What is really the right way to clean up an oil spill?

There really is an environmentally friendly way to quickly respond to a spill on water that will truly clean up the mess, protect the environment and above all, save everybody a great deal of money: the owners of the spill, the responders, the state and the federal government and above all, the taxpayer.

Futile Attempt to Clean Oil Spill

This futile effort could have been avoided had they used Advanced Absorption Technology. PetroLite polymeric hyper-immobilizing oil spill solidifying absorbent demonstrates all the benefits that conventional products simply cannot achieve. The most important attribute of this type of oil spill absorbent is the complete removal of any oil sheen or rainbow. Skimmers, conventional booms, pads and pillows can never achieve this level of removal. That means more time spent, additional expense and then there is no guarantee that the job will be done properly. Because using PetroLite is a simple process; apply the granule to the floating oil, then skim it off the water surface for collection and disposal. Because the collected oil has now been transformed into a floating solid that will not contaminate anything it comes in contact with and cannot re-release the oil, it is considered one of the most environmentally friendly products available. PetroLite is completely non-toxic and can safely be used on any body of fresh or salt water.

EPA review completed November 6, 2008 indicates that PetroLite meets the definition of a "sorbent" as specified in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations of the National Contingency Plan and as such can be used by responders as an authorized oil spill cleanup product. PetroLite  consists solely of the materials listed in section 300.915(g)(1) of the NCP.

Port Arthur Oil Spill

The Port Arthur Texas oil spill cleanup operations are being carried out in the traditional method of using containment booms and oil skimmers. While this is an accepted methodology, there is a technology available that would greatly enhance the cleanup results and truly remove the floating oil and sheens from the water surface without the use of surfactants (detergents). This technique is classified as "Advanced Absorption Technology" and the commercial product that is most appropriate is PetroLite for oil spills. Containment booms and skimmers are not 100% effective in capturing floating oil. Alternatively, PetroLite will instantly immobilize and solidify any floating oil that is comes in contact with. Any further ecological damage is thereby prevented, cleanup operations are greatly simplified and associated cost savings become very apparent. PetroLite is listed by the USEPA as appropriate for use on water or land. Cleanup contractors and the U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office should have a keen interest in this technology. 

For more information, contact Guardian Environmental Technologies here. 

 

View video demonstration of PetroLite used on crude oil spills on water.

Explosive vapor suppression

VAPOR SUPPRESSED SOLIDIFIED CHLOROSILANE TREATED WITH PETROGUARD

Common mineral based absorbents commonly known as kitty litter are used extensively throughout industry. Many companies that work with flammable and reactive chemicals sadly still depend on these mineral absorbents to clean up spills around a plant because they are cheap and abundant. Nearly all conventional sorbents will re-release vapors from absorbed flammable liquids such as solvents, making for a hazardous situation when in close proximity to electrical panels and other sources of sparks creating a fire hazard. 

Only one type of sorbent has proved to be completely effective in suppressing or eliminating vapor production and those are the family of polymeric absorbing solidifiers. Not all polymeric solidifiers are the same and only one or two stand out as being truly effective. Of those that are available on the marketplace, the one that has the most and longest proven record of success with these types of flammables and reactive chemicals is PetroGuard.

How PetroGuard works is of prime importance. PetroGuard's capacity depends upon the active material to selectively absorb molecules with suitable solubility characteristics, directly into its internal structure. This allows the polymer to absorb very large quantities of molecules. Molecules are partitioned into the polymeric regions of the medium, with exceptional affinity for non-polar organic compounds. Once deactivation has taken place, PetroGuard will form an interlocking network matrix with a rubber-like consistency.

Example organics absorbed and immobilized:

Chlorosilanes and related chemicals diesel and fuel oils
Silicone oils, Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons
Chlorinated hydrocarbons, Ethyl acetate
Trichloroethylene, Crude oil
Methylene chloride, Naphtha
Carbon tetrachloride, Methyl ethyl ketone
Titanium tetrachloride, Styrene
Acetone, Vinyl chloride

Case Study: flammable solvents and reactive chemicals

Download our Case Study about the extensive testing that was done on PetroGuard and reactive and flammable chemicals at Witco a plant in West Virginia.

Please contact us for more information or visit our website at www.guardianenviromental.com.

What exactly is PetroGuard?

 

What is PetroGuard?

PetroGuard is a dry, white, light (14-pounds/cubic foot), granular powder consisting of unique organic polymeric materials. PetroGuard is used to immobilize liquid hydrocarbon and chlorocarbon spills on land or water to a recoverable solid, with minimal overall volumetric increase.

How does it work?

Contact allows the liquid or organic material to diffuse into the structure of the absorbent forming a solid matrix. The resultant material can be easily handled and disposed of as an inert solid and will not release the absorbed material, even under pressure.

In what form is it used?

PetroGuard is used as a granular substance applied directly to a liquid spill or is packaged in custom designed booms, pads or blankets.

What is its absorbent capacity?

PetroGuard^TM, a new technology in environmental cleanup, will absorb and solidify quantities of molecules at a 4:1 by weight ratio, with compatible solubility characteristics.

Is PetroGuard effective for water surface spills?

Because PetroGuard is hydrophobic and will always float, it will quickly solidify any floating free product into a solid mass, which is then easily scooped from the surface. Booms and sheen blankets are particularly effective for controlling surface spills.

What about land spills?

PetroGuard is equally effective in controlling chemical or petroleum based spills on land by either direct application or through the use of custom designed socks or pads. Because liquid will not be released, it is an ideal absorbent for spill control. Equipment used for soil remediation can use PetroGuard to physically mix with the soil and later floated off through various batch treating techniques.

What chemicals are controlled?

Most polar organic compounds are quickly absorbed and solidified. Even the more dangerous and reactive chemicals are easily and safely controlled. PetroGuard is the ideal product for use by emergency spill response teams.

How do you dispose of spent PetroGuard?

Spent PetroGuard is most efficiently disposed of by incineration. Virgin PetroGuard burns cleanly with low ash and high BTU value, making the spent material an ideal candidate for fuel blending. Generally the cost to pick up and dispose of a 55 gallon drum of some hazardous chemical that has been treated with PetroGuard is around $350.

What are the economic benefits of PetroGuard?

PetroGuard's high efficiency and stability makes it economically superior to other spill control products. Dollar savings in man hours and reduced volume of materials can exceed 50% over conventional spill absorbent products.

Recap of how PetroGuard^TM outperforms the competition:

• absorbs virtually any hydrocarbon or chlorocarbon swiftly and permanently
• more efficient absorptive qualities
• reduces costs by simplified handling
• will not release liquids after absorption
• has an absorption capacity of up to four times its own weight
• renders toxic and dangerous chemicals safe and easy to handle
• one of the most user and environmentally friendly products available
• disposal is simple and inexpensive

Climate change: crisis or hoax?

 

Image attributed to Washington Post

 Why some of us are skeptical.

As we have learned recently, there is much to be skeptical about regarding the "new religion" of climate change. There is no question that there needs to be a more open scientific debate on this issue to come to a conclusion. Unfortunately, the UN "consensus" is not science, since science is based on accurate and painstaking research to try to disprove a theory, to see if it stands up to scrutiny. A consensus is fine for politics, but not for science. Unfortunately, the new religion of global climate change is now so politicized that even the most unscientific mind will discard and discredit such nonsense as "consensus" to stop debate and squelch contrary evidence to a fuzzy minded theory. Lets not forget the idiocy of the 70's when we told by these same people that the world was heading into a new ice age caused by mankind and we were all doomed unless we gave up carbon based energy. It is rather frightening to consider the degree of immersion into the concept that industry was creating a global crisis, gaining support by the government by creating mandates that are purely political in nature. A glaring example is the regulatory power recently given to the EPA by this administration through Executive decree, bypassing the Congress which is basically unconstitutional. The climate change religion is being taught to our kids in an effort to indoctrinate new generations into believing that this is a fact and that the only solution to the problem can be provided by Government. Hence the politicizing of science to further even more government control over the daily lives of the people.

Lets open the debate, keep an open mind and allow real science to either prove or disprove the theory before we take any further steps to sink the world economy.

New Facebook and Twitter Page for Guardian

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Cost vs Benefit of Using PetroGuard

 

There is always discussion about what the disposal costs are for absorbents of various type when saturated with certain hazardous chemicals. The benefits of using a true solidifying absorbent like PetroGuard over a very cheap and plentiful absorbent like a cat litter floor cleaner or other mineral based products, are easily advanced using some simple comparisons. Mineral (cheap) absorbents will always leave residue behind, will contaminate whatever it touches (the operator) and be expensive to dispose of, due to the weight per cubic foot, a cost of about $700 for a 55-gallon drum of oil soaked absorbent.

A recent study performed by the Wisconsin Army National Guard showed a remarkable saving by using solid fuel blending over oil extraction or recyling. The results were as follows:

"Cost Comparison. A comparison of the costs associated with solid fuel blending vs. oil extraction (landfilling) revealed some significant savings in per drum costs.
a. Solid fuel blending is performed on a cost per pound basis.
1) On the average, a drum of used pads, pillows and socks cost approximately $350.00 to recycle.
2) A drum of used floor dry, due to the weight of clay, could cost as much as $700.00 to recycle.
3) The vendor charges for mobilization to the pickup site. These mobilization charges average $322.00 per pickup at WIARNG facilities.
4) The vendor did not include replacement absorbents as part of the solid fuel blending recycling service.
b. Oil extraction is performed on a cost per drum basis.
1) A drum of used pads, pillows and socks cost $250.00 to recycle.
2) A drum of used floor dry costs $200.00 to recycle.
3) The vendor does not charge for mobilization.
4) The cost of supplying replacement absorbent materials is included in the service price.

Actual Costs. For the purposes of this report, the WIARNG utilized recycling numbers (# of drums) from calendar year 2001. A comparison was made using cost figures from the two recycling vendors in question.
a. Solid Fuel Blending.
1) Cost of recycling 6,900 Lbs. (34.5 drums) of used pads, pillows & socks, $12,075.00.
2) Cost of recycling 5,800 Lbs. (14.5 drums) of floor dry, $10,150.00.
3) Mobilization charges (to get vendor to the site), $3,220.00.
4) Cost of procuring replacement absorbent through the federal supply system, (estimated) $3,885.00.
5) Total cost for 2001 service using solid fuel blending, $29,330.00.
b. Oil Extraction.
1) Cost of recycling 34.5 drums (6,900 Lbs.) of used pads, pillows & socks,$8,625.00.
2) Cost of recycling 14.5 drums (5,800 Lbs.) of 'floor dry', $2,900.00.
3) Mobilization charges, $0.00.
4) Cost of procuring replacement absorbent through the federal supply system,$0.00.
5) Total cost for 2001 service using oil extraction, $11,525.00.
4. Annual Savings. The saving realized in the first year of oil extraction service is
fairly significant when compared to what would have been to recycle the material via
solid fuel blending. By simple subtraction, the total cost savings for calendar year
2001 amounted to $17,805.00. Numbers for absorbent recycling   services provided in calendar year 2002 will be available by March 1, 2003.
5. Additional Benefits. There are additional benefits associated with the oil extraction service. These benefits help offset additional costs associated with WIARNG operations.
a. The vendor is able to accept other waste materials for recycling and disposal,
including used oil & fuel filters and drums of contaminated soil. By accepting these
other waste materials, the vendor helps to minimize confusion and administrative costs
associated with having to deal with multiple vendors. In most cases, the vendor can just
pick up these other waste items when they are already on-site to get the used absorbents."

 Once a hydocarbon chemical or oil is treated with PetroGuard, it becomes classified as a solid, and as such is treated a solid for fuel blending (incineration) by cement kilns, cogeneration plants and other waste disposal incinerators, resulting in less impact on the environment. The same principle exists when disposing of other types of spilll response absorbents in that the absorbed liquids are not permanently locked leaving the possibility that the pollutant can be re-released to the environment, something that is impossible using PetroGuard.

 

How not to respond to chemical spills!

Unfortunately, many companies still respond to chemical spills using mineral products or sand. While these products are inexpensive, they are also ineffective in actually absorbing the liquid. Sand will only cause the liquid to cling to the surface of the grains, creating another problem of disposing of the sand (weight and bulk), possibly contaminating the responder or creating a pollution problem. Instead, look for a product that:

• absorbs
• immobilizes
  
• permanently solidifies the oil or chemical
  

Advanced Absorption Technology will allow first responders to quickly and permantly immobilize a chemical spill, transform the liquid into a solid thereby enhancing efficiency of the cleanup operation, as well as reducing the risk to the responders.

Use of dispersants for oil spills.

Icy oil spill easier to clean, scientists say (from Anchorage Daily News)

CONTRADICTORY: Research funded by oil interests conflicts with conventional wisdom.

(Scientists funded by Shell and six other oil companies) said "that oil spilled in open water tends to spread out quickly over large areas and contaminate the shoreline. In contrast, recent testing in the Barents Sea above northern Europe has shown that ice can act as a natural blockade that traps the oil and gives responders more time to clean it up. The researchers said they discharged crude oil in broken and slushy ice off the northern coast of Norway. Though it isn't illegal here, such experiments have never been approved in U.S. waters.

Cumulatively, the researchers spilled 5,944 gallons of oil on the ice, according to an interim report on the tests.

The study didn't look at the environmental impact of spills in the Arctic. In other industry-funded studies, SINTEF and some researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are still studying the potential toxic effects of oil on Arctic species."

Dispersants consist normally of one or more surfactants. The use of dispersants (detergents similar to dishwashing soap) are very popular with the oil companies, because they are cheap, easy to apply (pour into the water or onto the ice) and make the oil seem to disappear, like in your kitchen sink. What actually happens is that the dispersant (as in spread out) converts the spill into tiny droplets in suspension that seem invisible to the naked eye. That of course makes the amateur environmentalist happy because it is no longer an eyesore. However the real truth is that a detergent is known to be toxic. Detergents will dissolve the natural oils of sea birds and cause them to sink and drown. The toxic effects of the detergents are well known to be harmful. If one were to take a sample of water after treating an oil spill with dispersants, and measure the parts per million toxicity or presence of oil in the water, it would quickly be evident that the parts were far in excess of what is considered safe for human or animal consumption (fresh water of course since we don't drink seawater, but you get the point).

A far better alternatives to dispersants are solidifying polymeric absorbents, that permanently lock up the oil (molecules) so that the oil no longer is a liquid pollutant, even if it comes in contact with wildlife or plants. The resulting solid matrix will float indefinitely and can be allowed to drift ashore as a non-polluting solid and then easily collected for disposal without exposing workers or the environment to the liquid oil. We all remember the pictures of the workers trying to use paper towels to mop up the Exxon Valedez oil spill. However, although the oil companies are aware of these new products, they ignore them because they are more expensive to buy and store for responding to a spill which is why they opt for the detergent approach, claiming it is easier.This does not take into consideration the damage to the environment using disperants or doing nothing.

 

This is a still from a video presentation from our website showing the solidification process that you may view in its entirety by selecting this link.

 

 

Truth in making claims

Many marketers of absorbent products will make exaggerated claims about the effectiveness of their product over others. The problem is that they rarely if ever provide substantive evidence to support their claims. Many will give you a capacity figure: "our product will absorb 32 gallons of oil" without giving you the numbers of how they did the math. Many will also claim their product "solidifies" oils and other hydrocarbons, but that generally means the oil is absorbed into a porous structure of some form of polypropylene product or natural fiber or cellulose. Polypro is the most prevalent sorbent used today, but not necessarily the most effective. It's low cost is deceiving however. It does not take into account the amount of oil or other pollutants left behind or that leak out of the absorbent when it is saturated. This means more time or man hours spent to complet the job. Others claim that their "natural fiber" absorbs better and faster than any other method, but don't tell you that the liquid pollutant is absorbed into the cell structure of the plant it came from, and is not truly "locked". This means that if you apply pressure to the absorbent after is is "saturated", the liquid it absorbed will be released. It is physically impossible to claim this is "solidification" because the cells will rupture under pressure releasing the liquid. The principle is similar to what happens to a sponge and water. Squeeze it and you get water!

Then there are the mineral based absorbents that range from a cat litter type of product used in almost every garage or machine shop around the world to very specialized products that are narrowly designed to be effective for certain pollutants and very cheap. However the problem remains that they can release liquid once absorbed because the liquid resides in tiny capillaries or spaces in the mineral and is really adsorption rather than absorption. When these sorbents are then dumped into landfills with regular trash, they present a hazard to the environment due to leaching.

The true solidification process can only happen when using a polymeric solidier. Again, certain claims are made here that require a degree of skepticism. The maximum absorption capacity of these types of products will never be more than 4 times the weight of the polymer. Any claims beyond that are probably exaggerated.

True solidification using polymeric absorbents is a process that not only absorbs large quantities of liquid hydrocarbon by weight, but also traps and locks the liquid into it's own structure forming a solid, making the release of liquids during handling and transportation impossible. This advantage allows for safer handling especially for hazardous chemicals. In addition, this process will drastically reduce or eliminate formation of vapor that creates explosive or reactive hazards to the operator. The economic advantages to this type of product (true solidification) cuts operational man hours, reduces the personal risks in responding to chemical spills and makes disposal easier. Please contact us for more information on our Advanced Absorption Technology.