http://planetbp.bpweb.bp.com/article.asp?id=22546
Gulf cleanup effort uncovers new approach
By Joe Strebel, Planet BP
Monday, August 30, 2010
A polyolefin foam used in the medical and construction fields has taken on a new role: as a powerful tool in BP's Gulf response efforts to remove oil from the water, shorelines, and marshes.
The foam, called Opflex, allows water to flow through, but attracts and traps oil. It can be made in various shapes, including in pads to mop up oil from coastal marshes and in sausage-like rolls for deployment as offshore booms.
Scott Smith, chief executive officer of Cellect Plastics, the maker of Opflex, sees great potential for the product in oil cleanup and other water treatment applications that go beyond its original uses in the medical and construction fields.
"The advantage of Opflex is that it's buoyant open-cell foam that repels water while absorbing oil," says Smith. "It is 70% lighter than conventional booms, costs a fraction of conventional material, is biodegradable, and is highly efficient — absorbing 60 pounds of oil with a 12-foot boom."
"It's better than good," says Larry Hooper, who formerly served as captain of a charter fishing boat and now is providing BP with logistics support. "I've used it out in the ocean and the old-type booms can't come close to matching its performance."
Ken Rice has used Opflex-based pads in cleanup operations the North Pass marshes of South Louisiana.
"People love it once they get their hands on it," he says.
Another key feature is reusability.
"Unlike conventional pads, which are considered hazardous waste after absorbing oil and must be disposed of in accordance with various government regulations, Opflex can be reused up to 100 times," says David Kinnaird, the first BP response team member to evaluate the material. "Various methods for extracting the oil from the form include using centrifuges or wringers similar to those on old-fashioned washing machines. For instance, after Opflex has collected the oil, the form can be wrung out into a suitable container."
Early in the Gulf response, Kinnaird was impressed by a product demonstration of Opflex and contacted Lou Weltzer, who was stationed in the Critical Resources Unit in New Orleans with responsibility for evaluating cleanup materials.
After receiving his own product demonstration, Weltzer placed an order for a truckload of the material. Subsequent orders from BP total about two million square feet.
Weltzer also began contacting associates at other locations to spread awareness of Opflex's capabilities.
One of those associates was Alex Graham, who was serving as the liaison to the Natural Resource Damage Assessment team in Mobile, Ala.
"My interest in Opflex got me involved with BP's Alternative Response Technology (ART) Team to help promote use of this product with several potential direct and collateral benefits," she says.
Since the experience with BP, Smith has received an order from the Chinese government to assist in the Dalian Oil Port cleanup, as well as a range of other cleanup operations throughout the country, which continues to solidify Opflex's role as a new and effective method for oil spill cleanup.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
BP America-Marsh Flusher
BP America (Video) In this video Larry Howell, president of Core4kebawk, discusses his company's innovative marsh washing technology and the techniques that are currently being employed to flush out oil in the Gulf marshes.
- 7 people like this.
- Carle Jansen sooo let me get this straight.... its still going into our oceans?August 30 at 5:01pm · · 1 person
- William Steiner Lets put it this way. If one considers the total volume of the oil spill in the gulf it would be the equivalent of a 20 oz beer can in Texas Stadium totally filled with water.August 30 at 5:04pm · · 1 person
- Brent Westley carle shut upAugust 30 at 5:07pm ·
- Carle Jansen wooowww why am i not suprised..... i like how they sont even seem ot really care....August 30 at 5:08pm ·
- Michael Mike Clark Wonder why they would need this. Thought all the oil was gone.. BP YOU REALLY NEED SOMETHING THAT CLEANS COREXIT. IT KILLSAugust 30 at 5:14pm ·
- Jason Monk a few photos to prove it's being cleaned up. Got my pics MMC, you get yours of the phantom plane yet?
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/album.php?aid=29 657&id=1795854588&ref=mf August 30 at 5:16pm · · 4 people - Jason Monk Because Morgan, Where's the fun in that?August 30 at 5:22pm ·
- Brett Merriman What now Mikey?August 30 at 5:22pm ·
- Cairenn Day MMC----answer my question
Where is it banned for open sea use? What country?
The Corexit is gone and Carle, the well was capped last month--No ONE ever said it ALL was gone, much of it is---I see that some of you refuse or cannot read.August 30 at 5:23pm · - Brett Merriman This should be good.August 30 at 5:26pm · · 1 person
- Brett Merriman Never thought of it like that William.August 30 at 5:26pm ·
- Tiger King You demokrat whiners, whine when the oil is visible, and you whine when it isnt. Examine your greenie friends who dont like land oil wells you hipocrites.
August 30 at 5:26pm · · 1 person - Michael Mike Clark Now the EPA has released the list of ingredients, and it isn't comforting: Despite Nalco's claims that Corexit is safe, biodegradable, and free of carcinogens, it happens to contain substances that--you guessed it!--are dangerous, non-biodegradable, and carcinogenicAugust 30 at 5:27pm ·
- Ricky J Warden ocean floor leaks by its self... what would you do about that. living maybe hazardous to your health.. people worry to muchAugust 30 at 5:29pm · · 2 people
- Margie Backstrom Tiger..Back to the zoo with you!!! No Democrat here!!August 30 at 5:29pm ·
- Jason Monk List the non-biodegradable ones......your're not talking about DHMO are you?August 30 at 5:29pm · · 1 person
- Margie Backstrom The sky is falling ..The sky is falling...August 30 at 5:30pm · · 3 people
- Down Hiller dh has no moAugust 30 at 5:30pm ·
- Brett Merriman What substances Mikey?August 30 at 5:31pm ·
- Cairenn DayMMC Answer me this Why, if it so Harmful, has NO Country noticed that it is?
I notice that you refuse to answer that question or to tell me what country has banned it for open sea use. Why? Is it because they have found it useful and ...See MoreAugust 30 at 5:35pm · - Matthew CowanMichael Clark is a LIAR
He has made repeated claims about Corexit that are not supported by facts.
Corexit is not a Carcinogen and the listed ingredients are not Carcinogens as well!!!
...See MoreAugust 30 at 5:35pm · · 4 people - Michael Mike Clark TO FUNNY... & STPID ALSO.... one can of beer... Wonder how many fish that would kill. or birds it would kill. or marsh it would kill or how many people it would kill.... THAT WAS STUPID...WilliamAugust 30 at 5:37pm · · 1 person
- Wayne Brandt It's "too" not "to" and it's "STUPID" not "STPID" .......LOL
"stupid" indeed.
Carry on.August 30 at 5:39pm · · 1 person - Aaron Beard here comes the spell checker.August 30 at 5:40pm ·
- Wayne Brandt LMAO!!!
It's customary when calling others "stpid" to at least spell it correctly.August 30 at 5:41pm · · 2 people - Aaron Beard ever heard of typos?August 30 at 5:42pm ·
- Down Hiller its customary 2 clean up yer mess b4 dinnerAugust 30 at 5:44pm ·
- Wayne Brandt No, could you please elaborate for me, Aaron..?
(elaborate is a verb and it means "to add details to; expand.)August 30 at 5:44pm · · 1 person - Aaron Beard i bet ya'll say "elaborate" 100 times a day.August 30 at 5:46pm · · 1 person
- Brett Merriman Mikey...still waiting to see those substances................
... August 30 at 5:46pm · - Margie Backstrom ha ha...August 30 at 5:46pm ·
- Brett Merriman Aaron maybe she was correct it was just a typo.August 30 at 5:46pm · · 1 person
- Wayne Brandt You are quick on the draw, Brett!!August 30 at 5:49pm · · 1 person
- Brett Merriman That's what she said Wayne.August 30 at 5:49pm · · 1 person
- Aaron Beard she had a head like a bulldog. i would say she was mentally challenged. i don't see her on here any more after fb sent me a warning through my email.August 30 at 5:50pm ·
- Aaron Beard opps anymore. not any more. excuse me!August 30 at 5:51pm ·
- Brett Merriman Aaron how far back are you going?August 30 at 5:54pm ·
- Aaron Beard her name was jean something.August 30 at 5:56pm ·
- Michael Mike Clark lol............ COREXIT KILLSAugust 30 at 5:57pm ·
- Brett Merriman Must have wounded you deeply this Jean something.August 30 at 5:57pm · · 2 people ·
- Cairenn DayFolks, not all Democrats are idiots---please don't paint all of us with the some brush---some are---I will agree
Come on MMC if you can't answer my question or others, maybe you should just hit unlike and spew where folks think like you do....See MoreAugust 30 at 5:58pm · · - Brett Merriman One hour north of Tampa.....ROFLMFAO......I'
ll bet I can get my pool in AZ to show levels of 2 - buto way higher than 50ppm....where is that industrial size Windex bottle from Sam's Club? August 30 at 6:02pm · · - Aaron Beard didn't bother me. she started the name calling, then i called her a name. other people attack me, then they delete some of my comments, leave all of hers up, then send me a warning through fb. that's how the BPer's roll.August 30 at 6:03pm · ·
- Wayne Brandt You know the crazies are running on empty when the old "COREXIT, COREXIT" stuff starts.
It just cracks me up!!August 30 at 6:04pm · · - Wayne Brandt Aaron, you be a good boy and mind your manners and everything will be alright.August 30 at 6:05pm · ·
- Matthew CowanI doubt they found it since 2-Butoxyethanol usually decomposes in the presence of air within a few days and has not been identified as a major environmental contaminant. Further more the variety of Corexit that has this component has not be...See MoreAugust 30 at 6:05pm · ·
- Michael Mike Clark http://www.corexit.com/cor
exit-is-eating-through-boa ts-in-the-gulf August 30 at 6:06pm · · - Brett Merriman Me thinks that family is looking for some $$$$$$August 30 at 6:07pm · · 1 person ·
- Aaron Beard i know now, that if ya'll cuss me, i can't cuss back. kinda messed up.August 30 at 6:08pm · ·
- Brett Merriman Windex is eating through my mirrors and windows. Dawn dish soap is eating through the plates and you wouldn't believe the spots on the silverware.August 30 at 6:08pm · · 2 people ·
- Wayne Brandt No whining, Aaron. COREXIT.August 30 at 6:09pm · ·
- Aaron Beard censership!August 30 at 6:13pm · · 1 person ·
- Margie Backstrom I like screaming...COREXIT. It sounds so much more alarming!August 30 at 6:13pm · · 1 person ·
- Matthew CowanAh posting a video with the woman who claims that all of the Valdez workers died. All 11,000 workers? Have you found any proof of that yet Michael Clark???
Now you want to take the word of a lying woman about boats being eaten by Corexit? ...See MoreAugust 30 at 6:14pm · · - Margie Backstrom You mean censorship?August 30 at 6:14pm · · 2 people ·
- Matthew CowanMichael, you really need to give it a rest.
Either you are lying or your are just ignorant and do not understand. You have a predetermined agenda and you look for anything that supports your notions. Problem is that what you find lacks ...See MoreAugust 30 at 6:15pm · · - Wayne Brandt Aaron, it's "censorship" not "censership" and it's a beautiful thing.
Yes?August 30 at 6:15pm · · - Aaron Beard oops. yeahAugust 30 at 6:15pm · ·
- Matthew CowanA massive oil plume deep in the Gulf of Mexico created by BP’s broken Macondo well has been consumed by a newly-discovered species of microbes, according to a study by scientists with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
The scientists...See MoreAugust 30 at 6:15pm · · 2 people · - Aaron Beard i've had a few beer. excuse me.August 30 at 6:17pm · ·
- Brett Merriman A few beer or beers?August 30 at 6:18pm · · 1 person ·
- Aaron Beard no, censorship is not beautiful. it sucks.August 30 at 6:20pm · ·
- Morgan Squyres Well Jason it looks like my comment pissed some people of so they deleted it. I agree Jason it is pretty funny some of the things people say when they have no idea what they are talkin about.August 30 at 6:20pm · · 1 person ·
- Aaron Beard down south we don't say "beers"August 30 at 6:21pm · ·
- Aaron Beard northerners wouldn't know anything about that.August 30 at 6:23pm · ·
- Down Hiller we all shoot the same deerAugust 30 at 6:24pm · ·
- Down Hiller *deersAugust 30 at 6:25pm · · 1 person ·
- Michael Mike Clark COREXIT KILLS!!!
http://usahitman.com/dead-fish-all-over-the-east-coa st-lack-of-oxygen-from-gul f-oil-disaster/ August 30 at 6:26pm · · - Jason Monk MMC...and all haters I have a question. Why is it when the EPA releases a statement claiming the water and seafood are safe you jump all over them calling them sellouts and say they are bought off by BP? BUT.......when they "release" a statement claiming COREXIT has carcinogens and non-biodegradable ingredients they are saints come to tell the truth and you hold them to the highest authority?August 30 at 6:27pm · · 1 person ·
- Morgan Squyres People are crazy Jason I find this rather entertaining.August 30 at 6:29pm · · 1 person ·
- Down Hiller hes bin polemintly sent by bpAugust 30 at 6:30pm · ·
- Morgan Squyres It gives me a chuckle during my down time.lolAugust 30 at 6:33pm · ·
- Jason Monk You know I don't even have to click on the link MMC to tell you it's a load of crap. I really am feeling sorry for you, man. To think about someone living their life with as much fear and devotion you have to complete and utter non-sense is completely amazing to me. Do you get up every morning wondering what new conspiracy theory is going save you today?August 30 at 6:35pm · ·
- Cairenn Day MMC, I don't believe so---that area has it own problems---you can't blame BP for themAugust 30 at 6:36pm · ·
- Morgan Squyres I have been to the east coast alot look for oil traces and I havent seen a thing not a tar ball, dead fish, oiled fish, or anything these people are hurting there own business.August 30 at 6:37pm · · 1 person ·
- Matthew Cowan None of those links prove that Corexit Kills!!!!
You can not prove it!!! As I thought!!
You Michael Clark are a liar!!!August 30 at 6:49pm · · - Michele Parr The dadgum oil hasn't even reached the Chandeleur Islands in Louisiana. Yet it went all around the Florida Peninsula and up the East Coast? I don't guess the oil spill in Michigan and New Jersey had anything to do with that, did it? Oh wait, this is Michael I am talking about. Of course it didn't. BECAUSE HE REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING EXCEPT BLAME BP. Well, this time you can't. BP had absolutely nothing to do with that.August 30 at 6:51pm · ·
- Morgan Squyres I was in Panama City a month or so back and didn't see crap! These people are makin it worse on themselves than it really is geez!August 30 at 6:51pm · ·
- Jason Monk Morgan did you see any of my pics? They're from about 30 miles west of PC.August 30 at 6:53pm · ·
- Michele Parr Lovely, posted by conspiracyman on 17Aug2010. When was the last time a dispersant was sprayed into the Gulf? Let's see.......JUNE. Unbelievable........August 30 at 6:54pm · · 1 person ·
- Morgan Squyres No Jason I didntAugust 30 at 6:59pm · ·
- Carle Jansen whya re ppl telling me to shut up??? im out of country i was asking whats was going on... ppl need ot stop being butthurt
August 30 at 8:25pm · ·
