Marine oil spill absorbent pack

Abstract

A marine oil spill absorbent pack comprises a packing body and an absorbent filler. The packing body has a plurality of pores and a filling space formed inside the packing body, communicating with the outside through the pores, allowing external oil spills to penetrate and contact the internal absorbent filler. The absorbent filler is made of fish scales and is filled into the filling space. The hydroxyapatite in the fish scales has a high specific surface area and oleophilic functional groups, which can chemically adsorb oil spills; when filled in a flocculent form, the gaps between the fibers can further physically trap oil molecules, resulting in the best adsorption effect. This novel pack uses natural waste fish scales instead of chemical oil dispersants, does not produce secondary pollution, and has the advantages of being environmentally friendly and low-cost.

Description

Marine oil spill absorbent pack Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a marine oil spill absorbent pack, specifically an oil spill absorbent pack made of natural fish scale waste as the filler absorbent material and a porous packaging material with selective oil-water permeability, suitable for the adsorption and removal of floating oil on the surface of oceans, rivers or lakes. Prior Technology

[0002] Current oil spill treatment technologies primarily rely on chemical oil dispersants, which utilize the properties of surfactants to rapidly disperse floating oil into fine droplets, reducing the direct harm to aquatic life. However, this method essentially treats chemical pollution with chemical substances, and the oil dispersants themselves may still cause secondary pollution to the aquatic ecosystem, and their degradation process is difficult to monitor.

[0003] Other existing technologies include physical adsorption materials, such as synthetic polymer oil-absorbing cotton and activated carbon adsorption pads. However, most of these materials are petrochemical derivatives, which are energy-intensive to manufacture and difficult to dispose of after disposal, and do not meet the requirements of circular economy and environmental sustainability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem this invention aims to solve is to provide an oil adsorption device made from natural waste fish scales, which can effectively adsorb oil on the ocean surface, thereby reducing environmental impact and lowering the cost of oil pollution treatment.

[0005] This invention relates to a marine oil spill absorbent pack, comprising a packaging body and an absorbent filler. The packaging body includes a plurality of pores and a filling space. The pores are formed within the packaging body, and the filling space is formed inside the packaging body and communicates with the outside of the packaging body through the pores. The absorbent filler is filled into the filling space.

[0006] Specifically, the adsorbent filler is made of fish scales, and its oil absorption mechanism is mainly based on the following three principles: First, oleophilic surface adsorption: The surface of fish scales contains functional groups such as hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), and amine (-NH₂), which can chemically adsorb hydrocarbon molecules in oil stains, allowing oil molecules to stably adhere to the surface of the fish scales. Second, the porous structure of hydroxyapatite: One of the main components of fish scales is hydroxyapatite (HAP, chemical formula Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂), accounting for about 55% of the dry weight of fish scales. HAP has a porous nanostructure and high specific surface area, providing a large number of adsorption sites, allowing oil molecules to enter and remain in the pores, thus enhancing the adsorption effect. Third, physical interception by flocculent fibers: When the filler material adopts the form of fish scale flocculents, the fibers intertwine to form a three-dimensional network structure, allowing oil molecules to be physically intercepted in the gaps between the fibers. This mechanism can significantly improve the overall adsorption capacity. In this way, the hydroxyapatite in fish scales has a high specific surface area and oleophilic functional groups, which can chemically adsorb oil stains. This new type of fish scales replaces chemical oil dispersants.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the packaging material itself is bag-shaped, forming the filling space inside, the filling space also including a sealable opening.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the packaging material system is made of a porous material.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the material of the packaging body is selected from wool, non-woven fabric, linen or gauze.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the adsorbent filler is selected from one or a combination of fish scale flocs, fish scale powder, or fish scales.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the fish scale flocs, fish scale powder, or fish scales are selected from milkfish, bass, giant grouper, or tilapia.

[0012] In summary, the marine oil spill absorbent pack developed in this invention has the following advantages: 1. Since the adsorbent filler is made of natural fish scales, it replaces conventional chemical oil dispersants with natural waste materials. No chemical substances are introduced during the oil pollution treatment process, thus avoiding secondary chemical pollution and effectively reducing the impact on the aquatic ecosystem. 2. Since the absorbent filler is made of natural fish scales, which are biodegradable natural materials, it will not form waste that is difficult to decompose even if it enters the environment after use, thus being friendly to the marine ecosystem. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0013] [Figure 1] is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the marine oil slick absorbent pack created in this work.

[0014] [Figure 2] is a schematic cross-sectional view drawn based on section line AA in Figure 1.

[0015] [Figure 3] is a three-dimensional exploded diagram showing the various forms of the absorbent filler 30 being filled into the packaging material body 20.

[0016] [Figure 4] is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the present invention used to absorb oil stains 40. Implementation

[0017] Other technical contents, features, and effects of this invention will be clearly presented in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the following drawings. To achieve simplicity and clarity, some commonly known structures and parts will be shown in a simplified schematic manner or omitted without affecting the interpretation of the patent's technical features. Furthermore, the dimensions of each structure and part in the drawings will be drawn to a scale suitable for the reader's viewing, not to the actual prototype scale.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this work pertains.

[0019] As used herein, the articles “a,” “one,” and “any” refer to one or more (i.e., at least one) items unless a specific quantity is specified. For example, “an element” means one element or more.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the marine oil spill absorbent pack of this invention, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram drawn based on section line AA in Figure 1. The marine oil spill absorbent pack 10 includes a packaging body 20 and an absorbent filler 30. The packaging body 20 is permeable, allowing oil and water to penetrate into the interior of the packaging body 20. The absorbent filler 30 is filled inside the packaging body 20 and is used to absorb oil.

[0021] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the packaging body 20 is made of a porous material, such as, but not limited to, wool, other animal hair, non-woven fabric, linen, or gauze. The porous material contains a plurality of pores, each pore size allowing oil molecules (C10–C22 hydrocarbons) to permeate.

[0022] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the packaging body 20 is bag-shaped, with a filling space 21 formed inside. The filling space 21 is used to fill the absorbent filler 30, and the opening of the filling space 21 is sealable to facilitate sealing the absorbent filler 30 inside the packaging body 20.

[0023] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, which is a three-dimensional exploded view of the various forms of the absorbent filler 30 of this invention being filled into the packaging body 20. The absorbent filler 30 is an oil-absorbing material processed from natural fish scales. Specifically, the absorbent filler 30 can be selected from at least one of the following forms: fish scale flakes 31a, fish scale powder 31b, and fish scale flakes 31c. Among them, fish scale flakes 31a are fish scales combed into a fibrous flake form, which physically traps oil molecules by utilizing the gaps between the fibers to improve adsorption efficiency; fish scale powder 31b is fish scales ground into powder to increase the specific surface area and increase the contact probability between oil molecules and fish scales; and fish scale flakes 31c are fish scales kept in a flake form to provide basic adsorption.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, which is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the present invention used for adsorbing oil slicks 40 at sea. In use, the marine oil slick adsorbing pack 10 of the present invention is placed at sea. In this way, the oil slicks 40 floating on the sea surface can enter the filling space 21 through the holes of the packing body 20 and be captured by the adsorbent filler 30.

[0025] As mentioned above, the following experiments were conducted using milkfish scales as the source of the absorbent filler 30. Different forms of absorbent filler 30 and different amounts of absorbent filler 30 in the packaging body 20 were used to conduct oil adsorption experiments on 10 ml of diesel oil.

[0026] Example 1

[0027] The absorbent filler 30 is in the form of fish scale flocs. 1 to 5 g of fish scale floc absorbent filler 30 is filled into the packaging material body 20. The adsorption capacity is shown in Table 1 below: Adsorbent filler Filling amount (grams) 1g 2g 3g 4g 5g Oil adsorption capacity (ml) 4.08 5.65 7.52 8.48 9.90 Oil adsorption rate (%) 40.8% 56.5% 75.2% 84.8% 99.0% Table 1. Adsorption rate of different amounts of fish scale flocculent material (to 10ml diesel fuel)

[0028] Example 2

[0029] The absorbent filler 30 is in the form of fish scales. 1 to 5 g of fish scale absorbent filler 30 is filled into the packaging material body 20. The absorbent amounts are shown in Table 2 below. Adsorbent filler Filling amount (grams) 1g 2g 3g 4g 5g Oil adsorption capacity (ml) 3.40 3.96 5.72 6.97 7.31 Oil adsorption rate (%) 34% 39.6% 57.2% 69.7% 73.1% Table 2. Adsorption rate of fish scales with different filling amounts (to 10ml diesel fuel)

[0030] Example 3

[0031] The adsorbent filler 30 is in the form of fish scale powder. 1 to 5 g of fish scale powder adsorbent filler 30 is filled into the packaging material body 20. The adsorption capacity is shown in Table 3 below. Adsorbent filler Filling amount (grams) 1g 2g 3g 4g 5g Oil adsorption capacity (ml) 3.48 4.52 6.28 7.84 8.20 Oil adsorption rate (%) 34.8% 45.2% 62.8% 78.4% 82% Table 3. Adsorption rate of fish scale powder with different filling amounts (to 10ml diesel fuel)

[0032] The data in Tables 1 to 3 above show that fish scales exhibit the best adsorption effect when they are in a flocculent state. Furthermore, the amount of fish scales used is directly proportional to the amount adsorbed; 5 grams of milkfish scale flocculents can achieve near-complete adsorption (adsorption rate of 99%).

[0033] In addition, fish scales are selected from milkfish, bass, giant grouper, tilapia, or other fish with scales.

[0034] The embodiments disclosed above are merely preferred embodiments of this invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Details disclosed in some embodiments of this invention are necessary for clarity in the specification, and those skilled in the art should understand that these details are not essential and should not limit the invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art, after understanding the foregoing technical features and embodiments of this invention and without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, are still within the scope of this invention, and the patent protection scope of this invention shall be determined by the claims appended to this specification.

[0035] 10: Marine oil spill absorbent pack 20: Packaging Material Body 21: Filling Space 30: Adsorbent filler 31a: Fish scale fluff 31b: Fish scale powder 31c: Fish scales 40: Oil stains

Claims

1. A marine oil spill absorbent pack, comprising: a packing body having a plurality of pores and a filling space, the pores being formed in the packing body and the filling space being formed inside the packing body and communicating with the outside of the packing body through the pores; and an absorbent filler filled in the filling space, the absorbent filler being made of fish scales.

2. The marine oil spill absorbent pack of claim 1, wherein the packing material itself is bag-shaped, forming the filling space inside, the filling space also including a sealable opening.

3. The marine oil spill absorbent pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packing material itself is made of a porous material.

4. As in claim 3, the marine oil spill absorbent pack is made of wool, nonwoven fabric, linen or gauze.

5. The marine oil spill absorbent pack as requested in item 1, wherein the absorbent filler is selected from one or a combination of fish scale flocs, fish scale powder, or fish scales.

6. The marine oil spill absorbent pack as requested in item 5, wherein the fish scale flocs, fish scale powder or fish scales are selected from milkfish, sea bass, giant grouper or tilapia.

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