NOKOMIS® 3-F4 is a superior, non-toxic, water-based colloidal surface active agent oil spill dispersant.
NOKOMIS® 3-F4 may be applied to oil spills, at full strength, or diluted with fresh or seawater as the situation requires. Where large areas of water may be covered with heavy concentrations of crude or Bunker Coil, it may be advantageous to apply NOKOMIS® 3-F4 at full strength. Where lighter fractions of petroleum are involved, it is possible that dilutions of up to one part NOKOMIS® 3-F4 to 30 parts water may be applicable. Approximately five gallons of NOKOMIS® 3-F4 can be used for one surface acre of oil spill.
NOKOMIS® 3-F4 will generally be marketed in 55 gallon plastic drums. Application of the product may be made directly from the drum. By using a direct connection from pump to drum the dispersant NOKOMIS® 3-F4 can be applied at full strength to the oil spill. The determination of whether to use NOKOMIS® 3-F4 at full strength or diluted with water must be determined by observations and evaluations made on-site at the oil spill.
Portable engine powered centrifugal water pumps are a satisfactory means of moving the dispersant from the container to the spill’s surface. Diesel-powered larger capacity pump may also be used. If the spill is confined to a small area, a hand-pump connected directly to the 55 gallon drum can be used.
Hose diameters and lengths will relate to capacities required for the specific situation and distances from the pump to container and the spill. Fire hose has been successfully used, and with hand pumps small diameter hose is adequate
Fog nozzles on the dispersing end of the hose provide a fine spray of NOKOMIS® 3-F4 full strength or diluted as deemed appropriate. Any type hose nozzle can be used, but preferably with the ability to produce a spray rather than a coarse stream.
Once the NOKOMIS® 3-F4 dispersant is applied to the water’s surface, to obtain the most efficient emulsification of the oil it is necessary to agitate and mix the dispersant, oil and water thoroughly. In open unconfined areas, the use of ships propellers has been determined a practical way of accomplishing this purpose. By passing over the spill area on a grid system the vessel’s propellers will churn the water, causing needed mixing.
For a large spill, two or more vessels may be needed to apply dispersant and agitate the water. In and around piers and similar confined areas it is necessary to apply the dispersant from small boats, the shore or the pier itself. Where it is impossible or impractical to supply agitation with propellers of a vessel, it is necessary to use pumps and hose, applying fresh or salt water in the coarse stream and under sufficient pressure to cause surface turbulence and subsequent mixing. In streams or other similar narrow bodies of shallow swiftly moving water, the turbulence and currents produced by the water may be sufficient to cause mixing and emulsification.
