Model Identification & “Loose Packed” Terminology

S15 relates to our 1.5 Cubic Foot – 75 Litre absorbency capacity bag.
B55 relates to our 4 Cubic Foot – 200 Litre absorbency capacity bag.

We indicate on our bags, that 3 and 8 cubic feet of “Loose packed Bio-Matrix” is “Double Compressed and Compacted” into the 1.5 and 4 cubic foot bags. Why? Because, very simply, the 3 and 8 cubic feet of “Loose Packed Bio-Matrix” is a measured amount, and at 2,200 PSI (pounds per square inch) the Verville Bagging Press will more than compress the loose peat to at least one half the “loose” measurement.

Please note: When we compact the peat we are simply taking “air” out of the loose peat volume, not volume out of the peat! We also stipulate that the “Hydrocarbon Capacity per Bag” is “20” and “50 US Gallons”, and “75 and 200 Litres”, and “800% By Weight.” This also stipulates that this refers to the “‘Note Absorption Rating’ section on back cover.” These are factual test representations but, please know and under stand that outside temperatures and the viscosities of the hydrocarbons and chemicals to be absorbed will vary the amount of Bio-Matrix that will be necessary to fully absorb each spill. If it is lighter than 904 Bow River Alberta Crude (Specific Gravity of 0.904) you will generally need to use more Bio-Matrix; if heavier you will need less absorbent. Of note: Pure water has an SG of 1.0 (one).

Filling the Bio-Matrix Bags (Example used is 4 cubic foot)

The Bio-Matrix sphagnum peat moss is harvested by vacuum from selected bogs which have previously been drained and cultivated. Our selected bogs contain only Von Post scale 1, 2, & 3 quality sphagnum peat moss. The Von Post scale goes up to 10 at which point the peat is quite dirty and not acceptably fibrous. Our peat absorbent is ±97% pure organic sphagnum with a minimal content of minerals holding the balance. The pH factor is from 4.5 to 5.  The harvested peat is then mix blended, screened, heat sterilised, then hot air dried to a moisture content of 10% or less. It is then screened again and air-pumped into an over head silo. From there it is measured into an 8 cubic foot/0.227 cubic metre (227 litre) container and this measurement is fed into the empty peat bag. The peat absor bent is then compressed at 2,200 pounds per square inch into the 4 cu. ft./0.1135 cu. metre. (113.5 cu. litre) bag, which is then sealed.  Being organic, 30,000+ years old, and having been cultivated, harvested, processed, and dried, each peat fibre will not be of the same length, width, weight, and size. Mix-blending the peat after harvesting affords us the greatest ongoing consistency.

Weight and Absorbency Measurements Used

Although the recognized absorbency, and therefore weight rating, is about 9 lbs./ kilos of water for every 1 lb./kilo of peat, some of the better sphagnum mosses can absorb up to 14 lbs./kilos of water per lb./kilo of 100% pure dry peat. The Bio-Matrix sphagnum is harvested from the “Fison” bogs in Parkland County, northern Alberta; noted to be home to the finest and purest of sphagnum peat mosses in the world. All the weights and absorbency measurements we have used in this report, excepting for those tests that we have physically performed, use the lesser of the 1:9 absorbency ratio rather than the l:14 ratio.

Bag Weights Per Cubic Foot

In the bag 1 lb., or 1 kilo, of 100% dry peat will hold 9 lbs., or 9 kilos, of water in its capillaric fibres. At 10% moisture content 1 lb., or l kilo, of peat will hold 0.43 1bs, or 0.43 kilos of moisture (not 19 of 9 lbs being 1 lb., or 1/9 of 9 kilos being l kilo, as you may suspect). This therefore shows that the moisture content in our peat absorbent will increase by approximately 21 times when saturated. However at 5% moisture content it will absorb over 36 times its moisture weight and conversely at 16% moisture content it will only increase by about 13 times the weight of the moisture held in the peat. Don’t get misdirected here; the above refers only to the amount by which the moisture content itself is increased and multiplied by when 100% saturation of the peat is realized.  Ideally 10% moisture content of our 4 cubic foot/0.1135 cubic metre (l13.5 litre) compressed bag will contain 0.110 kilos of peat absorbent per litre volume measure of Bio-Matrix (ie. 0.077 kilos pure dried peat holding 0.033 kilos of moisture = 0.11 kilos or the equivalent of 0.11 litre measurement of Bio-Matrix). This multiplied by the original loose content fill of 227 litres of absorbent loaded into the bag will total 25 kilos ((0.077 + 0.033)×227=24.97 kilos) of weight per compressed 4 cu. ft./0.1135 cu. metre (ll3.5 litre) bag. The imperial weights comparison looks too complex; suffice it to say that the 4 cubic foot bag should weigh 55 lbs when 8 cubic feet of loose Bio-Matrix has been double compressed and compacted into it.  If the moisture content is higher, it will weigh more than 55 lbs. or 25 kilos. If it has less than 10% moisture content the bag weight will drop accordingly. Remember all sizes, weights, and the bulk density of each peat fibre is variable, we do not, nor can we, guarantee a weight to less than a nominal percentage per bag.

Absorption Capacity per Bag

At a ratio of 0.035 lbs., or 0.077 kilos, of 100% dry peat with 0.015 lbs., or 0.033 kilos, of moisture content the percentage of dry peat available for external use is 94.1% (of interest the factorial percentage of moisture removed from the saturated peat is 95.2%!).  We know that one bag of Bio-Matrix will minimally absorb 465 lbs. or 55 US Gallons, or 210 kilos (or 210 litres) of water when saturated (0.110 kilos/litres × 227 × 9 × 94.1% = 211.47 kilos or liquid litres of measurement). Tests have proven that one 4 cubic foot compacted bag of Bio-Matrix will regularly absorb 50 US gallons, or 200 litres, of Bow River Alberta crude oil at temperatures of from 57 to 64°F, or 14 to 17°C. Bio-Matrix Canada Inc. has set this measurement as their “foundation” absorption rate.  Bow River crude has a specific gravity of 0.904 and weighs 392 lbs./178 kilos per 54 US gallon/204 litre drum.

Bio-Matrix Weights and Measures

Specific gravity, and similarly kg per M³, bbl per Mg(1,000 kg.= 1 tonne), kg per drum (204 litres), lb. per gal. (Imperial), and lb. per gal. (US), are all directly related to the absorption capabilities of dried peat with hydrocarbons. The higher the SG and weight per litre the better the Bio-Matrix absorption rate. The lesser the SG or weight per litre of the hydrocarbon, the lesser the absorption factor of the peat absorbent. Residual fuel oils, greases, and paints will require less than a 4 cubic foot bag of compacted Bio-Matrix to absorb 50 US gallons/200 litres of spill while more than one bag will be required to absorb an equal amount, yet of lesser weight and SG, when aviation, auto, or diesel fuels are to be absorbed.

Compacted Bio-Matrix Measure

Gallons or litres of hydrocarbons absorbed are directly related to the loose packed capacity fill of the peat absorbent prior to being compacted. When 8 cubic feet/0.227 cubic metres (227 litres) of loose dried peat absorbent is compacted to 4 cubic feet/113.5 cubic metres (227 litres) and then reopened,
whether it is hours or months later, the peat will not “spring” or “surge” back to its original 8 cu.ft./0.227 cu. metres. (227 litre) measurement. When loosened prior to being distributed on spills it will usually measure 5.3 to 5.6 cu. ft. or 0.150 to 0.160 cu. metres. (150 to 160 litres).

Remember, when we compact the peat we are simply taking “air” out of the loose peat volume, not volume out of the peat! If you placed the contents into a roller-tub clothes dryer for several minutes then it will “spring” and “surge” back to 8 cu. ft. or 0.227 cu. metres. (227 litres) of cubic measurement. i.e. It will “aerate” and fill the fibrous pores with air. The absorbency capabilities of Bio-Matrix does not deteriorate from being compacted unless the fibres have been permanently and irreversibly crushed in the process. The only time this happens is when the peat has been charred in the drying process, and or, has been dried to too low a moisture content level. The peat would then turn to a fine black powder.

When the pores are sealed, or the peat turns to ash, then it is like our competitors products; it becomes an ADsorbent, not an ABsorbent.  In the case of Bio-Matrix the integrity of the peat fibres are maintained throughout the air drying and “Goodwin” patented “Cyclonic Vacuum Heat Treatment Process” where the drying fibres “residence time” throughout the drying chambers is exactly controlled and monitored until such time as the correct moisture content is attained.

And finally, the only reason we compact Bio-Matrix is to save us all money on freight costs. This saving, or not paying for loose product to be shipped, is easily calculated; it is 50%!