Dispersion
Oil Spills at Sea - Application from boat
Seacare Ecosperse 52 can be used neat or diluted with sea water. It can be applied by spray from booms on work boats, hand sprayers or hoses using an injector.
Used neat (Type III for UK & Scotland), 1 litre of Seacare Ecosperse 52 will disperse between 20 and 30 m2 of oil depending on the thickness and age of oil being treated.
Used diluted (Type III for UK & Scotland), Seacare Ecosperse 52 can be diluted with seawater at a ratio of 1 to 10. Mix immediately before use. 1 litre of mixture will cover approximately 10 square metres of oil spill. The ratio can vary depending on the type and thickness of oil spill. At sea one part of mixture will disperse 2-3 parts of oil.
To maximize the efficiency of dispersion it is important that a dispersant is used at an early stage of the operation, before oil weathering takes place.
Oil Spills at Sea - Aerial Spraying
In the UK, aircraft using the appropriate form of spraying equipment which has been tested and found satisfactory by AEA Technology Plc. may spray Seacare Ecosperse 52 over the sea, the product being used neat. Seacare Ecosperse 52 has passed tests in accordance with the specification of the UK Ministry of Defence.
Cleaning
Oil on beach and rocky shore
Remove and reclaim as much oil as possible. Then using suitable spraying equipment, spray Seacare Ecosperse 52 over the oiled areas using one part of dispersant to 7-20 parts of oil. Wash down the beach or rocks with water. The quantity of product used depends on the type and thickness of oil spilt, also on the amount of weathering of the oil. In some cases several applications may be necessary.
Use in the UK (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) & Scotland
Definition
The following classification and definition of oil spill treatment products is valid for the UK and Scotland:
Type II : Water-dilutable Concentrate - for use at sea after dilution 1:10 with sea water and sprayed from WSL spray sets using breaker boards or other suitable means of application and agitation.
Type III: Concentrate - for use undiluted from aircraft, ships or on beaches, using appropriate spray gear.
Notes for guidance
It is the responsability of the user to comply with the restrictions that can apply for each country regulation and depending if the product is used as a dispersant and/or as a cleaning agent.
International guides for using marine dispersants
• "Using dispersant to treat oil slicks at sea", AIRBORNE AND SHIPBORNE TREATMENT- RESPONSE MANUAL
François Xavier Merlin, December 2005, CEDRE (Centre de Documentation, de Recherche et d'Expérimentations sur les Pollutions Accidentelles des Eaux)
• "Dispersants and their role in oil spill response" 2nd edition, 2001
IPIECA (International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association)
• "Guidelines on Oil Spill Dispersant Application", IMO (International Maritime Organization)
Ref. IA575E for english, IA577S for spanish, IA576F for French version
"Manual on Oil Pollution - Section IV", 2005 Ed, IMO (International Maritime Organization)
Ref. I578E for english, IA569F for French, IA569S for spanish
• "The use of chemical dispersants to treat oils", TECHNICAL INFORMATION PAPER N° 4, 2005
ITOPF (The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited)