Dispersit

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Dispersit SPC 1000 or Dispersit is a dispersant used for oil spills, produced by U.S. Polychemical Corporation.[1]

Composition

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It combines a predominantly oil-soluble surfactant (such as polyethylene glycol mono-oleate) with a predominantly water-soluble surfactant (such as cocoamide) and a co-solvent for coupling a mixture of the predominantly oil-soluble surfactant and the oil.[2]

File:Dispersit US patent illustration.jpg
Schematic illustration of an oil droplet being emulsified by Dispersit

Alternatives

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Alternative dispersants which are approved by the EPA are listed on the National Contingency Plan Product Schedule[3] and rated for their toxicity and effectiveness.[4]

Deployments

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2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill

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Dispersit is unique among U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-rated dispersants in being the only one rated as 100% effective against South Louisiana crude oil, and it is among the least toxic, according to EPA tests.[4] By comparison, Corexit, the oil dispersant used in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, is rated at 54.7% effective against South Louisiana crude oil and three times as lethal to silverfish and more than twice as lethal to shrimp.[5]

On May 20, US Polychemical Corporation was reported to have received an order from BP for Dispersit SPC 1000.[6] US Polychemical reportedly stated it was able to produce 20,000 US gallons (76,000 L) a day in the first few days and increasing up to 60,000 US gallons (230,000 L) a day thereafter.[7]

See also

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References

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  2. ^ US patent 6261463, Savarimuthu M. Jacob and Robert E. Bergman & Robert E. Bergman, "Water based oil dispersant", published Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)., issued Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)., assigned to U.S. Polychemical Marine Corporation 
  3. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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