Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- SURFACTANT FUNDAMENTALS
- SURFACTANTS IN POROUS MEDIA
- OILWELL, NEAR-WELL, AND SURFACE OPERATIONS
- ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY APPLICATIONS
- 11 Surfactant Enhanced Aquifer Remediation
- 12 Use of Surfactants for Environmental Applications
- 13 Toxicity and Persistence of Surfactants Used in the Petroleum Industry
- GLOSSARY AND INDEXES
- Author Index
- Affiliation Index
- Subject Index
12 - Use of Surfactants for Environmental Applications
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 October 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- SURFACTANT FUNDAMENTALS
- SURFACTANTS IN POROUS MEDIA
- OILWELL, NEAR-WELL, AND SURFACE OPERATIONS
- ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY APPLICATIONS
- 11 Surfactant Enhanced Aquifer Remediation
- 12 Use of Surfactants for Environmental Applications
- 13 Toxicity and Persistence of Surfactants Used in the Petroleum Industry
- GLOSSARY AND INDEXES
- Author Index
- Affiliation Index
- Subject Index
Summary
This chapter discusses dispersants, surface-washing agents, and emulsion breakers and inhibitors, all of which are oil-spill-treating agents that contain surfactants. These spill-treating agents are used on oil spills for specific purposes. Dispersants are used to remove oil from a water surface, surface-washing agents to remove oil from beaches or similar surfaces and emulsion breakers are used to break or prevent the formation of water-in-oil emulsions. The major issues related to the use of these agents are effectiveness and toxicity, which are discussed for the three types of agents. On the subject of effectiveness, the results of past and present field trials and laboratory tests are reviewed and the factors influencing effectiveness are discussed. For dispersants, toxicity is discussed both in terms of the dispersed oil and of the agent itself. The use of these agents and methods of application are also reviewed.
Introduction
Major oil spills can grab the headlines around the world. These incidents have created a global awareness of oil spills and the potential damage they can cause to the environment. The risk of oil spills will not diminish in the near future, however, preventative measures have and will continue to reduce the frequency and amount of spills. Better and faster cleanup measures will continue to reduce the impact of spills.
The most effective cleanup and containment methods vary from spill to spill and often vary from site to site in a single given spill.
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- Information
- SurfactantsFundamentals and Applications in the Petroleum Industry, pp. 461 - 540Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2000
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