DENSORB® Product Check: Absorbent Mats Vs. Mineral Granules
One of the most important things to consider about spilled liquids is how fast, safe, and thorough they can be removed. However, other factors, such as the cost of cleaning up, also play a significant role.
Companies often use mineral granules to absorb liquids, but are DENSORB mats a good choice? We wanted to know, so we tested both products in a formidable performance comparison.
The criteria are absorption capacity, application, cost, time, and storage.
Absorption Capacity
| Mineral Gruanules | DENSORB® Oil mats | |
|---|---|---|
| Absorption Capacity | Approximately same as own weight | Up to 16 times own weight |
The excellent capillary action of the DENSORB absorbent mats ensures a uniform distribution of the absorbed liquid and, therefore, provides ideal use of the absorption capacity. DENSORB absorbent mats can absorb up to 16 times more fluid than mineral granules.
Result:
More is more – the points go to DENSORB® mats.
Application
The area of application is the most critical issue for an absorbent material when cleaning up leaks and spills. We have put both products to the test.
Indoors
Indoors, DENSORB® absorbents impress with their flexibility. In contrast to granules, they are suitable for cleaning up leaks and for many other purposes: for example, as an underlay for repair, cleaning, and maintenance work or for wiping down dirty surfaces and parts. They can also be used long-term - for example, on machinery where drips often need to be contained. DENSORB® is also a natural alternative to dusty granules in areas requiring cleanliness.
Mineral granules have an advantage here only in rare applications, For example, when scalding liquids are to be absorbed. The melting point of the DENSORB® binding fleece is 160 ° C. At higher temperatures, granules are the more suitable agent.
Outdoors
Granules are often used in outdoor areas or on roads. There is a reason for this: Granules also penetrate small depressions, enabling better fluid absorption on rough and cracked surfaces. As a result, they also ensure maximum slip resistance.
DENSORB® mats have an advantage in one particular application: on water. Oil absorbents in granular form have a significant disadvantage in terms of environmental damage. A good alternative here is the use of floating DENSORB® oil mats and oil barriers.
Result:
A draw! While DENSORB® mats impress with their flexible application possibilities indoors and on water, granules are more appropriate for rough surfaces outdoors and exceptional cases such as the absorption of scalding liquids. Both products win a point here.
Costs
Cost will always be essential for companies, so we've done the calculations. How much does it cost to absorb 10 liters of oil using absorbent mats compared to mineral granules?
DENSORB® absorbent mats absorb oil up to 16 times their weight. Thanks to their higher absorption capacity, less material is needed, producing less waste. If the purchase and disposal costs are combined, this results in a savings of 60% compared to conventional granules!
An additional benefit: when using granules, you often spread more than is needed. DENSORB® mats make it much easier to use just the right amount.
| Mineral Granules | DENSORB® Oil Absorbents | |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity needed | 27.5 Lbs | 0.12 in x 0.02 in Economy Light |
| Purchase costs | $14.06 | $4.41 |
| Disposal quantity | 21.5 Lbs | 21.9 Lbs |
| Disposal costs (e.g. £0.65 /kg) | $12.29 | $5.69 |
| Total costs | $26.35 | $10.10 |
Result:
The point for lower costs clearly goes to DENSORB® mats.
Time needed
Time is money, they say. But when you're faced with a leak, losing time cleaning it up poses an additional risk. We recorded the time our testers needed to use both products.
DENSORB® absorbent mats absorbed the leaked liquid faster than the granules. DENSORB® also has advantages after the cleaning up - while the granules must be swept up and scooped together, absorbent mats can be quickly collected and disposed of. Granules can also stick to shoes and spread further, meaning even more work.
| Mineral Granules | DENSORB® Oil Absorbents | |
|---|---|---|
| Time needed | 20 Minutes | 3-5 Minutes |
Result:
DENSORB® mats win the race and pick up the point for the shortest time needed to clean up the leak.
Storage
Companies want to use as little space as possible when it comes to storage. Which product will take up the least storage space? For our test, we compared the number of absorbent materials needed to absorb 10 liters of oil.
The low weight and volume of DENSORB® absorbent mats are apparent - much less storage space is required for the same absorption capacity.
| Mineral Granules | DENSORB® Oil Absorbents | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage volume and quantity | 6.6 gal (27.5 Lbs) | 1.32 gal (2.0 Lbs) |
Result:
Space saved – another point for DENSORB® mats.
Our overall verdict
DENSORB® absorbent mats are a reliable and flexible aid in many application situations, saving you time and money.
Therefore, they are often a much better and more economical alternative to granules. We recommend using your risk assessment to check which substances you handle in your company and what tasks are undertaken using these substances. Depending on what is more efficient for your specific application, you should choose the type and amount of absorbents required for everyday and emergency use. If you can not do without granules, we also offer a tried-and-tested selection of mineral and non-mineral products in our range.
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