| abstract |
The present invention provides methods, compositions and apparatus for removing oil and extinguishing fires using glass particles including crushed glass and fiberglass from an oil containing or fire containing surface. The fire containing surface can be any surface but in particularly desired embodiments the fire containing surface is a water surface, earthen surface, a mixture of earth and water or any surface that will hold a flammable substance. When the flammable substance is oil, the application of glass particles adsorbs oil and accretes into a mass sinking below the fire or oil containing surface. If greater floatation is desired, glass fibers can be added. The invention is particulary amendable to use with oil fires and magnesium fires and allows remediation of oil adsorbed to the glass surface. The invention also provides an apparatus for extinguishing fires from a surface by discharging glass particles over the oil or fire containing surface. |