How to clean up flocculant spills
Reducing slip hazards in the water treatment industry
For water treatment plants around the world, slippery polymers and flocculant spills are an everyday issue. Water filled with flocculants and other polymers spill out during water treatment, causing hazards for workers and current cleanup methods only work to clog filtration and create different problems down the line. There is however, a better way! SpillFix Granular Absorbent is a lightweight and fast-acting granular absorbent that is proven to deal with flocculant spills. Made from 100% coconut husk, it’s non-toxic and easy to apply, meaning you can quickly and effectively stop spills in their tracks and leave the cleaned surface slip-free.
The risk of flocculant spills
Although highly effective for water and waste treatment, flocculants do come with a crucial disadvantage – their slippery nature. If a spill occurs, residue from flocculants can stick on floors, shoes and other surfaces. If and when this residue comes into contact with water, even the smallest amount, the flocculant dissolves, forming a viscous gel that can cause falls and other accidents. In their role, flocculants are exceptionally effective even when they are extremely diluted, however this only includes their risk when spilt as even the smallest residue could make the floor slippery again. Given avoiding water altogether is not an option, for example the floor needs cleaning or it rains, it is paramount to clean flocculant spills in a way that removes all residue and keeps people safe.
Why use SpillFix for flocculant spills
Unlike other options for cleaning up flocculants, like bleach or clay-based absorbents, SpillFix is non-toxic and organic. When you lay down clay-based absorbents onto spills you may coat most of the spill and then be able to dispose of the clay, but a dangerous and slippery residue is left behind. When working with flocculants, this residue is a big hazard, given that any water spilled on it will instantly give it extra slip. SpillFix leave surfaces residue free and slip hazard free! Plus clay-based absorbents are often carcinogenic when inhaled, exposing workers to further health hazards like silicosis. This is unlike SpillFix absorbent, which is made from 100% coconut husk and therefore comes with no health risks.
Similarly bleach, while effective in causing the scission of certain polymer chains and therefore the loss of its viscosity, comes with its own additional hazards. Given its highly reactive and corrosive chemical nature, it can cause respiratory issues for workers or even react to polymers in a hazardous way.
Another approach for cleaning flocculant spills is to use large volumes of water, however this actually makes it more difficult to clean up spills and can cause clogging of filtration systems. SpillFix granular absorbent also outperforms volumes of water when cleaning up flocculant spills, as it mitigates further fall risk for workers and can be disposed of as solid waste.
How to clean flocculant spills using SpillFix
Step 1 | Shake SpillFix Granular Absorbent on the spill
Grab your bag or jar of SpillFix Granular Absorbent and spread the material around the edges of the spill, continuing until the spill is completely covered.
Step 2 | Sweep the SpillFix until the spill is fully absorbed
Immediately begin sweeping the SpillFix you have laid down back and forth with a stiff broom until all liquid is absorbed. This helps to fully absorb the spill and ensure you’re not left with a slick or any slippery residue.
Step 3 | Sweep up the SpillFix into a bin or bag
Using a broom and scoop sweep up the used granular absorbent into a bin or bag. In the case of smaller spills, used SpillFix can be reused until the material is fully saturated, so consider utilising a ‘used absorbent’ bucket so you can get the most out of your SpillFix.
Step 4 | Remove any additional spill residue
After cleaning up the initial absorbent, if needed apply a little more SpillFix absorbent to the area and repeat Step 3 and 4 until all spill residue is removed.
Step 5 | Dispose of waste responsibly
Your spill is now absorbed and you’re just left with the waste of the used SpillFix. Dispose of the waste responsibly in accordance with regulations for the polymers you have cleaned up.
If you’re looking for a safe and effective solution to clean up flocculant spills, try SpillFix granular absorbent, we know you’ll love it!