Most fuel spills occur at the source like in the oil mills or depots. If the facility is located in a fuel island or a transfer station there is a danger of contamination when a spill occurred, the law may require the company to have their own Fuel Spill Kits for compliance. Common overflow spills and other small fuel losses can accumulate over time, leading to an ultimate need for clean up. On top of the everyday trickles and drips in the pumps during operations and transport, a large unexpected spill may happen.
Often, spills happen on land and sea water too. Tankers that transport gasoline and diesel on the roads tend to swerve thus spilling the content of their tanks. Similar takes place with the ships that loose control and sink in the sea or oceans. The ship is loaded with fuel that it will use for the days it will travel. Normally, spills occur with cargo trucks that transport goods from one place to another. Overloading causes the sinking so it is really difficult for the assigned personnel like coast guards to readily remove it leading to oil leaks in the water. This in turn kills the fishes with in the area and pollutes the water.
A typical fuel spill kit will contain fuel absorbent pads, fuel absorbent booms, waste bags and ties, resistant gloves, instruction sheet, weather resistant cap, wall locator sticker, and a mobile container. Fuel absorbent pads and booms are used to prevent the leak and to absorb the liquid because not all kinds of ordinary clothe can absorb such fuel. Of course, the gloves are there to protect the hands of the person that will clean the spill. The person should always be free from contamination in the spill. In fact, it is advised the gloves must not be recycled. Or they must be disinfected properly when it is decided that they will be re-used. The used pads and booms can be stored temporarily to this mobile container while waiting for proper disposal. Sometimes, the weather interrupts the cleaning process so there is a weather resistant cap. It is included in the kit and can be used especially if the cleaning process is urgent. Another thing that can never be missing in the kit is the instruction sheet. It is significant to have a manual to guide the cleaning process. The mobile container in the fuel spill kit is designed to carry all the contents of the kits when used.
In fact, there are different types of fuels that exist in factories. Some of these are biodiesel, hydrogen, biomass, ethanol, methanol, and diesel. For diesel spills, there are diesel spill kits that include absorbent pads and booms that soak up the fuel. Diesel fuel kits are usually found on vehicles and are designed to fit on the slack spaces like the cab. They contain plugs of different sizes to stop the leaks. In addition to diesel fuel kits, there are also aviation fuel spill kits being sold in the market. Airplanes and jets that fly in the sky have their own kits because they also have fuels in their tanks.
Thus, cleaning up a major fuel spill is expensive, not easy, and ineffective at times. The best approach is prevention so fuel spill kits available in the market are recommended to be installed ahead of time.
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