Oil spills are a problem for any industrial facility, marine terminal, or warehouse. Oil and petroleum products are volatile and can spread quickly. The use of oil absorption pads helps to contain petroleum products. An oil absorbent pad materials guide can help businesses understand the unique materials, surface properties, and fiber technologies used in these pads. Understanding the technologies and mechanisms behind oil absorbent pads can help companies choose or design better spill containment solutions and provide a safer work environment.
Oil Absorption Pads
OceanClean oil absorbent rolls and pads capture and absorb all types of oil, fuel, and other petroleum-based liquids. They are available as buoyant pads that float on water, absorbing the liquid while remaining dry to the touch.
Oil Absorption Pads are used for:
- Containing hydraulic and other lubricant leaks
- Picking up automotive spills
- Absorbing and cleaning fuel spills
- Cleaning up oil spills on the ocean and offshore
- Maintaining industrial equipment and machinery
- Cleaning spills around storage unit spill areas
- Cleaning up emergency oil spills
The pads’ effectiveness is based on the materials and design.
Oil Absorption Pad Materials
The most common base material of modern absorbent pads is polypropylene. Thermoplastic polypropylene is highly suitable for oil absorption.
To manufacture polypropylene, manufacturers use fine fibers and weave them into a lightweight, porous mat that is used in its structure to contain and hold oil.
Polypropylene’s unique chemical properties make it highly useful in many top quality applications.
Some of the polypropylene characteristics include:
- An excellent affinity for oil.
- Low water absorption.
- Light weight.
- High strength.
- High chemical resistance.
- High absorbency
- Durability
- Fiber structure that is easy to handle and dispose of
To learn more about materials used to create oil absorbent pads, as well as other features and characteristics, check out our [guide to oil absorbent pads].
Why Does Polypropylene Absorb Oil?
Understanding polypropylene’s interactions with different types of liquids allows us to understand polypropylene’s ability to absorb oil.
Compared to other liquids, polypropylene is capable of absorbing oil due to a preference and an affinity for hydrocarbon liquids. Polypropylene is hydrophobic and therefore does not absorb water.
Capillary tends to draw oil over water when oil absorbent pads come in contact with spilled oil. Oil filler fibers create small gaps in the pad.
The use of polypropylene and capillary action combined mean that the oil absorbent pad is able to absorb oil with minimal water absorption.
The Importance of Fiber Structure
The fiber structure of a pad is just as important as the material of the pad.
During the manufacture of polypropylene, fine fibers can be easily processed and made to form a structure in the pad containing a number of pores.
Retaining liquid requires a large surface and can be achieved by reducing pore size. These factors can be effectively controlled during the manufacturing process.
This engineered fiber structure has two functions of rapid absorption and liquid retention.
A good pad should absorb liquids quickly to prevent spillage when moving it or placing it. It should also be able to retain the absorbed liquids to prevent leakage.
How Are Oil Absorbent Pads Manufactured?
The manufacturing process of oil absorbent pads differs for each individual product. However, typically the base makes use of polypropylene resin. This is melted and transformed into fibers which are then used to make non-woven webs.
These webs can be cured of together through a variety of thermal, mechanical, or other forms. Once manufactured, these pads are cut into standard sizes of pads, or, for spill control and convenience, rolled into mats, socks, or any other standardized shapes.
The final form of the polypropylene pads can be customized for different thickness and densities of control for a spill.
Why Oil Absorbent Pads are Different From Universal Absorbents
It is critical to differentiate oil-only absorbents from universal absorbents.
Universal absorbents can absorb anything from water solvent to oil-based liquids. Oil-only absorbents can absorb hydrocarbons.
Oil-only polypropylene absorbent pad technology is specifically designed for use in wet, waterway environments. Water and its associated liquids are hydrophilic, whereas oil and its associated liquids are hydrophobic. Polypropylene pads absorb hydrophobic oil, while hydropilic liquids are left unaffected. Polypropylene pads are best suited for incidental spills and absorption of oil in water ways, docks, marinas, and any other place where oil and water mingle.
Oil Absorbent Rolls and Pads
Oil absorbent rolls and pads both clean up oil spills. Rolls are longer and wider so they can cover bigger spills. The width of a pad makes it fit smaller spills. Roll oil absorbent pads can be cut to suit different cleanup lengths, while pads must be discarded after absorbing all of the liquid. OceanClean sells rolls and pads for businesses at reasonable costs.
Oil Absorbent Pads Absorption Capacity
Oil absorbent pads made from polypropylene can only hold a certain amount of oil. The design of the pad will dictate the amount of oil a pad can hold. There are multiple design elements of a pad that affect its absorption capacity, such as:
- Size
- Thickness
- The absorbent material
- Etc.
The absorption capacity of a pad is measured in liters and/or gallons.
While the absorption capacity of a pad is critical, the design of the product should also consider:
- How fast the pad can absorb the oil
- The strength of the pad
- How much it drips
- How difficult it is to set up and tear down
- How compatible it is with the spill substance
Design features should be aimed at maximizing the expected volume of the spill.
Are Oil Absorbent Pads Reusable?
Most oil absorbent pads become trash after use. It is the design of the product, along with the substance absorbed, regulations, and the state of the material, that determines whether a pad can be used more than once.
Disposal of pads should occur according to site-specific rules and regulations. Call your workspace safety administrator and waste management.
Why Material Quality Matters
Materials vary in performance. The speed of absorption and the volume, and even lifespan, of the product can also vary. This can depend on:
- The grade of polypropylene
- The manufacturing process
- The type of fibers
- Even the bond between the fibers
For companies that experience frequent oil spills or chronic severe spillage issues, the use of quality absorbents can significantly limit the time of response.
Conclusion
Polypropylene in combination with hydrophobicity, capillary action, and engineered fibers, can help absorb oil and can be engineered to do more than just absorb oil like a sponge.
Once you understand the construction of oil absorption pads, you will understand how to respond to the effects of workplace spills, whether you are covering a large spill with an absorption pad or running a small equipment wiping operation.
