Oil spills are common in commercial settings, as tankers or pipelines can easily be damaged. The risk is even higher in oceans, mainly because of shipping and tanker accidents. Oil is a hazardous waste and can cause various health issues in humans and animals. Therefore, these spills need to be controlled and removed immediately. The best thing you can do in this regard is the use of absorbent booms.
They are specialized tools that can absorb huge quantities of oils and chemicals and limit their spread. Choose the right absorbent boom according to your requirements to get the desired outcomes. Now, the point is how you will do so. Don’t worry! We got you. This post will tell you the key things to consider to pick the right absorbent boom for spill response. Let’s move forward and explore these considerations.
05 Things to Consider to Pick the Right Absorbent Boom
The following are some of the main things you must focus on to make the right choice. Let’s explore all these considerations without further ado.
01. Types of Absorbent Boom
The first thing you need to consider is the type of absorbent booms. Different booms are available in the market to accommodate your special requirements. Therefore, you need to choose the right one for spill response. The following are some main types of absorbent booms.
Oil-Only Absorbent Booms: These booms are specifically manufactured to absorb oil. They can quickly absorb much oil and restrict its flow to reduce the spill area. These booms are mainly used in industries that regularly deal with oil spills.
Universal Absorbent Booms: As clear from their name, they are all-purpose booms. You can use them to absorb any fluid. Even harsh chemicals can be absorbed from coolants to oils using universal booms. They are similar to oil-only absorbent booms, but slightly different materials are used to increase their absorption capacity.
Chemical Absorbent Booms: These are specifically manufactured to absorb all chemicals. They are often used in industries and laboratories for immediate chemical spill response. Specialized material is used in these booms, which isn’t affected by any chemical exposure. The best thing about these booms is that they neutralize the harsh chemicals after absorbing them, making it easy for you to handle them.
02. Size of the Boom
The next thing to consider is the size of the boom. It mainly depends upon the size or volume of the spill. It’s a simple rule of thumb that you need smaller booms for less volume and bigger ones for high spill volume. Two main sizes of booms available are:
Small Booms: They are ideally suited for smaller pills and are commonly used in small labs and for domestic purposes. Their average length is around 4 to 5 feet, and their diameter is around 5 inches.
Large Booms: They are large in both diameter and length. Their average length is around 8 to 10 feet, and their diameter is around 10 inches. They are super effective at restricting the flow of larger oil or chemical spills.
03. Environment
The environment of the spill is a major consideration when choosing the right boom. For instance, oil can be on land or in water. However, a single boom cannot work efficiently in both environments. Therefore, you must choose specific booms according to the environment around the spill.
- If the oil spill is in water, opt for booms that can float on water even after absorbing all the oil. You can also opt for oil-only absorbents with hydrophobic properties, as they will float on water.
- For land spills, standard booms can be used, as they can quickly absorb oil or chemicals while restricting the flow.
- If you have to use them in harsh weather conditions, opt for absorbent booms that can easily withstand these conditions without compromising on performance.
04. Absorption Capacity
The absorption capacity of the absorbent booms is also a major consideration. You must opt for booms that can easily absorb huge quantities of oils, chemicals, or other fluids. If the spill volume is large, you can opt for booms with high absorption capacity capable of absorbing 10 gallons or more per boom. For smaller spills, you can go with booms with moderate absorption capacity. They can absorb 4 to 5 gallons per boom.
05. A Reputable Store
Last but not least, consider the store from where you buy it. You should buy them from a trusted store so you can get high-quality products. Consider buying them from Oil Spill Kit, a well-reputed store selling an extensive range of spill response products. You can buy the best-quality absorption pads, booms, and spill kits in the UK from this store.
You can get the perfect absorption booms to accommodate your spill response requirements. Make sure you consider all the things above to make the right choice.