TTU Reserach proves cotton useful as oil absorbents
May 16, 2013
Nonwovens Industry - When it comes to cleaning up the next massive crude oil spill, one of the best and most eco-friendly solutions for the job may be low-grade cotton from West Texas. Seshadri Ramkumar, lead author of the study and manager of the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), says he and his colleagues found that low-micronaire cotton—one of the lowest-quality types of cotton – is most effective at picking up oil. A pound of the low-micronaire cotton can pick up more than 30 pounds of crude oil, and its natural waxiness helps to repel
When it comes to cleaning up the next massive crude oil spill, one of the best and
most eco-friendly solutions for the job may be low-grade cotton from West Texas.
Seshadri Ramkumar, lead author of the study and manager of the Nonwovens and Advanced
Materials Laboratory at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), says
he and his colleagues found that low-micronaire cotton—one of the lowest-quality types
of cotton – is most effective at picking up oil. A pound of the low-micronaire cotton
can pick up more than 30 pounds of crude oil, and its natural waxiness helps to repel
water.