Presentation
Fate and Behaviour of Diesels (B0, B10, B30) and Biodiesels (FAME, HVO) in Case of an Accidental Spill
SessionAlternate Fuels
DescriptionFollowing an accidental spill of biodiesel in inland waters (France, 2016), Cedre with the support of TotalEnergies decided to initiate a project to better understand the behaviour fate of diesels and biodiesels in case of accidental spill in fresh or marine waters. Three diesels (B0, B10 and B30) and two biodiesels (FAME and HVO) were studied during a 4-years project. The influence of natural weathering processes were assessed at laboratory and pilot scale in Cedre’s flume tank. The different parameters measured were density, viscosity, emulsification, oil adhesion to oleophilic material, natural dispersion and biodegradability. An efficiency test of a drum skimmer on diesel B10 (fresh and weathered) was also integrated in the study.
After one day of weathering, both diesels and biodiesels tended to mix with water and form a sort of “emulsion”. However, this mixture did not appear stable if the agitation was stopped. After one week of weathering, the total dispersion of B0, B10 and B30 was measured in the water column (formation of a white cloud of droplets). This result highlights that in turbulent condition (i) diesels and biodiesels disperse naturally after a few days of weathering, (ii) mechanical recovery will be effective only during the first 2 to 3 days after the spill occurs. If the agitation was stopped, oil droplets recoalesced to form a slick of weathered diesel. Additionally to this recoalescence, a foam-like substance was also observed at the water surface. The formation of this very sticky “foam” (not soluble in solvents such as methylene chloride, hexane, pentane, acetone) was also observed in the field and caused a lot of problems during mechanical recovery. As regard to the weathering processes, the evaporation / biodegradation rate reach a maximum of 62% for B0, 69% for B10 and 72% for B30.
Regarding the biodiesels FAME and HVO, as observed for the diesels, during the first day, they tended to emulsify and then, after few days of weathering, they tended to dispersed naturally for an agitated environment. As regard to the weathering processes, no dissolution or evaporation were measured. Biodegradation of the two products reached 99% in lab conditions.
All the results of and feedback from real spill involving diesels or biodiesels have been summarized and are available as a chemical response guide.
After one day of weathering, both diesels and biodiesels tended to mix with water and form a sort of “emulsion”. However, this mixture did not appear stable if the agitation was stopped. After one week of weathering, the total dispersion of B0, B10 and B30 was measured in the water column (formation of a white cloud of droplets). This result highlights that in turbulent condition (i) diesels and biodiesels disperse naturally after a few days of weathering, (ii) mechanical recovery will be effective only during the first 2 to 3 days after the spill occurs. If the agitation was stopped, oil droplets recoalesced to form a slick of weathered diesel. Additionally to this recoalescence, a foam-like substance was also observed at the water surface. The formation of this very sticky “foam” (not soluble in solvents such as methylene chloride, hexane, pentane, acetone) was also observed in the field and caused a lot of problems during mechanical recovery. As regard to the weathering processes, the evaporation / biodegradation rate reach a maximum of 62% for B0, 69% for B10 and 72% for B30.
Regarding the biodiesels FAME and HVO, as observed for the diesels, during the first day, they tended to emulsify and then, after few days of weathering, they tended to dispersed naturally for an agitated environment. As regard to the weathering processes, no dissolution or evaporation were measured. Biodegradation of the two products reached 99% in lab conditions.
All the results of and feedback from real spill involving diesels or biodiesels have been summarized and are available as a chemical response guide.
Event Type
Paper
TimeThursday, May 16th8:00am - 8:20am CDT
Location275-277
Response