US5039414A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for separating and/or recovering hydrocarbon oils from water using biodegradable absorbent sponges
Assignee: SPILL RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES Inc A Corp OF
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Filing: 1989-08-01
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Granted: 1991-08-13
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Expires: 2009-08-01
Abstract
Abstract An improved process for absorbing oils and especially separating and recovering oils from an aqueous medium or aqueous/wetted medium using an absorbent oleophilic biodegradable sponge material comprised of essentially fat-free, foamable natural products, specifically animal proteins or plant polysaccharides, such as gelatin, collagen, egg white albumen, gum agar, gum arabic, gum karaya, and locust bean gum, which absorb oils at a rate of at least about 30 times their weight.
Inventors
- 👤 Marc B. Mueller
- 👤 Karl J. Marean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:40
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01H; E01H12/00; E01H12/006; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/0202; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/68; C02F1/681; C09; C09K; C09K3/00; C09K3/32; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/922; Y10S210/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An improved process for absorbing oils selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon oils and hydrocarbon fuels comprising the step of contacting said oils with an absorbent oleophilic biodegradable sponge material comprised of at least one essentially fat free, foamed, biodegradable natural product selected from the group consisting of animal proteins and plant polymaccharides, which material is capable of absorbing at least about thirty times its weight of oils.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
An improved process for absorbing oils selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon oils and hydrocarbon fuels comprising the step of contacting said oils with an absorbent oleophilic biodegradable sponge material comprised of at least one essentially fat free, foamed, biodegradable natural product selected from the group consisting of animal proteins and plant polymaccharides, which material is capable of absorbing at least about thirty times its weight of oils.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved process according to claim 1 wherein said natural product is an animal protein selected from the group consisting of gelatin, collagen and egg white albumen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An improved process according to claim 2 wherein said animal protein is gelatin and said sponge material remains buoyant on a liquid surface for at least two days.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An improved process according to claim 1 wherein said natural product is collagen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An improved process according to claim 1 wherein said natural product is a plant polysaccharide and is selected from the group consisting of gum agar, gum arabic, gum kayaya, and locust beam gum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
An improved process of claim 1 wherein the natural product is gelatin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
An improved process for the separation of hydrocarbon oils and hydrocarbon fuels from admixtures with aqueous substances which comprises contacting the admixtures with at least one absorbent biodegradable sponge material comprised of at least one essentially fat free, foamed, biodegradable natural product selected from the group consisting of animal proteins and plant polysaccharides, which material is capable of absorbing at least about thirty times its weight of oils.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
An improved process for the separation of hydrocarbon oils and hydrocarbon fuels from admixtures with aqueous substances which comprises contacting the admixtures with at least one absorbent biodegradable sponge material comprised of at least one essentially fat free, foamed, biodegradable natural product selected from the group consisting of animal proteins and plant polysaccharides, which material is capable of absorbing at least about thirty times its weight of oils.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An improved process according to claim 7 wherein said natural product is comprised of an animal protein selected from the group consisting of gelatin, collagen and egg white albumen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An improved process according to claim 8 wherein said animal protein is gelatin and said sponge material remains buoyant on a liquid surface for at least two days.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
An improved process according to claim 8 wherein said natural product is collagen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
An improved process according to claim 7 wherein said natural product is comprised of a plant polysaccharide and is selected from the group consisting of gum agar, gum arabic, gum karaya, and locust bean gum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An improved process according to claim 7 wherein said sponge material absorbs at least about fifty times its weight of oils.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An improved process according to claim 7 which further comprises further contacting said sponge material with at least one microorganism capable of accelerating the biodegradation of oils.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
An improved process according to claim 7 wherein said sponge material is pretreated with at least one microorganism capable of accelerating biodegradation of the oils.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
An improved process according to claim 7, wherein the natural product is gelatin.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-12 | 1995-02-11 | 1995-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-12 | 1999-02-11 | 1999-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-12 | 2003-02-11 | 2003-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |