Previously, a blend of materials was formulated that would spontaneously gel a wide variety of hazardous liquids. This blend, known as the Multipurpose Gelling Agent (MGA), has been optimized to obtain a balanced formulation that will effectively gel and immobilize most spilled hazardous liquids within minutes. The current formulation, consisting of four powdered polymers and one inorganic powder, has the ability to immobilize spilled liquids with the least amount of material in the shortest period of time. In field testing of the powdered blend, it was observed that when air conveyance modes of dispersal were employed high losses occurred due to the effects of wind. Three compressed and granulated forms of the gelling agent were developed which are clearly superior to the original powdered blend for delivery to liquid spill targets. Various off-the-shelf dry solid dispersion devices were evaluated and the most promising systems field tested on simulated and actual spill targets, both in pools and in linear ditches. The results show that MGA provides an efficient means to mitigate the damages from hazardous liquid spills.

Project officer: Joseph P. Lafornara.