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Oil Spill From Water
Coastal Oil RemediationReplacing melt-blown polypropylene "sausage" booms with a dual-functioning oil remediation device that operates like an underwater weir helped one oil refinery combat on-going oil pollution on an everyday basis. Terraguard, part of a diverse line of MYCELX-infused oil-remediation products developed by MYCELX Technologies Corporation, recently met its biggest-ever challenge on the shores of the North Tees River in Wilton England. Designed with dual functions of absorbing bulk amounts of oil both above and below the water surface, Terraguard demonstrated nearly 100% effectiveness in a waterway recognized as one of the worst cases of ongoing oil pollution on an everyday basis. Background The site was the North Tees facility for the Wilton Petrochemical Refinery, the biggest in Europe. It currently shelters many of the world's largest oil-producing and chemical companies. The refinery has been using melt-blown polypropylene "sausage" booms in an attempt to collect surface sheen and tarball formations from the oily waters off its banks before it reaches an effluent treatment area. Three layers of MBPP booms, each 10 ft. long and 8 in. in diameter, are arranged end to end across 250 ft. of the river. They are deployed on a daily basis along with absorbent pillows, and the results have been fairly unsuccessful. The Problem A full field trial was conducted in the summer of 1997 by ICI, an international British conglomerate that manufactures a wide range of products including solvents, refrigerants, and armaments. The test was successful, and was nearly 100% effective with only one layer, approximately 90 meters long, according to Nigel Flintoft, Environmental Manager at the North Tees facility. "The melt-blown polypropylene booms that we originally were using had minimal effectiveness as all the sheen and oil was simply passing underneath," Flintoft said. "In addition, we had to change out the booms every day due to water logging and cosmetic reasons, costing us about $500,000 a year." The Solution The refinery deployed a single layer of Terraguard with results being immediate, far exceeding the performance of the MBPP booms. Terraguard operates like an underflow weir. The upper portion of the device actually floats to skim sheen from the surface, while a weighted curtain collects oil substances from below, allowing clean water to flow through to the other side. It is deployed in 10-ft. interconnectable units. The Results All of the oil was retained on top and the Terraguard only allowed clean water to pass underneath. Additionally, the same length of the new oil remediation device remained 100% effective for a period of four weeks; even then, it was still effective but was changed out due to cosmetic reasons. A cost analysis demonstrated a tremendous savings as the refinery's yearly expenditure would decrease easily from $500,000 to $100,000. The Benefits Terraguard is the first portable and instantly deployable underflow weir. Because it floats, tidal waters are not a problem. It is flexible in a number of applications ranging from everyday use to emergency oil spill responses. MYCELX, a non-toxic chemical, instantly adheres to oil, causing it to clump together and become hydrophobic and super-buoyant in water. When infused in a number of different substrates ranging from wood chips to buoyant pads, MYCELX scoops up oil spills efficiently. In addition, it is highly water repellent, cutting down on water adsorption, an expensive problem for traditional sorbent pads. In addition, many used MYCELX-infused products can be safely incinerated and even used for energy due to its high BTU value and low water drag-out.
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