Methods for biodegradation separation of natural fibers to release particulate contamination
First Claim
1. A method for separating radioactive contaminants adsorbed or entrained onto organic natural fibers, comprising:
- admixing organic natural fibers containing radioactive contaminates with an effective amount of enzymes to degrade the organic natural fibers in an aqueous medium, said enzymes capable of degrading the fibers;
maintaining the admixture at a pH of from about 3.5 to about 8.0 and a temperature of from about 20°
C. to about 60°
C., as is sufficient to maintain the enzymes activity;
degrading the organic natural fibers by enzyme breakage of molecular chains constituting the fibers;
destroying the natural fiber integrity, fiber lengths sufficient for release of the radioactive contaminants;
removing the radioactive contaminants from the aqueous medium; and
disposing of the aqueous medium and degraded fibers.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is presented for releasing petroleum and hydrocarbon products sorbed onto or entrained by natural fibers in an aqueous medium through the use of enzymes to degrade the natural fiber sorbents utilized for oil spill cleanup, the method provides an opportunity for achieving responsible separation of oil from oil spill sorbent materials. Natural fibers which have been utilized to adsorb petroleum and hydrocarbon products are separated from these petroleum and hydrocarbon products by reducing the natural fiber links to the point that the adsorbed or entrained oil no longer has sufficient binding surface or fiber link to remain held by the fibers, thus float to the surface of the aqueous medium. Aqueous medium enzyme compositions are provided which are suitable for degrading natural fibers inclusive of cellulose-based and protein-based fibers resulting in release of adsorbed, absorbed and/or entrained radioactive contaminants.
12 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for separating radioactive contaminants adsorbed or entrained onto organic natural fibers, comprising:
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admixing organic natural fibers containing radioactive contaminates with an effective amount of enzymes to degrade the organic natural fibers in an aqueous medium, said enzymes capable of degrading the fibers; maintaining the admixture at a pH of from about 3.5 to about 8.0 and a temperature of from about 20°
C. to about 60°
C., as is sufficient to maintain the enzymes activity;degrading the organic natural fibers by enzyme breakage of molecular chains constituting the fibers; destroying the natural fiber integrity, fiber lengths sufficient for release of the radioactive contaminants; removing the radioactive contaminants from the aqueous medium; and disposing of the aqueous medium and degraded fibers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for separating radioactive contaminants adsorbed or entrained on cellulosic fibers or modified cellulosic fibers, comprising:
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admixing the cellulosic fibers containing radioactive contaminants with cellulases in sufficient concentration to degrade the cellulosic fibers in an aqueous medium; maintaining the mixture at a pH of from about 4 to about 6.5 at a temperature of from about 20°
C. to about 60°
C., as is sufficient to maintain the cellulase activity;agitating the aqueous medium containing the cellulases and cellulosic fibers containing the radioactive contaminants; degrading the cellulosic fibers by breakage of cellulose molecule chains; reducing cellulose chain links by destroying the β
1-4 glycosidic bonds of cellulose thus reducing the length of the cotton fibers and releasing the radioactive contaminants;separating the released radioactive contaminant in liquid form from the aqueous medium surface; and disposing of the degraded fibers, glucose, oligosaccharides, and the aqueous medium. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification