OSRR-162-Development of a Portable Oil Analysis Kit for Responders

The Minerals Management Service joined in a cooperative effort with Environment Canada to develop a field kit to measure oil properties. Spill responders must understand the properties of the petroleum before determining safe and efficient countermeasures for spills. Many countermeasures are precluded when oil becomes highly viscous and dense through weathering. Development of the kit focused on five tests; density, viscosity, water content, flash point and dispersant effectiveness.