MXPA98010718A - Composition, method and apparatus for safe disposal of oil contaminated filter media - Google Patents

Abstract

Compositions, methods and apparatus (kits) for treating petroleum and petro-chemical based contaminants within expended filtration components, wherein the filtration components are exposed to water and a small concentrated volume of either a bio-oxidizing medium comprising freeze-dried microorganisms on a freeze-dried substrate or a coagulant with a bio-oxidizing medium or an enzymatic oxidizing medium.

Description

COMPOSITION, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SAFE ELIMINATION OF FILM MEANS CONTAMINATED WITH OIL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Increasing environmental, state and local environmental regulations have produced an increasingly large focus of environmental awareness globally. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) along with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have instituted more and more stringent regulations for the processing, manufacture, use and disposal of chemical compounds. For the purpose of this invention, the regulations of particular interest are those in the field of petroleum products, particularly those consisting of petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances (lubricating oils). Currently there are numerous technologies for the recovery and reprocessing of petroleum and petrochemical compounds that include the recovery of oil that will be used in power stations and factories as an alternative source of fuel. When working with large volumes of these waste streams, there is a certain degree of 'economic and technological feasibility. A particular segment of this waste market specifically deals with a variety of filtration components such as engine oil filter media and other filtration media used in automotive trucks, marine and airport applications. These filtration media, when removed from the engine application, represent materials contaminated with petroleum and petrochemical substances. These filtration means typically do not provide sufficient oil on a per-unit basis to ensure a recycling activity and thus represent a major disposal problem. This problem is of particular importance taking into account the increasing environmental regulations, which are imposed on large corporations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide compositions and methods which will facilitate the safe disposal of oil contaminated filter media and preferably an accelerated decomposition of petroleum products within the filter medium, more preferably by natural biological decomposition. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for the safe disposal of contaminated filter media which meets or exceeds current environmental regulations for the removal of such contaminated materials and which also provides a positive environmental impact. A further objective of the present invention is to provide a simple apparatus (equipment) for treating contaminated fixing means and filter housings to prevent oil contaminants from escaping or based on petrochemical substances thereof for safe disposal. Upon further study of the specification and appended claims, the additional objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those familiar with the art. The present invention provides compositions, methods and apparatus for treating filtration components with petroleum-based compounds or petrochemicals entrained therein to prevent the leakage of these petroleum-based compounds or petrochemicals into the environment. Preferred embodiments incorporate a bio-oxidant medium which accelerates the decomposition of petroleum products. In one aspect of the present invention, there are provided compositions capable of decomposing petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances which comprise an inactive bio-oxidant medium capable of oxidizing petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances, preferably at C02 and water. This bio-oxidant medium comprises microorganisms dried by freezing in a freeze-dried substrate. These microorganisms Freeze-dried products are capable of digesting petroleum or compounds based on petrochemical substances before rehydration. The freeze-dried substrate and the freeze-dried microorganisms are simultaneously freeze-dried. Also available are compositions capable of decomposing petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances which comprise a bio-oxidant medium or an automatic oxidizing medium capable of oxidizing petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances., preferably at C02 and water, a coagulant which forms a solid or gel with petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds in the presence of water, at room temperature and optionally a thickener which absorbs petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances. Preferably, the coagulant will form a solid or gel with the petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds within the filtration components to prevent their escape from the filtration components. In one aspect of the method of this invention, methods are provided for treating filtration components to prevent leakage of petroleum and pollutants based on petrochemical substances entrained therein. These methods comprise exposing entrained oil and petrochemical-based compounds to an inactive bio-oxidant medium comprising freeze-dried microorganisms in a freeze-dried substrate, as described above and water. The amount of water used rehydrates the freeze-dried substrate and the freeze-dried microorganism so that it activates the freeze-dried microorganisms and provides an oxygen source for the activated microorganisms to digest oil and petrochemical-based compounds entrained within them. of the filtration components. Preferably, they are added so minus 40 mm of water per gram of inactive bio-oxidant used.

• Subsequently, the filtration component is sealed to retain the petroleum, the compounds based on petrochemical substances, the bio-oxidant medium and the water in it, so that it does not escape into the environment. In the preferred modalities, at least 25%, preferably at least 90% of the petroleum and the compounds based on entrained petrochemical substances, are digested by the microorganisms. Methods are also provided for treating filtration components with petroleum and contaminants based on substances petrochemicals dragged in them, which include exposing the entrained oil and the petrochemical-based compounds to: i) a coagulant; ii) water to form a solid or gel, as well as; iii) an enzymatic oxidizing medium or a bio-oxidant medium and maintaining the filtration components under conditions wherein the petroleum-based compounds and petrochemical substances decompose. The entrained compounds, based on petroleum and petrochemical substances are preferably carried out by means of biochemical and biocatalytic digestion. In a further aspect of this invention, equipment is provided with which the petroleum-based compounds and petrochemical substances entrained within the filtration components can be treated. Certain equipment includes a written protocol which: i) identifies at least one filtering component which will be treated, ii) identifies a bio-oxidant medium to be added to the filtration component identified in the written protocol, iii) specifies an amount of water to be added to the filtration component indicated in the written protocol, and iv) indicates that the filtration component must be sealed after the addition of the bio-oxidant and water. These kits also comprise an inactive bio-oxidant medium and optionally, a seal for filtration component identified in the written protocol. The seal prevents the escape of the petroleum-based compounds or their entrained petrochemical areas, than the bio-oxidant medium and the water of the filtration component into the environment.

In a further aspect of this invention, different equipment is provided with which the petroleum-based compounds and petrochemical substances entrained within the filtration components can be treated, which comprise a written protocol identifying the filtration components which can to be treated, a coagulant as described above and an oxidizing medium or an enzymatic oxidizing medium as described above. The written protocol can provide additional instructions for use. The compositions of this invention show broad use in the decomposition of petroleum-based compounds and petrochemical substances in many environments, while the methods and apparatus of this invention are suitable for treating filtration components having petroleum-based compounds and substances. petrochemicals dragged by them. The "petrochemical-based compounds" mentioned herein refer to aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene, cresol, nitroaromatics, polychlorinated biphenols, fats, chlorinated aliphatic and aromatic substances and lipids. The "filtration components" referred to herein include filter media, filter elements, filter housings and combinations thereof. Suitable filter media include those prepared from conventional materials using a conventional configuration such as corrugated absorbent paper. Preferably, the filter means is within a filter housing. The filtration components are treated to prevent the escape of oil and compounds based on petrochemical substances treated therein and prevent them from escaping into the environment. This can be carried out by the methods of this invention, which comprise: a) exposing the filtration component contaminated with petroleum and / or with components based on petrochemical • substances, to an inactive bio-oxidant medium as described above with sufficient water to reactivate the bio-oxidant medium and provide an oxygen source for the activated microorganisms to digest petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds; and b) seal the filtration component to prevent the escape of petroleum, petrochemical-based compounds, the bio-oxidation medium, and the water from the filtration component to the environment. This can be carried out by methods of this invention wherein petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds solidify with a globulin and water, and are exposed to an enzymatic oxidizing medium or a bio-oxidant medium. The compositions, methods and apparatuses (equipment) of this invention can utilize a variety of active ingredients within the enzymatic oxidizing medium or bio-oxidant medium which decomposes petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds. For example, bacteria conventionally known to digest petroleum compounds can be used as an active ingredient of the bio-oxidant medium or the enzymatic oxidizing medium. There are several forms of Bacillus which can be successfully colonized in a filter medium with petroleum contaminants. Bacteria, which grow rapidly and digest oil, provide an advantage in that colonization serves to increase the activity of the bio-oxidant medium allowing adjustment of the concentration of contaminants within the filtration components. The enzymatic oxidizing medium, as defined herein, additionally contains catalytic enzymes which • dehydrogenates petroleum and compounds based on petrochemicals. Examples of suitable catalytic enzymes can be obtained from extractions of oil-digesting bacteria mentioned above. Petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds within contaminated oil filters are sometimes complex, and as such, combinations of bacteria with or without enzymes can be effective in providing complete degradation of the compounds to C02 and water. An example is the combination of Bacillus, licehniformis (BAS50) and Pseudomonas deni trificans used together with a dehydrogenase enzyme that serves as a catalyst for the removal of hydrogen atoms to aid in the decomposition and digestion of petroleum compounds by the bacteria. The amount of active ingredient used depends on the • type used and the concentration of contamination in the filtration components (filter media and / or filter housing). The active ingredient is used with a carrier such as a solid or liquid substrate. For example, bacteria that digest oil can be kept in a liquid nutrient medium. Alternatively, a source of protein food and a bacterium that digests specific oil on a solid substrate can be deposited, allowing colonization upon contact of the substrate layers. - Of course, the speed and degree of decomposition by the type of microorganisms that is dispersed for digestion of petroleum compounds, of course, are important selection criteria; however, it is also desirable that the microorganism used can be placed in an inactive or semi-aroused state until the petroleum material is exposed. This is required for a complete digestion of the petroleum material to take place. In the preferred embodiments, the microorganisms used can be freeze-dried and placed in an inactive state until they are exposed to water and petroleum material. When the organisms are dried by freezing, they are sufficiently inactive so that they do not need to pack nutritious medium with the microorganism. Microorganisms dried by freezing the inactive bio-oxidant medium are preferably used with a substrate which is also freeze-dried. Preferably, the microorganisms are dried by freezing simultaneously with the substrate while it is supported therein. Preferably it is used as the substrate for the microorganism - a nutrient medium for the microorganism, ie, such as corn syrup, agar or other source of protein food, and forms a crystalline structure. These materials can be dried by freezing easily with the microorganisms supported on them. These modalities allow accelerated colonization before rehydration due to the proximity of the nutritive source to the bacteria that digest oil. Preferably, the bio-oxidant medium contains a sufficient amount of freeze-dried nutrient to sustain the resurrected microorganisms for at least one day in the absence of petroleum or petrochemical-based components. The amount of nutrient preferably is at least 0.1 g per 107 CFU (colony forming units) of the microorganism. Also of particular importance is the ability to activate / resuscitate inactive microorganisms (dried by freezing) simply and easily, for example by the addition of water. The addition of water will not only rehydrate freeze-dried microorganisms and substrates to initiate the growth and digestion of petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds, in preferred embodiments, it will also provide sufficient oxygen to sustain microorganisms while digesting oil and the compounds based on petrochemical substances. Preferably water is used in an amount that constitutes a ratio of water to bio-oxidant medium of at least 40 ml per gram of bio-oxidant medium. When the substrate comprises freeze-dried nutrients in crystalline form, microorganisms have immediate access to rehydrated nutrients, which improves the amount of viable microorganisms. By providing a concentrated bio-oxidant medium by means of a large number of colony forming units it also increases the number of viable microorganisms. It is preferred to provide at least 10 5 CFU of the microorganisms per gram of bio-oxidant medium. The substrate may include other components that help sustain the microorganisms such as an oxygen source, i.e., methylcellulose and titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is extremely photosensitive and, therefore, reacts easily in the presence of sunlight. Absorbing energy photons on the titanium dioxide layer induce oxygen to bind to oil or petroleum-based materials, which facilitates and accelerates the oxidation of oil compounds. When the bio-oxidant medium is not going to be exposed to light, when the petroleum compounds are digested, the TiO. It will be of little use. Other substrate components used in the compositions, methods and apparatuses (equipment) of this invention are those which rehydrate in the presence of petroleum or compounds based on petrochemicals and water. Suitable compounds that fall within the group of polysaccharides, particularly celluloses or derivatives thereof derived from plant fibers. The inactive enzymatic oxidizing medium and the bio-oxidant medium are preferably housed within a sealed container such as a polyurethane bag, a gelatin capsule, or a similar container, which is sealed sufficiently to prevent the introduction of moisture or oxygen present in the ambient air so that they remain inactive. When the container is dissolved in water at room temperature, such as a gelatin capsule, it does not need to be opened for use. Additionally, when a photoinitiator is present, a polyurethane coating of an opaque material can be constructed to prevent premature photoactivation and, as in the case of the Ti02 initiators, the subsequent oxygenation of the substrate. Without this opaque cover, premature photoactivation results in a final resuscitation of inactive bacteria at the limits of the substrate. Without available petroleum compounds, the sustainable life of the bacteria and the subsequent digestion and generation of biomass from the bacteria of the spent filter medium can not occur. It is often desirable to treat the substrate with the following components: a biosurfactant, glucose, a NaN03 solution and a NaCl solution for certain embodiments. Such biofilms can function actively and can be sustained in environments where the pH is between 4.6 and 9.0. In certain embodiments, the substrate is treated with sufficient amounts of active ingredients to form a biosphere environment capable of sustaining the bacteria in a repressive state which can be resuscitated by photocatalytic means or by the addition of water. The inactive bacteria are preferably cultured on the substrate at a rate of between 1,500-2,100 colony counts per cm 2 and higher. A CFU greater than 107 can be obtained with freeze-dried colonies. It should be noted that this is the initial account of bacterial implant and is not the account of bacterial colonies after exposure to the spent filter medium. The growth account depends on the amount of petroleum and contaminants based on petrochemical substances within the filter medium as well as the amount of water and pH of the petroleum and contaminants based on petrochemical substances at the time of introduction. In the case of photoinitiating activation, the magnitude and duration of the photon energy applied to the photoinitiator will also affect the growth rate. In preferred embodiments, the bacteria are grown on the substrate in solution to provide at least 10 5 CFU (colony forming units) in solution. Then the microorganisms and the substrate are isolated by conventional techniques, such as centrifugation, as described in "Molecular Cloning," 2nd Ed. Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989) p. 1.77. The recovered microorganisms and the substrate are then freeze-dried by conventional techniques, preferably with the use of liquid nitrogen. The bio-oxidant medium is preferably used in amounts of from about 15% by weight to 30% by weight of the contemplated petroleum, and / or of the petrochemical-based compounds. For oil filters used in conventional automobile engines, the oxidizing medium is typically used in an amount of about 0.5 g - 2.0 g. In preferred embodiments, the bio-oxidant medium is contained within gelatin capsules of less than 1.5 g. This bio-oxidant medium typically has approximately 10s-10"CFUs of microorganisms and requires at least 40ml of added water to generate and sustain a hydrocatalytic reaction which causes the bio-oxidant medium to digest the petroleum-based compounds. In certain embodiments, it may also be desirable to add a coagulant, thickening agent and / or absorbent polymer to the filtration components to prevent the escape of petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds into the environment. Activation and growth of microorganisms Thickeners are selected from a wide variety of compounds capable of absorbing petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances Thickeners encompass both natural and synthetic compounds as well as kaolinite and magnesia and include clay families piled, Fuller's earth, aluminas, almi gifts, cellulose and granulated paper products such as paper pulp extracts and all forms of starches, halloysite, illite, montmorillonite. These thickeners are essentially carbonaceous compounds and can be used in amounts within a wide range, since the excess amounts are not significantly harmful. Effective amounts of about 1-100% by weight of thickener based on the entrained oil and the compounds based on petrochemical substances are effective. The coagulants used in the compositions, methods and apparatuses (equipment) of this invention are those which form a solid or gel with petroleum or compounds based on petrochemical substances, in the presence of water. This coagulant can have hydrogen atoms covalently bonded so that hydrogen bonding can occur with hydrocarbons found in petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds. Preferably, these coagulants are carbon-based compounds having at least two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to carbon, preferably a methyl group. Suitable compounds are within the group of polysaccharides, particularly celluloses or derivatives thereof, derived from plasma fibers. Preferred coagulants comprise methylcelluloses, more preferably natural methylcellulose and derivatives thereof. It has been found that such compounds provide sufficient hydrogen bonding so that they can be activated at room temperature upon the addition of water, allowing the solubilization and formation of hydrogen bonds with the hydrocarbons present within the petroleum and the compounds based on substances petrochemicals Common methylcellulose derivatives include carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, and methylcellulose ethers. Coagulants such as methylcellulose or derivatives thereof are preferably used in amounts of from about 15% by weight to 30% by weight of the petroleum compounds and compounds based on petrochemicals, entrained contemplated. Typically water is used in an amount that constitutes a ratio of water to coagulant in the range of 0.5: 1 to 2: 1. Coagulants are typically used in an amount of approximately 29 ml (one fluid ounce) with oil filters for conventional automobile engines. Typically water is added to a volume of approximately 59 ml (2 fluid ounces) to generate a hydrocatalytic reaction which causes the oil to settle into a solid mass. In certain modalities, it may be desirable to add that the filter medium treated with thickening agents such as magnesia and kaolinite. When using up to 3% of weight based on the weight of the petrochemicals dragged is recommended but larger quantities can be used. MgCa (C0) 3 kaolinite can be added in an amount of up to 3% by weight of the petrochemicals entrained, but larger amounts can be used. The compositions of the present invention also include those which encompass a bio-oxidizing medium or an enzymatic oxidizing medium and a coagulant. The coagulant provides a stable substrate for the bio-oxidant medium or for the enzymatic oxidizing medium to decompose petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds. The coagulant can be dissolved in liquid growth medium. When the growth medium is solid, the coagulant can be mixed with it or deposited thereon. Although the compositions of the present invention are suitable for the treatment of petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances within the filtration components; . are not limited to such end uses. In the preferred embodiments of this invention, one or more microorganisms used by selective pressure are obtained to consume the contaminants of interest. This is done by growing a sample of the microorganisms in a small amount of the contaminant, recovering the viable organisms and growing these microorganisms at higher concentrations of contaminant until microorganisms are obtained which grow in substantially undiluted contaminants, except For the water . added The equipment of the present invention includes a written protocol which identifies at least one filtering component with which the equipment can be treated. The described protocol can vary widely in content from specifically identifying the number of models or the name of a product, to a generic description of a "used filter", where the specific filters are identified by an image, a code or another written image , a replacement filter for the filter • spent that is going to be treated by another physical identifier.

In the preferred embodiments, the written protocol will include other instructions regarding the use of the individual components of the equipment, such as, for example, the written protocol can identify a bio-oxidant medium to be added to the filtration components with a specific amount of water. The written protocol can also indicate the filtration components that are going to be sealed, after they are added to the oxidizing medium and water, in a way that prevents the escape of oil, compounds based on petrochemicals, water and the environment. bio-oxidant of the filtration components to the environment. In addition to the written protocol, the kits of this invention include a composition, preferably, such as an inactive bio-oxidant medium for treating petroleum and / or petrochemical-based compounds within the filtration component, as described above. Preferably, the bio-oxidant medium is enclosed within a container to prevent premature activation. Preferably, the container is constituted of a material which is insoluble in water at a temperature of 25 ° C. The kits of the present invention also include in addition to a bio-oxidant medium, a coagulant, thickener and / or absorbent elastomeric polymer or initiator, as described above. These components can provide the added advantage over the use of the bio-oxidant medium only in accelerating the decomposition of petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds within the filtration components and reducing the risk of loss of oil products from the filter. However, significantly more material must be added to the filtration component, which can cause problems when the material must be introduced into a filter housing. The composition used within the equipment of the present invention may also include a combination of a enzymatic oxidant medium and a coagulant. Preferably, a thickener, coagulant or enzymatic oxidizing medium is used as in the composition for the equipment. The composition may contain other components such as elastic polymer absorbers available under the trademarks Nochar Waste-set 3400, A610, Nochar A650, Enviro-Bond 403 or one equivalent. The equipment provided by the present invention may also contain a seal for the filtration component or other means for retaining petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds in the filtration components of way they do not escape to the environment. The stamps vary widely in configuration, composition and operation. They may include separate containers such as a sealable bag which allows the treated filtration components to be placed inside and sealed with it. The material which forms the bag preferably consists of polyurethane or a similar transparent synthetic material and more preferably is biodegradable. When the bag includes such a bag, the written protocol will indicate that the filtration components should be inserted into the bag and sealed after treatment with the bio-oxidant medium and water. When the filtration components include a filter housing, the seal can vary widely from an end cap to the open end of the filter housing, a plug having both the inlet and outlets of the filter housing or simply a film which cover the open end of the filter housing fixed to the filter by an elastomeric band or a similar retaining means. The seal for filtration components to retain petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds can be integrated with the container or box in which the replacement filters are packed. For example, an end cap may be attached to the interior of the package for a replacement filter such as a sheet cover. The spent filter will be sealed when it is inserted into the package and closed. Alternatively, the replacement filter pack itself can be adapted to function as a sealable container for the spent filter. Other means for retaining petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds in filtration components vary widely and comprise the use of a coagulant, thickener, absorbent or other gelling component which seals the contents of the filter housing. Other means also comprise distorting a filter housing for example by means of pressure inputs and pressure outputs of the filter housing itself. Another optional element of the equipment provided by the present invention is a replacement filtration component for the treated filter component. Such substitution can serve as a means to identify the filtration component to be treated. Figure 1 illustrates a device 50 of the present .invention. The equipment 50 comprises a written protocol 51 which defines at least one filtering component for which the equipment is suitable and identifies a bio-oxidant / enzyme medium 75 of the equipment as a component to be added to a component of identified filtration which is contaminated with petroleum and / or with components based on petrochemical substances. The written protocol 51 is shown as a separate component but can be integrated into other optional components, such as a side panel of a box - for a replacement filter. The bio-oxidant / enzymatic oxidizing medium 75 is shown inside the container 77 which preferably is a water-soluble gelatin capsule. The written protocol 51 also specifies a minimum amount of water to be added to the contaminated filtration component to which the bio-oxidant / enzyme oxidation medium 75 has been added. Such an amount can be specified with instructions to "fill in" the component. filtration, such as the filter housing, with water. The written protocol will also indicate that the filtration component spent with the bio-oxidant medium and the water added to it is sealed to retain the petroleum or petrochemical-based components, the added water and the bio-oxidant medium added thereto. . In the preferred embodiments, the written protocol will identify a seal for the spent filtration component or other means to retain the petroleum, the petrochemical-based compounds, the added water, and the bio-oxidant medium added within the filtering component. The written protocol 51 may have other indications, based on the content of the bio-oxidant / enzyme oxidant medium 75, and may comprise more than one written document. The bio-oxidant / enzymatic oxidizing medium 75 can be placed with more than one container, and the components thereof can be placed in separate containers. For example, a portion of the nutrient medium may be incorporated in a separate container, although it is not preferred. The equipment 50 may also include other components such as a seal for the filter housing such as an end cap 131, shown in Figure 5a, a plug 132, shown in Figure 5b or a film 133 with an elastomeric band 134, shown in Figure 5c. Alternatively, the equipment may include a sealable bag 135 with a seal 20, shown in Figure 5d to house the filtration component or the equipment may include a thickener and / or a coagulant that may be added to the filtration component which avoids leak oil when forming a gel. Figure 2a illustrates equipment 10 which is another embodiment of the present invention. The equipment 10 comprises a replacement filter component 15 with a filter means 30 and a filter housing 30. Also included in the kit 10 is a bio-oxidant / enzyme oxidant 75 medium, as defined above, shown in a gelatin capsule 75. The equipment 10 further includes a written protocol 100 which, at a minimum, identifies the filtering components for which the equipment is suitable, identifies the bio-oxidant / enzymatic oxidizing medium 75 as a component to be added to a component identified filter which is contaminated, specifies an amount of water to be added to the filtration component to which the bio-oxidant / enzyme oxidation medium is added and indicates that the filtration components must be sealed to prevent leakage of petroleum and components based on petrochemical substances of the filter component to the environment. The components of these equipment can be packed, transported and / or stored separately. The amount of water specified can be a simple instruction to fill a filter housing with water.

Figure 2b illustrates an alternative configuration for the equipment 10, wherein the described protocol 100 appears in a package 101 for the replacement filter 15 and a bio-oxidant / enzyme oxidative medium 75 in a gelatin capsule 77. Figures 3a and 3b illustrate kits 20 and 30 of this invention, respectively, wherein a seal is provided for a filter housing. In Figure 3a, the seal comprises a film 133 and an elastomeric band 134. The written protocol 51 appears in the film 133. In Figure 3b, the seal comprises an end cap 131 with the written protocol 51 appearing thereon. . Figure 4 illustrates the end cap 136 as a seal which is integrated with the package 101 for a replacement filter. The written protocol 51 appears in the package 101. A bio-oxidant / enzyme medium useful as composition 75 can be prepared by treating a cellulose substrate 150, as shown in Figure 6, with an aqueous solution of glucose (5). %). This solution is mechanically applied (sprayed, immersed) and allowed to dry typically at 50 ° C for a period of between 10 to 12 minutes after which the substrate is typically coated additionally with a second layer of a solution containing 0. 2% of NaN03 by the method and the means mentioned previously for the coating of glucose. This substrate 150 can function as a coagulant. After the second coating, the substrate 150 is typically dried under conditions previously mentioned for the coating of glucose. Typically, a third coating is also applied from an aqueous solution containing 5% NaCl in the same manner as the coatings of glucose and NaN03. For such embodiments, it is desirable to obtain a pH factor in such a substrate between 4.8 and 5.2. The colonies of bacteria and optionally the enzymes typically can now be applied to the surface of the substrate 50, preferably in an amount sufficient to obtain the source of colonies of 1,500 and 2,100 colonies per cma. The substrate 150 with bacterial colonies is shown in Figure 7 as a bio-oxidant / enzyme oxidizing medium 75. Figure 8 illustrates another equipment 50 of this invention comprising a written protocol 51 and a bio-oxidant / medium Enzymatic oxidant 75 of Figure 7, with a container 77 including a substrate 150 (not shown) which functions as a coagulant. Preferred methods of this invention are to treat petroleum filtration components and petrochemical-based compounds entrained therein comprising exposing oil-containing filter media and petrochemical-based compounds entrained therein to an inactive bio-oxidant medium. , as described in the foregoing, and an amount of water which rehydrates the freeze-dried microorganisms and the freeze-dried, preferably crystalline, nutrient substrate, and provides an oxygen source for the activated microorganism to digest the oil and compounds based on petrochemical substances within the filtration components. The filtration component is then sealed to retain the petroleum, a compound based on petrochemicals, the bio-oxidant medium and the water therein so that they do not escape into the environment. When a coagulant is present, additional water may be necessary to form a solid or gel with the petroleum and / or contaminants based on petrochemical substances within the filtration component. It may be necessary to disperse the bio-oxidant medium, the coagulant, the water and the residual oil by agitation. Other methods of this invention for decomposing petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds within the filtration components comprises exposing filter media having petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds to a coagulant as defined above and bio-oxidizing the medium or an enzymatic oxidizing medium with an active ingredient that is selected from petroleum-digesting materials, catalytic enzymes to dehydrogenate hydrocarbons and combinations thereof, which oxidizes petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances within the amination components, preferably at C02 and water. The filtration component is additionally exposed to a sufficient amount of water for the coagulant to form a solid or gel with the petroleum and / or contaminants based on petrochemical substances within the filtration component and to activate the bio-oxidant medium or the medium enzymatic oxidant to start the decomposition. Then, the filtration component is preferably maintained under conditions wherein the oxidizing medium or the enzymatic oxidizing medium oxidizes the petroleum and the compounds based on petrochemical substances, preferably at C02 and water. It may be necessary to disperse the bio-oxidant / enzyme oxidant medium, the coagulant, the water and the residual oil by agitation. With microorganisms, the digestion of oil begins at contact or exposition of contaminants to microorganisms and water. The added water activates the bio-oxidant medium and provides oxygen for the microorganism. Preferably, the water inside the sealed container will provide enough oxygen to sustain the bacteria that digest oil until the petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds are oxidized to C02 and water. These biochemical reactions and reproduction cycles preferably continue until the filter medium approaches an equilibrium which means that all the oil and nutrient products have been digested and decomposed by the bacteria and there is no longer enough food to sustain life of the bacteria that digest oil. In preferred embodiments, the filter medium is also digested.

Examples An analysis of the biodegradability of a waste oil sample with a dehydrated bacterial culture is carried out as follows: First the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of a sample (0.010 ml) of residual oil is determined up to approximately the extent of the oxidation necessary to consume all the residual oil. The COD analysis is performed by Standard Methods 18th ed. Methods 5220C "Closed Reflux Colorimetric Method". The residual oil samples (0.010 ml) are dissolved in 0.10 ml of chloroform and diluted with 10 ml, with deionized water, a concentrate with 0.10 ml of chloroform is prepared and diluted to 10 ml with deionized water. Six copies are made, the low and high values are eliminated, and the remaining four values are averaged to obtain the average COD of 1,397,600 mg / l, standard deviation 235,327 mg / l. The biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the residual oil samples seeded with cultures of dehydrated bacteria is determined as follows. A sample of residual oil (0.010 ml) is pipetted onto one side of a 300 ml BOD bottle and shaken to disperse along the side. Dilution water is prepared according to the OECD guideline method 301b and added to the bottles until they are approximately 3/4 full. Two ml of seed is pipetted directly onto the oil sample to ensure contact. The sowing is prepared by dissolving 0. 623 grams of a combination of BAS 50 dehydrated and Pseudomonas deni trificans in dehydrated methylcellulose and nutrient in 300 ml of deionized water and stirred for 1 hour before use. The BOD bottle is then filled to the neck with dilution water. The initial dissolved oxygen is taken and the bottle is capped. Duplicates are made, high and low values are eliminated and the remaining eight values are averaged after days, 15 days and 28 days. The average BOD values are reported in Table 1 below, and the biodegradability values are determined in% from the average COD values. The examples of the values are reported in table 1 below.

Table 1 The results show that dehydrated bacteria in a freeze-dried substrate can be rapidly activated / resuscitated with the addition of water and will grow / digest in the presence of residual oil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various other features and additional advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as they are better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers assign equal or similar parts throughout the various views and where Figure 1 illustrates an equipment of the present invention for treating petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances, within filtration components, - Figures 2a and 2b illustrate another equipment of the present invention for treating petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds within of the filtration components; Figures 3a and 3b illustrate equipment of the present invention with optional stamps; Figure 4 illustrates a seal incorporated in the replacement filter packaging used in equipment and methods of this invention; Figures 5a-5c each illustrate a different seal for use in the equipment and methods of this invention; Figure 5d is a transparent bag which can be used in the equipment and methods of this invention to prevent the escape of petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds into the environment; Figure 6 is an enlarged illustration of a section of a substrate from which an enzymatic oxidizing medium is formed; Figure 7 is an enlarged illustration of a section of a completed enzymatic oxidizing medium formed for the substrate of Figure 6; and Figure 8 illustrates an equipment of the present invention with an enzymatic oxidizing medium of Figure 7. From the foregoing description, a person skilled in the art can easily determine the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope of the same, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various uses and conditions.

Claims (18)

1. A device for treating filtration components with petroleum and / or compounds based on petrochemical substances entrained therein, characterized in that it comprises: a) a written protocol, which i) identifies at least one filtering component for which the equipment is suitable for treatment, ii) identifies a bio-oxidant medium that is to be added to the filtration component identified in the written protocol, iii) specifies a quantity of water to be added to a filtration component with the bio-oxidant medium added to it, and iv) indicates a filtration component with a bio-oxidant medium added to it that is going to be sealed in a way that prevents the escape of petroleum, compounds based on petrochemical substances, bio-oxidant medium and water in the same to the environment; and b) an inactive bio-oxidant medium identified within the written protocol comprising freeze-dried microorganisms on a freeze-dried substrate, wherein freeze-dried microorganisms are capable of digesting petroleum and petroleum-based compounds entrained within a filtration component before rehydration.

2. The equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the freeze-dried substrate is a freeze-dried nutrient for the microorganism in an amount sufficient to sustain the microorganism once it is resuscitated for at least 1 day in the absence of petroleum or compounds based on petrochemical substances.

3. The equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises a substitution filtration component which is shaped to a filtration component identified in the described protocol and a sealable bag of a size sufficient to retain the identification filtration components in the described protocol, the written protocol further indicates that the filtration components should be sealed when inserted into the filtration component in a sealable bag.

4. The equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the medium. The equipment according to the claim further comprises a gel-forming component that is selected from the group consisting of coagulants, thickeners, polymeric absorbers and combinations thereof, and the protocol written indicates that the filtration components should be sealed by forming a gel within the filtration component with the gel and water-forming component.

5. A device for treating filtration components with petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances entrained therein, characterized in that it comprises: a) a written protocol which identifies at least one filtration component for which the equipment is suitable for treatment; and b) a composition comprising: i) a bio-oxidant medium or an enzymatic means capable of decomposing petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds entrained within the filtration component identified within the written protocol; ii) a coagulant with covalently bonded hydrogen atoms which forms a solid or gel with petroleum or petrochemical-based compounds in the presence of water at room temperature in an amount sufficient to solidify or gel the petroleum and contaminant-based substances petrochemicals within the filtration components identified in the written protocol; c) where the written protocol additionally indicates that the composition is combined with water and petroleum and the compounds based on petrochemical substances entrained within the filtration components.

6. A composition capable of decomposing petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances, characterized in that it comprises an inactive bio-oxidant medium which comprises freezing microorganisms in a freeze-dried substrate, wherein the freeze-dried microorganisms are capable of digesting oil and / or compounds based on petrochemical substances before rehydration and in which the freeze-dried substrate and the freeze-dried microorganisms are simultaneously dried by freezing.

7. The composition according to claim 6, characterized in that the freeze-dried substrate comprises freeze-dried nutrients for the microorganisms.

8. The composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the inactive bio-oxidant medium comprises at least 105 colony forming units of the microorganism per gram of the inactive bio-oxidant medium.

9. The composition according to claim 6, characterized in that the bio-oxidant medium contains: a) more than one strain of microorganism capable of digesting petroleum and / or compounds based on petrochemical substances; b) catalytic enzymes which aid in the oxidation of petroleum and / or compounds based on petrochemical substances or both a) and b).

10. The composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the freeze-dried nutrients are in crystalline form.

11. The composition according to claim 8, characterized in that the amount of nutrients dried by freezing is at least 0.1 g per 107 CFU of microorganisms within the bio-oxidant medium.

12. The composition according to claim 10, characterized in that the number of colony forming units of microorganisms per gram of the freeze-dried substrate is at least 10β.

13. The composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the bio-oxidant medium additionally contains an oxygen source for the microorganisms, once activated.

14. The composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the bio-oxidant medium further comprises initiators which aid in the resuscitation of the microorganisms to digest oil, before use.

15. A composition capable of decomposing petroleum and compounds based on petrochemical substances, characterized in that it comprises: a) a bio-oxidant medium or an enzymatic oxidizing medium capable of oxidizing petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds; and b) a coagulant with covalently bonded hydrogen atoms, which form a solid or gel with petroleum or compounds based on petrochemical substances, in the presence of water at room temperature.

16. The composition according to claim 15, characterized in that the coagulant is methylcellulose or a derivative thereof and which additionally contains a thickener which is selected from pillared clays, kaolimite, magnesia, Fuller's earth, aluminas, starches, cellulose and products of granulated paper, haloisite, illite and montmorillonite.

17. A method for treating filtration components contaminated with petroleum and / or compounds based on petrochemical substances, characterized in that it comprises: a) exposing a filtration component contaminated with petroleum and contaminants based on petrochemical substances to: i) an inactive bio-oxidant medium that comprises freeze-dried microorganisms in a freeze-dried nutrient substrate, wherein freeze-dried microorganisms are capable of digesting petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds upon rehydration and wherein the nutrient substrate dried by freezing and freeze-dried microorganisms are dried by freezing simultaneously; and ii) a quantity of water which rehydrates the microorganisms dried by freezing and the nutrient substrate dried by freezing, so that it activates the microorganisms dried by freezing and provides an oxygen source for the activated microorganism to digest oil and compounds based in petrochemical substances entrained within the filtration components, and b) seal the filtration component to retain the petroleum, the petrochemical-based compounds, the bio-oxidant medium and the water therein so that they do not escape into the environment.

18. A method for treating filtration components with petroleum and with compounds based on petrochemical substances, entrained therein, characterized in that it comprises: a) exposing petroleum and pollutants based on petrochemical substances entrained with a filtration component to a composition comprising: i) a bio-oxidant medium or an enzymatic oxidizing medium having an active ingredient that is selected from oil-digesting bacteria, catalytic enzymes and combinations thereof, which decompose petroleum and contaminants based on petrochemical substances within the filtration components , ii) a coagulant with covalently bonded hydrogen atoms which forms a solid or gel with petroleum and with compounds based on petrochemical substances in the presence of water at room temperature; and iii) an amount of water sufficient to activate the coagulant to form a solid or gel with the petroleum or petrochemical-based compounds entrained within the filtration components; and b) maintaining the filtration components under ambient conditions wherein the enzymatic oxidizing medium decomposes petroleum and petrochemical-based compounds.