ASTM_F_2059_-_06_2012e1.pdf

Designation:F205906(Reapproved 2012)1Standard Test Method forLaboratory Oil Spill Dispersant Effectiveness Using theSwirling Flask1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2059;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1NOTEAn editorial change was made to Section 6 in February 2012.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the procedure to determine theeffectiveness of oil spill dispersants on various oils in thelaboratory.This test method is not applicable to other chemicalagents nor to the use of such products or dispersants in openwaters.1.2 This test method covers the use of the swirling flask testapparatus and does not cover other apparatuses nor are theanalytical procedures described in this report directly appli-cable to such procedures.1.3 The test results obtained using this test method areintended to provide baseline effectiveness values used tocompare dispersants and oil types under conditions analogousto those used in the test.1.4 The test results obtained using this test method areeffectiveness values that should be cited as test values derivedfrom this standard test.Dispersant effectiveness values do notdirectly 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 ofdispersant that enters the oil.1.5 The decision to use or not use a dispersant on an oilshould not be based solely on this or any other laboratory testmethod.1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Summary of Test Method2.1 Dispersant is pre-mixed with oil and placed on water ina test vessel.The test vessel is agitated on a moving tableshaker.At the end of the shaking period,a settling period isspecified and then a sample of water taken.The oil in the watercolumn is extracted from the water using a pentane/dichloromethane mixture and analyzed using gas chromatog-raphy.2.2 The extract is analyzed for oil using a gas chromato-graph equipped with a flame ionization detector,(GC-FID).Quantification is by means of the internal standard method.Effectiveness values are derived by comparison with a cali-brated set of effectiveness values obtained at the same time andby the same method.3.Significance and Use3.1 A standard test is necessary to establish a baselineperformance parameter so that dispersants can be compared,agiven dispersant can be compared for effectiveness on differentoils,and at different oil weathering stages,and batches ofdispersant or oils can be checked for effectiveness changeswith time or other factors.3.2 Dispersant effectiveness varies with oil type,sea energy,oil conditions,salinity,and many other factors.Test resultsfrom this test method form a baseline,but are not to be takenas the absolute measure of performance at sea.Actual fieldeffectiveness could be more or less than this value.3.3 Many dispersant tests have been developed around theworld.This test has been developed over many years usingfindings from world-wide testing to use standardizedequipment,test procedures,and to overcome difficulties notedin other test procedures.4.Interferences and Sources of Error4.1 Interferences can be caused by contaminants,particu-larly residual oil or surfactants in solvents,on glassware,andother sample processing apparatus that lead to discrete artifactsor elevated baselines in gas chromatograms.All glasswaremust be thoroughly cleaned.The cleaning process includesrinsing with dichloromethane to remove the oil,followed by1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 onHazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee F20.13 on Treatment.Current edition approved Feb.1,2012.Published February 2012.Originallyapproved in 2000.Last previous edition approved in 2006 as F2059 06.DOI:10.1520/F2059-06R12E01.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 rinsing three times each with tap water,purified water(reverseosmosis),and acetone.Once cleaned,precautions must betaken to minimize contact of the glassware with surfactants toprevent undesired interferences.4.2 Dispersant effectiveness is very susceptible to energylevels.Table top shakers generally start and stop slowly.Shakers that start motion rapidly and stop suddenly impart ahigh energy to the system and thus cause more disper