+Studies of the U.S. Navy  
 
 
 
 
 
 

5.4.1.7 Louisiana Agricultural Experimental Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and Department of Clothing and Textiles, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Facultymembers from Louisiana Agricultural Experimental Station, Louisiana State
University Agricultural Center and Department of Clothing and Textiles, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia conducted an absorbent study. The results of the study were published in Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 26, No. 4, 1992 in an article entitled Using Natural Sorbents In Oil Spill Cleanup. In the study the natural fibers tested included cotton, milkweed, and
Eco Quik-Sorb. In addition, polypropylene and a blend of milkweed and polypropylene were used for comparisons. Absorbents were tested in artificial seawater with light crude oil and then with Bunker C oil using test methods described in the Technical Manual of the
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists 106-1981 and ASTM D 95-70.

The report stated that the oil sorption values of ANFE -SORB fiber and core materials were generally lower than that of milkweed or cotton but were similar to polypropylene web for Bunker C oil. Also, further separation of the naturally occurring fiber bundles of
ANFE -SORB to the single fibers should increase oil sorption comparably to polypropylene. The study included three additional absorbency tests on the natural fibers that excluded ANFE -SORB. The general conclusions drawn from the report were predominately based upon these additional test results. Therefore, interpretation of the comparative results, as
presented, may be misleading since a complete absorbency profile of kenaf was not investigated as fully as the other natural fibers.

5.4.2 Review of Material Safety Data Sheet
A review of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), compiled by the manufacturer, provides information that appears to be consistent with third party test data.

5.4.3 Verification Issues
The manufacturer claims that ANFE -SORB used on water spills aid filtration of any liquid contaminants in water could not be verified since supporting third party test data was not submitted.

5.5 Current Users
A distributor for the manufacturer states that the oil and gas industries are the potential major users of ANFE -SORB as an oil absorbent. Although its particles are used as a floor sweep, the product is mainly used on hydrocarbon spills on water and to bioremediate hydrocarbon Spills on land.

5.6 Product Comparisons
(Section 5.6 Omitted Due To Restricted Vendor Information)

5.7 Preliminary Life Cycle Costs

(Section 5.7 Omitted Due To Restricted Vendor Information)

5.8 Specifications
The Federal government has specifications, known as commercial item descriptions
(CID), for various absorbents. A contract may require an absorbent to meet the requirements of a CID, but use of CIDs is not mandatory for most procurements. Table

5.9 summarize the requirements of CIDs for a floor sweep absorbent and a loose absorbent for hydrocarbon spills on water. It should be noted that most particulate and sweep type absorbents are not sold to the government under contract. Nor do most absorbents sold to the government meet the specified requirements listed in Table 5.8.

  
 

5.9 Potential Navy / DOD Users
All Joint Service activities with operations that involve petroleum, oil, and hydrocarbon products are potential users of ANFE -SORB absorbent.

5.10 Federal Supply Listings
The manufacturer does not have National Stock Numbers (NSN) for their absorbents, and they do not currently sell through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) or the General Services Agency (GSA).

5.11 Conclusions
The following conclusions can be made regarding kenaf absorbent: Made from a sustainable renewable resource.
Appears to be an all-natural, bio-based and biodegradable product.
Appears to accelerate the bioremediation process of TPH and PAH when using land farming techniques.
Appears to have the necessary nutrients required for bioremediation.
Is incompatible with oxidizers or oxidizing materials. Users should avoid prolonged exposure to highly concentrated acids or bases.
Is not suitable for use in breezy areas or during windy conditions.
Test results indicate that concentrations of organochlorine insecticides and pesticides are within the regulatory limits dictated by the CWA.
Although it appears to have a low leaching rate, used absorbent will require evaluation for disposal on a case by case basis given the necessary data submitted by the generator to allow proper waste classification.
Provides at least 7,000 BTUs per pound of absorbent when incinerated. Contains 90.74 % dry matter.
Bioremediation protocol is not clearly defined by the manufacturer. Documented and recommended kenaf to soil ratios vary considerably.
ANFE -SORB appears to be cost effective to similar products used by the Navy. Wave action may reduce float time to a few hours.

5.12 Recommendations
Procuring agencies serving the Federal government should implement purchase preference for ANFE -SORB absorbent where feasible. This action is in the spirit of Executive Order 13101 and RCRA Section 6002, although ANFE -SORB absorbent is not presently considered an EPA designated item.

5.13 Implementation
Section 6.0 contains detailed implementation methods and additional procurement contacts applicable to kenaf absorbent. The following processes can assist the visibility of ANFE -SORB absorbent within the military:
The Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) received a final copy of this report. Joint Service users can search for specific information using a “key words or phrases” search engine.
Eco Quik-Sorb absorbent will be logged into the Joint Service Pollution Prevention Technical Library. This library exists as a Web site and is accessed by the Joint Service for Pollution Prevention guidance.
The findings of this evaluation will be submitted as publication articles for Navy-wide periodicals. For example, “Currents”, a full-color quarterly magazine, is published by NFESC and offers a wide variety of feature articles. “Indoor Air Monitor”, a monthly Periodical in an electronic format publishes articles related to Safety or OSHA issues.
  Darrell Waller
   
 
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