Oil solidifying polymers are an innovative and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional oil spill clean-up methods. Oil solidifying polymers from Basic Concepts are designed to bond with a broad spectrum of hydrocarbons ranging from low-end gasoline to heavy crude oil.
Oil solidifying polymers are an innovative and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional oil spill clean-up methods. Oil solidifying polymers from
Basic Concepts are designed to bond with a broad spectrum of hydrocarbons ranging from low-end gasoline to heavy crude oil. When polymers come into contact with hydrocarbons, they are designed to solidify into a rubber-like mass and float to the surface of the water.
Using oil solidifying polymers is easier and requires less human resources than other oil spill clean-up methods. Oil solidifying polymers from Basic Concepts are even listed on the
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)
National Contingency Plan Product Schedule as solidifier that is suitable for use in response to oil spills. To help you find the oil spill response equipment that is right for you, here is an overview of the traditional oil recovery methods as well as a breakdown of the oil spill clean-up solutions available from Basic Concepts.
Traditional Oil-Spill Clean-Up Methods
Manual Recovery. Manual recovery typically involves the use of rakes, shovels and vacuum trucks to remove and separate spilled oil from the water manually. This method of oil recovery is labor intensive and requires a high degree of human power. Additionally, the equipment needed to extract oil from water—such as vacuum trucks—is often expensive and requires specialized operators.
Skimming. Skimming is an oil spill clean-up method that uses boats equipped with floating skimmers to scrape oil from the surface of the water. Skimming is often used as an oil recovery tactic at the outset of an oil spill. It can effectively prevent oil from reaching a shoreline, but it is primarily a method that is intended to control the spread of an oil spill.
Burning. Burning is an oil spill clean-up method that involves igniting spilled oil in order to separate the oil from the water. This method can only be used when there is a sufficient level of oil on the surface of the water to sustain a burn. Oil burning can have a potentially negative environmental impact if winds carry debris to nearby shorelines.
Chemical Dispersants. Chemical dispersants are designed to break down spilled oil into droplets so the oil can dissipate naturally. This method typically involves planes or boats dropping chemical dispersants into an affected area. One of the drawbacks of this method is that it can lead to a buildup of oil on the seafloor rather than on the surface of the water where it can be recovered.
Oil-Spill Clean-Up Solutions from Basic Concepts
Oil Solidifying Polymers.
Oil solidifying polymers from Basic Concepts are ideal for mitigating oil spills and for facilitating oil recovery. Polymers from Basic Concepts are manufactured using a non-toxic, non-hazardous blend of several USDA-grade food polymers that will solidify a wide range of hydrocarbons into an inert rubber-like mass that suppresses harmful vapors.
Using oil solidifying polymers to respond to oil spills will make cleanup easier and safer than other methods. Polymers bond with spilled oil to form a mass that can be easily recovered by personnel. Oil solidifiers from Basic Concepts are non-harmful to aquatic plant and animal life, and the solidified byproduct is also completely recyclable.
Hydrocarbon Test Kit.
Hydrocarbon tests kits can be used to test for the presence of hydrocarbons such as oil or oil byproducts. When inserted into a potential spill area, the detection strip will turn dark blue if hydrocarbons are present. Test strips from Basic Concepts are ideal for enabling facilities to quickly assess a potential spill or leak in order to facilitate a rapid response.
Find the Oil-Spill Clean-Up Equipment that is Right for You
Oil solidifying polymers and
hydrocarbon tests kits from Basic Concepts will help facilities prepare to respond to potential oil spills. Oil solidifiers are a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional clean-up methods and can be deployed quickly in response to emergency oil spills.
Basic Concepts also offers a wide range of safety solutions to help prevent hydrocarbons from escaping into navigable waterways and enable facilities to achieve regulatory compliance. Take a look at our selection of
spill and
secondary containment products and find the equipment that is right for you.
