Device for storage and disposal of waste oil and grease

Abstract

Devices and associated methods for containing and/or disposing of hydrocarbon fluids are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, includes a vessel formed of a plant-based absorbent substrate with an interior region configured to receive and retain a hydrocarbon fluid of at least 250 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 14 days without substantial deformation of the vessel or leaching of the hydrocarbon fluid.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A device for containing hydrocarbons comprising:
 a vessel formed of a plant-based absorbent substrate with an interior region configured to receive and retain a hydrocarbon fluid of at least 250 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 7 days without substantial deformation of the vessel or leaching of the hydrocarbon fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is sawdust. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a volume of voids of the underlying substrate is equal to or greater than a volume of the interior region of the vessel. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least 90% of the substrate can be converted into carbon dioxide, water, and minerals by biological processes within a period of 6 months. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel has a tapered profile in which a bottom portion of the vessel has a smaller diameter than a top portion of the vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is substantially impermeable by the hydrocarbon fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate includes sugarcane bagasse. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate includes coconut coir. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate includes rice husk. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the hydrocarbon fluid is at least one of a fat, an oil, and/or a grease. 
     
     
         11 . A device for containing hydrocarbons comprising:
 a vessel formed of a plant-based absorbent substrate with an interior region configured to receive and retain a hydrocarbon fluid of at least 250 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 2 days without substantial leaching of the hydrocarbon fluid,   wherein the vessel includes an outer substrate and an interior substrate, the outer substrate having a lower hydraulic conductivity than the interior substrate, and wherein, at least when the vessel first receives the hydrocarbon fluid, the interior substrate is closer to the hydrocarbon fluid than the outer substrate.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the outer substrate and the interior substrate are the same material, and wherein the outer substrate has a different degree of compaction and a different degree of bulk density than the interior substrate. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the outer substrate and the interior substrate are different materials, and wherein the outer substrate has a different degree of compaction and a different degree of bulk density than the interior substrate. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the substrate of the outer layer is wax. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacture, comprising:
 forming a vessel by applying a pressure of at least 24,000 psi to sawdust, the vessel having an interior region configured to receive and retain a hydrocarbon fluid.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  within the vessel is formed without the aid of an external binding agent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pressure is applied hydraulically. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the vessel is a bowl. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the vessel is a cup. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the vessel includes a plurality of discrete compartments, each of which is configured to retain a discrete volume of the hydrocarbon fluid. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein an outer layer of the vessel is compacted to provide a substantially impermeable layer. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the innermost layer of the vessel is compacted to provide a substantially permeable layer.