ASTM F2059-00
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Laboratory Oil Spill Dispersant Effectiveness Using The Swirling Flask
Standard Test Method for Laboratory Oil Spill Dispersant Effectiveness Using The Swirling Flask
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the procedure to determine the effectiveness of oil spill dispersants on various oils in the laboratory. This test method is not applicable to other chemical agents nor to the use of such products or dispersants in open waters.
1.2 This test method covers the use of the swirling flask test apparatus and does not cover other apparatuses nor are the analytical procedures described in this report directly applicable to such procedures.
1.3 The test results obtained using this test method are effectiveness values that should be cited as test values derived from this standard test. Effectiveness values do not directly relate to effectiveness at sea or in other apparatuses. Actual effectiveness at sea is dependant on sea energy, oil state, temperature, salinity, actual dispersant dosage, and amount of dispersant that enters the oil.
1.4 The test results obtained using this test method are intended to provide baseline effectiveness values used to compare dispersants and oil types under conditions analogous to those used in the test.
1.5 The decision to use or not use a dispersant on an oil should not be based solely on this or other laboratory test method.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:F2059–00
Standard Test Method for
Laboratory Oil Spill Dispersant Effectiveness Using The
Swirling Flask
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 2059; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope is extracted from the water using a pentane/dichloromethane
mixture and analyzed using gas chromatography.
1.1 This test method covers the procedure to determine the
2.2 The extract is analyzed for oil using a gas chromato-
effectiveness of oil spill dispersants on various oils in the
graph equipped with a flame ionization detector, (GC-FID).
laboratory.This test method is not applicable to other chemical
Quantification is by means of comparison to an internal
agents nor to the use of such products or dispersants in open
standard. Effectiveness values are derived by calibration at
waters.
fixed effectiveness values.
1.2 This test method covers the use of the swirling flask test
apparatus and does not cover other apparatuses nor are the
3. Significance and Use
analytical procedures described in this report directly appli-
3.1 A standard test is necessary to establish a baseline
cable to such procedures.
performance parameter so that dispersants can be compared, a
1.3 The test results obtained using this test method are
given dispersant can be compared for effectiveness on different
effectiveness values that should be cited as test values derived
oils, and at different oil weathering stages, and batches of
from this standard test. Effectiveness values do not directly
dispersant or oils can be checked for effectiveness changes
relate to effectiveness at sea or in other apparatuses. Actual
with time or other factors.
effectiveness at sea is dependant on sea energy, oil state,
3.2 Dispersant effectiveness varies with oil type, sea energy,
temperature, salinity, actual dispersant dosage, and amount of
oil conditions, salinity, and many other factors. Test results
dispersant that enters the oil.
from this test method form a baseline, but are not to be taken
1.4 The test results obtained using this test method are
as the absolute measure of performance at sea. Actual field
intended to provide baseline effectiveness values used to
effectiveness could be more or less than this value.
compare dispersants and oil types under conditions analogous
3.3 Many dispersant tests have been developed around the
to those used in the test.
world. This test has been developed over many years using
1.5 The decision to use or not use a dispersant on an oil
findings from world-wide testing to use standardized equip-
should not be based solely on this or other laboratory test
ment, test procedures, and to overcome difficulties noted in
method.
other test procedures.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Interferences and Sources of Error
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 Interferences can be caused by contaminants, particu-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
larly residual oil or surfactants in solvents, on glassware, and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
other sample processing apparatus that lead to discrete artifacts
or elevated baselines in gas chromatograms. All glassware
2. Summary of Test Method
must be thoroughly cleaned. The cleaning process includes
2.1 Dispersant is pre-mixed with oil, placed on water in a
rinsing with dichloromethane to remove the oil, followed by
test vessel.The test vessel is agitated on a moving table shaker.
rinsing three times each with tap water, purified water (reverse
At the end of the shaking period, a settling period is specified
osmosis), and acetone. Once cleaned, precautions must be
and then a sample of water taken. The oil in the water column
taken to minimize contact of the glassware with surfactants to
prevent undesired interferences.
4.2 Dispersant effectiveness is very susceptible to energy
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on
levels. Table top shakers generally start and stop slowly.
Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of
Shakers that start motion rapidly and stop suddenly impart a
Subcommittee F20.13 on Treatment.
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2000. Published December 2000. high energy to the system and thus cause more dispersion than
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F2059
would be the case with a normal shaker. Furthermore, this spout and may form a plug. This is especially true for heavy
variation would not be repeatable. The shaker table used oils. It is important that the plug does not enter the sample.
should be observed for rapid movements or stops to ensure that 4.13 The performance of the test can be verified and
it is usable for these tests. The rotational speed of the shaker compared using standard oil and dispersant samples.
should be checked with a tachometer every week.
5. Apparatus
4.3 The Erlenmeyer flasks used in this test are tapered and
5.1 Modified 120-mL Erlenmeyer Flask, used as the test
the energy level varies with the amount of fill. The dispenser
vessel.Aside spout is added to enable taking the water sample
used to fill the vessels with water should be frequently checked
with minimal disturbance of resurfaced oil. These are illus-
by weighing the amount of water delivered.
trated in Fig. 1.
4.4 The output is highly sensitive to the volume of oil,
5.2 Moving-Table Shaker, with an orbital motion of 1 in.
water, and extractant delivered. All pipets and dispensers
(25.4 mm) and fitted with flask holders. Ideally such shakers
should be calibrated on a weekly basis using water and a
shouldbeconstructedinsideenvironmentally-controlledcham-
balance with an accuracy consistent with the weights being
bers, thereby increasing temperature control. If such an en-
measured.
closed chamber is not used, the measurement must be con-
4.5 Theuseofpositivedisplacementpipetsismandatoryfor
ducted inside temperature-controlled rooms.
all controlled volumes of microlitre quantities. Use of volume
5.3 Gas Chromatograph, equipped with a flame ionization
displacement pipets will result in erroneous results due to the
detector is used for analysis. The column is a fused silica
viscosity of the dispersants and oils, the variable viscosity of
column.
the oils to be tested (some semi-solid), and the density of
5.4 The following is a list of other necessary supplies.
dichloromethane.
Suppliers of suitable units are footnoted. Equivalent supplies
4.6 The order of addition of the dispersant and oil has
areacceptableineverycase.Quantitiesofsuppliesaregivento
effectsontheaccuracyofresults,asthedispersantmayinteract
conduct a full set of six samples and calibration set:
with the vessel walls if added first, thereby reducing the
5.4.1 Fifteen Crimp Style Vials, with aluminum/TFE-
quantityavailableinthepremix.Itisthereforeimportanttoadd
fluorocarbon seals, 12 by 32 mm,
oil to the vessel first, and add the dispersant directly to the oil.
5.4.2 Twelve Erlenmeyer Flasks, 125 mL Glass, modified
The second addition of oil is suggested simply because it is
with the addition of a drain spout attached to base,
easier to control a large volume of oil than a minute volume of
5.4.3 Six Graduated Mixing Cylinders and Stoppers, 25 mL
dispersant when attempting to achieve a specific ratio of 25:1.
glass,
4.7 Following surfactant addition, vigorous mixing is re-
quired to thoroughly homogenize the sample. Sharp, manual
strokes are suggested for light oils, while heavy oils may
Available from Pro Science, Inc., 770 Birchmount Road, Unit 25, Scarborough,
require stirring with a glass rod or spatula.
Ontario M1K5H3.
4.8 There are indications that the results for some premixed
dispersant/oilcombinationschangeovertime.Itisnecessaryto
take precautions against this potential source of variation. The
testing should be concluded as soon as possible after the
premix is prepared, generally within a few hours. Results from
samples stored for periods as long as a week should not be
considered reliable.
4.9 Since the performance of the dispersant is affected by
salinity, thorough mixing of the salt water is required. Care
should also be observed to avoid evaporation from open
containers of salt water. Over a period of days and weeks, the
loss of water can significantly increase the salinity.An airtight
closure is recommended to maintain salinity levels at 3.3 %.
4.10 Temperature is a factor in dispersion, so it is important
that all components (salt water, pre-mix, and temperature
controlled chamber) are stable at 20°C before starting.
4.11 Extreme care should be taken when applying the oil to
the surface such that mixing does not occur. The oil should
gently glide across the water to form a slick. If the oil streams
out into the water, the agitation can disperse the oil, increasing
the amount of oil dispersed and erroneously raising the final
dispersion result.
4.12 Water in the spout attached to the swirling flask may
contain more or less oil than the water in the flask itself.
Therefore, it is important to drain the contents of the spout
(about 3 mL) before sampling. Oil sometimes migrates into the FIG. 1 Flask with Side Spout
F2059
5.4.4 Six Separatory Funnels and Stoppers, glass, 125 mL, chamber at 20°C, immediately after applying the oil to the
5.4.5 Six Graduated Mixing Cylinders and Stoppers, glass, surface of the water. A rotation speed of 150 r/min and a
100 mL, mixing time of 20 min are used to agitate the samples followed
5.4.6 Six Separatory Funnels and Stoppers, glass, 250 mL, by a
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