3M MRO Markets has the tips and techniques you need to keep your facility running smoothly. Please bookmark this page, and access it when you're looking for articles about how to use our products or new solutions to your problems.
Soak up the facts about sorbents
Nearly every facility needs absorbent material for cleaning up liquid messes. Slow leaks and major spills are inevitable, and prompt, thorough clean-up is essential to maintaining a safe, clean work environment.
Absorbent Material Options
There are three main categories of absorbent materials:
Organic material: Ground-up corn cobs, wood pulp (sawdust) and cotton
Inorganic material: Silicates and clay (such as kitty litter)
Synthetic maintenance sorbents: High-tech "sponges" made from super-absorbent polypropylene
Maintenance or "universal" sorbents are treated with a special surfactant which enables them to absorb water, oil and other liquids. (Untreated polypropylene is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. Sorbents made with untreated polypropylene are referred to as "oil only.")
Which sorbent is right for you? Convenience, labor, disposal costs and price all factor into the actual cost equation. For example, corn cobs and clay are inexpensive to purchase, but expensive to use, as bulky bags of granules must be carried to the site, spread over the spill, and swept up. After clean-up, the saturated material is heavy, and costly to dispose of as hazardous waste.
3M makes a variety of sorbents that can help you minimize labor and disposal costs in your facility.
Sorbents for Small Spills For cleaning up small spills or contaminated surfaces, a 3M™ Maintenance Sorbent Pad fits the bill. With its lightweight, low-profile design, this easy-to-use pad is ideal for use in tight spaces. And synthetic polypropylene is extremely lightweight, yet it is able to absorb more fluid per pound than heavier organic or inorganic material.
High Capacity Maintenance Sorbents Heavy-duty jobs require high capacity, versatile sorbents that offer superior absorption, yet are easy to carry to spill sites. 3M™ Maintenance Sorbents (Folded or Mini-Pillow) are extremely lightweight and offer a great deal of flexibility. Pound for pound, they offer the best absorption performance and value, and are the perfect choice for use on everything from spill response carts to oily equipment and storage drums.
When it comes to handling a variety of liquid drips, leaks, splashes and spills, 3M has the sorbent solution you're looking for.
