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BioSolve®PinkWater®
When responding to a hydrocarbon spill, the safety of the response personnel, citizens and our environment is of the utmost concern. Thousands of small spills occur daily as a result of motor vehicle (MVA’s) or train accidents involving ruptured tanks and flow lines. Occasionally an accident will involve a transport tanker carrying up to 19K liters (5000 U.S. Gallons) of gasoline and or diesel fuel. These fuels are flammable (combustible in the case of diesel) and represent several primary hazards to the responders and the community at large.
Initially, the explosion hazard must be addressed and mitigated. Currently, SOP of many departments and emergency responders’ calls for the use of fire-fighting foams to prevent ignition. While this approach is adequate in some instances,there are many drawbacks to using Foam. First, when blanketing a spill with foam, only a barrier between the fuel source and the oxygen is created, this thin film must be constantly monitored & maintained to prevent dissipation and/or breaching of the “blanket”. A dangerous breach due to poor weather, wind and/or dimensional contours of the accident scene could spell disaster and, quite possibly, injury to life, limb or property. In addition to the obvious safety concerns, “Foaming” spills creates an environmental & operational challenge (Many foams are considered hazardous materials themselves) and can result in exorbitantly high, long-term secondary cleanup costs for the Responsible Party. Finally, due to the time consuming nature of foam responses, incident response costs are inflated with responders and apparatus potentially unavailable for an unduly extended time periods.
At MVA’s involving smaller spills (usually <208 liters (55 Gallons)) where no danger of ignition exists, current practices include utilizing absorbents such as “Speedy Dry”, vermiculite, or the absorbent “Du Jour”. This type of physical recovery approach inevitably leaves residual “untreated” hydrocarbons that are run off & end up causing unsightly sheens and damaging the asphalt. Depending upon response time & site specifics, this “unrecoverable” portion of the spill could be as much as 60%-90% or more. This means that untreated hydrocarbons will persist in the environment and quite possibly spread cancer causing carcinogens though the food chain. Another problem is the disposal of the spent sorbent material contaminated with hydrocarbons. All too often SOP calls for disposal of these hazardous materials in our landfills causing future environmental damage and liability. In effect this results in a hazard that is “moved” versus “treated”.
Fortunately the newest product in the patented BioSolve® Hydrocarbon Mitigation Technology line has emerged as the premier approach to this age-old problem. BioSolve®PinkWater®, is listed by Underwriters' Laboratories US & Canada and is certified by the American Bureau of Shipping® (ABS). This product is on the leading edge of fire fighting & environmental clean up technology, as it is a non hazardous, user friendly, effective Water Additive for Fire Control, Vapor Mitigation & Spill clean up. BioSolve®PinkWater® is the only UL® & ABS® listed product in the world today that will render volatile fuels and many solvents non-flammable, non-explosive, and readily biodegradable. BioSolve®PinkWater® also aids in the elimination of V.O.C. vapor release BioSolve® is gaining critical mass in the industry with many large Fire & Haz-Mat companies in the United States, Canada & Mexico taking advantage of both the safety and environmental benefits offered by the BioSolve® technology.
BioSolve®PinkWater® is a unique, water-based, non-hazardous, biodegradable formulation. It works to microemulsify and reduce hydrocarbon compounds into extremely small particles, separating long chain hydrocarbons. BioSolve® technology as a spill response agent significantly reduces volatile vapors (VOC’s) on initial application, with LEL’s (Lower Explosive Limits) approaching "zero" in a very short time thus eliminating the potential for explosion and fire*. In addition BioSolve®PinkWater® eliminates sheens and creates a slip free surface to safely facilitate any extrication and clean up efforts.
BioSolve® treated hydrocarbon solution can be recovered by vacuum equipment without danger of ignition and properly disposed of at POTW “scavenger drops” with approval of the “head operator” or facility manager. This results in full “cradle to grave” treatment and eliminates future liabilities. Any residual “unrecoverable” effluent is encapsulated in an oxygen-bearing solution that allows for significant acceleration of the biodegradation process. BioSolve® has no negative effect on asphalt, concrete or painted surfaces. Secondary cleanups by environmental contractors are performed at significant savings to the responsible parties.
Additionally, while not typically necessary with the majority of spill responses, when circumstances necessitate, BioSolve®PinkWater® offers superior fire knockdown performance. It does not require special equipment. The standard foam eductor works with the product. It can be utilized in high wind days, for land or surface spills or uneven ground. Fresh, salty, or brackish water can be used, and will not alter the product's capabilities. BioSolve®PinkWater® has been shown to reduce surface tension down to 30 dyne/cm at extremely low dilution rates, this means less water is used. Ideal for incidents with limited access and/or fire department’s operating with limited supplies of water.
Public Safety and our environment cannot be compromised. By taking advantage of new technology like BioSolve® responders are able to perform a more effective, safer response. This results in reduced liability for the community, greater safety, lowered costs and protection of our environment. BioSolve® is patented and manufactured by The Westford Chemical Corporation® in Westford, Massachusetts, USA.
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