Abstract: An effective and non-toxic oil spill dispersant combines a predominately oil-soluble surfactant (eg., polyethylene glycol mono-oleate) with a predominately water-soluble surfactant (eg., cocoamide) and a co-solvent for coupling a mixture of the predominately oil-soluble surfactant and the oil spill, with the predominately water-soluble surfactant. Water is included in the combination to help advance the interaction between the predominately oil-soluble surfactant and the predominately water-soluble surfactant as well as the co-solvent. The water component also helps reduce the viscosity of the dispersant to allow it to be pumped under pressure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 4, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 17, 2001
Assignee:
U.S. Polychemical Marine Corp.
Inventors:
Savarimuthu M. Jacob, Robert E. Bergman, Jr.