Evaluation of Surfactants for Physical Decontamination in Spray Applications.
Abstract
Using a low pressure spray, the effectiveness of commercially available surfactants in removing a thickened mustard simulant from a low and a high energy surface was determined in a series of laboratory bench scale tests. The objective of this investigation was to recommend suitable decontamination (decon) candidates for larger scale field tests. The test method involved a recycling flow system and a UV-VIS double-beam spectrophotometer which monitored the amount of simulant removed. The spectrophotometer was interfaced with a computer for data collection. Because of light scattering problems, due to bubbles in the flow system, surfactant effectiveness data were based on a visual method of detection. The effectiveness of the decon test fluid appears to be specific for the type of substrate, the contaminant and the aqueous medium employed. On a high energy surface (Stainless steel), tap water and synthetic seawater were as effective as an automatic dishwashing detergent in removing thickened methyl salicylate. However, on a low engery surface (Teflon), surfactants that exhibited a combination of increased wetting, emulsification, and solubilization properties removed the thickend simulanr more effectively than water. These include sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (1% in tap water), sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate (1.6% in tape water), and Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF - 3% dilution in tap water and in synthetic seawater). Also, under the same test conditions, the removal time of these surfactant 'solutions' were within 1-3 minutes, whereas that of water was > 15 minutes for completer removal of the thickened simulant from the Teflon surface.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 17, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA165946
Entities
People
- R. C. Little
- S. G. Pande
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory