Petroleum-collecting and dispersing chemicals for cleaning sea surface from thin petroleum slicks

Abstract

Monoethylolamide, diethylolamide and triethanolamine ester synthesized by us based on fish oil and their phosphate derivatives being surface-active and ecologically safe possess a high capacity of petroleum collecting and dispersing. When introducing phosphate group, a tendency to replacement of petroleum slick dispersing by its collection (accumulation into a spot) is observed. Efficiency of the chemicals change depends on the type and concentration of ions in the water. Such salts as NaCl, KI, KBr, and MgSO₄ positively influence petroleum-collecting activity whereas K₂CO₃ and NaHCO₃ cause petroleum dispersing.

KEY WORDS: Oil slicks, Petroleum-collecting, Petroleum-dispersing, Ethylolamides, Ester, Phosphate, Surfactant

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2014, 28(2), 205-214.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v28i2.5