Sorbent
Selection Guide
How To Choose
Step 1.
Choose the type of sorbent below for
your specific leak, drip, spray or spill.
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Universal
Sorbents
Use a universal
sorbent to absorb any liquid. They absorb
aggressive liquids such as acids and bases as
well as nonaggressive liquids and solvents, such
as cleaners, water-based fluids, gasoline and
alcohols.
Most universal sorbents are made of treated polypropylene
or expanded silicates.
Note: When cleaning up hydrofluoric
acid, do not use an expanded silicate absorbent,
as the expanded silicate material will react with
the hydrofluoric acid. Instead, use a sorbent
made of treated polypropylene. |
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General-Purpose
Sorbents
Also known as maintenance
sorbents, general-purpose sorbents absorb
nonaggressive liquids commonly found in manufacturing
or maintenance operations. Examples of these liquids
include coolants, lubricants, oils and cutting
fluids.
General-purpose sorbents pick up water-based
as well as oil-based fluids. These sorbents are
typically made of recycled materials, such as
cotton, wool, cellulose or corn cobs. They can
also be made of polypropylene or a combination
of the materials listed above. |
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Oil-Only
Sorbents
Also called petroleum
sorbents, oil-only sorbents absorb oil and/or
petroleum-based liquids. Oil-only sorbents are
hydrophobic, which means they will not absorb
water or water-based liquids. You can deploy these
sorbents on water surfaces for emergency cleanup
of spills; or use in maintenance applications
for hydraulic and engine oil cleanup.
Oil-only sorbents are made of polypropylene or
treated cellulose. |
Step 2.
Determine the sorbent form needed for
your spill control situation.
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Drip
Berms
These portable units allow liquids through to
absorb into the removable pillow. Pillow replacement
is easy! |
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Neutralizers
There are many different products available for
neutralizing acids and bases. They can be as simple
as a bag of citric acid or sodium sesquicarbonate,
or as complex as a solidifier and a neutralizer
combined.
Most neutralizers are very weak—this keeps
the pace of the reaction slower. With many neutralizers,
you’ll find an estimated amount of acid/base
that their product will neutralize. Usually it
takes large amounts of the product to neutralize
an acid or base, especially if it is concentrated. |
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Socks
Sometimes called mini booms, socks are cylindrical
in shape and vary in length and width. This sorbent
form is commonly found in facility spill response
or maintenance applications. Place socks around
machinery or other equipment to contain leaks. |
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Dikes
Dikes are great because they do not mold and are
very durable but they do not form around equipment
as well as socks. Use dikes to contain and absorb
small and large spills in open areas. |
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Pads
and Rolls
Pads and rolls are flat sorbent sheets available
in unperforated rolls, perforated rolls or manufactured
to a specific size, up to 300'L. Use pads to line
shelves, catch leaks under machinery or to clean
up spills. Cut rolls to desired length for larger
applications. |
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Booms
Use booms around machines to keep your area clean,
safe and dry from leaks, drips and sprays. Booms
are cylindrical in shape and vary in length and
width. Some booms contain spills on water, some
are connected together and deployed onto water as
large spill barriers. |
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Pillows
Rectangular in shape, pillows are filled with sorbent
media and used to clean up medium-sized spills.
Place in drip pans to eliminate overflow problems,
or use oil-only pillows for larger spills. |
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Loose
Sorbents
Loose sorbents are composed of sorbent media that
is not contained in any type of pillow or mesh.
The application of loose sorbents depends on the
type of sorbent media used. They are typically used
on small spills. |
Step 3.
Still need help?
CALL Technical Support
If you’re still not sure which sorbent you need,
rely on our team of technical experts for FREE help.
They’ll answer your questions about product specifications,
chemical compatibility, regulatory issues and general
worker safety and health.
Our Technical Staff is available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
CT, M-F, to answer your questions about product specifications,
applications or compliance. Simply call 800-356-2501
and ask. Or e-mail them at techsvc@labsafety.com
Return to Spill Resource Center
Homepage.
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Sorbent
Selection Guide Your complete sorbent
selection guide! No more guessing which sorbent to use
for your spill.
Sorbent Kit Guide
Find even more information about our sorbents found inside
the best kits on the market. Check
out the Sorbent Kit information today.
Need to brush up on current regulations? Need a hand-out for
a department training session? Check out EZ Facts documents.
Click here for a list
of documents on a variety of spill-related topics.
Safety
and Compliance Directory and other FREE Resource Guides
The Safety and
Compliance Directory gives you fast, easy access to nearly
200 government, private and non-profit organizations dealing
with every area of safety.
Eyewear Selection
Chart. A helpful guide for choosing the proper eye protection
based on application and potential hazards.
Preparing, Understanding
& Using MSDS Booklet. This handy guide helps explain
what information is included in an MSDS, and why they're important
in the workplace.
Respirator Reference
Guide. Choose the respirator that's right for you. Covers
all types from disposable masks to SCBAs
Internet Resources
Finding reliable information on spill-related topics
can be overwhelming. Use
this handy listing of government Web sites, spill-related
contacts and references.
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