Agriculture residue based absorbent material and method for manufacture
First Claim
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1. A process for producing a rigid absorbent panel from an agriculture residue material and an adhesive, comprising the steps of:
- (a) reducing the agriculture residue material to form particles of a predetermined size;
(b) admixing the adhesive to the particles, wherein the adhesive is present in an amount sufficient to form a pliable blend of the agricultural residue material and the adhesive;
(c) forming a mass of particles from the pliable blend; and
(d) subjecting the mass of particles to a predetermined pressure per square inch and an elevated temperature for a pre-determined period of the to cure the adhesive and to form a rigid panel of desired thickness capable of withstanding varied loads and having a modulus of rupture of at least about 60 psi or greater, a modulus of elasticity of approximately 16,500 psi or greater and a density of approximately 40 pcf or less;
wherein said absorbent panel has oil absorbing properties, strength, low density, is hard and rigid, and has essentially no thickness swell with oil absorption.
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Abstract
An absorbent agriculture residue product and method of making the product. Preferably the agriculture residue material is reduced in size, adhesive added, consolidated to form panels or other shapes and heated to cure the adhesive. Preferably, the agriculture material is reduced in size from less than about 2 inches and the adhesive is present in an amount ranging from between about 2% to about 20% by dry weight. The products possess good absorption characteristics, durability and the ability to retain absorbed liquids upon application of pressure to saturated panels.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A process for producing a rigid absorbent panel from an agriculture residue material and an adhesive, comprising the steps of:
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(a) reducing the agriculture residue material to form particles of a predetermined size; (b) admixing the adhesive to the particles, wherein the adhesive is present in an amount sufficient to form a pliable blend of the agricultural residue material and the adhesive; (c) forming a mass of particles from the pliable blend; and (d) subjecting the mass of particles to a predetermined pressure per square inch and an elevated temperature for a pre-determined period of the to cure the adhesive and to form a rigid panel of desired thickness capable of withstanding varied loads and having a modulus of rupture of at least about 60 psi or greater, a modulus of elasticity of approximately 16,500 psi or greater and a density of approximately 40 pcf or less; wherein said absorbent panel has oil absorbing properties, strength, low density, is hard and rigid, and has essentially no thickness swell with oil absorption. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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10. An absorbent panel comprising:
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agricultural residue particles; and a cured adhesive mixed with the agricultural residue particles, wherein the absorbent panel absorbs oil products, is hard and rigid, has essentially no thickness swell with oil absorption, has a density from between about 15 to about 40 pounds per cubic foot, has a modulus of rupture of at least about 60 psi or greater, and has a modulus of elasticity of approximately 16,500 psi or greater. - View Dependent Claims (11, 17, 18)
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Specification