle four times giving data over at
least ve cycles.
10.3.2 CalculationsPerform calculations in accordance
with 10.2.2.
10.4 CentrifugeSamples are prepared as directed in 10.2.
This procedure is suitable for light, medium and heavy oils
only. The centrifuge should have explosion proof enclosures
for all electrical components including, but not limited to, the
drive motor and electrical control panel(s) and must meet local
electrical codes for the liquids used.
10.4.1 ProcedureWeigh the dry sample, saturate, drain,
and reweigh as in 9.3 and calculate total oil adsorbed (O
s
). Run
the saturated adsorbent through the centrifuge following manu-
facturers directions. Repeat this cycle four times giving data
over at least ve cycles.
10.4.2 CalculationsPerform calculations in accordance
with 10.2.2.
11. Keywords
11.1 absorbent; adsorbent; adsorbent performance; gellant;
oil; sorbent; thickener
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