Spill Containment: A Guide to Using Granules
Whether you are on the road, in a facility, or on a construction site, spills and pollution incidents can often happen without warning. In these cases, you need the ability to quickly contain and absorb a spill, regardless of the location or surface. Granular absorbents are an effective and convenient method for liquid containment and spill absorption, and are able to absorb a wide range of liquids and chemicals on land and water.
In this guide, we break down the main types of spill absorbent granules, the benefit of granular absorbents in a pollution incident, and how to use spill absorbent granules to contain a spill:
Types of Granular Absorbents
SpillShop stocks three different granular absorbents, each with different characteristics and suited for particular types of spills. When buying spill absorbent granules, please ensure that you are selecting one appropriate for your requirements, and for the liquids that you will be absorbing.
The SpillBoss P35 Premium Mineral Absorbent can be used on almost any liquid, including fuels, oils, acids, solvents, and paint. SpillBoss P35 is great for spills on hard surfaces such as concrete and bitumen. This loose absorbent is non-slip, fast wicking, non-leaching, and landfill friendly, and supplies both an efficient and cost-effective way to deal with spills at your facility.
The SpillBoss P85 Premium Organic Absorbent can be used on both land and water, and has a rapid absorption rate. This granule is 100% organic, biodegradable, non-leaching, and sweeps very clean, providing an effective and environmentally friendly way to absorb and contain liquids and spills. SpillBoss P85 is suitable for hydrocarbon-based liquids, along with some mild acids and alkalis.
The SpillBoss P95 Premium Natural Absorbent is a genuine universal absorbent for virtually all liquids. Made of fossilised natural sea sponge, this granule has a huge absorption capacity and stays granular even when wet, and no oily surface is left behind. Ideal for highway and construction spills on hard surfaces, SpillBoss P95 has five times the absorbency of regular clay granules and is a chemically inert substance.
Benefits of Granules in a Pollution Incident
Granular absorbents are an easy and productive way to deal with spills and pollution incidents. Because they absorb a variety of liquids and are easily disposed of after absorption, spill absorbent granules can are used in a wide range of workplaces and circumstances, including in workshops, on large construction projects, and by waste disposal companies, emergency services, transport departments, and local governments. Granules can also be used indoors and outdoors, and on both hard and soft surfaces.
The main benefits of spill absorbent granules in a pollution incident are their convenience, cheaper price, and efficiency compared to polypropylene absorbents. Commonly available in 15kg bags, granules can easily be transported to the site of a pollution incident and quickly used to halt the spread of the spill. Granules can also be applied where it is not practical to use other absorbents, such as on roadways and construction sites, and in workshops and machinery yards.
Depending on the nature of the pollution incident, polypropylene absorbents may be a more practical solution than spill absorbent granules, or vice versa. If you are unsure which type of absorbent is right for your facility or business, feel free to Contact Us to discuss your case in further detail.
How to Use Granules to Contain a Spill
In the event of a spill at your facility, granular absorbents are an ideal first-response measure when trying to the spill at its source, and keep it from spreading into nearby drains or waterways. Granules can be used to contain spills by building a dyke or barricade around the spill to prevent its spread, and also to absorb spills by covering up the liquid with the granules. At SpillShop we only stock high quality SpillBoss spill absorbent granules which are fast wicking and non-leaching, meaning that you can trust that the spill will contained quickly and absorbed properly.
Once the spill has been contained, cover the spill with granules and then sweep the granules through the spill, working in from the outside edges of the spill until all the liquid has been absorbed. The granules can then be gathered up and safely disposed of in accordance with your facility’s emergency spill response and waste disposal procedures, and current regulations. Depending on the nature and severity of the spill, you may also need to make use of other spill response equipment such as absorbent pads, absorbent pillows or even a spill kit.
Not sure if your facility is prepared for effective spill response in 2019? Learn how to prepare your business for a pollution incident with this checklist.
At SpillShop, we strive to uphold our values, provide great service to our customers across Australia and the Asia Pacific region, and deliver quality spill response and liquid containment products that meet the needs of our clients. Learn more about spill absorbent granules and our full range of products on our FAQ page, or Contact Us today for more information.