New Absorbents Offer Strength and Reusability

Boom Environmental Products offers a new type of absorbent that has been developed to solve the strength and reusability issues of traditional melt-blown absorbents.

Newton, MA (PRWEB) January 14, 2005 -- Boom Environmental Products offers a new type of absorbent that has been developed to solve the strength and reusability issues of traditional melt-blown absorbents. By incorporating the latest innovations in textile production, fiber-Locked and needle- punched polypropylene absorbents have been developed and used successfully in pads, pillows, booms and rolls. These absorbents offer many tangible benefits over traditional melt-blown absorbents. Some of the benefits of using fiber-locked and needle-punched polypropylene absorbents include:

- Reusability. Fiber-Locked and needle-punched polypropylene absorbents are highly reusable and can be wrung out and washed hundreds of times.

- Durability. Since these absorbents are fiber-Locked and needle-punched, they are manufactured to be non-tearing and non-shredding. This type of textile construction guarantees increased durability for tough operations.

- Increased absorbency. Fiber-Locked and needle-punched absorbents can absorb significantly more oil than traditional melt-blown absorbents. Because of their construction, they are the only absorbents that can absorb No.6 (Bunker C) oil. In addition, a fiber-Locked and needle-punched absorbent can absorb up to 25 times its own weight

- Improved absorption rate. Fiber-Locking and needle-punching polypropylene increases the rate at which the material can absorb oils and other hazardous substances thereby minimizing environmental damage.

- Economical. Since fiber-locked and needle-punched absorbents can be reused many times, a fire department or other safety departments will spend less on replenishing its absorbent materials supply.

Manufacturing absorbents using polyester is another advancement that will continue to revolutionize the industry. Polyester makes a great alternative to polypropylene because it's resistant to most mineral acids. Polyester also has a strong resistance to weak alkalis and a moderate resistance to strong alkalis at room temperature. In addition, polyester's melting point of about 460°F makes it an ideal absorbent material for hazardous spills in high temperature environments. By incorporating polyester's textile structure with the strength and reusability of fiber-Locked and needle-punched construction, a fire department or other users will have an absorbent that is both highly functional and cost-effective.

As many in the fire service know, absorbents are the first line of defense when there is a chemical or oil spill. In the past, firefighters have had to rely on melt- blown absorbents to prevent toxic materials from spreading. While melt-blown absorbents have served the industry well for many years, they also have been known to lose their strength and tear under certain conditions.

Another weakness of melt-blown absorbents is that they are not designed to be reusable, and in most cases need to be disposed of after initial contact with a contaminant The tensile strength and reusability of those traditional melt-blown absorbents have lead many in the industry to re-evaluate the material's cost effectiveness for fiscally strapped fire departments and other users.

Over the last ten years, innovations in absorbent technologies have offered many fire departments a viable and cost-effective alternative to traditional melt- blown solutions. The absorbent industry will continue to expand and evolve as new design techniques are developed.

For more information contact Boom Environmental at 1-800-770-BOOM or www.boomenviro.com

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