Technology
Assessment & Research (TA&R) Program
| Project
Number |
114 |
| Date of Summary |
March 31, 1990 |
| Subject |
Field Evaluation of Oil Spill
Chemical Additives |
| Performing Activity |
Conservation and Protection Agency, Environment
Canada |
| Principal Investigator |
Mr. Merv F. Fingas |
| Contracting Agency |
Minerals Management Service |
| Estimated Completion |
Complete |
| Description |
The Minerals Management Service
and the Conservation and Protection Agency, Environment Canada, have evaluated two new oil
spill chemical additives during a series of intentional oil spills off the Canadian coast
during September 1987. One chemical agent modified the visco-elastic properties of the
spilled oil to enhance its recoverability using conventional mechanical techniques. The
second chemical agent inhibited the formation of oil-water emulsions which are not readily
captured using existing recovery techniques. Both chemical agents were applied to several
small spills and their effects on oil properties measured. |
| Progress |
Complete. Tests were conducted in
three phases. The first phase was a laboratory analysis conducted at the Environmental
Emergencies Division Laboratories in Ottawa, Ontario. The second phase, tank testing, was
conducted at the Esso Resources Ltd. test tank in Calgary, Alberta. The third phase,
at-sea evaluations were conducted off Nova Scotia. Analysis indicates that slick spreading
rates were significantly retarded using dosages of the visco-elastic agent in
concentrations of less than 9,000 ppm by weight. Emulsion formation in high sea states was
retarded compared to untreated oil slicks. Proper use of either chemical additive can
materially increase recovery rates using conventional equipment. |
Reports |
AA (72 pages)
 |
Field Test of Two Spill Treating
Agents, Final Report, Seakem Oceanography Ltd., January, 1988. |
| AB (98 pages)
|
Draft Operational Protocol for
the Elastol and Demoussifier Field Trials, Environmental Emergencies Technology Division
(EETD), Environment Canada and Seakem Oceanography Ltd., August 24, 1987. |
| AC (124 pages)
|
Bobra, M. A., Kawamura, P. I.,
Fingas, M., Velicogna, D., Laboratory Analysis and Test Tank Evaluation of Elastol,
Environmental Emergencies Manuscript Report No. EE-94, Environment Canada, Ottawa,
Ontario, December 1987. |
| AD (50 pages)
|
Bobra, M. A., Kawamura, P. I.,
Fingas, M., Velicogna, D., Mesoscale Application and Testing of an Oil Spill Demulsifying
Agent and Elastol, Environmental Emergencies Manuscript Report Number EE-105, Environment
Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, September, 1987. |
| AE (25 pages)
|
Bobra, M. A., Kawamura, P. I.,
Laboratory and Mesoscale Testing of Elastol and Brand M Demoussifier, Proceedings of the
Eleventh Arctic and Marine Oil Spill Program Technical Seminar, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada, June 7-9, 1988. |
| AF (37 pages)
|
Laun, H. M., Hingman, R.,
Laboratory Tests of Elastol, Proceedings of the Eleventh Arctic and Marine Oil Spill
Program Technical Seminar, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, June 7-9, 1988. |
| AG (11 pages)
|
Gershey, R., Batstone, B., Field
Tests of Elastol and Demoussifier, Proceedings of the Eleventh Arctic and Marine Oil Spill
Program Technical Seminar, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, June 7-9, 1988. |
| AH (117 pages)
|
Bobra, M. A., Kawamura, P. I.,
Fingas, M., Velicogna, D., Laboratory and Tank Test Evaluation of Elastol, Environment
Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, May 1987. |
| AI (52 pages)
|
Bobra, M. A., Kawamura, P. I.,
Fingas, M., Velicogna, D., Mesoscale Application and Testing of an Oil Spill Demulsifying
Agent and Elastol, Environmental Emergencies Manuscript Report Number EE-105, Environment
Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, June 1988. |
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