NEWSLETTER - May 2001 - Issue No. 15


Introducing Neat Sweep

Full scale OHMSETT tests determine Neat Sweep -
"is an effective way to apply dispersants and maximize the efficiency of the chemicals".

Elastec/American Marine has developed a unique dispersant application system.

'Neat Sweep' is designed to increase efficiency when dispersant application is the preferred response option for oil spill incidents. The 'Neat Sweep' system concentrates a broad swath of oil, usually varying in thickness, to a single band of uniform thickness. The concentrated band of oil passes through the 'dispersant application zone' where dispersant is applied neat (undiluted).

The dispersant application zone has been carefully designed to reduce dispersant wastage through evaporation, a typical problem with conventional application systems. Concentrating oil into a smaller area also reduces overdosing and underdosing of isolated patches and eliminates mistargeting.

Dispersant is applied at the apex of boom towed in a 'u' configuration hundreds of feet downwind from tow vessels. Risk of exposure to people and equipment is greatly reduced. Tow vessels carry dispersant on board allowing high payloads during response operations.

Recent OHMSETT tests funded by ExxonMobil Research and Engineering, proved the efficiency and effectiveness of the Neat Sweep system. The full scale evaluation tested a variety of real oils in simulated, at sea, wave conditions.

Neat Sweep is now available for purchase. For more information, contact Jeff Pearce at the Elastec/American Marine manufacturing facility in Cocoa, Florida (phone 321-636-5783) or see our web site Neat Sweep - Dispersant Equipment.

MSRC gets training on Hydro-Fire boom

Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) recently took delivery of a Hydro-Fire boom system from Elastec/American Marine. MSRC intends to incorporate the system in their Galveston response base.

MSRC management has followed developments with in-situ burn technology and equipment for several years. Recently the decision was made to upgrade their in-situ burn capability and purchase the Elastec/American Marine system. Hydro-Fire boom is a water cooled, inflatable system that is deployed from a reel. The boom is unharmed by the intense heat of oil fires and is therefore reusable.

The system includes water pumps, hoses, 500 ft of boom, and the boom reel and related equipment. Elastec/American Marine fire boom experts traveled to Galveston for two days of training sessions. One training session was spent in the classroom and another day was spent offshore on the response vessel, Texas Responder. Training included in-situ burn theory, commissioning of equipment, review of maintenance procedures, and deployment exercises. Hydro-Fire boom is the first commercially available fire boom that can be used for training. Thirty five MSRC response personnel from various MSRC response centers attended the two day training course.

Year 2000 Dealer Awards

Elastec American Marine is proud to present the following award winners. Each winner receives a plaque inscribed with their company's name and the title of the award.

Domestic Dealer of the year
Skimmers

International Oil Spill Conference a Success
Elastec/American Marine enjoyed a successful International Oil Spill Conference in Tampa, Florida in March. Many national and international attendees visited the Elastec/American Marine display. The booth featured unique and impressive appointments that were well appreciated by our guests. Staffed by company personnel and international dealers, the booth accommodated a steady stream of visitors throughout the show. We look forward to seeing them again in Vancouver, Canada for the next IOSC show in 2003.

Tanks for Raytheon - Tomahawk Missile Testing System
The 'Big Foot' project off the coast of California is a Navy test station for Tomahawk missiles. A firing platform is lowered to the ocean floor and missiles are fired under test conditions. When the platform is raised, spent liquids in the silo (firing chamber) are contaminated and cannot be dumped into the ocean. Raytheon, the project controllers, contacted AMI requesting a design to recover and store the spent liquids. AMI staff imagineered a pumping system and containment for the polluted water. Raytheon was happy with the design. The system is built and planned for use in the near future.

Large incinerator to Evergreen Services in Venezuela.
Mr. Badoui Batour of Evergreen Services in Venezuela recently purchased a large incinerator from Elastec/American Marine. The incinerator is capable of disposing of a variety of waste materials at a rate of 400 pounds per hour. The unit is equipped with a hydraulically operated, automatic ram feed system capable of feeding loads into the burn chamber without shutting down the incineration process.

New Blower System on Boom Reels
A new boom reel designed by Elastec/American Marine includes an innovation that eliminates the need for leaf blowers to inflate boom sections during deployment. A hydraulic blower powered by the boom reel power pack injects air into the reel's frame. Air is emitted from the frame at two exit ports where hoses are connected. Each hose has appropriate fittings for filling the inflatable chambers on the boom.

Elastec/American Marine: 1309 West Main, Carmi, IL 62821 USA
Call us at (618) 382-2525 Fax (618) 382-3610
E-mail elastec@elastec.com
Updated July 2002. Copyright Elastec/AmericanMarine. All rights reserved.