Loose fiber adsorbent

Abstract

A sorbent and filter media material produced from a mass of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers. In one embodiment the fibers are mixed together to form a cohesive wad of fibers. The wad has a substantial volume of internal interstices available to absorb a liquid hydrocarbon or an organic liquid, and the surfaces of the fibers also adsorb that liquid. The combination of adsorption and absorption enables the sorbent to sorb up to twenty times it own weight of hydrocarbon or organic liquid. Preferably a majority of the fibers are of a relatively shorter length, while a minority of the fibers are of a relatively longer length. The longer fibers help bind the wad together into a cohesive mass that has a substantial volume of internal interstices. After a short time during which the hydrocarbon is sorbed, the wadded mass can be collected, pressed to recover the hydrocarbon, and recycled.

The invention in which an exclusive right is claimed is defined by the following:  
     
         1 . A method for removing a liquid hydrocarbon from a surface contaminated with the liquid hydrocarbon, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) collecting the liquid hydrocarbon by: 
 (i) bringing a wadded mass comprising a plurality of discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into contact with the liquid hydrocarbon;  
 (ii) allowing the wadded mass to absorb the liquid hydrocarbon from the surface that is contaminated, the liquid hydrocarbon being absorbed into a plurality of interstices formed between the discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers within said wadded mass; and  
 (iii) allowing the wadded mass of discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers to adsorb the liquid hydrocarbon from the contaminated surface, the liquid hydrocarbon accumulating upon a plurality of surfaces of the discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers within said wadded mass; and  
   (b) mechanically removing said wadded mass of discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers with the liquid hydrocarbon that have been absorbed and adsorbed, from the surface to reduce its contamination.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers comprise synthetic fibers.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said synthetic fibers comprise a mixture of polyester fibers and nylon fibers.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said mixture of polyester fibers and nylon fibers comprises substantially more polyester fibers than nylon fibers.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein a ratio of polyester fibers to nylon fibers ranges from about 2:1 to about 4:1.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers comprise a mixture of relatively shorter fibers and relatively longer fibers.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said relatively longer fibers bind the relatively shorter fibers into said wadded mass.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said mixture of relatively shorter fibers and relatively longer fibers comprise fibers ranging in length from about 5 mm to about 100 mm.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wadded mass of discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers sorbs up to 25 times its own weight of the liquid hydrocarbon.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of compressing said wadded mass of discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers to recover the liquid hydrocarbon.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of mechanically treating said discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers before use to increase a surface area of said discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers have been delustered.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers have been delustered in a manner that enhances a cohesion of said wadded mass by increasing a fiber-to-fiber friction.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers have been delustered with titanium dioxide.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of processing the discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers to increase a porosity of said discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said wadded mass further comprises a plurality of discrete hydrophilic fibers.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said discrete hydrophilic fibers comprise cotton fibers.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said wadded mass further comprises substantially more discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers than discrete hydrophilic fibers.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a ratio of said discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers to said discrete hydrophilic fibers is about 9:1.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers comprise a mixture of fibers having different cross-sectional diameters.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said mixture of fibers having different cross-sectional diameters comprise fibers having diameters ranging from about 10 μm to about 50 μm.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of bringing the wadded mass comprising the plurality of discrete hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into contact with the liquid hydrocarbon comprises the step of using a mechanical blower device to distribute said wadded mass over said contaminated surface.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said surface that is contaminated is a surface of a body of water.  
     
     
         24 . A method for removing liquid hydrocarbon from a surface of a body of water contaminated with the liquid hydrocarbon, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product that includes: 
 (i) a plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having rough, delustered surfaces; and  
 (ii) a plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having rough, delustered surfaces, said relatively long hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said rough, delustered surfaces binding said plurality of relatively short hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said plurality of relatively long hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into a wadded mass, said wadded mass comprising a plurality of interstitial spaces, said wadded mass having a density less than that of water, so that said wadded mass floats on the surface of said body of water;  
   (b) collecting the liquid hydrocarbon by: 
 (i) bringing said wadded mass into contact with the liquid hydrocarbon;  
 (ii) allowing the wadded mass to absorb the liquid hydrocarbon from the surface of said body of water, absorbed liquid hydrocarbon being absorbed into the plurality of interstitial spaces within said wadded mass; and  
 (iii) allowing the wadded mass to adsorb the liquid hydrocarbon from the surface of said body of water, adsorbed hydrocarbons accumulating upon said plurality of rough, delustered surfaces of said relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers; and  
   (c) mechanically removing said wadded mass from the surface of said body of water.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the step of allowing the wadded mass to adsorb the liquid hydrocarbon further comprises the step of allowing said wadded mass to remain in contact with said surface for a period of time that is sufficient to enable liquid hydrocarbon to be absorbed into the interior regions of at least a portion of the rough, delustered relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and the rough, delustered relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, to a point of saturation.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein a majority of said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers have lengths ranging from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, and wherein a majority of said plurality of relatively long hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers have lengths ranging from about 80 mm to about 90 mm.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers both comprise synthetic fibers.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers each comprise a mixture of fibers having different cross-sectional diameters, said cross-sectional diameters ranging from about 10 μm to about 50 μm.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the absorption and adsorption processes begin immediately upon contact of the wadded mass with said liquid hydrocarbon and are substantially complete in one minute.  
     
     
         30 . A method for removing a liquid hydrocarbon from a surface of a body of water contaminated with the liquid hydrocarbon, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product that includes: 
 (i) a plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, said relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers each comprising rough, delustered surfaces, a majority of said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having lengths ranging from about 10 mm to about 20 mm; and  
 (ii) a plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers; said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers each comprising rough, delustered surfaces, a majority of said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having lengths ranging from about 80 mm to about 90 mm, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said rough delustered surfaces binding said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into a wadded mass, said wadded mass comprising a large number of interstitial spaces; said wadded mass having a density that enables said wadded mass to float on the surface of said body of water;  
   (b) collecting the liquid hydrocarbon by: 
 (i) bringing said wadded mass into contact with the liquid hydrocarbon;  
 (ii) allowing the wadded mass to absorb the liquid hydrocarbon from the surface of said body of water, the liquid hydrocarbon being absorbed into the plurality of interstitial spaces within said wadded mass; and  
 (iii) allowing the wadded mass to adsorb the liquid hydrocarbon from the surface of said body of water, the liquid hydrocarbon accumulating upon said plurality of rough, delustered surfaces of said relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers; and  
   (c) mechanically removing said wadded mass from the surface of said body of water.    
     
     
         31 . A method for removing liquid hydrocarbon from a surface contaminated with said liquid hydrocarbon, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product that includes: 
 (i) a plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, a majority of said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having lengths ranging from about 10 mm to about 20 mm; and  
 (ii) a plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, a majority of said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having lengths ranging from about 80 mm to about 90 mm, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers binding said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into a wadded mass, said wadded mass comprising a plurality of interstitial spaces;  
   (b) collecting the liquid hydrocarbon by: 
 (i) bringing said wadded mass into contact with the liquid hydrocarbon; and  
 (ii) allowing the wadded mass to adsorb the liquid hydrocarbon from the surface that is contaminated, the liquid hydrocarbon accumulating upon surfaces of said relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers; and  
   (c) mechanically removing said wadded mass from the surface.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising the step of encasing said wadded mass in a boom.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising the step of encasing said wadded mass in a pillow.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the step of providing a hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product comprises providing said hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product in a compressed state, and further comprising the step of decompressing said hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product before bringing the liquid hydrocarbon into contact with said wadded mass.  
     
     
         35 . A method for removing liquid hydrocarbon from a surface contaminated with the liquid hydrocarbon, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product including a plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and a plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers binding said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into a wadded mass, said wadded mass having a plurality of interstitial spaces, wherein said hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product is characterized by its ability to sorb the liquid hydrocarbon, such that a weight of the liquid hydrocarbon sorbed relative to a weight of the hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product is generally constant;    (b) collecting the liquid hydrocarbon by: 
 (i) bringing said wadded mass into contact with the liquid hydrocarbon;  
 (ii) allowing the wadded mass to absorb the liquid hydrocarbon from the surface that is contaminated, the liquid hydrocarbon being absorbed into the plurality of interstitial spaces within said wadded mass; and  
 (iii) allowing the wadded mass to adsorb the liquid hydrocarbon from the surface that is contaminated, the liquid hydrocarbon accumulating upon surfaces of said relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers; and  
   (c) mechanically removing said wadded mass from the surface.    
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product is capable of removing over 80% of the hydrocarbon product from said surface that is contaminated when said hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product is applied to said surface at a rate of approximately 2.5% of the weight of the hydrocarbon product to be removed.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product is capable of removing over 96% of the hydrocarbon product from said surface that is contaminated when said hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product is applied to said surface in an amount equal to about 5% of the weight of the hydrocarbon product to be removed.  
     
     
         38 . A sorbent wadded mass suitable for adsorbing a liquid hydrocarbon that is contaminating a body of water, said sorbent mass comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, said relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having rough, delustered surfaces;    (b) a plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having rough, delustered surfaces, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said rough delustered surfaces binding said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into a wadded mass, said wadded mass including a plurality of interstitial spaces and having a density that is substantially less than that of water, so that said wadded mass is adapted to float on a surface of a body of water; and    (c) a porous cover encasing said wadded mass.    
     
     
         39 . The sorbent wadded mass of  claim 38 , wherein said porous cover comprises a boom.  
     
     
         40 . A sorbent wadded mass suitable for adsorbing a liquid hydrocarbon product, said sorbent mass comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, a majority of said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having lengths ranging from about 10 mm to about 20 mm; and    (b) a plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, a majority of said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having lengths ranging from about 70 mm to about 90 mm, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers binding said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into said wadded mass.    
     
     
         41 . The sorbent wadded mass of  claim 40 , wherein said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fiber comprise synthetic fibers.  
     
     
         42 . The sorbent wadded mass of  claim 41 , wherein said synthetic fibers comprise a mixture of polyester fibers and nylon fibers.  
     
     
         43 . The sorbent wadded mass of  claim 42 , wherein said mixture of polyester fibers and nylon fibers comprises substantially more polyester than nylon.  
     
     
         44 . The sorbent wadded mass of  claim 43 , wherein a ratio of polyester fibers to nylon fibers ranges from about 2:1 to about 4:1.  
     
     
         45 . The sorbent wadded mass of  claim 40 , wherein said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers have rough, delustered surfaces, said rough, delustered surfaces providing fiber-to-fiber traction that enhances a cohesiveness of said wadded mass, said rough, delustered surfaces further enhancing a volume of interstitial space within said wadded mass, said interstitial space enabling said sorbent mass to also absorb said liquid hydrocarbon, the absorption occurring within said interstitial spaces.  
     
     
         46 . The sorbent wadded mass of  claim 40 , wherein said relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers comprise fibers ranging in length from about 5 mm to about 100 mm.  
     
     
         47 . The sorbent wadded mass of  claim 40 , wherein said wadded mass is capable of adsorbing an amount of liquid hydrocarbon up to about 25 times a weight of said wadded mass.  
     
     
         48 . A kit adapted for removing a liquid hydrocarbon from a contaminated surface, comprising: 
 (a) a sorbent wadded mass that includes: 
 (i) a plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers;  
 (ii) a plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers binding said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into said wadded mass; and  
   (b) instructions for employing said sorbent wadded mass to remove a liquid hydrocarbon from a surface that is contaminated.    
     
     
         49 . The kit of  claim 48 , wherein said instructions generally instruct a user to: 
 (a) distribute said wadded mass so that it contacts a liquid hydrocarbon;    (b) allow the wadded mass to sorb a liquid hydrocarbon from the surface that is contaminated; and    (c) remove said wadded mass and liquid hydrocarbon that is sorbed thereby from the surface.    
     
     
         50 . A kit adapted for removing a liquid hydrocarbon from a contaminated surface comprising: 
 (a) a sorbent that includes: 
 (i) a plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, said relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having rough, delustered surfaces; and  
 (ii) a plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having rough, delustered surfaces, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said rough, delustered surfaces binding said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into a wadded mass, said wadded mass extending into three dimensions and having sufficient flexibility to conform to an irregularly contoured surface, said wadded mass having a plurality of interstitial spaces; and  
   (b) instructions for employing said sorbent to remove a liquid hydrocarbon from a surface that is contaminated thereby.    
     
     
         51 . The kit of  claim 50 , wherein said instructions generally instruct a user to: 
 (a) distribute said wadded mass on the surface that is contaminated;    (b) allow the wadded mass to absorb and adsorb a liquid hydrocarbon from the contaminated surface; and    (c) remove said wadded mass with the liquid hydrocarbon that was absorbed and adsorbed from the surface.    
     
     
         52 . The kit of  claim 50 , wherein a majority of said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers have lengths ranging from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, and wherein a majority of said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers have lengths ranging from about 80 mm to about 90 mm.  
     
     
         53 . A method of manufacturing a sorbent wadded mass, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a quantity of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, wherein a delustering process employed to deluster the quantity of hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers both enhances their porosity and increases a surface area associated with the quantity of hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers;    (b) processing said quantity of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers to produce a majority of hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers that have relatively shorter fiber lengths, and a minority of hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers that have relatively longer fiber lengths; and    (c) blending said relatively shorter fiber lengths and said relatively longer fiber lengths together to form a sorbent wadded mass characterized as having a substantial volume of internal interstices, said relatively longer fiber lengths helping to bind said sorbent matrix together into a flexible and cohesive mass.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the majority of said hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers have a length in the range of from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, and the minority of said quantity of hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers have a length in the range of from about 75 mm to about 90 mm.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the step of providing a quantity of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers comprises the step of delustering a quantity of synthetic fabric to produce said quantity of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said delustering process comprises the step of delustering the quantity of hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers with titanium dioxide.  
     
     
         57 . A method of using synthetic fabric scrap as a sorbent material for a liquid hydrocarbon, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) shredding said synthetic fabric scrap to produce a mass comprising a plurality of discrete synthetic fibers;    (b) bringing said mass into contact with a liquid hydrocarbon;    (c) allowing said mass to sorb the liquid hydrocarbon; and    (d) mechanically collecting said mass after the hydrocarbon product has been sorbed by the mass.    
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of shredding the mass of synthetic fibers is carried out until said synthetic fibers are processed into a majority of relatively shorter fiber lengths, and a minority of relatively longer fiber lengths.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising the step of blending said relatively shorter fiber lengths and said relatively longer fiber lengths together to form a sorbent wadded mass characterized as having a substantial volume of internal interstices, said relatively longer fiber lengths helping to bind said sorbent wadded mass together into a flexible and cohesive mass.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of allowing said wadded mass to sorb the liquid hydrocarbon comprises the steps of: 
 (a) allowing said wadded mass to adsorb a portion of said liquid hydrocarbon upon surfaces of the relatively shorter fibers and the relatively longer fibers; and    (b) allowing said wadded mass to absorb a portion of said liquid hydrocarbon within said substantial volume of internal interstices.    
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said synthetic fabric scrap comprises delustered fibers.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein said delustered fibers were delustered with titanium dioxide.  
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of shredding said mass of synthetic fibers is carried out so as to produce a majority of said synthetic fibers having a length in the range of from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, and a minority of said synthetic fibers having a length in the range of from about 75 mm to about 100 mm.  
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 57 , further comprising the steps of segregating synthetic fabric scrap to provide a mass of synthetic fabric scrap comprising substantially more synthetic fiber than natural fiber; and then shredding only said mass of synthetic fabric scrap.  
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the step of segregating synthetic fabric scrap provides a mass of synthetic fabric scrap comprising about 90% synthetic fiber.  
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of shredding comprises the step of controlling a processing rate while shredding the fabric scrap to achieve a desired reduction of fabric scrap into fiber.  
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of shredding comprises the step of reducing an amount of flags present in the fiber being generated to a desired level.  
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of shredding comprises the step of adjusting a height between a table on which the synthetic fabric scrap is disposed and a cutting drum employed to shred the synthetic fabric scrap.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the step of shredding comprises the step of adjusting a height between a table on which the synthetic fabric scrap is disposed and a pinning drum employed to shred the synthetic fabric scrap.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 57 , further comprising the step of segregating synthetic fabric scrap to remove larger pieces of synthetic fabric scrap, and then shredding only a remaining mass of the synthetic fabric scrap.  
     
     
         71 . A method for removing liquid hydrocarbon from a surface contaminated with the liquid hydrocarbon, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a delustered synthetic fiber based sorbent;    (b) collecting the liquid hydrocarbon by: 
 (i) bringing said delustered synthetic fiber based sorbent into contact with the liquid hydrocarbon;  
 (ii) allowing the delustered synthetic fiber based sorbent to adsorb the liquid hydrocarbon from the contaminated surface, adsorbed hydrocarbons accumulating upon a plurality of rough, delustered surfaces of said delustered synthetic fiber based sorbent; and  
   (c) mechanically removing said delustered synthetic fiber based sorbent from the contaminated surface.    
     
     
         72 . A method for removing an organic liquid from a surface contaminated with the organic liquid, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a delustered synthetic fiber based sorbent    (b) collecting the liquid hydrocarbon by: 
 (i) bringing said delustered synthetic fiber based sorbent into contact with the organic liquid;  
 (ii) allowing the delustered synthetic fiber based sorbent to adsorb the organic liquid from the contaminated surface, adsorbed organic liquid accumulating upon a plurality of rough, delustered surfaces of said delustered synthetic fiber based sorbent; and  
   (c) mechanically removing said delustered synthetic fiber based sorbent from the contaminated surface.    
     
     
         73 . A delustered fiber sorbent suitable for adsorbing an organic liquid, said delustered fiber sorbent comprising a plurality of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers.  
     
     
         74 . The delustered fiber sorbent of  claim 73 , wherein said plurality of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers comprise: 
 (a) a plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, a majority of said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having lengths ranging from about 10 mm to about 20 mm; and    (b) a plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers, a majority of said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers having lengths ranging from about 70 mm to about 90 mm, said relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers binding said plurality of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers and said plurality of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers into a wadded mass.    
     
     
         75 . The delustered fiber sorbent of  claim 73 , wherein said plurality of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers comprise: 
 (a) a majority of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers; and    (b) a minority of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers.    
     
     
         76 . The delustered fiber sorbent of  claim 73 , further comprising a plurality of hydrophilic fibers, such that said delustered fiber sorbent comprises substantially more delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers than hydrophilic fibers.  
     
     
         77 . The delustered fiber sorbent of  claim 73 , wherein said delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers have been delustered with titanium dioxide.  
     
     
         78 . The delustered fiber sorbent of  claim 73 , wherein said delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers are encased in a porous, encapsulating envelope.  
     
     
         79 . The delustered fiber sorbent of  claim 78 , wherein said porous, encapsulating envelope comprises at least one of a boom, a pillow, a sock, a quilted blanket and a filter unit.  
     
     
         80 . The delustered fiber sorbent of  claim 79 , wherein said quilted blanket comprises one of baffles and channels to enhance a wadded mass configuration of said delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers.  
     
     
         81 . The delustered fiber sorbent of  claim 73 , wherein said delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers are formed into at least one of a sorbent pad and a sorbent blanket.  
     
     
         82 . The delustered fiber sorbent of  claim 73 , wherein said delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers are needle punched to form at least one of a sorbent pad and a sorbent blanket.  
     
     
         83 . A delustered fiber filter suitable for removing an organic liquid from a mass of water, said delustered fiber filter comprising a plurality of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers.  
     
     
         84 . The delustered fiber filter of  claim 83 , wherein said plurality of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers comprise: 
 (a) a majority of relatively shorter hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers; and    (b) a minority of relatively longer hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers.    
     
     
         85 . The delustered fiber filter of  claim 83 , further comprising a plurality of hydrophilic fibers, such that said delustered fiber filter comprises substantially more delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers than hydrophilic fibers.  
     
     
         86 . The delustered fiber filter of  claim 83 , wherein said delustered fiber filter does not substantially impede a flow of water through said delustered fiber filter.  
     
     
         87 . A method for removing at least one of an organic liquid and a liquid hydrocarbon from a surface of a body of water contaminated with one of the organic liquid and liquid hydrocarbon, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product that is encased in a porous encapsulating boom, said hydrophobic and lipophilic sorbent product comprising a plurality of delustered hydrophobic and lipophilic fibers;    (b) collecting the liquid hydrocarbon by: 
 (i) encircling a portion of the surface of the body of water with the sorbent filled porous encapsulating boom, said portion encompassing all of the surface of the body of water that is contaminated;  
 (ii) allowing the sorbent filled porous encapsulating boom to sorb at least a portion of said one of the organic liquid and the liquid hydrocarbon from the surface of said body of water;  
 (iii) removing a first portion of said sorbent filled porous encapsulating boom from the surface of said body of water, thereby reducing an area of the body of water that is encircled by the sorbent filled porous encapsulating boom;  
 (iv) pressing the first portion of the sorbent filled porous encapsulating boom that was removed from the surface of said body of water to recover the at least one of an organic liquid and a liquid hydrocarbon, and thus regenerating the sorbency of the first portion of the sorbent filled porous encapsulating boom;  
 (v) returning the regenerated first portion of the sorbent filled porous encapsulating boom to the surface of the water to absorb more of the at least one of the organic liquid and the liquid hydrocarbon; and  
 (vi) repeating steps (iii)-(v) until the at least one of the organic liquid and the liquid hydrocarbon is substantially removed from the surface of said body of water.