News
& Notices
Organizations
& People
Standing Committees
Divisions
Projects
Reports
Publications
..CI
..PAC
..Macro. Symp.
..Books
..Solubility
Data
Symposia
AMP
Links
of Interest
Search
the Site
Home
Page
|
|
Pure
Appl. Chem., Vol. 71,
No. 1, pp. 193-201, 1999
Orimulsion Containment and Recovery
Matthew Sommerville
Briggs Marine Environmental Services, Leading Light Building
142 Sinclair Road, Torry, Aberdeen, Scotland, A811 9PR, UK
Introduction: Orimulsion is a fuel consisting of natural bitumen
dispersed in fresh water (26% to 30%) which is stabilised (as a bitumen-in-water
emulsion) by the addition of a small quantity of surfactant. The process
of creating Orimulsion turns semi-solid bitumen with a viscosity of
10,000 mPas into a mixture with a viscosity of 450 mPas. The composition
of Orimulsion makes it, at first consideration, seem an unlikely fuel.
The combination of modern emission control, independence from the fluctuations
in world crude oil prices and proven reserves of 1.27 trillion barrels
(Middle East crude reserves are estimated at only 267 billion barrels)
make this a significant energy source for the future. The typical composition
of Orimulsion is given in Table 1.
Orimulsion is clearly destined for increased consumption around the
world and, with this, will inevitably come an increased risk of spillage
and a requirement for appropriate spill control technologies. However,
unlike conventional crude or fuel oils, we have no past spills or documented
experiences to exploit. The development of containment and recovery
systems must therefore rely on limited examinations of the product,
and its fate and behaviour.
Full Text (70k)
return to oil
spill contents
Page last modified 6 March 2000.
Copyright ©1999-2000 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Questions or comments about IUPAC, please contact, the Secretariat.
Questions regarding the website, please contact Web
Help.
|