CHEMICAL OIL SPILL DISPERSANTS: EVALUATION OF THREE LABORATORY PROCEDURES FOR ESTIMATING PERFORMANCE

• Main Authors: J.R. Clayton, Jr., P. Marsden
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2004
• Subjects: Prudhoe Bay
• Online Access: http://oaspub.epa.gov/eims/eimsapi.dispdetail?deid=50722

The report presents data from studies designed to evaluate characteristics of selected bench-scale test methods for estimating performance of chemical agents for dispersing oil from surface slicks Into an underlying water column. n order to mitigate the effect of surface slicks with chemical dispersant agents, however, an on-scene coordinator must have information and an understanding of performance characteristics for available dispersant agents. erformance of candidate dispersant agents can he estimated on the basis of laboratory testing procedures that are designed to evaluate performance of different agents. ata presented in this report assist In the evaluatIon of candidate test methods for estimating performance of candidate dispersant agents. hree test methods were selected for evaluating performance: the currently accepted Revised Standard EPA test, Environmental Canada's Swirling Flask test, and the IFP-Dilution test. ests with each method were performed with at least two oils (Prudhoe Bay Crude and South Louisiana Crude) and three commercial dispersant agents that have potential for use in treating oil slicks at sea (Corexit 9527, Corexit CRX-8, and Enersperse 700). dditional tests were performed with the Swirling Flask procedure and three more oils (Alberta Sweet Mixed Blend, Arabian Crude, and Bunker C). he testing procedures are compared on the basis 0 (1) experimental estimation of the repeatability or precision of results obtained for multiple test runs with each procedure, (2) costs of equipment and actual conduct of tests, and (3) a non-quantitative evaluation of the ease of conducting a given test.