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--Tjolech (talk) 21:24, 18 October 2011 (UTC) Sea Brat 4 is a chemical dispersant, manufactured by Alabaster Corporation, designed to clean oil spills in coastal waters.[1] Sea Brat 4 is listed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's NCP Product Schedule as an effective emergency response dispersant to oil spills or water pollution. Mixing Sea Brat 4 with microbial or other bio remediation products is said to greatly improve the effectiveness of Sea Brat 4's ability to clean hydrocarbon oil spills. During the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, conflict arose between Alabaster Corporation and BP concerning which dispersant should be used to clean the massive amount of oil in the coastal waters.
Applications
editAccording to Alabaster Corporations, Sea brat 4 is relatively easy to prepare and is non-hazardous to human beings. Normally, Sea Brat 4 is diluted with water in different ratios, depending on the size and characteristics of the spill.[1]
For a heavy crude oil spill, a ratio of 1 to 5 is typically used. This means that four parts of water is used for every one part Sea Brat 4. For every five gallons of Sea Brat 4 used, one pound of ABB microbes is used to increase the effectiveness of the dispersant. [1]
Another method to determine the amount of Sea Brat needed in ocean spills is to estimate the amount of oil spilled in gallons. Afterwards, use twenty percent Sea Brat and dilute the rest with water. For example, for a ocean spill of 1000 gallons, 200 gallons of Sea Brat and 800 gallons of water would be used.[1]
For lighter oil spills, such as gasoline or diesel, a ratio of 1 to 10 Sea Brat can be used. This means 9 parts water for every one part of Sea Brat. One pound of ADD microbes for every 5 gallons of Sea Brat is useful in ocean spills.[1]
Sea Brat 4 is applied to the affected area with a standard high pressure nozzle (approximately 80 to 100psi). Sea brat 4 is most effective in coastal waters ranging from 50F to 90F. Depending on the ambient conditions and the concentration of the hydrocarbon oil spill, the Sea Brat 4 solution should effectively re mediate the effected area within 30 to 90 days.[1]
Physical Properties
editThe solution is non-flammable, non-toxic, non-pathogenic, and biodegradable. The shelf life is indefinite once stored.
Appearance/Odor Clear: semi-viscous liquid with typical synthetic cleaner odor
Flash Point: None
Specific Gravity: 1.0
Vapor Pressure@20°C: 17.5 MM
Vapor Density @20°C: Same as water
Evaporation Rater: (water = 1) 1
Boiling Point: 212°F
Solubility: in water Soluble in all ratios
pH: 7.0 – 8.0
Chemical Stability: Stable
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Incompatibility: Strong acids, oxidizers or oxidizing materials[2]
Health: 1
Flammability: 0
Reactivity: 0
PPE: X
Health: 1
Flammability: 0
Reactivity: 0
Other: None[2]
Composition
editAlabaster Corporation has no released the composition to Sea Brat 4 to protect the formula. Propylene glycol is known to be one of the solvent used in Sea Brat 4. [3]
Safety Procedures
editStandard safety procedures are needed when handling or using Sea Brat 4. Individual who work with Sea Brat 4 wear goggles, gloves, and rubber boots. They wash their close after each contact with Sea Brat 4 and wash their hands after each shift. No respiratory equipment is needed; however, natural or mechanical ventilation is optimal. Store in temperatures between 35F to 120F. [3]
In case of skin or eye contact, flush the affected area with water for 15mins. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. Also, medical attention is needed for indigestion of Sea Brat 4.[3]
Gulf of Mexico
editOn April 20th, 2010, a BP oil rig in deep water horizons exploded and began spewing out thousands of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. BP originally decided to use the chemical dispersant, Corexit, to clean up the spill. On May 19th, 2010, a letter written by the EPA stating that BP had 24hours to choose an alternative dispersant due to Corexit's potential toxicity. Along with the letter, the EPA provided alternative dispersant list for BP, which one alternative was Sea Brat 4. The letter mentioned that Sea Brat 4 had the same dispersal effects as Corexit, but with fewer toxic effects. It was concluded that Sea Brat 4 was the only chemical dispersant available in a large enough quantity to handle the oil spill, but was rejected by BP. Doug Suttles',BP chief operating officer, letter to EPA explained that a small amount of a certain chemical in Sea Brat 4 could degrade to a nonylphenol, which is a possible endocrine disruptor. This chemical can cause long term damage in marine life, such as feminisation in male fishes.[4]
Alabaster Corporation's chief executive, Charles Sheffield, sent a letter to Doug Suttles saying that the claimed marine pollutants we're in concentration below 2%, and only chemicals on the EPA list in concentrations of 10% are considered marine pollutants. Also, Alabaster stated that less than 1% of chemicals would degrade to nonylphenol.[4]
Despite letters from the EPA and Alabaster, BP decided to stick with Corexit as the dispersant for the oil spill.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f http://www.alabastercorp.com/seabrat.htm, Alabaster Corporation, 2005. Retrieved October 17 2011
- ^ a b http://www.rikiott.com/pdf/SeaBrat4MSDS.pdf, Alabaster Corporation. 6921 Olson, Pasadena, TX. 77505. Revised Janurary 31 2009. Retrieved on October 17 2011
- ^ a b c EPA USEPA, Oil Program Center "Sea Brat 4", Bulletin #D-10, November 26 2002, Updated January 27 2011. Retrieved on October 17 2011
- ^ a b c DuBose, Ben "Alabaster Disputes BP claim that Sea brat 4 dispersant too toxic, ICIS, 24 May 2010. Retrieved on October 17 2011.
External links
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