Characterization of the effectiveness of a hydrocarbon liquid solidifier

Solidifiers are dry, granular hydrophobic polymers that form physical bonds with hydrocarbons by molecular interactions (hydrogen bonding, London forces), and are used to immobilize hydrocarbon spill propagation and dispersion. CIAgent© is a non-toxic, proprietary polymer blend listed as an “Oil Solidifier” on the EPA's National Contingency Plan Product Schedule for use on hydrocarbon spills in the navigable waterways of United States. CIAgent solidifies the liquid hydrocarbons through a rapid transformation into a cohesive rubber-like inert mass upon contact and retains the liquid for easier removal and disposal. The objective of this paper is to determine the effectiveness of the solidifier with a variety of hydrocarbon liquids that could be encountered in an oil spill scenario. The effectiveness of the solidifier was characterized in terms of the application rate, temperature change, solubility parameters and solidification time for a variety of hydrocarbon liquids (e. g., gasoline, diesel fuel, crude oil) that could be encountered by measuring the heat of solidification using a solution calorimeter. A thermogram was obtained and the heat of solidification was calculated using the temperature difference upon solidification. The temperature change and the degree of swelling in the solidifier were used to determine the solubility parameter of the solidifier (6.77 Hildebrands). The heat of solidification value was used to determine the ease and speed of the solidification of the hydrocarbon liquids. Solidification times ranged from 40 to 120 s for the liquids tested. The average application ratio in weight of solidifier to weight of hydrocarbon ranged was 3.35.