Ultra X-Tex

Recycled fabric allows water to instantly filter through while pulling off oil

Ultra-X-Tex material, a long-time staple in stormwater management, is an exceptional tool for oil spill clean-up. The rolled fabric is different than polypropylene in that it allows water to instantly filter through the material and pulls off the oil selectively as the material is hydrophilic. Polypropylene repels the water, and this can make it take longer for the oil to be readily absorbed in a surf environment where the oil is no longer a surface sheen, rather it is being broken up in the surf.

There are many ways that Ultra X-Tex can be used. Here are some standard products that are now available:

1. Ultra-Oil Blankets® are a concept that are being well received as a last line of defense along the shore and in the surf. Each 1.5 m x 3 m (5 ft x 10 ft) oil blanket can hold up to 14.8 liters (3.9 gallons) of oil.

2. Ultra-Spill Fence®– this “silt fence” type application uses stakes and wire backing, the Ultra X-Tex can be placed in front of marshes, wetlands and any shoreline where it’s relatively flat water. In these applications, the Ultra X-Tex can be infused with microbes, or microbes can be sprayed on it after the fence is in place. The ability of Ultra X-Tex to allow water to easily flow through it while pulling off the oil makes it an excellent filter material and protective barrier for sensitive estuaries.

3. Ultra-Oil Filter Booms®Available in 1.8 m (6 ft) lengths with pre-installed connecting hardware. The skirted model also provides a 86 cm (34″) skirt to capture sub-surface oil. This material can also be infused with microbes to provide continuous remediation within the Ultra X-Tex as well as allowing the microbes to disperse to the surrounding water, beaches and shoreline.

4. Stormwater ManagementUltra-X-Tex is available in various stormwater management products.