ISO 20053:2017

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 20053
First edition
2017-09
Ships and marine technology —
Marine environment protection —
Specifications on design and selection
of sorbents
Navires et technologie maritime — Protection de l'environnement
marin — Spécifications relatives à la conception et a la sélection des
sorbants
Reference number
ISO 20053:2017(E)
©
ISO 2017

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ISO 20053:2017(E)

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© ISO 2017, Published in Switzerland
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ii © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

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ISO 20053:2017(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Sorbent materials and forms . 2
4.1 General . 2
4.2 Examples of sorbent materials . 2
4.2.1 Synthetic organic materials . 2
4.2.2 Natural organic materials . 2
4.2.3 Inorganic materials . 2
4.3 Forms of sorbents . 2
4.3.1 Sorbent booms . 2
4.3.2 Pads . 2
4.3.3 Pillows . 2
4.3.4 Pom-poms . 2
4.3.5 Rolls . . 3
5 Selection criteria . 3
5.1 General . 3
5.2 Buoyancy . 3
5.3 Oil retention . 3
5.4 Sorption capacity . 3
5.4.1 Viscosity . 3
5.4.2 Comparison test . . . 3
5.5 Reusability . 3
5.6 Biodegradability . 4
5.7 Disposal . 4
6 Data to be provided by manufacturers . 4
7 Designation and marking . 4
7.1 General . 4
7.2 Marking . 5
Bibliography . 6
© ISO 2017 – All rights reserved iii

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ISO 20053:2017(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
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organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
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URL: www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 8, Ships and marine technology,
Subcommitee SC 2, Marine environment protection.
iv © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

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ISO 20053:2017(E)

Introduction
Sorbents are used to recover oil by absorption and/or adsorption. To enhance recovery, most sorbents
are both oleophilic and hydrophobic. Additionally, there are sorbents which are either oleophilic or
hydrophobic only for use with industrial spills. This document addresses applications pertaining to
marine oil spills.
In general, the use of sorbents is only appropriate for the removal of thin oil layers. Sorbents can also
be used to protect and/or clean environmentally sensitive areas, where the use of other cleaning
equipment is restricted because of the possible damage it can produce.
This document does not refer to loose or bulk sorbents, which should not be used in open waters,
because their use, especially
...