Conwed Corporation

Clare E Swanson

George Holger Sundin

Michael G Kelly

Ilmer Issac Niemi

Charles William Hudler

A mass of net-like material of oleophilic, hydrophobic netting material is formed from strips of netting secured into a loose mass. Oil contacting the mass is sorbed by the strands and tends to bridge the openings in the net-like material to increase the short term oil pick up capacity.

Oil sorbent structures and method of picking up oil

Method and apparatus are disclosed for removing a first immiscible liquid from a liquid mixture comprising at least two immiscible liquids. A material preferentially sorptive of the first immiscible liquid and capable of sorbing the first immiscible liquid therein and therealong is positioned as a siphon with a first or intake end contacting the first immiscible liquid and a second or discharge end placed below at least the first immiscible liquid level, and outside of the liquid mixture. The first immiscible liquid is sorbed by the material and rises therein and/or along. The first immiscible liquid is removed or 'siphoned' from the mixture and discharged outside thereof when sorbing has progressed sufficiently to prime the material, which removes or 'siphons' the first immiscible liquid out of the mixture. The material may also be primed independently by saturating the sorbent material. The invention is especially suitable for the removal of oil from an aqueous mixture.

Apparatus for removal of an immiscible liquid from a liquid mixture

A tube of flexible strands, closed at one end, is bunched up over a hollow mandrel. A sheet of sorbent material is slit into a plurality of strips before being forced through the mandrel into the tube by pull rollers. The plurality of strips become folded in accordion pleats resembling ribbon candy having a large surface area as they are forced into the tube. As the tube becomes filled with strips it is forced off the mandrel. When full, the second end of the tube is closed. The finished, filled tube is useful as a sorbent for oil, especially oil on the surface of water. The buoyancy of the finished tube is varied by the inclusion of a buoyant strip.

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White Bear Lake, MN, United States of America

Clare E Swanson