Deborah L Carr

US Patent:

56564902, Aug 12, 1997

Filed:

May 19, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/444960

Inventors:

Caryl Heintz Wyatt - Lubbock TX
Bobby Gene Wyatt - Lubbock TX
Deborah L. Carr - Lubbock TX

International Classification:

C07G 1700

US Classification:

435281

Abstract:

A method is presented for releasing petroleum and hydrocarbon products sorbed onto or entrained by organic natural fibers in an aqueous medium through the use of enzymes to degrade the organic natural fiber sorbents utilized for oil spill cleanup, the method provides an opportunity for achieving responsible separation of oil from oil spill sorbent materials. Natural organic fibers which have been utilized to adsorb petroleum and hydrocarbon products are separated from these petroleum and hydrocarbon products by reducing the natural organic fiber links to the point that the adsorbed or entrained oil no longer has sufficient binding surface or fiber link to remain held by the fibers, thus floats to the surface of the aqueous medium. Aqueous medium enzyme compositions are provided which are suitable for degrading organic natural fibers inclusive of cellulose-based and protein-based fibers resulting in release of adsorbed, absorbed and/or entrained petroleum products.