GB2317408A

GB2317408A - Pollution reduction

Info

Publication number: GB2317408A
Application number: GB9719097A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-09-20
Filing date: 1997-09-10
Publication date: 1998-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-10
Also published as: GB9719097D0; GB9619654D0; GB2317408B

Abstract

A method of reducing pollution includes providing a tray (10) containing a pad (11) of hydrophobic absorbent material and a grid (13) on top of the pad (11), placing the tray (10) at a location at which oil spillage is likely to occur, e.g. a garage forecourt, and renewing the pad (11) at regular intervals. The grid may be hinged to the tray or otherwise attached.

Description

POLLUTION REDUCTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to pollution reduction and, though developed primarily in relation to the reduction of pollution which can occur as a result of the spillage of petrol or diesel fuel on the forecourts of garages and filling stations, it is of more general application in relation to the reduction of pollution by the spillage of hydrocarbons and the like in, for example, workshops and on domestic and commercial driveways.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of reducing or avoiding pollution.

When, for example, diesel oil is spilt on a garage forecourt, it contaminates the ground and this contamination is spread by foot traffic, resulting in contamination of footwear and other areas of the forecourt or the like. Spilt diesel oil causes the forecourt surface to be slippery, particular when it is wet.

It is accordingly a further object of the present invention to reduce contamination and avoid accidents resulting from slipping on, for example, surfaces covered by spilt diesel oil.

Summarv of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing or preventing pollution at a location liable to be subject to the spillage of fuel oils or other hydrocarbons, the method comprising: a) providing a tray at said location, b) placing absorbent material having hydrophobic characteristics in said tray, c) placing a grid over the absorbent material, and d) from time to time, replacing said absorbent material with fresh absorbent material.

The absorbent material may be in the form of an absorbent pad or mat which fits within the tray. The pad or mat is preferably recyclable and may be in the form of a sheet of hydrophobic polypropylene fibres, such as is currently produced by Darcy Products Limited. A typical pad or mat may be 1 metre square and may have a thickness of, for example, from 1 to 5 centimetres depending on the volume of spillage to which the pad or mat is likely to be subjected.

As an alternative to the use of a hydrophobic absorbent pad or mat, the absorbent material may comprise sheet, granular, powdered or fibrous hydrophobic material which may, again, be recyclable.

The tray may have a flat base and a peripheral wall of relatively low height, which wall is of rolled or ramped form to prevent damage thereto when, for example, vehicles pass over it. If the absorbent material is a pad 1 metre square, the tray will be of corresponding size such that the pad is a close fit in the tray.

The base of the tray is preferably slotted or otherwise apertured so that any water which falls on the pad will not be retained in the tray but will exit through the apertures in the base of the tray. The tray may be of stainless steel, aluminium or a suitable plastics material and may be bonded in position on, for example, a garage forecourt so as to be either substantially flush with the forecourt surface or projecting minimally above the forecourt surface.

The grid which covers the hydrophobic absorbent material may be hinged to the tray so as to be movable between its normal operative position, in which it holds the absorbent material in position, and an open position, in which removal of the absorbent material (and replacement thereof by fresh absorbent material) can readily be effected. If a hinged grid is used, a releasable fastener arrangement will normally be provided for holding the grid in its operative position.

The grid which covers the absorbent material may alternatively be arranged so that it can be lifted bodily clear of the tray for removal and replacement of the absorbent material, releasable fastener means again being provided for holding the grid in its operative position. Locking or location pegs may be provided for ensuring accurate location of the grid relative to the tray.

The grid may be of plastic, in the form of a lattice or a perforated sheet, and may have an upper surface which is so formed as to have anti-slip characteristics. A perforated sheet of a corrosion-resistant metal is preferably interposed between the grid and the hydrophobic absorbent material. The sheet may be, for example, of stainless steel or of galvanised steel. The perforated sheet acts as a fire preventer, i.e. it prevents ignition of any vapour should a spark occur due to static electricity. Earthing of the perforated sheet is preferably effected by means of the releasable fasteners used to secure the grid in position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for use in reducing or preventing pollution at a location liable to be subject to the spillage of fuel oils or other hydrocarbons, said device comprising a tray which includes a base and a peripheral wall, absorbent material contained within the tray and a grid covering the absorbent material, the grid normally held in engagement with the tray but being displaceable to permit removal and replacement of the absorbent material.

In use of the device on a garage forecourt, servicing will be effected at regular intervals, depending on the rate of, for example, spillage of diesel fuel. Servicing may include unlocking and lifting of the grid, removal and replacement of the hydrophobic absorbent material, followed by refitting and locking of the grid. The absorbent material may then be washed or otherwise treated so that it can be used again.

The use of a number of devices as described above on a garage forecourt will substantially reduce pollution resulting from spillage of hydrocarbons, with consequent reduction in contamination of adjacent areas. It will reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by customers slipping on spilt oil patches and will improve the appearance of the forecourt. If mats are used, these can be of different colours and/or may be provided with appropriate indicia to indicate different pump types.

In addition, as explained above, the invention is not of use only in preventing or reducing pollution on garage forecourts, but may be used at other locations liable to be subject to pollution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single figure of the accompanying drawing is an exploded perspective view of a device for use on the forecourt of a petrol station.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The device shown in the drawing comprises four main components, i.e. a tray 10, a pad 11 of absorbent material, a perforated sheet 12 and a grid 13.

The tray 10 is of generally rectangular form in plan view and, in use, is mounted on a garage forecourt so as to be either flush with the forecourt surface or projecting minimally above the forecourt surface. A typical size for the tray is I metre square. The base 14 of the tray 10 will be provided with slots or other apertures (not shown) so that any water will reaches the base 14 of the tray 10 will not be retained by the tray but will pass through the slots or other apertures. The tray 10 may be produced from a rigid plastics material but is preferably formed of aluminium or stainless steel. It will normally be positioned so that the vehicles of wheels passing over it will travel over the tray 10 in the direction indicated by the arrow A in the drawing. Two opposed walls 15 and 16 of the tray 10 will be formed so that they have non-slip surfaces and all the walls 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the tray will have inclined surfaces as shown to ensure that they will not be damages by vehicles passing over them.

The pad 11 is a close fit within the tray 10 and is in the form of a sheet of hydrophobic polypropylene fibres having a thickness of from 1 to 5 centimetres. A suitable material is produced by Darcy Products Limited. As shown, the pad 11 is formed with four cut-outs 19. Hollow plastic pegs 20 secured to the base 14 of the tray 10 are located in the cut-outs 19.

The perforated sheet 12 is of stainless steel and sits on top of the hydrophobic pad 11. It carries four inserts 21 formed with apertures which register with corresponding tapped bores of the plastic pegs 20.

The grid 13 is in the form of a plastic lattice or mesh and has anti-slip characteristics so as to prevent slipping of the tyres of vehicles driving over the device. The grid 13 has four inserts 22 which have apertures which register with the apertures in the inserts 21 of the perforated sheet 12. Stainless steel fixing screws (not shown) are used to fix the grid 13 and the perforated sheet 12 in position within the tray 10 on top of the pad 11.

In use, any spill of fuel on top of the grid 13 and sheet 12 will pass through the openings in the grid and through the perforations in the sheet 12 so as to be absorbed by the mat 11, whereas any water will pass through the mat 11 and through the apertures in the base 14 of the tray 10.

The mat 11 will be replaced at regular intervals (which will depend on the rate of spillage at the location at which the device is situated) and the removed soiled mat 11 will then be cleaned ready to be used again. Removal of the mat 11 will be effected by unscrewing the fixing screws, lifting up the grid 13 and the perforated sheet 12 and taking out the mat 11. It will be appreciated that the grid 13 and the sheet 12 could alternatively be mounted for pivotal movement clear of the mat 11 and that other modifications can be made to the specific form of device illustrated in the drawing.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of reducing or preventing pollution at a location liable to be subject to the spillage of fuel oils or other hydrocarbons, the method comprising: a) providing a tray at said location, b) placing absorbent material having hydrophobic characteristics in said tray, c) placing a grid over the absorbent material, and d) from time to time, replacing said absorbent material with fresh absorbent material.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the absorbent material is in the form of an absorbent pad or mat which fits within the tray.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which the pad or mat is recyclable.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 3, in which the pad or mat is in the form of a sheet of hydrophobic polypropylene fibres.

5. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, in which the pad or mat is 1 metre square and from 1 to 5 centimetres in thickness.

6. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the absorbent material comprises sheet, granular, powdered or fibrous hydrophobic material.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the tray has a flat base and a peripheral wall which is of rolled or ramp form to prevent damage thereto when vehicles pass over it.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the tray has a base which is slotted or otherwise apertured so that water will not be retained in the tray but will exit through the apertures in the base of the tray.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the tray is of stainless steel, aluminium or a plastics material and is bonded in position on a garage forecourt so as to be either substantially flush with the forecourt surface or projecting minimally above the forecourt surface.

10. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the grid which covers the absorbent material is hinged to the tray so as to be movable between its normal operative position, in which it holds the absorbent material in position, and an open position, in which removal of the absorbent material (and replacement thereof by fresh absorbent material) can readily be effected.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10, in which a releasable fastener arrangement is provided for holding the hinged grid in its operative position.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the grid which covers the absorbent material is arranged to that it can be lifted bodily clear of the tray for removal and replacement of the absorbent material.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, in which releasable fastener means are provided for holding the grid in engagement with the tray.

14. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the grid is in the form of a lattice or a perforated sheet and has an upper surface which is so formed as to have anti-slip characteristics.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, in which a perforated sheet of a corrosion-resistant metal is interposed between the grid and the hydrophobic absorbent material.

16. A method as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

17. A device for use in reducing or preventing pollution at a location liable to be subject to the spillage of fuel oils or other hydrocarbons, said device comprising a tray which includes a base and a peripheral wall, absorbent material contained within the tray and a grid covering the absorbent material, the grid normally being held in engagement with the tray but being displaceable to permit removal and replacement of the absorbent material.

18. A device as claimed in Claim 17, in which the absorbent material is in the form of a sheet of hydrophobic polypropylene.

19. A device as claimed in Claim 17 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.