Sorbent

• A material similar to molecular sieve material, which acts by adsorption. It has a large internal surface area and good thermal conductivity. It is typically supplied in pellets of 1 mm to 2 mm diameter and roughly 5 mm length or as grains of the order 1 mm. Occasionally as beads up to 5 mm diameter. They are typically made from aluminium oxide with a porous structure.
• Materials used to absorb other materials due to their high affinity for doing so. Examples include:
• *In composting, dry materials absorb many odoriferous chemicals, and these chemicals help to decompose these sorbents.
• *A sponge absorbs many times its own weight in water.
• *A polypropylene fiber mat may be used to absorb oil.
• *A cellulose fiber product may be used to absorb oil.
• *The granular gel material in a baby diaper will absorb several times its original weight in urine.
• *Desiccants attract water, drying out the surrounding materials.