A) FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

[0001] The present invention is related to hydrophobic oil absorbent material which can absorb and collect the spilled oil, and can maximize the adsorption area and the ease of mobility. More particularly, the present invention is related to an oil/chemical/dye sorbent having high volumetric sorption capacity.
[0002] B) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0002] Oil/Chemical/Dye spill accidents are hazardous whether the spill accident is in any water body like lakes, rivers, harbours, coastal areas of seas and oceans, industrial effluent in lake and river, and other water bodies or on the shop floor of an industrial environment. The consequences of oil/chemical/dye spillage in water bodies affects the entire ecosystem, and specifically, marine life which in turn affects the food chain and even pose a higher risk for commercial businesses. The oil/chemical/dye spillage on the shop floor of the work environment increases slippage and fall accidents of workmen, increases potential risks of fire hazards and also results in human intake of contaminant material. The oil/chemical/dye spillage on land contaminates the ground water and leads to drain further to lakes and river.
[0003] The ecological disasters resulting from oil/chemical/dye spills have created a great need for effective clean-up systems. Present clean-up systems include

dispersants, thickeners, skimmers, and sorbents. Although the above systems do operate to reduce the ecological and commercial damage created by spill accidents, they provide only a partial solution. Dispersants provide little solution because they merely disperse the oil without removing it from the environment. Containment systems and thickeners also do not remove the oil, but instead must be used with a removal system such as a skimmer. Another type of spill clean-up system is sorbents. Sorbents function to soak up the oil/chemical/dye when placed on an oil/chemical/dye spill. Sorbents are generally marketed as sheets, rolls, pillows, or booms. Conventional sorbents are of three types viz., organic, inorganic and synthetic
[0004] All four systems are expensive which makes them economically less viable. Most importantly, however, all four systems are less effective for large oil spills and does not function properly in bad weather, accompanied by very rough seas.
[0005] The absorbance test conducted on conventional sorbents yielded the results of maximum 20 grams of oil/chemical/dye absorbed per 1 gram of sorbent material. Moreover, the conventional sorbents are not recyclable and cause secondary contamination to the environment. Further, the conventional sorbent leaves a significant amount of oil/chemical/dye on the surface of the water and also the

recovery of the oil/chemical/dye from the conventional sorbent pads is not up to a considerable extent.
[0006] Hence, there is a need to provide oil/chemical/dye sorbent which are reusable, recyclable and have high volumetric sorption capacity to weight ratio.
[0007] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein, which will be understood by studying the following specifications. Accordingly, the sorbent of the present invention has been constructed to be highly reusable, to be effective even in the rough water, to recover the high amount of oil/chemical/dye and permit the recycling of recovered oil. The sorbent of the present invention provides both an ecological and economic advantage over conventional oil spill clean-up systems.
C) OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0008] The primary objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a high capacity, reusable and cost-effective graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent for oil/chemical/dye spills clean-up and further prevents the spread of oil/chemical/dyes etc.
[0010] Another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent with volumetric sorption capacity to weight ratio of more than 30.

[0011] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent that is reusable for more than hundred cycles with an efficiency drop of less than 75%.
[0012] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent that doesn't allow any oil/chemical/dye leaching in saturated state unless subjected to threshold pressure.
[0013] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent wherein the absorbed oil/chemical/dye is easily extractable and usable for further applications.
[0032] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprising the porous sorbent foam which is highly oleophilic and hydrophobic.
[0009] Another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent with a porous sorbent foam of predetermined quantity sealed in between the layers of polymer membrane of predefined thickness.
[0014] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based

oil/chemical/dye sorbent with the porous sorbent foam evenly distributed between the layers of polymer membrane via compartmentalization into various shapes.
[0015] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide small compartments of the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent which acts as zones for effective holding of oils/chemicals/dyes and prevents agglomeration of porous sorbent foam.
[0016] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent where compartmentalization into various shapes is done through stitching, heat press, UV curing, ultrasound sealing or combination thereof.
[0017] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprises a plurality of layers wherein an outer protective polymer membrane surrounding said inner porous sorbent foam for providing mechanical support and attracting said oil/chemical/dye and repelling water, said outer protective cover comprising fibers attached to a semi¬rigid porous backing.
[0018] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent having the layers of polymer membrane

with a predefined thickness of in the range of 8 microns-800 microns depending on the robustness for the application.
[0019] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprising layers of polymer membrane which are fabricated from poly-propylene, polyester or combination thereof.
[0020] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprising layers of porous sorbent foam having a plurality of uniformly dispersed micro size pores of predefined diameter, depending on the viscosity of oils/chemical ls/dyes for better and fast capillary action. This results in faster absorption and overall reduction in containment time.
[0021] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent with porous sorbent foam comprising predefined diameter of uniformly dispersed micro size pores within a range of 1-100 um.
[0022] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent having the layers of porous sorbent foam with a predefined thickness of in the range of 3 mm - 300 mm

depending on the absorption capacity required for the application.
[0023] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide graphene based oil/chemical/dye sorbent made of the porous sorbent foam selected from a group consisting of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene sponge, graphene foam, high surface area carbon, poly-urethane, poly-propylene, polyester, melamine or a combination thereof in different weight proportions.
[0024] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent where the porous sorbent foam can be used as a standalone product for oil/chemical/dye spill clean-up systems and sorbent foam/ pad.
[0025] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent in which the porous sorbent foam comprises highly active graphene nano-composite material layer sandwiched between other hydrophobic layers and combination thereof.
[0026] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent in which the porous sorbent foam comprises of highly active graphene nano-composite material coated/infused on hydrophobic and/or oleophilic polymer fiber/foam material.

[0027] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent in which the porous sorbent foam is neither toxic nor generate any secondary contamination to the air and environmental ecosystem.
[0028] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprising the porous sorbent foam with a density of less than 0.8 g/cm3 or pores per inch PPI less than 50 for better buoyant characteristics and absorbing capacity.
[0029] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprising the porous sorbent foam with a volumetric sorption capacity to weight ratio of more than 50.
[0030] Yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent where the
porous sorbent foam and polymer membrane are flexible and
provide robustness for multiple application.
[0031] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent which can be compressed in less than 1/6 of its actual size for storage.

[0032] Yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a method of deployment of graphene-based
oil/chemical/dye sorbent in oil/chemical/dye spillage in water
bodies or on land.
[0033] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of oil extraction from graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent of oil/chemical/dye spillage in water bodies or on land.
[0034] Yet another objective of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent with an overall calorific value higher than 40000 KJ/KG.
[0035] These and other objects and advantages of the
present invention will become readily apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
D) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0036] This summary is provided to introduce a brief introduction of concepts related to the embodiments of the present invention. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed

subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0037] The various embodiments of the invention provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent foam/pad for maximum recovery of oils/chemicals/dyes from spillage. The graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprises a porous sorbent foam of predetermined quantity distributed uniformly and sealed in between the layers of polymer membrane via compartmentalization into columns. These columns of graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent act as zones for effective holding of oils/chemicals/dyes and prevents agglomeration. The porous sorbent foam is selected from a group consisting of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene sponge, graphene foam, high surface area carbon, poly-urethane, poly-propylene, polyester or a combination thereof in different weight proportions. The layers of polymer membrane are made from poly-propylene, polyester or the blend thereof.
[0038] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent has a volumetric sorption capacity to weight ratio of more than 30.
[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent is reusable for about more than hundred cycles.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent doesn't allow any oil/chemical/dye dripping in saturated state unless subjected to threshold pressure.
[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the layers of polymer membrane comprise a plurality of uniformly dispersed micro size pores of predefined diameter for better capillary action.
[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprises a plurality of layers, and wherein an outer protective polymer membrane surrounding said inner porous sorbent foam for providing mechanical support and attracting said oil/chemical/dye and repelling water, said outer protective cover comprising fibers attached to a semi-rigid porous backing.
[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the porous sorbent foam comprises of the highly active graphene nano-composite material coated/infused on the hydrophobic and/or oleophilic polymer fiber/foam material using spray coating, dip coating, electrochemical deposition, vacuum assisted coating or heating, followed by high pressure heating. The highly active graphene nano-composite material is selected from a group consisting of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene

sponge, graphene foam, or a combination thereof in different weight proportions. The polymer substrate coated with the highly active graphene nano-composite material is subjected to drying and curing.
[0044] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabricating the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent, is provided. The method comprises the following steps. The layers of polymer membrane are held against each other with porous sorbent foam of predetermined thickness and porosity in between them and joined on all the four sides through either stitching, heat press, UV curing, ultrasound sealing or a combination thereof. The porous sorbent foam is distributed uniformly to achieve predefined thickness between the layers of polymer membrane joined together. Finally, the layers of polymer membrane filled with the porous sorbent foam are joined together in different designs through either stitching, heat press, UV curing, ultrasound sealing or a combination thereof to compartmentalize the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent into a plurality of small packets therein. The compartmentalization of the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent into small packets acts as a zone for effective holding of oils/chemicals/dyes and also prevents agglomeration.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention a method of deployment of graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent over a spillage area of oils/chemicals/dyes across the water body or any other surface and their collection mechanism on saturation, is provided. The method of deployment of oil/chemical/dye sorbent over water bodies and their collection on saturation comprises the following steps.
STEP 1: It is very difficult to drop and collect the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent at exact locations covering wide portions of oil/chemical/dye spillage. Hence, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent are connected through a series of ropes/wires and boats are used to drop graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent covering a wide-spread area of oil/chemical/dye spillage.
STEP 2: The graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent saturated with oil/chemical/dye are collected by a rolling mechanism on ships/ground by pulling and folding the ropes/wires in a roller for recovery of the oil/chemical/dye from the sorbent for secondary applications.
[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention a hollow cylinder-shaped porous sorbent foam having porous pipe in the middle is used for recovery of the oil/chemical/dye for secondary applications.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention a hollow cylinder-shaped porous sorbent foam having porous pipe in the middle has a continuous vacuum suction mechanism for continuous removal of the oil/chemical/dye from the foam for secondary applications.
[0046] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the present invention may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form further additional embodiments of the present invention.
[0047] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
[0048] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the

embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
E) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0049] The other objects, features and advantages will
occur to those skilled in the art from the following
description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0050] FIG.1A illustrates a top side perspective view of a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0051] FIG.IB illustrates a side view of a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent, along a width direction, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0052] FIG.1C illustrates a side view of the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent, along a length direction, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] FIG.2 illustrates a flow chart explaining the
process of steps involved in a method of fabricating of the
graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent, according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0054] FIG.3 illustrates a flow chart explaining the process steps involved in the method of fabricating of the graphene-

based oil/chemical/dye sorbent, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] Although the specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.
F) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0056] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the present invention. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
[0057] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present invention,

as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0058] While the embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the present invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention.
[0059] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0060] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same

meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0061] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0062] The various embodiments of the invention provide a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent which performs maximum recovery of oils/chemicals/dyes from spillage. The graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprises a porous sorbent foam of predetermined quantity distributed uniformly and sealed in between the layers of polymer membrane via compartmentalization into various shapes. These shapes of graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent act as zones for

effective holding of oils/chemicals/dyes and prevents agglomeration. The porous sorbent foam is selected from one of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene sponge, graphene foam, high surface area carbon, poly-urethane, poly-propylene, polyester or a combination thereof in different weight proportions. The layers of polymer membrane are made from poly-propylene, polyester or the blend thereof.
[0063] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent has a volumetric sorption capacity to weight ratio of more than 30.
[0064] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent is reusable for about more than hundred cycles.
[0065] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent doesn't allow any oil/chemical/dye dripping in saturated state unless subjected to threshold pressure.
[0066] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the layers of polymer membrane comprise a plurality of uniformly dispersed micro size pores of predefined diameter for better capillary action.
[0067] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent

comprises a plurality of polymer membrane and porous sorbent foam layers, wherein the layer of polymer membrane which comes into contact with water at first stage has a lower thickness and the layer of porous sorbent foam which comes into contact with water at a later stage has a higher thickness.
[0068] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent having high volumetric sorption capacity to weight ratio of more than 30, is provided. The graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent includes a porous sorbent foam of predetermined quantity uniformly distributed and sealed in between the layer of polymer membrane via compartmentalization into small packets. The compartmentalization into small packets acts as a zone for effective holding of oils/chemicals/dyes and prevents agglomeration. The porous sorbent foam is selected from a group consisting of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene sponge, graphene foam, high surface area carbon, poly-urethane, poly-propylene, polyester or a combination thereof in different weight proportions. The layers of polymer membrane are spun bound and made from poly-propylene, polyester or the blend thereof.
[0069] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabricating of the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent is provided. The method comprises the following steps. The layers of polymer membrane are held

against each other with porous sorbent foam of predetermined thickness and porosity in between them and joined on all the four sides through either stitching, heat press, UV curing, ultrasound sealing or a combination thereof. The porous sorbent foam is distributed uniformly to achieve predefined thickness between the layers of polymer membrane joined together. All the above-mentioned steps are repeated for a plurality of times to form the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent of a plurality of columns. Finally, the layers of polymer membrane filled with the porous sorbent foam are joined together in different designs through either stitching, heat press, UV curing, ultrasound sealing or a combination thereof to compartmentalize the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent foam/pad into a plurality of small columns therein. The compartmentalization of the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent foam/pad into small columns acts as a zone for effective holding of oils/chemicals/dyes and also prevents agglomeration.
[0070] According to one embodiment of the present invention a method of deployment of graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent over a spillage area of oils/chemicals/dyes across the water body and their collection mechanism on saturation, is provided. The method of deployment of graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent over water bodies and their collection on saturation comprises the following steps. It is

very difficult to drop the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent at exact locations covering wide portions of oil/chemical/dye spillage. Hence, the sorbents are connected through a series of ropes/wires and boats are used to drop graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent covering a wide-spread area of oil/chemical/dye spillage. The graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent saturated with oil/chemical/dye are collected by a rolling mechanism on ships by pulling and folding the ropes/wires in a roller for recovery of the oil/chemical/dye from the sorbent for secondary applications.
[0071] According to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG.1A illustrates a top side perspective view of a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent. According to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG.IB illustrates a side view of a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent, along a width direction. According to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG.1C illustrates a side view of the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent, along a length direction
[0072] According to one embodiment of the present invention with respect to FIG.1A-FIG.1C, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent of standard dimension is provided. The standard dimension is finalized by considering parameters of optimum absorption capacity, reusability and economical price.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent (100) having high volumetric sorption capacity of about more than 30. The graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent (100) includes a porous sorbent foam (106) of predetermined quantity uniformly distributed and sealed in between the layer of polymer membrane (102 and 104) via compartmentalization into small columns (108) . The compartmentalization into small columns (108) acts as zone for effective holding of oils/chemicals/dyes and prevents agglomeration. The porous sorbent foam (106) is selected from one of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene sponge, graphene foam, high surface area carbon, poly-urethane, poly-propylene, polyester or a combination thereof in different weight proportions. The layers of polymer membrane (102 and 104) are spun bound and made from poly¬propylene, polyester or the blend thereof.
[0074] According to one embodiment of the present
invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent (100)
comprises a dimension of 50 x 50 cm, weighs 22 grams and
absorbs oils/chemicals/dyes up to 1.7 litres.
[0075] According to one embodiment of the present
invention, the predefined height of the layers of polymer
membrane (102) and (104) filled with the porous sorbent
material (106) is in a range of 400-8000 microns.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the present invention, all the small packets (108) include the porous sorbent foam (106) of the same quantity to ensure uniform absorption of oil/chemical/dye across the sorbent (100) and thereby ensuring better buoyancy characteristics.
[0077] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent (100) is reusable for more than hundred cycles with efficiency drop of less than 75% over the cycles.
[0078] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent (100) doesn't allow any oil/chemical/dye dripping in saturated state unless subjected to threshold pressure.
[0079] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent (100) facilitates in easy extraction of the absorbed oil/chemical/dye for further applications.
[0080] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the layers of polymer membrane (102 and 104) are of same thickness. The layers of polymer membrane (102 and 104) with greater thickness provides robustness to the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent (100) and the layers of polymer membrane (102 and 104) with lower thickness gives high

absorption rate to the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent (100) .
[0081] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent (100) is dropped into the spillage area in such a way that the layer of polymer membrane (102 or 104) with lower thickness comes into contact with the spill at first and the layer of porous sorbent foam (106) with greater thickness comes into contact with the spill at a later stage.
[0082] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the layers of polymer membrane (102 and 104) are fabricated from poly-propylene, polyester or the blend thereof and are capable of withstanding abrasion from rocks, minerals, salts and action of waves of water bodies without any tear-off. The layers of polymer membrane include a plurality of uniformly dispersed micro size pores of diameter in the range of 1-100 um depending on the viscosity of oils/chemicals/dyes for better capillary action.
[0083] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the porous sorbent foam (106) of the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent (100) is selected from a group consisting of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene sponge, graphene foam, high surface area carbon, poly-urethane, poly-propylene,

polyester or a combination thereof in different weight proportions.
[0084] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the porous sorbent foam (106) is highly oleophilic, hydrophobic and is capable of absorbing a variety of oils/chemicals/dyes as the contact angle of water is greater than the porous sorbent foam (106) . The porous sorbent foam
(106) has volumetric sorption capacity of about greater than 50 and density of about less than 0.8 gm/cm3. The porous sorbent foam (106) has meso, micro or macro porous structure thereby providing high surface area for trapping oil/chemical/dye molecules within the cavities with minimal dripping off factor.
[0085] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent (100) is recyclable with an overall calorific value of about higher than 40000 KJ/KG and does not cause any secondary pollution.
[0086] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steps involved in the synthesis of porous sorbent foam in graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent are as follows:
Step 1: Highly active graphene nano-composite material is added to water and sonicated (202) .

Step 2: The above solution is transferred to Teflon line container and subjected to heating at 60°C under continuous stirring (204).
Step 3: The polymeric foam/ fibre is dipped inside the solution for 1 hr and then transferred in cold water solution (206) .
Step 4: The foam/fibre is dried at 120°C for overnight under high pressure (208).
[0087] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the highly active graphene nano-composite material (202) is selected from a group consisting of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene sponge, graphene foam, or a combination thereof in different weight proportions.
[0088] FIG.3 illustrates a flow chart explaining the process steps involved in the method of fabricating of the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent, according to one embodiment of the present invention, is provided. The layers of polymer membrane (102 and 104) are held against each other with porous sorbent foam (106) of predetermined thickness and porosity in between them and joined on three sides using either stitching, heat press, UV curing, ultrasound sealing or a combination thereof (302). A porous sorbent foam (106) of predetermined quantity is distributed uniformly to achieve

predefined thickness between the layers of polymer membrane (102 and 104) and joined on its fourth side (304) . The layers of polymer membrane filled with the porous sorbent foam are joined together in plurality of columns are compartmentalized into a plurality of small columns (108) therein (306) . The above-mentioned step is repeated for multiple times to form the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent foam/pad of multiple Columns (308) . The compartmentalization of the graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent into small columns acts as a zone for effective holding of oils/chemicals/dyes and also prevents agglomeration.
[0089] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.
[0090] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments

herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope.
[0091] Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein with modifications. Although the embodiments herein are described with various specific embodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein with modifications.

Claims:

We claim

[1] A high capacity, reusable and cost-effective graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent for oil/chemical/dye spills clean-up which further prevents the spread of oil/chemical/dyes etc.
[2] A graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent that is reusable for more than hundred cycles with an efficiency drop of less than 75%.
[3] A graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent that doesn't allow any oil/chemical/dye leaching in saturated state unless subjected to threshold pressure.
[4] A graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprising the porous sorbent foam which is highly oleophilic and hydrophobic.
[5] The structure of graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprises:
a. A porous sorbent foam of predetermined quantity sealed
in between the layers of polymer membrane of predefined
thickness.
b. The porous sorbent foam evenly distributed between the
layers of polymer membrane via compartmentalization into
various shapes.

c. Provided with small compartments in sorbent which acts
as zones for effective holding of oils/chemicals/dyes and
prevents agglomeration of porous sorbent foam.
d. A plurality of layers wherein an outer protective
polymer membrane surrounding said inner porous sorbent foam
for providing mechanical support and attracting said
oil/chemical/dye and repelling water, said outer protective
cover comprising fibers attached to a semi-rigid porous
backing.
e. The sorbent having the layers of polymer membrane with
a predefined thickness of 0.8 mm depending on the robustness
for the application.
f. Layers of polymer membrane which are fabricated from
poly-propylene, polyester or combination thereof.
[6] A graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent comprising layers of porous sorbent foam:
a. having plurality of uniformly dispersed micro size
pores of predefined diameter, depending on the viscosity of
oils/chemical ls/dyes for better and fast capillary action.
This results in faster absorption and overall reduction in
containment time.
b. having predefined diameter of uniformly dispersed
micro size pores within a range of 1-100 um.

c. having a predefined thickness of in the range of 3 mm
- 300 mm depending on the absorption capacity required for the
application.
d. Made of the porous sorbent foam selected from a group
consisting of graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene
oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, graphene sponge, graphene foam,
high surface area carbon, poly-urethane, poly-propylene,
polyester, melamine or a combination thereof in different
weight proportions.
e. with a density of less than 0.8 g/cm3 or pores per inch
PPI less than 50 for better buoyant characteristics and
absorbing capacity.
f. having volumetric sorption capacity to weight ratio of
more than 50.
[7] A graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent where the porous sorbent foam and polymer membrane are flexible and provide robustness for 200-time reusability.
[8] A graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent which can be compressed in less than 1/6 of its actual size for storage.
[9] A method of deployment of graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent in oil/chemical/dye spillage in water bodies or on land.
[10] The process for the synthesis of porous sorbent foam in graphene-based oil/chemical/dye sorbent are as follows:

Step 1: Highly active graphene nano-composite material is added to water and sonicated.
Step 2: The above solution is transferred to Teflon line container and subjected to heating at 60°C under continuous stirring.
Step 3: The polymeric foam/ fibre is dipped inside the solution for 1 hr and then transferred in cold water solution.
Step 4: The foam/fibre is dried at 120°C for overnight under high pressure.