HySand
Have you ever considered why a duck's feather remains dry even after plunging into the water?
Well, this natural phenomenon has been replicated on our special innovative coating to various materials including sand. This resulting sand prevents water from entering between the grains making it repel water, also known as hydrophobic.
Our Licensed technology has enabled the manufacture of the first cost effective granular hydrophobic material in the United Kingdom, namely HySand.
It has become apparent that there are many applications for the product.
As more industries and institutions investigate HySand, further applications will be identified to meet individual needs.
Drop of water on HySand
There are five main properties:
- Repels water
- Adsorbs oils
- Insulates material
- Remains dry
- Non toxic & environmentally friendly
1. Repels water.
While water is an essential part of life, it can also destroy human resources. Water assists in the oxidization of materials and is visible in the form of rust in metal, as well as in other forms in other materials. Water is also the carrier of chemicals that erode other materials such as concrete.
As we advance in technology, we rely ever more on electricity and electronics where water is a natural enemy of these.
The attributes of HySand to maintain a dry environment for all items that are encased within it ensure an extended service and life to such materials.
2. Adsorbs oils.
In a world of ever increasing pollution, that is threatening our existence, HySand has a positive part to play. The utilization of HySand to adsorb hydrocarbons and other oils without leakage is a significant advance in helping protect our environment. The bioremediation of the held oils can economically assist in containing, preventing and rehabilitating polluted soils and water.
3. Insulates Material.
HySand is an efficient thermal, acoustic and electrical insulator.
Due to it's attribute of remaining dry, it is self preserving and will maintain its properties even in the presence of water.
4. Remains dry.
HySand, when applied in the prescribed manner remains dry and in a free flowing state such as sand in an hour-glass. The arid condition of HySand inhibits the growth of fungi and bacteria as well as the germination of seeds.
5. Non toxic.
Independent tests by SGS laboratories confirm HySand's safety. Further information available upon request.
HySand has many applications: environmental (oil adsorption) cleaning an oil spill; construction (water repelling) preventing dampness; agricultural preserving water and finally infrastructure preventing corrosion.
Following is a list of some applications.
Some are proven and have been used commercially.
Others have been demonstrated effectively in laboratory simulations, while others are concepts based on the properties of the product.
More information on each of the applications is available.
- Infrastructure
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Water repellence - general use
Infrastructure
Protects infrastructure in permafrost or freezing soil conditions.
Oil industry - preserves oil pipes and protects surface and underground oil tanks (environmentally friendly and helps prevent hazards).
Effective friction protection in high clay content moving soil.
Protection of all underground infrastructure including pipes, electrical cables, communication cables such as optic fiber, cable joins and junction boxes, plastic sanitary pipes. HySand is the ideal back-filling for protecting the material being laid. Firstly, it secures underground utilities from shifting; secondly, waterproofs them and thirdly, insulates the material. HySand offers effective and long lasting protection
Power poles and junction boxes - prevents corrosion and adverse effects from frost. HySand thereby lowers maintenance costs
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- Agriculture
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Water saving for agricultural fields - prevent seepage by forming a barrier to water above the HySand layer (a layer of HySand placed just below the roots) thus allowing the roots to absorb the water
Agriculture
In gardens, mixing HySand with soil improves air penetration even when the plant has been over watered. In addition, a layer of HySand at the bottom of the pot stops water from passing through it, yet allows air to pass through the sand grains thereby providing the roots with the air needed to breathe
Reduces the required amounts of fertilizer
Retains a dry environment aiding weed control
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- Construction
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Protection of underground perimeter waterproofing materials in buildings.
Construction
Barrier against rising damp in buildings.
Waterproofing for flat roofs and balconies.
Sports grounds and playing fields - grounds do not get muddy as the water forms beads that run off the surface area or simply evaporate. On golf courses, HySand in the bunkers means that the sand will not clump together and the golfer can hit the ball with just the right force. At equestrine centres, HySand used as a top dressing in yards/fields prevents the ground becoming too boggy or icy.
Building close to coasts and rivers - beneficial protection from unpredictable water tables.
An excellent bed for tiling and paving.
An effective under floor moisture barrier in wet rooms.
Insulating automatically when used in all applications in buildings.
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- Environment
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Sand bags to prevent flooding - unlike normal sand HySand doesn't become saturated with water offering a more effective solution to protect homes
Environment
Oil spills - oil quickly penetrates the HySand effectively separating it from the spillage area (tarmac on roads or water environments)
Traps petroleum spilled from oil tankers in coastal waters - when HySand is spread over floating petroleum, it binds with the oily material, creating clumps of oil trapped within the sand, allowing it to be extracted. This helps mop up the spillage, minimising the effects of the pollutant to our environment
Dump sites - HySand laid under the waste material to protect the natural ground that lies below should any oily substance leak out
Non-toxic termite repellant
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Thermal Insulation
Thermal Insulation
The HySand maintained the temperature at 30.8 C despite being surrounded by water at 81.5 C
Corrosion Experiment
Corrosion Experiment
HySand prevents corrosion - even after 6 months in sea water
HySand in the Arctic
HySand in the Arctic
HySand has been tested by utility companies in the Arctic, who bury electric and telephone wires to protect them from the harsh weather. However, if something needs to be repaired during the winter, digging through frozen Arctic soil normally takes many hours of work. To speed up these underground repairs, utility companies can cover electrical junction boxes with Hydrophobic Sand and cap the sand with just a few inches of soil. Rainwater flows around, not through it, and when the soil freezes, the sand remains dry and loose. It is easy to break through the frozen cap and then shovel away the loose Hydrophobic Sand.
Silverstone
HySand is endorsed by Silverstone Circuit Management for spill clean up
"Finally we now have a product that works in all weathers, the track conditions were as good as before an oil or fuel spill"
SealSand - MediCat
We are now pleased to introduce our latest patented innovation, SealSand MediCat.
Cats are susceptible to renal and urinary disease.
- Cats are susceptible to renal and urinary disease.
- Urine collection is problematic and time consuming.
- Current procedures are stressful for cat and owner.
SealSand Medicat.
SealSand Medicat is for veterinarians and cat owners to assist in the non-invasive collection of urine samples for visual and laboratory testing.
- Non-invasive
- Veterinarian approved
- Cats prefer sand as litter
- Kit containing all necessary utensils
- Environmental friendly and completely biodegradable
- SealSand is placed in the box.
- The cat urinates on the sand.
- The urine is held as a globule on the hydrophobic sand.
- The urine is extracted from the sand and placed in a suitable container to be sent away for analysis.
- Monitoring Crystaluria
- Monitoring urine pH
- Monitoring Glucosuria
- Screening for inflammatory changes (WBC, RBC, Protein)
- Monitoring urinary concentration capabilities