Dispersit

Dispersit SPC 1000 or Dispersit is a dispersant used for oil spills, produced by U.S. Polychemical Corporation.^[1]

Composition

It combines a predominantly oil-soluble surfactant (such as polyethylene glycol mono-oleate) with a predominantly water-soluble surfactant (such as cocoamide) and a co-solvent for coupling a mixture of the predominantly oil-soluble surfactant and the oil.^[2]

Schematic illustration of an oil droplet being emulsified by Dispersit

Alternatives

Alternative dispersants which are approved by the EPA are listed on the National Contingency Plan Product Schedule^[3] and rated for their toxicity and effectiveness.^[4]

Deployments

2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill

Dispersit is unique among U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-rated dispersants in being the only one rated as 100% effective against South Louisiana crude oil, and it is among the least toxic, according to EPA tests.^[4] By comparison, Corexit, the oil dispersant used in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, is rated at 54.7% effective against South Louisiana crude oil and three times as lethal to silverfish and more than twice as lethal to shrimp.^[5]

On May 20, US Polychemical Corporation was reported to have received an order from BP for Dispersit SPC 1000.^[6] US Polychemical reportedly stated it was able to produce 20,000 US gallons (76,000 L) a day in the first few days and increasing up to 60,000 US gallons (230,000 L) a day thereafter.^[7]

See also

• Corexit
• Sea Brat 4