Absorbent and time release material

Abstract

An absorbent and time release material formed from a dried pulp impregnated with an impregnating substance such as wax or oil, that is ground to a powder or pellet form. The material can be used to suppress fires, reclaim land, retain water, provide traction on slippery surfaces, and enhance or replace soil mixes.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing an absorbent and time release material comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pulp from a fibrous material;    forming said pulp into a block;    drying said block in a controlled atmosphere;    impregnating said dried block with a preselected substance;    grinding said impregnated block to form a powdered material    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pulp comprises cloth fibers.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pulp comprises cellulose fibers.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said cellulose fibers are dried paper pulp.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said cellulose fibers are short strand wood fibers.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 3 . wherein said cellulose fibers are long strand wood fibers.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said cellulose fibers are wood fibers from the processing of wood fiber fluff.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said substance is selected from the group comprising paraffin wax, beeswax, wax derived from animal products and wax derived from vegetable products.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said substance is selected from the group comprising petroleum wax, motor oil and grease.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said pulp includes powdered material selected from one or more of the following waste material: railway ties, telephone poles, creosote, powdered coal, calcium oxalare-solids, krofta fines, or bark.  
     
     
         11 . An absorbent and time release material produced according to the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         12 . A material according to  claim 11  used for suppressing fires.  
     
     
         13 . A material according to  claim 11  used for land reclamation.  
     
     
         14 . A material according to  claim 11  used for soil enhancement.  
     
     
         15 . A material according to  claim 11  used as a traction agent.  
     
     
         16 . A material according to  claim 11  used to recover petroleum products resulting from a spill.