Liquid contaminant absorption device and methods of use

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for absorbing liquid contaminants from aqueous liquids. In certain embodiments, the device comprises a fiber structure including mammalian hair and at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber. The mammalian hair functions as an absorbent component for attracting and retaining oil, while the buoyant fiber provides flotation that maintains the absorbent structure at or near an oil-water interface. In some embodiments, the device comprises a unitary nonwoven fiber mat including a central absorbent region comprising mammalian hair and a perimeter buoyancy region comprising naturally occurring buoyant fibers such as kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or combinations thereof. The buoyant fibers may be concentrated in the perimeter region to form a flotation structure that supports the absorbent region at the oil-water interface during use.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272LIQUID CONTAMINANT ABSORPTION DEVICE AND METHODS OF USEBACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] Oil and other liquids having a specific gravity which is less than water are frequently transported by boats and ships. Oil and other potentially hazardous liquids are transported across or through water by pipelines or similar conduits. Such liquid materials are loaded onto ships by means of pipelines, often requiring a connection of a pipeline to the ship.

[0002] Spills of oil and other liquid contaminants that float on water are common. Shipwrecks or hazards at sea or in waterways can cause oil or other materials to be spilled or otherwise accidentally discharged into waterways. Even vessels which are carrying oil as cargo are powered by diesel fuels or other petroleum fuels, and fuels and engine lubricants may be accidentally discharged into water. Further, pipelines and other conduits which cross waterways are subject to breakage, subjecting the waterway to pollution from discharge of the oil or other material into a waterway. Frequently, oil or other liquid materials are loaded onto ships as cargo by means of pipelines and similar conduits. Cargo ships and pipelines may be subject to damage causing oil spillage in waterways. There remains a need for devices and methods to address such issues.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present disclosure is directed to devices, methods, and systems for removing oil from an aqueous surface. In particular, the disclosure relates to oil-absorbing fiber structures that combine mammalian hair with naturally occurring buoyant fibers in a configuration that enhances flotation and oil absorption. In certain embodiments, the mammalian hair provides oil absorption while the buoyant fibers provide flotation that maintains at least a portion of the absorbent structure at or near an oil-water interface during use.

[0004] According to one embodiment, a device for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface is provided. The device may comprise a nonwoven fiber mat including a central absorbent region and a perimeter buoyancy region extending around the central absorbent region. The central absorbent region may comprise mammalian hair configured to absorb oil from the aqueous surface. The perimeter buoyancy region may comprise at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber, such as kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or combinations thereof. The buoyantAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272fibers may provide flotation support such that the central absorbent region remains positioned at an oil-water interface during use.

[0005] In certain embodiments, the nonwoven fiber mat may comprise about 90.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 10.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber. A majority of the mammalian hair may be located within the central absorbent region, while the buoyant fiber forms the perimeter buoyancy region. The fibers of the central absorbent region and the perimeter buoyancy region may be mechanically entangled to form a unitary nonwoven structure. In some embodiments, the fibers may be mechanically entangled by needle punching. In certain embodiments, the nonwoven fiber mat may comprise about 80.0% to about 98.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 2.0% to about 20.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber. In certain preferred embodiments, the nonwoven fiber mat comprises about 88.0% to about 92.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 8.0% to about 12.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber.

[0006] The nonwoven fiber mat may optionally comprise a layered structure including a first outer layer comprising mammalian hair, a middle layer comprising the naturally occurring buoyant fiber, and a second outer layer comprising mammalian hair. In certain embodiments, the perimeter buoyancy region may have a lower bulk density than the central absorbent region to facilitate flotation of the device on an aqueous surface.

[0007] Various physical configurations of the device may be used. For example, the nonwoven fiber mat may have a thickness of about 0.5 inches to about 2.0 inches. The perimeter buoyancy region may have a width of about 1.0 inch to about 6.0 inches measured from an outer edge of the central absorbent region. These dimensions are representative and may be scaled to any acceptable size.

[0008] The device may exhibit desirable performance characteristics. In some embodiments, the nonwoven fiber mat selectively absorbs oil while substantially resisting absorption of water. The mat may absorb at least about one to about ten times its dry weight in oil and may remain buoyant for extended periods of time when exposed to oil-contaminated water. Oil absorbed by the mat may be removed by compression, allowing the device to be reused for multiple oil absorption cycles.

[0009] In another embodiment, a device for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface is provided in which mammalian hair and at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber are combined within a nonwoven fiber mat. The nonwoven fiber mat may comprise about 80.0% to about 98.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 2.0% to about 20% by weight of the buoyant fiber. The fibersAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272may be mechanically entangled to form a mat that floats on the aqueous surface and absorbs oil present on the aqueous surface.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the mammalian hair and buoyant fibers may be arranged in a variety of structural configurations within the fiber structure. For example, the fibers may be distributed substantially uniformly throughout a nonwoven fiber mat or may be arranged in a gradient distribution in which the concentration of buoyant fibers increases toward a perimeter portion of the device. In some embodiments, the fiber structure may be positioned within a permeable containment structure such as a mesh sleeve, netting structure, or other enclosure that allows oil to contact the absorbent fibers while maintaining structural integrity of the device.

[0011] The absorbent fiber structures described herein may be implemented in a variety of physical forms depending on the intended oil remediation application. For example, the fiber structures may be configured as absorbent mats, sorbent pads, absorbent blankets, sorbent socks, sorbent rolls, booms, or other deployable absorbent devices suitable for placement on an oil-contaminated aqueous surface. In certain embodiments, the mammalian hair fibers may optionally be cleaned or prepared prior to forming the fiber structure to improve fiber entanglement or bonding during manufacture.

[0012] The present disclosure also provides methods of preparing oil-absorbing devices. In one embodiment, a method may comprise forming a central absorbent fiber region comprising mammalian hair and forming a perimeter buoyancy fiber region comprising a naturally occurring buoyant fiber. The mammalian hair and buoyant fiber may be arranged such that the mammalian hair forms a central absorbent region and the buoyant fiber forms a perimeter buoyancy region surrounding the central absorbent region. The fibers may then be mechanically entangled to form a unitary nonwoven fiber mat. In certain embodiments, the fibers may be mechanically entangled by needle punching. The method may also include forming layered fiber structures, distributing buoyant fibers adjacent to a perimeter of the mat, or compressing portions of the mat to produce density gradients between the central absorbent region and the perimeter buoyancy region. In other embodiments, the fiber structure may be formed or stabilized using additional manufacturing techniques including wet felting, thermal bonding, binder application, stitch bonding, or enclosure of the fibers within a permeable mesh structure.

[0013] Methods of removing oil from an aqueous surface are also provided. Such methods may include deploying an oil-absorbing device onto an aqueous surface, floating the device such that the buoyant region supports the absorbent region at the oil-water interface, and contacting oil present on the aqueous surface with the absorbent region to absorb at least a portion of the oil.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272The device may then be removed from the aqueous surface and compressed to extract absorbed oil and may subsequently be redeployed for additional oil removal cycles.

[0014] In further embodiments, systems for removing oil from an aqueous surface are provided. Such systems may include a plurality of oil-absorbing devices deployed across an aqueous surface. The devices may be arranged adjacent to one another, configured to form an oilremoval assembly, or packaged together as a spill-response kit. In some embodiments, the devices may be arranged to increase oil absorption coverage across the aqueous surface.

[0015] The summary of the disclosure is provided as a general introduction to some of the embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to be limiting. Additional example embodiments including variations and alternative configurations of the disclosure are provided herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a device for containing and absorbing liquid contaminant in or on an aqueous liquid according to one embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0017] Various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined in different ways unless expressly stated otherwise. That is, all described aspects and embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner or combination. When referring to the compounds disclosed herein, the following terms have the following meanings unless indicated otherwise. The following definitions are meant to clarify, but not limit, the terms defined. If a particular term used herein is not specifically defined, such term should not be considered indefinite. Rather, terms are used within their accepted meanings.

[0018] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0019] As used herein the term “contaminant” refers to a polluting substance present in an aqueous environment.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0020] The terms "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the disclosure. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0021] As used herein, the term “device” refers to any physical embodiment configured to absorb or contain a liquid contaminant in or on an aqueous liquid. Such embodiments may include, but are not limited to, absorbent mats, pads, blankets, sheets, booms, socks, rolls, tubes, pillows, or other absorbent articles configured to contact liquid contaminants present on an aqueous surface.

[0022] As used herein, the term “fiber structure” refers to a structure formed from a plurality of fibers arranged in a mat, batt, web, or other nonwoven configuration capable of absorbing liquid contaminants.Device Overview

[0023] Conventional oil absorbent materials often rely on uniform absorbent structures or employ buoyant foams or synthetic flotation devices to maintain the absorbent material at the surface of the water. Devices that rely solely on hair fibers may exhibit limited buoyancy and may become submerged during use, which can reduce the ability of the hair fibers to effectively contact and absorb oil present at the oil-water interface.

[0024] The present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for removing oil from an aqueous surface. In particular, the disclosure describes absorbent fiber structures that combine mammalian hair with naturally occurring buoyant fibers in a configuration that improves flotation and enhances the ability of the device to absorb oil from the surface of water.

[0025] According to certain embodiments, the sorbent device may be formed from a composite fiber structure including mammalian hair and at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber. The mammalian hair functions as an absorbent medium for attracting and retaining oil, while the naturally occurring material provides buoyancy and structural support for maintaining the absorbent portion of the device near the water surface.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the absorbent fiber component may include mammalian hair or other keratin-based fibers derived from mammals. Mammalian hair is composed primarily of keratin proteins that provide hydrophobic and oleophilic properties which are advantageous for oil absorption. In some embodiments, the absorbent fibers may include human hair, animal hair, wool fibers, processed keratin fibers, recycled keratin fibers, or combinations thereof. These keratin-based fibers may be used alone or in combination with mammalian hair to form theAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272absorbent portion of the device. The keratin fibers may be provided as loose fibers, batts, carded fibers, or mechanically entangled fiber structures suitable for incorporation into the absorbent fiber mat.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the buoyant fiber component may include one or more naturally occurring fibers or materials having a density lower than water and capable of providing flotation support when incorporated into the fiber structure. Suitable buoyant materials may include plant-derived fibers, hollow fibers, cork-derived materials, seed fibers, bark fibers, or other low-density natural materials capable of maintaining the absorbent portion of the device near the surface of an aqueous liquid. Non-limiting examples of suitable buoyant fibers include kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, additional natural fibers such as cotton, jute, kenaf, or hemp may optionally be included as reinforcing or structural fibers within the fiber matrix. The buoyant material may be selected based on desired characteristics including buoyancy, oil affinity, biodegradability, structural stability, or environmental compatibility.

[0028] In some embodiments, the devices described herein employ a structural configuration in which a central absorbent region comprising mammalian hair is supported by a surrounding buoyant fiber region. This arrangement helps maintain the absorbent region at the oil-water interface where oil concentration is typically highest. By positioning buoyant fibers in a perimeter region surrounding the absorbent hair region, the device maintains the hair fibers at the surface of the water while limiting submersion of the absorbent portion of the device. This structural relationship between the central absorbent region and the perimeter buoyancy region improves contact between the mammalian hair and floating oil while maintaining flotation stability during use. As a result, the perimeter buoyancy region enhances oil absorption efficiency while improving flotation stability and reusability of the device. Unlike devices in which absorbent hair is merely contained within a mesh, sleeve, or boom structure that provides flotation, the buoyancy of the devices described herein is provided by buoyant fibers integrated into the absorbent fiber structure itself.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the absorbent mammalian hair fibers and the naturally occurring buoyant fibers function cooperatively to improve oil removal performance. Mammalian hair exhibits oleophilic characteristics that promote attraction and retention of oil, while the naturally occurring buoyant fibers provide flotation that maintains the absorbent portion of the device near the oil-water interface. Because oil commonly accumulates at the surface of an aqueous liquid, maintaining the absorbent hair fibers at or near this interface may increase contact between the hair fibers and floating oil. The buoyant fibers therefore support the absorbent fibers in aAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272position that promotes oil absorption while reducing submersion of the absorbent structure into the aqueous phase. This cooperative interaction between absorbent and buoyant fiber components may improve oil capture efficiency, flotation stability, and reusability of the device relative to absorbent materials that lack integrated buoyant support.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the buoyant fibers are not merely mixed with the absorbent fibers to increase overall buoyancy. Rather, the buoyant fibers are spatially arranged within the fiber structure so that the buoyant fibers function as a flotation-supporting structure that maintains the absorbent mammalian hair at or near the oil-water interface. For example, buoyant fibers may be concentrated within a perimeter portion of the fiber structure, within intermediate buoyant layers, or within buoyant zones that support adjacent absorbent regions. This spatial organization differs from absorbent materials in which buoyant fibers and absorbent fibers are simply blended together in a homogeneous mixture without structural differentiation. By positioning buoyant fibers in flotation-supporting regions relative to absorbent regions, the resulting structure improves flotation stability while maintaining effective exposure of the absorbent hair fibers to oil present at the surface of an aqueous liquid. In certain embodiments, the buoyant fibers form a flotation-supporting architecture that maintains the absorbent region at the oil-water interface even after the absorbent region becomes partially saturated with oil.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the perimeter buoyancy region may extend substantially around the central absorbent region to form a buoyant perimeter structure that surrounds the absorbent portion of the device. When the buoyant fibers extend continuously around the absorbent region, the perimeter buoyancy region may function as a flotation ring that stabilizes the device on the aqueous surface and supports the central absorbent region at or near the oil-water interface. The flotation ring may be formed by a continuous distribution of buoyant fibers around the absorbent region, although in some embodiments the buoyant perimeter structure may include multiple connected or partially overlapping buoyant segments that collectively surround the absorbent region and provide flotation support.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the buoyant fibers may be positioned adjacent to or near a perimeter portion of the fiber structure rather than being confined strictly to an outermost edge of the device. For example, the buoyant fibers may be distributed within a peripheral zone surrounding the absorbent region such that the buoyant fibers occupy a region generally located toward the perimeter of the structure. This peripheral buoyant zone may extend partially inward from an outer edge of the device while still providing flotation support for the absorbent region. Accordingly, the buoyant fibers may form a perimeter region, a perimeter-adjacent region, orAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272other peripheral buoyant structure capable of supporting the absorbent region at or near an oilwater interface during use.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the naturally occurring buoyant fibers are concentrated in the perimeter region rather than being uniformly distributed throughout the absorbent structure. As such, the resulting device may include a spatially organized buoyant perimeter that maintains the hair absorbent region at the oil-water interface. In certain embodiments, the naturally occurring buoyant fiber is arranged non-uniformly relative to the mammalian hair such that the device defines a central absorbent region and a distinct perimeter buoyancy region, rather than a homogeneous or uniformly distributed fiber blend throughout the nonwoven fiber mat.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the mammalian hair and the naturally occurring buoyant fibers may be distributed non-uniformly within the fiber structure so that different portions of the device perform different functional roles. For example, the mammalian hair may be concentrated in an absorbent portion of the device while the naturally occurring buoyant fibers are concentrated in a region that provides flotation support. However, in other embodiments the mammalian hair and buoyant fibers may be blended together in a partially or substantially uniform mixture throughout the fiber structure while still providing combined absorbent and buoyant properties. In still further embodiments, the relative concentration of mammalian hair and buoyant fibers may vary gradually across the fiber structure to form a gradient distribution of fibers between absorbent and buoyant regions. These alternative distributions may be selected depending on the desired balance between oil absorption capacity, flotation stability, and structural durability of the device. In some embodiments, buoyant fibers may be distributed substantially uniformly throughout the fiber structure while still providing sufficient flotation to maintain the fiber structure at or near the oil-water interface during use.

[0035] The devices provided herein may be used on any suitable aqueous surface where a liquid contaminant is present. Such aqueous environments may include freshwater or saltwater bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds, seas, and oceans. The devices may be deployed after a liquid contaminant is present on the aqueous surface, such as following an oil spill or other discharge event. In certain embodiments, the liquid contaminant is less dense than the aqueous liquid. In some embodiments, the liquid contaminant comprises oil, including crude oil or petroleum products transported by pipelines or tanker vessels.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the device comprises a nonwoven fiber mat having a central absorbent region and a perimeter buoyancy region extending around the central absorbent region. The central absorbent region comprises mammalian hair that is configured to absorb oil present on an aqueous surface. The perimeter buoyancy region comprises one or moreAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272naturally occurring buoyant fibers that provide flotation support to the device. The buoyant perimeter region supports the absorbent region so that the mammalian hair remains positioned at or near the oil-water interface during use.

[0037] Maintaining the absorbent region at the oil-water interface improves the efficiency of oil absorption because oil typically floats on the surface of water. By positioning the hair absorbent region at this interface, the device is able to contact and absorb oil while minimizing unnecessary water uptake. The configuration of a central absorbent region surrounded by a buoyant perimeter region also contributes to stability of the device on the water surface and reduces the likelihood that the absorbent region will become submerged.

[0038] In certain embodiments, the device does not include mammalian hair enclosed solely within a mesh, net, fabric casing, or tubular containment sleeve that provides flotation independently of the absorbent fiber structure. In certain embodiments, the device does not include a separate flotation device, foam flotation member, cylindrical buoyant core, or mammalian hair encasing a flotation element. Instead, buoyancy may be provided by buoyant fibers integrated directly within the absorbent fiber structure itself. However, in other embodiments the absorbent fiber structure may optionally be positioned within a permeable sleeve, mesh enclosure, or containment structure that permits oil to contact the internal fibers while providing additional mechanical support.

[0039] The device may exhibit differences in density between the absorbent region and the buoyancy region. In certain embodiments, the perimeter buoyancy region may have a lower bulk density than the central absorbent region. This density relationship enhances flotation and contributes to the ability of the perimeter region to support the absorbent region at the surface of the water.

[0040] The density characteristics of the device may be influenced by the type of fibers used, the relative proportions of fibers, and the degree of compression or entanglement applied during manufacture. In some embodiments selected portions of the fiber mat may be compressed to produce density gradients that improve flotation and structural integrity.

[0041] The nonwoven fiber mat may be produced in a variety of sizes and shapes depending on the intended application. In certain embodiments the mat may have a thickness of about 0.5 inch to about 2.0 inches. The perimeter buoyancy region may have a width of approximately 1.0 inch to about 6.0 inches measured from the outer boundary of the central absorbent region. These dimensions may be varied depending on the amount of buoyancy required and the overall size of the absorbent mat which may also vary.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0042] The device may be produced in rectangular, square, circular, or other geometric configurations. Multiple devices may be deployed simultaneously to increase the surface area available for oil absorption.

[0043] The devices described herein may exhibit advantageous oil absorption characteristics. Mammalian hair has a natural affinity for oil and may absorb and retain oil from an aqueous surface while resisting water uptake.

[0044] In certain embodiments the fiber mat may be capable of absorbing at least about ten times its dry weight in oil. The device may remain buoyant on the surface of oil-contaminated water for extended periods of time. The buoyant perimeter region helps maintain the position of the absorbent region at the oil-water interface even after the mat has absorbed oil.

[0045] Oil absorbed by the device may be removed by manual or mechanical compression. Compression may expel absorbed oil from the fiber matrix, allowing the device to be reused for additional oil absorption cycles. By supporting the central absorbent region at or near the oilwater interface, the buoyant perimeter allows the mammalian hair fibers to contact oil concentrated at the surface while minimizing submersion into the aqueous phase.

[0046] The devices described herein may be implemented in a variety of structural configurations while maintaining the functional relationship between the mammalian hair absorbent material and the buoyant fiber component. For example, in some embodiments the buoyant fibers may be positioned in a perimeter region surrounding a central absorbent region comprising mammalian hair. In certain embodiments, the buoyancy region extends continuously around the central absorbent region to form a flotation ring that stabilizes the device and supports the absorbent region at the oil-water interface.

[0047] In other embodiments, the device may comprise a layered structure in which one or more buoyant fiber layers are positioned between outer layers of mammalian hair. In still further embodiments, the mammalian hair and buoyant fibers may optionally be supported by a scrim or other reinforcing substrate to provide additional structural stability. These configurations represent alternative implementations of the disclosed concept in which mammalian hair functions as an oil-absorbing medium and naturally occurring buoyant fibers provide flotation that helps maintain the absorbent material at an oil-water interface.

[0048] In some embodiments, the buoyant fibers may be concentrated in particular regions of the device to enhance flotation characteristics, while in other embodiments the buoyant fibers may be distributed more broadly within the fiber matrix. The specific arrangement of hair fibers and buoyant fibers may be selected based on desired absorbency, buoyancy, structural stability, and manufacturing considerations.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0049] Accordingly, the structural embodiments described herein should be understood as illustrative examples of devices that combine mammalian hair and naturally occurring buoyant fibers to form oil-absorbing structures capable of floating on an aqueous surface and absorbing oil present at the oil-water interface. In certain embodiments, the relative amounts of mammalian hair fibers and buoyant fibers within the device may be selected to achieve a desired balance between oil absorption capacity and flotation characteristics. For example, the device may include a majority proportion of mammalian hair fibers with a smaller proportion of buoyant fibers positioned within the intermediate layer.

[0050] In certain embodiments, the nonwoven fiber mat may include a majority proportion of mammalian hair fibers with a smaller proportion of naturally occurring buoyant fibers. In certain preferred embodiments, the nonwoven fiber mat includes about 85.0% to about 95.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 5.0% to about 15.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber. In particularly preferred embodiments, the nonwoven fiber mat includes about 88.0% to about 92.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 8.0% to about 12.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber. These ranges provide a balance between oil absorption capacity and flotation characteristics while maintaining structural integrity of the nonwoven fiber mat.

[0051] According to a particular embodiment, a device for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface is provided that includes a nonwoven fiber mat comprising mammalian hair and at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber selected from the group consisting of kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, and combinations thereof, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat includes about 80.0% to about 98.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 2.0% to about 20% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber, wherein fibers of the mammalian hair and the naturally occurring buoyant fiber are mechanically entangled to form the nonwoven fiber mat, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber is concentrated adjacent to a perimeter portion of the nonwoven fiber mat such that the perimeter portion has a lower bulk density than a central portion of the nonwoven fiber mat, and wherein the nonwoven fiber mat is configured to float on the aqueous surface and absorb oil present on the aqueous surface.

[0052] According to another particular embodiment, a device for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface is provided that includes a fiber structure comprising a unitary nonwoven fiber mat having a central absorbent region and a perimeter buoyancy region extending continuously around the central absorbent region, wherein the central absorbent region includes mammalian hair configured to absorb oil from the aqueous surface, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region includes at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber selected from the group consisting ofAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, and combinations thereof, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat includes about 88.0% to about 92.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 8.0% to about 12.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber, wherein a majority of the mammalian hair is located within the central absorbent region and the naturally occurring buoyant fiber forms the perimeter buoyancy region surrounding the central absorbent region, wherein fibers of the central absorbent region and the perimeter buoyancy region are mechanically entangled to form the unitary nonwoven fiber mat, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber is concentrated within the perimeter buoyancy region and is not uniformly distributed throughout the nonwoven fiber mat, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region has a lower bulk density than the central absorbent region, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region forms a flotation ring surrounding the central absorbent region, and wherein the perimeter buoyancy region is configured to provide flotation support such that the central absorbent region is maintained at an oil-water interface and the mammalian hair of the central absorbent region remains positioned to contact and absorb oil present on the aqueous surface.

[0053] Another embodiment of a device for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface may include a layered nonwoven fiber mat structure. In this embodiment, the device includes a first hair layer, a buoyant fiber layer, and a second hair layer. The first hair layer and the second hair layer each include mammalian hair that functions as an oil-absorbing medium. The mammalian hair may be obtained from human hair or other mammalian sources and may be arranged in a nonwoven fiber structure that forms an absorbent mat. The hair fibers may be distributed across the outer surfaces of the device so that the hair fibers are available to contact oil present on an aqueous surface. The buoyant fiber layer is positioned between the first hair layer and the second hair layer. The buoyant fiber layer may include one or more naturally occurring buoyant fibers that contribute flotation to the device. Suitable buoyant fibers may include kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or combinations thereof. The buoyant fiber layer may provide flotation support that helps maintain the surrounding hair layers at or near the oil-water interface when the device is deployed on an aqueous surface.

[0054] The fibers of the hair layers and the buoyant fiber layer may be mechanically entangled to form a unified nonwoven fiber mat. In certain embodiments, the fibers may be mechanically entangled using a needle punching process that interlocks fibers of the different layers.Mechanical entanglement may produce a cohesive structure that maintains the layered configuration during handling, deployment, and oil absorption.

[0055] In certain embodiments, the absorbent fiber structure may include a mixture of mammalian hair and buoyant plant-derived fibers that are substantially uniformly distributedAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272throughout the fiber matrix. In such embodiments, the mammalian hair and buoyant fibers may be blended prior to formation of the fiber mat so that the fibers are interspersed throughout the structure rather than being segregated into distinct regions. A uniformly distributed fiber matrix may provide a balance of absorbency, buoyancy, and structural stability throughout the entire absorbent structure. Such configurations may be advantageous in applications where a consistent absorption capacity across the entire surface of the device is desired.

[0056] In certain embodiments, the absorbent fiber structure described herein may be formed into various absorbent article configurations. For example, the device may be formed as a pad, mat, blanket, sheet, roll, or similar planar absorbent article capable of being deployed across an aqueous surface. Such planar absorbent articles may be placed individually or arranged in overlapping configurations to increase the effective surface area available for oil absorption.

[0057] In certain embodiments, the absorbent fiber structure described herein may further include one or more sensing or detection components configured to detect the presence of oil or other liquid contaminants. For example, the absorbent structure may be incorporated into a blanket, wrap, or covering positioned around a pipeline, conduit, storage vessel, or other structure that may be susceptible to leakage. In some embodiments, a sensing device embedded within or coupled to the absorbent fiber structure may detect the presence of oil absorbed by the fiber structure and generate a signal indicating a leak condition. The sensing device may include one or more sensors capable of detecting hydrocarbons, liquid saturation, conductivity changes, or other indicators associated with oil exposure. Upon detection of a leak, the sensing device may transmit a wireless communication signal to a remote receiver, monitoring station, or third-party monitoring service to provide notification of the leak event. Such configurations may allow the absorbent structure to function both as a liquid containment or absorption device and as part of a monitoring system for detecting and reporting leaks in pipelines or other fluid transport systems.

[0058] In certain embodiments, the absorbent fiber structure may be configured as an elongated absorbent article such as a boom, sock, tube, or cylindrical absorbent member. In such configurations, the absorbent fiber mixture may form a core that is positioned within a permeable sleeve, mesh, or fabric enclosure. The sleeve may allow oil to contact the internal absorbent fibers while retaining the fiber material within the enclosure. Boom or sock configurations may be particularly useful for containing or surrounding oil on an aqueous surface and may be deployed individually or connected together to form longer containment structures.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0059] In certain embodiments, the absorbent fiber structure may be formed into three-dimensional or shaped absorbent articles including pillows, blocks, wedges, or other absorbent bodies. Such structures may be used to absorb oil from confined areas, shorelines, equipment surfaces, or irregular surfaces. In some embodiments, multiple absorbent structures may be connected together or arranged within a support framework to form larger oil-removal assemblies suitable for spill response operations.

[0060] In certain embodiments, the fiber structure may include a gradient distribution of fiber types across the absorbent structure. For example, the concentration of mammalian hair and buoyant plant-derived fibers may vary gradually across the fiber matrix rather than being uniformly mixed or segregated into distinct regions. In some embodiments, mammalian hair may be present in greater concentration within a central portion of the structure while buoyant fibers such as kapok may increase in concentration toward a perimeter portion of the structure. In other embodiments, the relative proportions of the fibers may vary gradually along a thickness dimension or across the surface of the absorbent structure. Such gradient distributions may be used to tailor buoyancy, absorbency, and structural stability of the device for particular oil absorption applications.

[0061] In certain embodiments, the absorbent fiber structures described herein differ from absorbent systems in which loose absorbent materials are simply contained within a mesh sleeve, fabric enclosure, or tubular boom structure that provides flotation. In the devices described herein, buoyancy may be provided by buoyant fibers integrated directly within the absorbent fiber structure itself rather than by a separate flotation member, foam core, or external buoyant enclosure. This integrated fiber architecture allows the absorbent mammalian hair fibers and buoyant fibers to cooperate structurally within the same fiber matrix to maintain the absorbent portion of the device at or near an oil-water interface during use.

[0062] In certain embodiments, the absorbent fiber structure may include mammalian hair, buoyant plant-derived fibers, and optional reinforcing or binding fibers present in relative amounts selected to provide a desired balance of oil absorption capacity, buoyancy, and structural stability. In some embodiments, the absorbent structure may include approximately 20.0% to approximately 70.0% buoyant plant-derived fibers, approximately 20.0% to approximately 70.0% mammalian hair, and up to approximately 30.0% reinforcing or binding fibers such as cotton fibers, jute fibers, thermoplastic binder fibers, or combinations thereof. The reinforcing or binding fibers may provide additional mechanical stability to the fiber matrix, while the buoyant plant-derived fibers contribute flotation and oil retention capacity and the mammalian hair provides absorbency and structural integrity.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0063] In certain embodiments, the relative proportions of mammalian hair, buoyant plant-derived fibers, and optional reinforcing or binding fibers may be selected based on the desired performance characteristics of the absorbent structure. For example, a formulation intended to provide high oil absorption capacity may include approximately 60.0% kapok fiber, approximately 30.0% mammalian hair, and approximately 10.0% cotton fiber. In other embodiments designed to provide increased structural durability, the fiber mixture may include approximately 40.0% kapok fiber, approximately 40.0% mammalian hair, and approximately 20.0% binder fibers, such as thermoplastic binder fibers. In still further embodiments intended to provide a substantially biodegradable absorbent structure, the fiber mixture may include approximately 50.0% kapok fiber, approximately 30.0% mammalian hair, and approximately 20.0% natural reinforcement fibers, such as jute.

[0064] During use, the outer hair layers may contact oil present on the surface of an aqueous liquid and absorb the oil. The intermediate buoyant fiber layer may contribute to flotation that supports the hair layers at the surface of the water. This layered configuration may improve oil absorption efficiency while maintaining buoyancy of the device.Mammalian Hair

[0065] According to one embodiment, the devices provided herein include an absorbent region that includes mammalian hair. In certain embodiments the mammalian hair may include human hair. Mammalian hair possesses natural properties that make the mammalian hair well suited for absorbing oil. The surface characteristics of hair fibers promote the attraction and retention of oil while exhibiting relatively low affinity for water.

[0066] Suitable sources of mammalian hair include human hair obtained from barber shops, hair salons, or other grooming operations. Animal hair obtained from grooming processes may also be used. In many embodiments the hair may include waste hair fibers that would otherwise be discarded.

[0067] The hair may be used in a variety of lengths and configurations. Individual hair fibers may be loose, intertwined, or otherwise arranged within a fiber matrix. The hair fibers may be mechanically entangled with other fibers to form a nonwoven structure that maintains the integrity of the absorbent region during handling and use.

[0068] In some embodiments mammalian hair may include the majority of the fiber content of the device. According to one embodiment, the fiber mat may include about 50.0%, 55.0%, 60.0%, 65.0%, 70.0%, 75.0%, 80.0%, 85.0%, 90.0%, or more by weight of mammalian hair.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0069] According to one embodiment, the mammalian hair of the devices provided herein may be utilized as a mammalian hair mat that includes a plurality of individual mammalian hairs intertwined. According to one embodiment, the mammalian hair mat exhibits a hair density of from about 0.01 grams to about 5.0 grams of mammalian hair per cubic inch. According to one embodiment, the mammalian hair mat exhibits a hair density of from about 1.0 pound of mammalian hair per cubic foot to about 5.0 pounds of mammalian hair per cubic foot.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the mammalian hair mat absorbs at least about one (1.0) gallon of liquid contaminant per five (5.0) pounds of mammalian hair. According to one embodiment, the mammalian hair mat is capable of holding and retaining from generally about 0.01 grams of liquid contaminant per cubic inch of mammalian hair to about 15 grams of liquid contaminant per cubic inch of mammalian hair.Naturally Occurring Buoyant Fibers

[0071] The perimeter buoyancy region of the device may include naturally occurring buoyant fibers. These fibers may provide flotation support and help maintain the absorbent region at the oil-water interface. Suitable examples of naturally occurring buoyant fibers include kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, and cork fiber. These materials are known to possess relatively low density and may contain internal voids or hollow structures that enhance buoyancy. When incorporated into the perimeter region of the fiber mat, these fibers provide flotation that supports the central absorbent region. In certain embodiments, the buoyancy of the device is provided primarily by naturally occurring fibers rather than synthetic foam flotation materials. In certain embodiments, the perimeter buoyancy region does not include peat moss, cotton fiber, corn silk, seaweed, kelp, or coconut fiber. In certain embodiments, the naturally occurring buoyant fiber is not uniformly distributed throughout the fiber mat.

[0072] In certain embodiments, the naturally occurring buoyant fiber includes kapok fiber.Kapok fiber is characterized by a very low density, a hollow internal structure, and a waxy surface coating that provides natural hydrophobic properties. These characteristics allow kapok fibers to exhibit significant buoyancy and strong affinity for oil relative to water. The hollow structure of the fibers contributes to flotation and oil retention capacity, making kapok fibers particularly suitable for oil absorption applications. However, the smooth and waxy surface of kapok fibers may reduce friction between fibers and can make the fibers difficult to bind together using friction-based processes alone. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, mechanical or chemical techniques may be used to secure kapok fibers within a composite fiber structure together with mammalian hair or other natural fibers.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0073] In certain embodiments, the buoyant fiber component may include one or more naturally occurring buoyant fibers having a density lower than water and capable of providing flotation support. Suitable buoyant fibers include plant-derived fibers such as kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or other low-density natural fibers. In some embodiments, additional buoyant structures such as hollow fibers or other low-density buoyant materials may also be incorporated. The buoyant component may be arranged in a continuous perimeter region, segmented perimeter zones, distributed buoyant regions, or other configurations positioned adjacent to or surrounding at least a portion of the absorbent region.

[0074] The buoyant fibers may be concentrated within a perimeter portion of the fiber mat so that the outer region of the device functions as a flotation support structure. This arrangement allows the central absorbent region to remain positioned at the surface where oil is present while the perimeter region contributes stability and flotation.

[0075] According to one embodiment, a device for absorbing one or more liquid contaminants in or on one or more aqueous liquids is provided that includes mammalian hair and one or more additional natural fiber components such as kapok fiber, cork fiber, and milkweed.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the device includes about 50.0%, 45.0%, 40.0%, 35.0%, 30.0%, 25.0%, 20.0%, 15.0%, 10.0% or less by weight naturally occurring buoyant fiber. Other compositions may also be employed depending on the desired balance between absorbency and buoyancy.Other Buoyant ComponentsMethods and Systems

[0077] In certain embodiments the device includes a unitary nonwoven fiber mat formed by mechanically entangling fibers of the absorbent region and the buoyancy region. Mechanical entanglement may be achieved using techniques commonly employed in the manufacture of nonwoven textiles.

[0078] In certain embodiments, the mammalian hair used in the absorbent structure may be subjected to a cleaning and preparation process prior to incorporation into the fiber mixture. Raw hair obtained from barber shops, salons, or animal grooming sources may contain oils, residues, or contaminants that may interfere with fiber bonding and mechanical entanglement. Accordingly, the hair may be washed with a detergent solution to remove surface oils and contaminants, followed by rinsing with water. In some embodiments, the hair may be furtherAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272treated with a mild alkaline bath to assist in degreasing the fibers and improving surface characteristics. After washing and rinsing, the hair may be dried and mechanically processed, such as by carding or fiber opening operations, to separate and align individual fibers. These preparation steps may improve the ability of the mammalian hair to mechanically entangle with buoyant fibers such as kapok, wool, or cotton, thereby enhancing bonding, fiber integration, and structural stability of the resulting absorbent structure.

[0079] In certain embodiments, the preparation of mammalian hair as described above may improve integration of the hair fibers with other fibers used in the absorbent structure. Removal of natural oils and surface contaminants may increase inter-fiber friction and improve the ability of the hair fibers to mechanically entangle with other fibers during processes such as needle punching or wet felting. The cleaning process may also improve adhesion when binder systems, thermal bonding fibers, or other binding materials are used to stabilize the fiber structure. For example, cleaned hair fibers may more readily interlock with buoyant fibers such as kapok, wool, cotton, or other natural fibers during mechanical entanglement processes, and may also exhibit improved bonding when exposed to binder coatings or thermally activated bonding fibers. As a result, the preparation process may contribute to improved structural cohesion, durability, and uniformity of the resulting absorbent structure.

[0080] Methods of preparing the device may include forming the absorbent and buoyant fiber regions and mechanically entangling the fibers to produce a cohesive nonwoven structure. In certain embodiments, natural fibers such as mammalian hair and naturally occurring buoyant fibers may be combined using one or more binding or structural integration techniques to form a cohesive absorbent structure. Fibers such as kapok may exhibit smooth or waxy surface characteristics that reduce inter-fiber friction and may make the fibers difficult to retain within a composite structure without additional binding methods. Accordingly, various mechanical, thermal, or chemical techniques may be used to integrate the fibers into a stable absorbent mat, boom, or other oil-absorbing structure.

[0081] In certain embodiments, the fibers may be mechanically entangled using processes such as needle-punch felting. During needle punching, barbed needles repeatedly penetrate the fiber layers and interlock the fibers to form a cohesive nonwoven mat. Needle punching represents one suitable industrial method for integrating mammalian hair with naturally occurring buoyant fibers such as kapok or milkweed. In some embodiments, stitch bonding, fiber netting, or other mechanical reinforcement techniques may also be used to secure the fibers within the structure.

[0082] In certain embodiments, the needle-punch process may be used to mechanically integrate mammalian hair fibers with naturally occurring buoyant fibers such as kapok. DuringAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272needle punching, a board or array of barbed needles repeatedly passes through a loose web of fibers. The barbs on the needles capture and draw fibers vertically through the fiber web during each stroke. Repeated penetration of the fiber web causes the fibers to become mechanically interlocked and entangled, thereby forming a dense nonwoven mat without the use of chemical binders.

[0083] Mechanical entanglement using needle punching may be particularly effective for composite structures that include both mammalian hair and buoyant plant-derived fibers.Mammalian hair fibers may contribute structural stability and tensile strength to the resulting fiber matrix, while kapok fibers may contribute buoyancy and oil absorption capacity due to their hollow structure and hydrophobic surface characteristics. During needle punching, the barbed needles may draw the kapok fibers into the surrounding matrix of hair fibers, thereby securing the buoyant fibers within the hair structure and producing a cohesive absorbent mat.

[0084] In other embodiments, thermal bonding or adhesive bonding techniques may be employed to stabilize the fiber structure. For example, a thermally bondable component fiber or binder fiber may be incorporated into the fiber mixture and activated through heating to form bonding points within the mat. Alternatively, binders such as latex-based binders, bio-based binders, or other polymeric binding materials may be applied to the fiber structure to secure the fibers together. In certain embodiments, the fibers may be contained within a supporting enclosure such as a mesh, netting, or boom structure formed from materials including polypropylene mesh, jute netting, polylactic acid (PLA) mesh, or other natural or synthetic fiber nets. In some embodiments, the absorbent fibers may be enclosed within a sock, sleeve, or boom structure while maintaining the buoyant and absorbent characteristics of the internal fiber mixture.

[0085] In certain embodiments, thermal bonding techniques may be used to stabilize the fiber structure. In thermal bonding processes, one or more thermally bondable binder fibers may be incorporated into the fiber mixture. These binder fibers may include fibers having a relatively low melting temperature, such as polyester binder fibers, polylactic acid (PLA) fibers, or other thermoplastic fibers. When the fiber mat is heated, the binder fibers may soften or partially melt and form bonding points between adjacent fibers. Upon cooling, the softened binder material solidifies and secures the surrounding fibers together to form a cohesive structure.

[0086] In certain embodiments, the thermal bonding process may include forming a loose fiber mat containing mammalian hair, buoyant fibers such as kapok, and one or more thermally bondable binder fibers. The mat may then be passed through a heated chamber or hot air oven, for example at temperatures of approximately 120°C to approximately 160°C, to activate theAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272binder fibers. This process may produce a durable nonwoven structure suitable for oil absorption applications such as spill response pads. In some embodiments, the fiber mixture used for thermal bonding may include approximately forty percent kapok fiber, approximately forty percent mammalian hair, and approximately twenty percent binder fibers such as PLA fibers.

[0087] In certain embodiments, the fiber structure may be stabilized using liquid binder systems. In these approaches, a binder material may be applied to the fiber structure by spraying, dipping, coating, or similar application techniques. The binder may penetrate the fiber matrix and, upon drying or curing, may form bonding points that secure adjacent fibers together. This approach may be used to lock mammalian hair fibers together with naturally occurring buoyant fibers such as kapok while maintaining the general structure of the absorbent mat.

[0088] Various binder materials may be used in such processes. Suitable binders may include natural latex, starch-based polymers, chitosan binders, lignin-based binders, bio-resins, or other polymeric binding materials capable of forming fiber-to-fiber bonds. In certain embodiments, the binder concentration and application method may be controlled to produce a fiber structure that maintains internal porosity while providing structural strength. Maintaining pore space within the fiber matrix may be desirable because the open structure facilitates oil absorption and retention while allowing the absorbent mat to remain buoyant and functional during oil remediation applications.

[0089] In certain embodiments, the fiber structure may be formed using a wet felting process. In wet felting, fibers are exposed to water and a wetting agent such as soap and are subjected to agitation, rolling, or compressive friction. These actions promote interlocking of fibers that possess surface scales, such as mammalian hair or wool fibers. The resulting friction and compression cause the fibers to interlock and form a cohesive felted structure.

[0090] Certain buoyant plant-derived fibers, such as kapok, may not readily felt on their own because the fibers lack surface scales that facilitate interlocking. In some embodiments, mammalian hair or wool fibers may therefore function as a structural binder within the fiber mixture during the wet felting process. As the hair or wool fibers interlock during felting, the kapok fibers may become entrained within the fiber network, thereby forming a stable composite structure that combines the absorbent properties of mammalian hair with the buoyant characteristics of kapok fibers.

[0091] In certain embodiments, the fiber mixture used in wet felting may include mammalian hair or wool fibers combined with buoyant plant-derived fibers. Additional natural fibers may optionally be included to improve structural stability. For example, in some embodiments theAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272fiber mixture may include approximately fifty percent mammalian hair or wool fibers, approximately forty percent kapok fibers, and approximately ten percent reinforcing fibers such as jute or cotton.

[0092] In certain embodiments, the fiber structure may be reinforced using stitch bonding techniques. In stitch bonding, a loose fiber mat or fiber core may be mechanically stitched using thread or yarn to stabilize the fiber structure. Stitch bonding may be used to secure mammalian hair fibers together with buoyant fibers such as kapok while maintaining permeability of the fiber structure. This approach may be particularly useful for absorbent structures such as sorbent rolls, sorbent socks, or boom cores. In some embodiments, the absorbent fiber mixture may form a core positioned within a permeable mesh or fabric sleeve, and stitching may be applied to secure the fiber core within the sleeve while maintaining fluid permeability that allows oil to contact the absorbent fibers.

[0093] In one embodiment a central absorbent fiber region including mammalian hair is first formed. A perimeter buoyancy region including naturally occurring buoyant fibers is then arranged around the absorbent region. The fibers are subsequently mechanically entangled to form a unified nonwoven fiber mat.

[0094] One suitable method for producing the nonwoven structure is needle punching. During needle punching, barbed needles repeatedly penetrate the fiber layers and entangle the fibers to create a cohesive mat. This process produces a durable structure that maintains the relative positioning of the absorbent and buoyant fibers. Needle punching may be employed to entangle the fibers and produce the finished mat. Additional steps may include layering fibers prior to entanglement, distributing buoyant fibers adjacent to the perimeter of the mat, and compressing selected regions to create density differences between the central absorbent region and the perimeter buoyancy region.

[0095] In some embodiments the nonwoven fiber mat may include a layered structure. For example, the mat may include a first outer layer comprising mammalian hair, a middle layer comprising the naturally occurring buoyant fibers, and a second outer layer comprising mammalian hair. When mechanically entangled, these layers form a unified fiber mat in which the buoyant fiber contributes to flotation while the mammalian hair provides oil absorption.

[0096] The layered configuration may provide structural stability while preserving access of oil to the hair fibers located at the surfaces of the mat. Although specific embodiments of the present invention are herein illustrated and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0097] The devices described herein may be used to remove oil from the surface of water in various environmental remediation applications.

[0098] In certain embodiments, the structural arrangement of a central absorbent region comprising mammalian hair and a surrounding perimeter buoyancy region comprising naturally occurring buoyant fibers improves the effectiveness of oil removal relative to absorbent mats composed solely of mammalian hair or mats in which buoyant fibers are uniformly mixed with absorbent fibers. By concentrating buoyant fibers in a perimeter region, the device maintains the absorbent hair region at or near the oil-water interface during use. Maintaining the absorbent region at this interface increases contact between the mammalian hair fibers and floating oil while reducing submersion of the absorbent region into the aqueous phase. As a result, the device may exhibit improved oil absorption efficiency, improved buoyancy stability, and improved reusability during repeated oil absorption and extraction cycles.

[0099] In one embodiment, a device is deployed onto an aqueous surface that contains oil. The device floats on the water with the buoyant perimeter region supporting the central absorbent region at the oil-water interface. Oil present on the surface contacts the mammalian hair fibers of the absorbent region and is absorbed by the hair.

[0100] After the device has absorbed oil, the device may be removed from the aqueous surface. The absorbed oil may be extracted by compressing the device. The device may then be redeployed onto the aqueous surface for further oil absorption.

[0101] Multiple devices may be used together as part of a system for removing oil from an aqueous surface. For example, a plurality of oil-absorbing devices may be deployed across an oil-contaminated area to increase coverage and absorption capacity.

[0102] The devices may be arranged adjacent to one another or distributed across the surface in arrays or patterns that maximize oil removal efficiency. In certain embodiments the devices may be packaged together as part of a spill-response kit. Such kits may be stored for rapid deployment during oil spill remediation operations.

[0103] The above detailed descriptions are provided as exemplary of the present invention and should not be construed as constituting any limitation of the invention.Modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and all modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included with the scope of the appended claims.Statements of the DisclosureAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0104] The following statements of the disclosure describe various embodiments and combinations of features of the present disclosure. These statements are provided to illustrate possible implementations of the disclosed subject matter and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, features described in connection with one statement may be combined with features described in any other statement.

[0105] Statement 1. A device is provided for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface, the device comprising a fiber structure comprising a nonwoven fiber mat having a central absorbent region and a perimeter buoyancy region extending continuously around the central absorbent region, wherein the central absorbent region comprises mammalian hair configured to absorb oil from the aqueous surface, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region comprises at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber selected from the group consisting of kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, and combinations thereof, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat comprises about 88.0% to about 92.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 8.0% to about 12.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber, wherein a majority of the mammalian hair is located within the central absorbent region and the naturally occurring buoyant fiber forms the perimeter buoyancy region surrounding the central absorbent region, wherein fibers of the central absorbent region and the perimeter buoyancy region are mechanically entangled to form the nonwoven fiber mat, and wherein the perimeter buoyancy region is configured to provide flotation support such that the central absorbent region is maintained at an oil-water interface and the mammalian hair of the central absorbent region remains positioned to contact and absorb oil present on the aqueous surface.

[0106] Statement 2. The device of Statement 1 , wherein the perimeter buoyancy region comprises kapok fiber.

[0107] Statement 3. The device of any of Statements 1-2, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region comprises milkweed fiber.

[0108] Statement 4. The device of any of Statements 1-3, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region comprises cork fiber.

[0109] Statement 5. The device of any of Statements 1-4, wherein the fibers of the central absorbent region and the perimeter buoyancy region are mechanically entangled by needle punching.

[0110] Statement 6. The device of any of Statements 1-5, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat comprises a first outer layer comprising mammalian hair, a middle layer comprising the naturally occurring buoyant fiber, and a second outer layer comprising mammalian hair.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0111] Statement 7. The device of any of Statements 1 -6, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region comprises fibers having a bulk density lower than that of mammalian hair.

[0112] Statement 8. The device of any of Statements 1-7, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat has a thickness of about 0.5 inches to about 2.0 inches.

[0113] Statement 9. The device of any of Statements 1-8, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region has a width of about 1 .0 inch to about 6.0 inches measured from an outer edge of the central absorbent region.

[0114] Statement 10. The device of any of Statements 1-9, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat selectively absorbs oil while substantially resisting absorption of water.

[0115] Statement 11 . The device of any of Statements 1-10, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat is capable of absorbing at least about ten times its dry weight in oil.

[0116] Statement 12. The device of any of Statements 1-11 , wherein the nonwoven fiber mat remains buoyant on the aqueous surface for at least about twenty-four hours during exposure to oil-contaminated water.

[0117] Statement 13. The device of any of Statements 1-12, wherein oil absorbed by the nonwoven fiber mat is removable by manual compression to permit reuse of the device.

[0118] Statement 14. The device of any of Statements 1-13, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat absorbs oil in an amount at least ten times greater than water by weight under identical exposure conditions.

[0119] Statement 15. The device of any of Statements 1-14, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region has a bulk density of less than about 0.05 g / cm3.

[0120] Statement 16. A method of preparing a device for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface is provided, the method comprising: forming a central absorbent fiber region comprising mammalian hair; forming a perimeter buoyancy fiber region extending around the central absorbent fiber region, the perimeter buoyancy fiber region comprising at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber selected from the group consisting of kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, and combinations thereof; arranging the mammalian hair and the naturally occurring buoyant fiber such that the mammalian hair forms a central absorbent region and the naturally occurring buoyant fiber is concentrated in a perimeter buoyancy region surrounding the central absorbent region and is not uniformly distributed throughout the resulting nonwoven fiber mat; mechanically entangling fibers of the central absorbent region and the perimeter buoyancy region to form a unitary nonwoven fiber mat; wherein the resulting nonwoven fiber mat comprises about 88.0% to about 92.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 8.0% to about 12.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber; and wherein the perimeter buoyancyAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272region has a lower bulk density than the central absorbent region such that the perimeter buoyancy region provides flotation to maintain the central absorbent region at an oil-water interface during use.

[0121] Statement 17. The method of Statement 16, wherein the fibers of the central absorbent region and the perimeter buoyancy region are mechanically entangled by needle punching.

[0122] Statement 18. The method of any of Statements 16-17, further comprising forming the nonwoven fiber mat as a layered structure including a first layer comprising mammalian hair, a second layer comprising the naturally occurring buoyant fiber, and a third layer comprising mammalian hair prior to mechanically entangling the fibers.

[0123] Statement 19. The method of any of Statements 16-18, further comprising distributing the naturally occurring buoyant fiber around a perimeter of the mammalian hair prior to mechanically entangling the fibers to form the perimeter buoyancy region.

[0124] Statement 20. The method of any of Statements 16-19, further comprising compressing at least a portion of the central absorbent region relative to the perimeter buoyancy region to produce a density of the central absorbent region greater than a density of the perimeter buoyancy region.

[0125] Statement 21 . A method of removing oil from an aqueous surface is provided, the method comprising: deploying onto the aqueous surface a device comprising a unitary nonwoven fiber mat having a central absorbent region comprising mammalian hair and a perimeter buoyancy region extending continuously around the central absorbent region, the perimeter buoyancy region comprising at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber selected from the group consisting of kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, and combinations thereof; floating the device on the aqueous surface such that the perimeter buoyancy region supports the central absorbent region at an oil-water interface; and contacting oil present on the aqueous surface with the central absorbent region such that the mammalian hair absorbs at least a portion of the oil.

[0126] Statement 22. The method of Statement 21, further comprising removing the device from the aqueous surface after absorption of oil and compressing the device to extract absorbed oil.

[0127] Statement 23. The method of any of Statements 21-22, further comprising redeploying the device onto the aqueous surface after compressing the device.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0128] Statement 24. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat comprises about 85% to about 95% by weight mammalian hair and about 5.0% to about 15.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber.

[0129] Statement 25. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the central absorbent region comprises at least about 80.0% mammalian hair by weight.

[0130] Statement 26. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region forms a continuous ring surrounding the central absorbent region.

[0131] Statement 27. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region comprises kapok fiber and milkweed fiber.

[0132] Statement 28. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region comprises kapok fiber and cork fiber.

[0133] Statement 29. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region comprises milkweed fiber and cork fiber.

[0134] Statement 30. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region has a bulk density of less than about 0.05 g / cm3.

[0135] Statement 31 . The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the central absorbent region has a bulk density greater than that of the perimeter buoyancy region.

[0136] Statement 32. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat has a planar configuration suitable for floating on an aqueous surface.

[0137] Statement 33. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat has a rectangular or square geometry.

[0138] Statement 34. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat is biodegradable.

[0139] Statement 35. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat is reusable for multiple oil absorption cycles.

[0140] Statement 36. The method of any of Statements 21-23, wherein the device absorbs oil from the aqueous surface while remaining substantially buoyant during the oil removal process.

[0141] Statement 37. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat comprises about 80.0% to about 98.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 2.0% to about 20% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber.

[0142] Statement 38. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat comprises about 85.0% to about 95.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 5.0% to about 15.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0143] Statement 39. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat comprises about 88.0% to about 92.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 8.0% to about 12.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber.

[0144] Statement 40. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber comprises about 5.0 grams to about 20.0 grams of fiber per square foot of the nonwoven fiber mat.

[0145] Statement 41 . The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the central absorbent region comprises at least about 85.0% mammalian hair by weight.

[0146] Statement 42. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region comprises at least about 50.0% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber relative to fibers within the perimeter buoyancy region.

[0147] Statement 43. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region and the central absorbent region cooperate such that the perimeter buoyancy region maintains the central absorbent region substantially at an oil-water interface during use.

[0148] Statement 44. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the central absorbent region contacts oil floating on the aqueous surface while the perimeter buoyancy region provides flotation support.

[0149] Statement 45. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the mammalian hair of the central absorbent region selectively absorbs oil relative to water.

[0150] Statement 46. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region reduces submersion of the central absorbent region into the aqueous phase.

[0151] Statement 47. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region maintains the central absorbent region substantially level with the aqueous surface during oil absorption.

[0152] Statement 48. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the central absorbent region absorbs oil while the perimeter buoyancy region resists water saturation.

[0153] Statement 49. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the device remains substantially buoyant during oil absorption.

[0154] Statement 50. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the device maintains structural integrity during multiple oil absorption and extraction cycles.

[0155] Statement 51 . A system for removing oil from an aqueous surface is provided, the system comprising a plurality of devices according to any of Statements 1-15 deployed across the aqueous surface.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0156] Statement 52. The system of Statement 51 , wherein the plurality of devices are positioned adjacent to one another to increase oil absorption coverage across the aqueous surface.

[0157] Statement 53. The system of any of Statements 51-52, wherein the plurality of devices are connected together to form an oil-removal assembly.

[0158] Statement 54. The system of any of Statements 51-53, wherein the devices are arranged to form a barrier for containing oil on the aqueous surface.

[0159] Statement 55. The system of any of Statements 51-54, wherein the devices are deployed within an oil containment boom.

[0160] Statement 56. The system of any of Statements 51-55, wherein the devices are arranged in a grid or overlapping pattern across an oil-contaminated aqueous surface.

[0161] Statement 57. The system of any of Statements 51-56, wherein the plurality of devices collectively remove oil from an aqueous surface.

[0162] Statement 58. The system of any of Statements 51-57, wherein individual devices are removed, compressed to extract oil, and redeployed.

[0163] Statement 59. The device of any of Statements 1-15 provides improved oil absorption relative to absorbent mats composed solely of mammalian hair.

[0164] Statement 60. The device of any of Statements 1-15 provides improved buoyancy relative to absorbent mats lacking the perimeter buoyancy region.

[0165] Statement 61 . The device of any of Statements 1-15 maintains the central absorbent region at an oil-water interface more effectively than absorbent mats lacking a buoyant perimeter region.

[0166] Statement 62. The device of any of Statements 1-15 provides improved oil removal efficiency relative to absorbent materials comprising uniformly distributed absorbent fibers.

[0167] Statement 63. The device of any of Statements 1-15 exhibits improved oil selectivity relative to water compared with absorbent materials lacking mammalian hair.

[0168] Statement 64. The device of any of Statements 1-15 exhibits improved reusability relative to oil absorbent materials that are not compressible.

[0169] Statement 65. The device of any of Statements 1-15 provides improved flotation stability during oil absorption relative to absorbent materials lacking buoyant fibers.

[0170] Statement 66. The device of any of Statements 1-15 provides improved structural integrity during repeated oil absorption and extraction cycles.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0171] Statement 67. The device of any of Statements 1-15 provides improved oil recovery efficiency relative to absorbent materials comprising only synthetic fibers.

[0172] Statement 68. The device of any of Statements 1-15 provides improved environmental sustainability relative to oil absorbent materials comprising non-biodegradable absorbents.

[0173] Statement 69. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber is concentrated in a region adjacent to a perimeter of the nonwoven fiber mat.

[0174] Statement 70. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber forms a continuous perimeter region surrounding the central absorbent region.

[0175] Statement 71 . The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber forms a plurality of buoyant regions positioned around the central absorbent region.

[0176] Statement 72. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the concentration of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber increases from the central absorbent region toward a perimeter of the nonwoven fiber mat.

[0177] Statement 73. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber is distributed in a gradient extending from the central absorbent region toward the perimeter buoyancy region.

[0178] Statement 74. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber is positioned primarily adjacent to the perimeter of the nonwoven fiber mat to enhance buoyancy.

[0179] Statement 75. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the central absorbent region comprises substantially mammalian hair and the perimeter region comprises a greater proportion of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber.

[0180] Statement 76. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber comprises a plant-derived fiber having a density lower than that of mammalian hair.

[0181] Statement 77. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber comprises a plant fiber having a hollow or partially hollow internal structure.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0182] Statement 78. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber comprises a plant-based fiber capable of providing buoyancy when incorporated into the nonwoven fiber mat.

[0183] Statement 79. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber comprises a low-density natural fiber capable of maintaining the central absorbent region at an oil-water interface.

[0184] Statement 80. The device of any of Statements 1-15, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber comprises one or more plant-derived fibers having a density lower than water.

[0185] Statement 81 . A device for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface, comprising: a nonwoven fiber mat comprising: mammalian hair and at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber selected from the group consisting of kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, and combinations thereof, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat comprises about 80.0% to about 98.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 2.0% to about 20% by weight of the naturally occurring buoyant fiber, wherein fibers of the mammalian hair and the naturally occurring buoyant fiber are mechanically entangled to form the nonwoven fiber mat, and wherein the nonwoven fiber mat is configured to float on the aqueous surface and absorb oil present on the aqueous surface.

[0186] Statement 82. A system for removing oil from an aqueous surface, comprising: a plurality of oil-absorbing devices, each device comprising: a unitary nonwoven fiber mat having a central absorbent region comprising mammalian hair and a perimeter buoyancy region extending around the central absorbent region, the perimeter buoyancy region comprising at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber selected from the group consisting of kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, and combinations thereof, wherein the plurality of oil-absorbing devices are configured to be deployed across the aqueous surface to absorb oil present on the aqueous surface.

[0187] Statement 83. The system of Statement 82, wherein the plurality of oil-absorbing devices are packaged together as a spill-response kit.

[0188] Statement 84. The system of any of Statements 82-83, wherein the plurality of oil-absorbing devices are arranged adjacent to one another to increase oil absorption coverage.

[0189] Statement 85. The system of any of Statements 82-84, further comprising a container configured to store the plurality of oil-absorbing devices prior to deployment.

[0190] Statement 86. A device for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface is provided, the device comprising a fiber structure including mammalian hair and at least one buoyant fiber,Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272wherein the buoyant fiber comprises a naturally occurring buoyant fiber selected from the group consisting of kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, and combinations thereof, wherein the mammalian hair functions as an oil-absorbing component and the buoyant fiber provides flotation such that the device floats on the aqueous surface and absorbs oil present on the aqueous surface.

[0191] Statement 87. The device of Statement 86, wherein the device is configured as an absorbent boom, sock, roll, blanket, pad, or containment structure suitable for deployment on an aqueous surface.

[0192] Statement 88. The device of any of Statements 86 or 87, wherein the absorbent fibers are positioned within a permeable enclosure selected from a woven mesh sleeve, nonwoven sleeve, netting structure, or tubular containment structure.

[0193] Statement 89. The device of any of Statements 86-88, wherein the permeable enclosure comprises polypropylene mesh, jute netting, polylactic acid (PLA) mesh, biodegradable mesh materials, or combinations thereof.

[0194] Statement 90. The device of any of Statements 86-89, wherein the fiber structure is formed using a needle-punch entanglement process.

[0195] Statement 91 . The device of any of Statements 86-90, wherein barbed needles repeatedly penetrate a loose fiber web to vertically draw and mechanically interlock fibers to form a cohesive nonwoven mat.

[0196] Statement 92. The device of any of Statements 86-91 , wherein the fiber structure is formed using a wet felting process.

[0197] Statement 93. The device of any of Statements 86-92, wherein mammalian hair or wool fibers interlock during wet felting to retain buoyant fibers within a felted fiber matrix.

[0198] Statement 94. The device of any of Statements 86-93, wherein the fiber structure is stabilized using thermal bonding.

[0199] Statement 95. The device of Statement 86-94, wherein thermally bondable binder fibers are incorporated into the fiber mixture and heated to form bonding points between adjacent fibers.

[0200] Statement 96. The device of Statement 86-95, wherein the thermally bondable binder fibers include polyester binder fibers, polylactic acid fibers, or other thermoplastic binder fibers.

[0201] Statement 97. The device of any of Statements 86-96, wherein the fiber structure is stabilized using a binder applied by spraying, dipping, coating, or impregnation.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0202] Statement 98. The device of Statement 86-97, wherein the binder comprises natural latex, starch polymers, chitosan binders, lignin-based binders, bio-resins, or combinations thereof.

[0203] Statement 99. The device of any of Statements 86-98, wherein the fiber structure is reinforced using stitch bonding.

[0204] Statement 100. The device of Statement 86-99, wherein stitching secures a loose fiber core within a permeable sleeve while maintaining permeability that allows oil to contact the absorbent fibers.

[0205] Statement 101. The device of any of Statements 86-100, wherein the fiber structure includes mammalian hair, kapok fiber, and cotton fibers.

[0206] Statement 102. The device of any of Statements 86-101, wherein the fiber structure includes mammalian hair, kapok fiber, and binder fibers.

[0207] Statement 103. The device of any of Statements 86-102, wherein the fiber structure includes mammalian hair, kapok fiber, and jute fibers.

[0208] Statement 104. The device of any of Statements 86-103, wherein the fiber mixture comprises about 60.0% kapok fiber, about 30.0% mammalian hair, and about 10.0% cotton fiber.

[0209] Statement 105. The device of any of Statements 86-104, wherein the fiber mixture comprises about 40.0% kapok fiber, about 40.0% mammalian hair, and about 20.0% binder fibers.

[0210] Statement 106. The device of any of Statements 86-105, wherein the fiber mixture comprises about 50.0% kapok fiber, about 30.0% mammalian hair, and about 20.0% jute fibers.

[0211] Statement 107. The device of any of Statements 86-106, wherein the fiber mixture comprises about 10.0% to about 90.0% buoyant plant-derived fibers.

[0212] Statement 108. The device of any of Statements 86-107, wherein the fiber mixture comprises about 10.0% to about 90.0% mammalian hair.

[0213] Statement 109. The device of any of Statements 86-108, wherein the fiber mixture comprises up to about 30.0% or about 40.0% reinforcing or binder fibers.

[0214] Statement 110. The device of any of Statements 86-109, wherein the fiber structure includes a gradient distribution of mammalian hair and buoyant fibers across the fiber structure.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0215] Statement 111. The device of Statement 86-110, wherein a concentration of buoyant fibers increases from a central portion of the device toward a perimeter portion of the device.

[0216] Statement 112. The device of Statement 86-111 , wherein the concentration of mammalian hair decreases from the central portion toward the perimeter portion.

[0217] Statement 113. The device of any of Statements 86-112, wherein the device includes multiple buoyant zones distributed across the fiber structure.

[0218] Statement 114. The device of any of Statements 86-113, wherein the device includes a layered configuration comprising at least one absorbent layer and at least one buoyant layer.

[0219] Statement 115. The device of any of Statements 86-114, wherein the device is configured as a flexible absorbent blanket capable of covering an oil-contaminated aqueous surface or pipeline.EXAMPLE 1

[0220] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a device 100 for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface. The device 100 may be configured as a generally planar nonwoven fiber mat suitable for deployment on the surface of an aqueous liquid.

[0221] In the illustrated embodiment, the device 100 includes a central absorbent region 102 and a perimeter buoyancy region 104 extending around the central absorbent region. The central absorbent region 102 includes mammalian hair that functions as an oil-absorbing medium. The mammalian hair may be obtained from human hair or other mammalian sources and may be arranged as a nonwoven fiber mat.

[0222] The perimeter buoyancy region 104 comprises one or more naturally occurring buoyant fibers that provide flotation support for the device. In certain embodiments, the buoyant fibers may include kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or combinations thereof. The buoyant fibers may be distributed in a region surrounding the central absorbent region so that the buoyant fibers form a perimeter structure that supports the central absorbent region at the surface of the water.

[0223] Fibers of the central absorbent region 102 and the perimeter buoyancy region 104 may be mechanically entangled to form a unitary nonwoven fiber mat. In some embodiments, the fibers may be mechanically entangled using a needle punching process. Mechanical entanglement may interlock the mammalian hair fibers with the buoyant fibers soAttorney Docket No. 94011-439272that the central absorbent region and the perimeter buoyancy region are integrated into a cohesive structure.

[0224] The distribution of buoyant fibers in the perimeter region may provide flotation support that helps maintain the central absorbent region at or near the oil-water interface during use. By maintaining the absorbent hair fibers at the surface of the aqueous liquid, the device may improve contact between the mammalian hair and oil present on the surface.

[0225] In certain embodiments, the nonwoven fiber mat may include a layered construction in which mammalian hair forms outer layers of the mat while the naturally occurring buoyant fibers are positioned within an intermediate layer or perimeter portion of the mat. The fibers may be entangled to produce a unified structure that maintains structural integrity during deployment and oil absorption.EXAMPLE 2

[0226] A device for containing or absorbing liquid contaminant in or on an aqueous liquid was prepared from a blend of kapok fiber and waste human hair. The device was formed as a mat for attracting and retaining oils while also being biodegradable, making the device an environmentally sustainable choice for oil remediation applications.

[0227] The mat was formed by needle punching hair and kapok fibers into a flat, cohesive structure. The mat included a top layer of 50.0 grams of human hair, a middle layer of 10.0 grams of kapok and a bottom layer of 50.0 grams of human hair. The resulting mat had dimensions of approximately 10.0 inches by 10.0 inches and had a total dry weight of about 2.8 ounces. This construction design allowed for both flexibility and durability in field applications. These results are consistent with embodiments in which buoyant fibers are positioned in a perimeter region of the mat to maintain the absorbent hair region at the oil-water interface during oil absorption. In certain embodiments, the kapok fibers used in the example may alternatively be distributed adjacent to a perimeter portion of the mat rather than within a central layer.

[0228] In testing, a container was prepared with water and a mixture of hydraulic oil and used motor oil, totaling 1.5 gallons of oil. The mat was immersed in the mixture six times, each immersion lasting approximately 30 to 60 seconds. Following each immersion, oil was extracted using a non-mechanical method, such as manual compression. Over the course of testing (six immersions), more than 90 ounces of oil were recovered from the mat, resulting in at least about 46.8% removal of oil content from the water. Notably, there was negligible water absorption, with no visible water reclaimed during the extraction process.Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272

[0229] These results confirm the mat’s significant oil absorption capacity relative to its mass, along with its consistent performance over multiple cycles and its minimal affinity for water. The mat exhibited several notable performance characteristics. Specifically, the mat selectively absorbed oil while resisting water uptake, making the mat highly effective in oil-water separation scenarios. The mat remained buoyant even after extended immersion in oil-contaminated water, including continuous exposure for more than 24 hours. The mat maintained structural integrity after repeated use and oil extraction, demonstrating a high degree of reusability. In addition, the mat was non-toxic and biodegradable, thereby posing minimal environmental risk during and after use. These results also demonstrate the ability of the mat to selectively absorb oil while remaining buoyant and structurally intact through multiple absorption cycles.

[0230] In certain embodiments, a comparable composition may be arranged such that the kapok is concentrated in a perimeter region surrounding a central mammalian hair region to form a buoyant perimeter that maintains the absorbent hair region at the oil-water interface during oil absorption.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 94011-439272CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . A device for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface, comprising:a fiber structure including mammalian hair and at least one naturally occurring buoyant fiber selected from the group consisting of kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, and combinations thereof,wherein the mammalian hair is configured to absorb oil present on the aqueous surface, wherein the naturally occurring buoyant fiber provides flotation to maintain at least a portion of the fiber structure at or near an oil-water interface during use,wherein the fiber structure floats on the aqueous surface while absorbing oil present on the aqueous surface, andwherein the mammalian hair and the naturally occurring buoyant fiber are arranged within the fiber structure such that the naturally occurring buoyant fiber maintains at least a portion of the mammalian hair at or near the oil-water interface during operation of the device.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fiber structure comprises a nonwoven fiber mat formed by mechanical entanglement of the fibers.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fiber structure comprises about 80.0% to about 98.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 2.0% to about 20.0% by weight buoyant fiber.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the mammalian hair and buoyant fiber are distributed substantially uniformly throughout the fiber structure.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fiber structure includes a gradient distribution of fibers such that a concentration of buoyant fibers increases toward a perimeter portion of the device.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the fiber structure is contained within a permeable mesh enclosure.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configured as an absorbent boom, sorbent sock, absorbent blanket, or absorbent pad.Attorney Docket No. 94011-4392728. A device for absorbing oil from an aqueous surface, comprising:a unitary nonwoven fiber mat defining a central absorbent region and a perimeter buoyancy region extending continuously around the central absorbent region,wherein the central absorbent region comprises mammalian hair configured to absorb oil from the aqueous surface,wherein the perimeter buoyancy region comprises at least one buoyant fiber selected from kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or combinations thereof,wherein the buoyant fiber is concentrated within the perimeter buoyancy region such that the perimeter buoyancy region has a lower bulk density than the central absorbent region, and wherein the perimeter buoyancy region provides flotation support that maintains the central absorbent region at an oil-water interface during oil absorption.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the buoyant fiber comprises kapok fiber.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein fibers of the central absorbent region and the perimeter buoyancy region are mechanically entangled by needle punching.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat comprises about 88.0% to about 92.0% by weight mammalian hair and about 8.0% to about 12.0% by weight buoyant fiber.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the perimeter buoyancy region forms a flotation ring surrounding the central absorbent region.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the nonwoven fiber mat absorbs at least ten times its dry weight in oil.

14. A method of preparing an oil-absorbing device, comprising:providing mammalian hair fibers and buoyant fibers selected from kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or combinations thereof;arranging the fibers to form a fiber structure including an absorbent region and a buoyant region; andmechanically entangling the fibers to form a cohesive absorbent structure capable of floating on an aqueous surface and absorbing oil.Attorney Docket No. 94011-43927215. The method of claim 14, wherein the fibers are mechanically entangled using needle punching.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising cleaning the mammalian hair prior to forming the fiber structure by washing the hair, rinsing the hair, treating the hair with an alkaline solution, drying the hair, and carding the hair fibers.

17. A method of removing oil from an aqueous surface, comprising:deploying onto the aqueous surface a device comprising mammalian hair and buoyant fibers selected from kapok fiber, milkweed fiber, cork fiber, or combinations thereof;floating the device on the aqueous surface; andcontacting oil present on the aqueous surface with the mammalian hair to absorb at least a portion of the oil.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising removing the device from the aqueous surface after oil absorption.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising compressing the device to extract absorbed oil.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising redeploying the device onto the aqueous surface after compressing the device.

Images