초록 ▼

A method and apparatus are provided for removing oil from absorbent materials of the type used in components for absorbing oil and containing oil spills. The components are first passed through a press to squeeze some of the oil from the components. The components are then shredded to separate the c

A method and apparatus are provided for removing oil from absorbent materials of the type used in components for absorbing oil and containing oil spills. The components are first passed through a press to squeeze some of the oil from the components. The components are then shredded to separate the components into separate pieces of the absorbent materials. An auger pushes the pieces of absorbent materials into an elongated tubular trommel having a perforated sidewall. The pieces of absorbent materials are sprayed with treatment fluids as the trommel is rotated to tumble the absorbent materials within the trommel. The oil and treatment fluids drain from the absorbent materials, and pass through the perforations in the trommel sidewalls and onto a collection trough. The collection trough directs the oil and treatment fluids through a separator to reclaim treatment fluids and oil for later use. The absorbent materials within the trommel continue to be tumbled as they pass through a drying section in which hot air from a furnace is blown through the pieces of the absorbent materials. The absorbent materials then pass to a repacking section where they are repackaged into components for use in absorbing oil and containing oil spills.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for removing oil from absorbent materials of the type used in absorbent components for absorbing oil and containing oil spills, the method comprising the steps of: providing a trommel having a forward end, a rearward end, and a perforated wall defining an exterior for the trommel, the tromm

A method for removing oil from absorbent materials of the type used in absorbent components for absorbing oil and containing oil spills, the method comprising the steps of: providing a trommel having a forward end, a rearward end, and a perforated wall defining an exterior for the trommel, the trommel further having a central axis which extends through a central portion of the trommel, wherein the trommel is rotatably mounted for rotating about the central axis; shredding absorbent components into pieces of the absorbent materials prior to feeding the absorbent materials through the forward end of the trommel; feeding the absorbent materials through the forward end of the trommel and into the trommel; rotating the trommel about the central axis and tumbling the absorbent materials within the central portion of the trommel; spraying treatment fluids on the absorbent materials while in the trommel; collecting the treatment fluids and the oil which pass through the perforated wall of the trommel and drain beneath the trommel; blowing heated air on the absorbent materials while contained within the trommel and while the trommel is rotating; and moving the absorbent materials out the downstream end of the trommel.