Determining the Effectiveness of Polymers in Absorbing Hazardous Materials

Overview

Objectives/Goals To determine if polymers are an effective way to pick-up (absorb) hazardous materials. To determine if you can clean up and dispose of hazardous materials using the polymers. Methods/Materials 3 trials were made 1,2,3. 3 groups were made A,B,C. In each group 2 tablespoons of each absorbent were put in its group(A-polymer,B-Cat Litter,C-Super Absorbent). My materials were the 3 absorbents for it's group, 350 grams of Anti-Freeze, 200 grams of sand, 1 grams scale, and 1 mesh screen. After everything was in the 9 cups, I set it out for1 week. Then after the 1 week wait, I measured how much Anti- Freeze was absorbed with a grams scale. In group A I had to separate the polymer from each other. In groups B and C, I separted the Anti- Freeze from the absorbent with a mesh screen. Results My results showed that the polymer absorbed the most, without leaving any drops. Groups B and C had the same amount absorbed. Group A weighed 380 grams. Groups B and C only weighed 360 grams. Group A took 5 days for the Anti- Freeze to absorbed it all. Groups B and C absorbed as much as it could in a little amount of time. If I had combined B and C's leftover Anti- Freeze together, it would if took 3 cups of Cat Litter and Super Absorbent to absorb it all. Conclusions/Discussion Since now i found out that polymer absorbs the best, it could help our enviornment. The way how we could do that is to put the polymer into a contaminated area and see if it could absorb it well.Then dispose it properly.

Competition history

• CSEF 2006 Environmental Engineering · Entry J0820

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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