| abstract |
Oil coagulant compositions, and methods of using such compositions to coagulate the oil that has been spilled on water are prepared from a thermal reaction utilizing an oil component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, fatty acids, alkenes and alkynes, and a copolymer component. Representative polymers include, for example, isobutyl methacrylate polymers, and representative oil components include, for example, glycerides such as those derived from a drying oil such as linseed oil. The composition of the present invention floats on the water surface and coagulates oil independent of both agitation and temperature, and can be used in both salt and fresh water. After the coagulant has coagulated the spilled oil, the floating coagulated oil can be readily removed from the water by mechanical means such that at least 99.9% of the oil is removed from the water and only a faint trace of oil remains in the water. An alternate way of using the composition is to incorporate it into a porous substrate, which substrate is then applied to the spilled oil. Preferably, the porous substrate is a floatable material, enabling the product to keep afloat Group 5 oils or asphalt. Various devices for confining, containing or controlling a contaminant in a liquid, with or without coagulant impregnated thereon or therein, are presented. |