Five Commercial Uses of Flexible Absorbent Sheets
Flexible absorbent pads and sheets have many commercial and industrial uses. From managing spills and leaks to ensuring workers have a safe and clean workplace, flexible absorbent sheets are essential across nearly every industry.
This article explores our top five applications of flexible absorbent pads and sheets in a commercial and industrial setting.
What are flexible absorbent pads and sheets?
Flexible absorbent pads designed for absorbing aqueous liquids come in various substrates, materials and formats, tailored to meet specific applications. Typically, these sheets are made from cellulose materials (such as tissue or airlaid), combined with SAP (superabsorbent polymers) and enclosed in open-mesh or porous nonwoven covers. They can be sheeted into different sizes to match the surface area needed for absorption or produced in roll format that can be cut for convenient customization. Perforated rolls are also an option.
It is important to note that universal absorbent pads, which use SAP, are effective only with aqueous liquids and will not soak-up diesel or oil-based liquids. The level of absorbency that is required is proportional to the quantity of superabsorbent in the pads.
These absorbent sheets are lightweight and ideal for quickly managing spills. Simply place the sheet or pad over the spill, and the superabsorbent polymer will rapidly absorb and convert the liquid into a gel-like substance. Once the sheet has absorbed the liquid, it can be collected and disposed of properly, depending on the type of liquid absorbed.
Five common industrial and commercial uses for absorbent sheets
1. Environmental cleanup
Universal absorbent pads with SAP are commonly used for environmental cleanup. These pads are designed to handle a wide range of liquid contaminants, especially aqueous-based substances. Here’s a brief overview of how they work and their benefits:
The SAP can absorb and retain extremely large quantities of liquid relative to their own mass. When these polymers come into contact with a liquid, they swell and form a gel-like substance, which helps to solidify the liquid and contain it. In environmental cleanup, these absorbent pads are used to manage spills of various aqueous-based contaminants. The pads quickly absorb and contain the spill, preventing it from spreading and reducing the risk of further contamination.
After absorption, the pads, now containing the gelled liquid, can be disposed of according to regulations or treated at specialized facilities. The solidified form helps to simplify the disposal process and reduce potential environmental impact.
In conclusion, universal absorbent pads play a crucial role in minimizing the impact of aqueous liquid spills and leaks in various settings, including industrial sites, laboratories and natural environments.
2. Medical cleanup and fluid capture
Superabsorbent pads are essential in various medical settings for effective cleanup and fluid management. In wound care, absorbent pads are integrated into bandages to handle heavily exudating wounds, helping to absorb excess fluid and promote a cleaner healing environment. During surgical procedures, they are used to absorb bodily fluids, maintaining a dry and sterile surgical site.
In environments where infection control is critical, such as hospitals and clinics, universal absorbent pads play a vital role in managing spills and leaks of bodily fluids – such as urine, vomit and blood on facility floors. This helps to minimize contamination risks and maintain a hygienic environment.
These pads are also crucial for safely handling spills of hazardous drugs, including chemotherapy agents. They reduce the risk of exposure to healthcare personnel, patients and the environment by containing the hazardous materials effectively.
For the transportation of infectious substances, biohazards, specimen samples and other biological materials, universal absorbent pads are mandated to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. Regulations from bodies such as the U.S. DOT (Department of Transportation) and the IATA (International Air Transport Association) require absorbent materials for transporting Category A and Category B infectious substances. These regulations make certain that materials are securely contained and do not pose a risk to public health or safety.
When shipping biological specimens, absorbent pads are placed within containers to manage any potential leakage from primary containers. This protects the specimens and ensures their stability upon arrival. In the event of a breakage or leakage, absorbent pads easily contain the spill, reducing the risk of exposure to hazardous materials and keeping spills confined within the packaging.
Additionally, absorbent pads, used in conjunction with cooling packs, help manage moisture and temperature conditions during the transportation of organs for transplant. They absorb any condensation or leakage, preserving the organ in optimal condition for successful transplantation.
In summary, superabsorbent pads are crucial for managing fluids and ensuring safety in medical settings and during transportation. They play a key role in containing spills, preventing contamination and complying with safety regulations, thereby maintaining the integrity and safety of medical and biological materials throughout their handling and transport.
3. Dewatering Filters
Dewatering filters are designed with absorbent sheets integrated into cartridges and other filter structures to purify various industrial fluids, including contaminated oils, diesel fuel, biodiesel, kerosene, turbine oil, cutting oil, lubricant oil, insulation oil, hydraulic oil and hydrocarbon coolants. These filters enhance the operational lifespan of oils by removing both free and emulsified water, which in turn reduces waste and operational costs. They are also useful in specialized equipment for reclaiming spilled or leaked oil. By utilizing absorbents for aqueous liquids, dewatering filters boost overall process efficiency, minimizing unplanned machinery downtime and the need for component replacements.
Dewatering filters can also assist in overcoming a major challenge for fuel system components: water contamination. Water vapor can condense on operational components or within storage tanks, leading to corrosion. It can also create a layer that fosters microbial growth and the development of particulate contaminants in the fuel which can form a sludge and ultimately make the engine less efficient.
4. Household applications of absorbent pads
In addition to industrial applications, flexible absorbent sheets and pads have multiple uses in household and commercial buildings, from catching simple drips to mitigating ingress of flood waters into buildings. Absorbent sheets, rolls, perforated rolls, pads and socks can be readily found by customers in DIY superstores throughout the country. Typically these products are used in plumbing applications such as catching drips under sinks or as protective sheets when household plumbing is replaced or re-configured.
One innovative application for absorbents is “sandless” sand bags. Multiple absorbent sheets are contained in flat-packed sacks that are very lightweight and easy to carry and position around a building or entry way that is prone to flooding from outside sources. The flood sacks are manually stacked in a suitable brick wall formation against, or next to, the potentially compromised area, then purposely sprayed with water to hydrate them. As the pads absorb water they rapidly swell up into a thick, heavy pillow shape just like sand bags. These sacks interlock and thereby form an effective barrier against flood waters. An alternative format to the sacks are long skinny socks, filled with superabsorbent sheets and polymer. These work in the same fashion as the sacks and are just as effective.
5. Condensate in cargo containers
Another unique application for absorbent pads is as a cover or “blanket” draped over goods being transported in commercial, seafaring containers or trucks. In hot and humid environments, condensation can build up inside the container on walls, ceilings and palleted goods. The condensate can ruin packaging and damage merchandise, so by draping the walls of the container and goods with huge sheets containing superabsorbent, the condensate can be captured by the highly hydroscopic polymer.