Oil Absorbent Granules and Absorbent Material

The name says it all: Oil absorbents absorb oil and bind it, for example in the event of a leak. They are part of good hazard prevention in workplace and are mandatory in the Technical Rule for Hazardous Substances. Because whenever oil leaks, special caution is required: A single drop of oil contaminates up to 600 litres of water. Especially in factory halls, it is therefore advisable to make sure that no liquids leak out or pipes leak during machine maintenance. If the worst comes to the worst, oil absorbent materials must be used quickly to prevent the oil from spreading. On the one hand, this means a possible environmental pollution, but also a source of danger for employees. They can slip on the oil and injure themselves.

DENSORB® oil spill kits have the special feature of absorbing oils and repelling water. Therefore, they are particularly suitable for hydrocarbon-based liquids. There are different types of oil absorbent materials for various applications, such as granulates, absorbent mats or oil barriers.

Many companies count on the use of oil spill kits in the form of mineral granulates for absorbing liquids. DENIOS has tested such granules and compared them with DENSORB® binding fleeces. The main differences are as follows:

Oil has a lower density than water and is also lighter. This means that it does not mix with water and floats on the surface. Oil absorbent granules and absorbent materials for water must therefore have similar properties in order to bind or contain the oil film on the water surface. There are several ways to do this:

Oil sweeps and absorbent mats remove oil films, for example motor oils, diesel, heating oils or vegetable oils, from the surface of water. They are variable in length and still float, even when saturated. Oil dice are designed for continuous use in water, even at high flow speeds. They are added directly to the contamination and absorb it. Oil skimmers are bag-shaped and can be lowered directly into drains, pipes or manholes on a pull rope. Oil barriers contain contamination over a large area, thus preventing further spreading and at the same time absorbing the oil floating on the surface of the water.

Crashes happen on the roads several million times a year. In many cases, oil and petrol leak from the vehicle. Therefore, oil absorbent materials in the form of granules are indispensable for fire brigades and rescue teams. This is because the spilled liquids pose a danger to road traffic and the environment. Road users can slip on it and cause accidents themselves. Seeping oil and petrol penetrate deep into the earth and can reach the groundwater. In extreme cases, one litre of oil is enough to contaminate one million litres of groundwater. With an oil spill kit, the fire brigade thus effectively counteracts traffic and environmental accidents.

Before you can dispose of the oil binder, the waste must be assigned a so-called waste code in accordance with the Waste Catalogue Ordinance. Since in most cases the hazardous substances are stored in the company for a short time before they are disposed of, the hazardous substances law also applies in addition to the waste law. If a disposal company collects the containers, aspects of dangerous goods law also apply.

In conclusion, the following applies: Mixing of different wastes with hazardous substances such as oils is prohibited. Appropriate waste containers must be provided for each type of hazardous material. If there is any transfer work during the disposal process, for example from a small waste container to a larger one, you must take further protective measures for this work. As a packer, you are also responsible for ensuring that the packages are adequately labelled during transport.

Download our pdf guide to absorbents and emergency spill response. Find more details on which absorbents are best for each type of leak or spill. See the full range of protective equipment, spill response kits and absorbents for oil, chemical or universal spills.