Rubber Powder as Adsorbent for (Waste) Water Treatment

FESTEL CAPITAL owns a patent application, expected to be granted soon, which covers the production and application of rubber powder as adsorbent for environmental applications like (waste) water treatment.

It is the intention of FESTEL CAPITAL to sell this patent application.

Summary

Rubber powder is an excellent alternative for the adsorption of organic compounds from an aqueous environment and is particularly effective for the absorption of organic compounds. It has enhanced adsorption compared to activated carbon. Main advantages over carbon and polymer adsorbers are high capacities and proportion of macropores for efficient mass transport in individual particles and reduction of pore structure fouling.

Background

For adsorption from an aqueous phase, conventional adsorbents are based primarily on activated carbon. A disadvantage of activated carbon, however, is that its surface exhibits an extremely hydrophilic behaviour, and this has undesirable effects on its adsorption capability. When the surface of activated carbon is wetted with water, the adsorption capacity for organic nonpolar molecules is reduced. Furthermore, the maximum possible molecule size that can be adsorbed on activated carbon is limited by the micropores and submicropores.

PKU Pulverkautschuk Union GmbH, a subsidiary of Evonik Industries (formerly Degussa), developed rubber powder for the tyre industry and for environmental applications. The basic patent for environmental applications, such as (waste) water treatment was transferred to Adsoca AG, which developed a range of products based on the technology. After Adsoca AG went bankrupt, FESTEL CAPITAL acquired the patent application EP 1055 440 and continued the examination process. It is expected that the examination will be successful and that the patent should be granted by May 2008.

Description

A process for the adsorption of organic compounds from an aqueous environment using as adsorbent pulverulent rubber (rubber powder, powdered rubber) obtained by precipitation from suspensions or solutions containing filler and rubber. The introduced technology combines the high hydrocarbon adsorption capacity with the large surface area of carbon black to create a new adsorption system. Through its large surface area, tailor-made structure as well as its affinity to various different sub-stances, the introduced rubber powder filler compound is especially adapted for environmental applications in the area of (waste) water treatment and the purification of gases

Additional characteristics of the introduced material include:
• Adsorption of hydrocarbons (especially chlorinated hydrocarbon, polycyclical aromatic hydrocarbons, BTX).
• Available as powder, grains and granules.
• Tailor-made modification for each respective application is possible.
• Flexibility in the range of applications.
• Adsorption of large amounts of surface water contamination.
• Easy waste disposal - recyclable (e.g. can be used for the production of energy).

The application areas of the rubber powder compound are limitless, in that it can be produced with the addition of other active components and with different quantities of filler. Not only is the introduced material a good alternative it can also be used as an enhancement or supplement for activated carbon.

Further information on the rubber powder technology and application areas