Oil causes serious damage to the environment. That’s why new ways to protect the environment from oil spills and oil-containing storm runoff are a high priority. Learn about one of the newer materials, X-TEX, commonly found in high-quality rainwater filters, which can be used in many ways to protect the environment.

What is X-TEX?

It is a lipophilic material or medium, which means that it attracts and absorbs oil. It is made from recycled synthetic fibers. Those fibers are in the form of a lightweight, mesh-like fiber mass that has a huge surface area along with interstitial spaces. This combination of characteristics gives X-TEX its excellent absorbent qualities and makes it a high performance filter material. It is used both in filters and in the form of rolled fabric, which can be used as a geotextile.

More importantly, the absorbent qualities of the material are all the more valuable because it attracts oil while allowing water to flow freely. This makes it particularly effective in removing oils and other hydrocarbons from water. It can absorb not only oil, but also animal and vegetable oils, making it a great tool for removing spills.

However, because it allows water to pass through while absorbing hydrocarbons and oils, it is ideal as a filter medium for a variety of applications. Due to its large surface area and interstitial spaces, it can filter and absorb a large amount of the target substances.

How else can X-TEX be used?

X-TEX can be incorporated into other water filter materials as a support compound. Those other materials include, for example, certain zeolites, zero valence iron filings, and activated carbons. In fact, it can be specially “conditioned” to attract specific chemical compounds.

It tends to form cohesive “blocks” or mats. This characteristic makes it the ideal medium for filter devices and other applications, as it can be molded to fit as required.

What about the cost?

Of course, the cost of environmental pollution is tremendous, and therefore cost may not be the most pressing issue when it comes to effective cleaning and especially preventative tools.

However, considering that X-TEX can filter and absorb approximately 20 times its own weight of hydrocarbons, it is actually quite cost effective, especially compared to some of the more traditional filter media.

Not only that, but between 85% and 90% of the absorbed oils can be recovered, allowing the media to be reused. This makes it eco-friendly in a way that traditional absorbents are not. In addition, it will not filter harmful substances into the environment. And when burned, it will produce only minimal ash or residue.