PRP Certification Criteria

The links below are an overview, and have been written to assist you in how and where UniRem Petroleum Remediation Product (PRP) products can be sold and applied.  Review the index to determine your clients’ specific needs.  Link to pages to learn more. Contact Unirem if you have additional questions regarding PRP product certification and application

PRP® AND ITS ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS ARE MANUFACTURED AT:

Overview
Features of PRP
Application Considerations
WATER AND PRP®/OIL BUSTER®
PRP® USE AND APPLICATION
Where to Use PRP®
Application Instructions PRP®

OVERVIEW
Petroleum Remediation Product (PRP®)

The Petroleum Remediation Product (PRP®) is an all natural hydrocarbon absorbent that also attracts and stimulates the natural microbial population to degrade oil on land or water, manufactured by Universal Remediation Inc., Pittsburgh, PA.  Associated products are:  BIO-SOK® well-boom, BIO-BOOM® shaker bottles, pads, fuel collars and OIL BUSTER® which use the PRP® product as the active ingredient.
PRP® uses a NASA-developed encapsulation process enabling production of buoyant capsules, which never sink, even when fully saturated with oil.  The uniqueness of PRP® and its delivery system is apparent when attempting to treat water borne hydrocarbons spills under different climatic conditions.  PRP® serves as the initial catalyst in which the microorganisms flourish and produce increased amounts of hydrocarbon-degrading enzymes.
PRP® is oleophilic (clings to petroleum); yet hydrophobic (repels water).  Petroleum components penetrate the PRP® (where they become a source of nutrients for the microorganism) enhancing the overall effect of the bioremediation process.  The specific gravity of PRP® is greater than oil but less than water.  Consequently, PRP® provides a barrier between spilled oil and the water or land, into which the oil has spilled, thus preventing contact with ecotypes.  It is important to understand that PRP® cannot work where surfactants, soaps, dispersants, detergents or chlorine exist.
An obvious problem with other bioremediation technologies is microbial survivability.  PRP® overcomes this problem by providing a means to stimulate massive quantities of viable hydrocarbon microorganisms at a contaminated site, thus enabling the indigenous population of microorganisms to not only survive but multiply, thus accomplishing the task of biodegrading in a timely manner.  One of the most significant advantages of PRP® is the ability to pre-position the product, which requires no mixing or special handling, at sites which are at greatest risk of damage as a result of accidental oil spills (sea ports, oil storage terminals, pipe lines, collection ponds, railroads, etc.).
Having PRP® in our products is simply another way to use the product when it must be confined to one area of an oil spill.  This is very significant when the environmental impact of the spill is on land, in or around desalination plants, around storage tanks, in or on boat and ship bilges, storm drains, collection basins, fish farms, fishing grounds, industrial water intakes, recreational beaches and harbors.
PRP® can, as an absorbent, survive extreme temperatures and as a bioremediation agent, the ideal working temperatures are in the 40 to 95 degree F range.

FEATURES OF PRP®

1. Comprised of 100% all natural components, elements which are found in virtually every ecosystem.
2. Can be handled by hand (in much the same way as Rock Salt is spread), with hydro seeders or drop spreaders.
3. Shelf life is more than ten years.
4. Can be applied to virtually any surface structure, sand, rocks, standing and moving water.
5. Can be applied in any climate condition:  dry, wet, hot, cold, daylight or night.
6. Because of its powder like consistency has the ability to permeate various soil matrices (ballasts, rocky gravel, sand, or sediments).
7. Can be used to treat oil spills of differing viscosities and densities, and water with variable salinities.

APPLICATION CONSIDERATIONS

Oil Buster® (PRP®) and related products BioSok®, BioBoom®, shaker bottles, pads, fuel collars and WellBoom® are great absorbers and biodegradation stimulators, but they do have limitations.

1. They will not absorb or biodegrade hydrocarbons (oil/diesel) where soaps, detergents, surfactants and/or emulsifiers are or have been used, whether on soil, rocks (ballast) or water.  A quick test can be made by sprinkling PRP® or laying a BioSok® or BioBoom® into the spill to see if it repels or absorbs the spill.  If it absorbs, it’s a go.
2. The products will absorb, but will not biodegrade without moisture.  The microbes need water, i.e. rain, mist, dew, sprinkling or watering.  The application must remain moist.
3. The products will not make any noticeable impact on old, hardened, cake-like oil/asphaltine or creosol without repeated applications and watering.  Remediation will require many months in these instances.
4. Repeated spraying of water with chlorine i.e. drinking water will adversely affect the microbes and slow and/or prevent biodegradation.
5. The products will not absorb or biodegrade masses of heavy grease.  For the product to work the grease would have to be spread to no more than a quarter of an inch thick and repeated applications would still be required.
6. The products will absorb brand new hydrocarbon spills, but may encounter a slight delay in the biodegrading process till hydrocarbon microbes are attracted to the spill and stimulated.  The delay would generally not be more than a week.
7. The product when applied must come in contact with the hydrocarbon.  Product that does not will remain dormant.  The microbes will generally consume the product when no other hydrocarbons remain.
8. Biodegradation is a slow process, taking 2 to 8 weeks, mostly based on the population of indigenous microbes in the area at the time of the spill.  If hydrocarbon is present in the area or other spills have occurred in the past, microbes are present in fairly large numbers and can be stimulated by our products very quickly.
9. When trying to determine whether the product is working initially, look for absorption.  If it is not absorbing on contact the spill may be tainted by soaps, detergents, etc. and as such will not work.  Once you are comfortable that absorption has or is occurring watch for the spill to clot, change color (generally lighter) and the spill is getting smaller.  Specifically, on ballast, the product may have fallen out of sight, deeper into the ballast and/or absorbed the surface spill and needs another application.
10. Dark, weathered ballast will show little or no change initially, but will be cleaned over time, as is the case with the surface of the creosote ties.  This cleaning process will continue as long as product is present in the ballast.  It also forms a shield to prevent hydrocarbon(s) from leaching into the water table below the tracks.
11. When using the product on water spills, you will see immediate absorption, then clumps of product saturated with hydrocarbons getting smaller over time, till all clumps have disappeared.

WATER AND PRP®/OIL BUSTER®

Water is absolutely essential for PRP®/Oil Buster® to be effective.

The following factors concerning moisture must be considered by the sales person and conveyed to the customer for a successful trial or clean up!

1. Be aware of the type of area you are applying PRP®/Oil Buster® ---clay, sand, rocks, grass, weeds, etc.
2. Be aware of the local climate --- desert, rain forest, mountains, semi-arid noting typical rainfall amounts, humidity, dew, etc.
3. Make appropriate plans for the application to receive moisture manually if the area does not receive it naturally.
4. The best gauge for watering an application is this “it’s better to have too much than to have too little --- the microbes love and must have moisture!!

Fundamentally, the application must receive some type of moisture frequently in order for remediation to take place.  “Puddles” of water are not necessary, but “dampness” is.  All remediation sites are unique in size, components, moisture, geography, contaminant type, volume of contaminant as well as other things as well.

So, you must take into consideration all these factors in order to have a successful cleanup.  Common sense must prevail above all.

PRP® USE AND APPLICATION

ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
PRP® is an absorbent and a biological response product.  Typically the company will provide “PRP®” and application equipment if needed as well as any assistance needed by the primary clean up contractor and on site coordinator.

APPLICATION PROTOCOLS
PRP® can be hand spread or deposited by a drop spreader for small to medium sized spills where possible.  The preferred method of application is to combine PRP® and water, utilizing the water as a delivery media.  Because PRP® is hydrophobic (repels water) it is necessary to mechanically suspend PRP® in the water using agitation.  Agitation provides consistent delivery of PRP®.
The wax-encapsulating product is sensitive to temperatures above 95 degrees F.  The PRP® can be expected to soften/melt at temperatures above 130 degrees F.  Containers delivered to staging areas should be placed in a holding area that is protected from such heat.  Facilities and/or equipment should be available at the staging area to control exposure to heat.  Cooling apparatus may be needed to ensure the integrity of the PRP® is not compromised.
At the present time there are three separate systems which have been developed to apply PRP® to the soil, water and/or near shore.  The systems are mobile and portable to any remote location that can be accessed by land or water.
UNIVERSAL REMEDIATION, INC. has successfully tested portable water dispensing equipment manufactured by the Finn Corporation of Fairfield, Ohio.  UNIVERSAL REMEDIATION, INC. has also designed and manufactured a portable dispensing system that requires a water source.  Criteria for purchasing /manufacturing the appropriate units were based on client needs, tank capacity, and the distance capabilities of the units.  Specific information on the units are listed below.

The TL-30 is skid-mounted and is generally available at most Finn distributors.  The unit can be loaded onto a shallow draft command boat and deployed for use in waters less than 12 inches deep.  The TL-30 has a 250 gallon capacity with an 18 horsepower gasoline engine and 50 feet of hose.
The T-90 has a 900 gallon capacity with a 36 horsepower diesel engine and is equipped with a fixed-pedestal cannon.  Each unit is equipped with three nozzles for wide, narrow and long distance applications.  The T-90 is trailer-mounted and is an excellent way to apply the product from roadways.
The T-6 is a portable unit that consists of an 8 h.p., 3-inch trash pump, a 65 gallon product hopper, a 1.75 inch x 2 inch jet pump, necessary hoses for operation and uses overboard water to supply the unit.  The system uses flow through design and can propel both water and product a maximum of 50 feet.  The system is lightweight, compact and easily operated from a command vessel or airboat.  The T-6 is very effective when location and access dictate a lightweight portable unit.
Refer to the Operator’s Manual for scheduled maintenance for the TL-30 and T-90.  The T-6 power unit (3-inch Trash Pump) should be scheduled for an oil change every 50 hours of operation and pump shaft and bearings should be greased, as needed.  All hoses, hopper, power unit, and jet pump should be cleaned after each application.  All equipment should be rinsed with fresh water immediately after use to minimize corrosive effects.

Mixture Rate
Effective mixture rate of PRP® to water is one-quarter pound PRP® to each one gallon of water.  The equipment should perform well at this ratio of PRP® to water.  Higher concentrations may be used when spill is more than a sheen.  Caution must be stressed on higher ratios because of wax buildup.  The product works well with both fresh and salt waters.

Application Rate
Application of the product is a function of several conditions that must be determined on a case-by-case basis.  Variations in the physical properties of the spilled product, water temperature, and dispersion affect the quality of PRP® that should be applied to a given area.
A sufficient quantity of PRP® should be applied to ensure containment of spilled hydrocarbons.  PRP® should be applied carefully adjusting the spray angle to minimize break-up.  Equipment operators will visually assess the situation for each scenario through observation.  Once the operator observes containment of the hydrocarbons, another location should be selected.

APPLICATION CONTROL
Liquid and water-soluble products can have adverse affects (e.g. algae bloom) caused by uncontrolled over-stimulation (multiple applications and/or over treatment).  Such conditions can cause oxygen depletion and or create an environment toxic to indigenous populations.
Similarly, treatment of impacted shorelines can also cause adverse affects because of tidal fluctuations and storm water, which flush the microbes and soluble nutrients from the soil and introduce them into the water column.
PRP® addresses specifically the issue of application control.  Other products tend to disperse rapidly in the water column and cannot be controlled in the same manner achieved by PRP®.  PRP® is hydrophobic and is oleophilic and is the only biological product that contains and remediates hydrocarbons in a microenvironment on the water’s surface.  Typically, PRP® does not require secondary application.  PRP® functions as a nutrient and as such assists in a controlled growth of the indigenous population of microbes and minimizes the potential for algae bloom and other adverse environmental affects.
Once PRP® is applied, it repels water and floats.  PRP® will maintain its position on the surface of the water and will rise and fall with the tide, enhancing the opportunity of the PRP® to come into contact with floating hydrocarbons and those hydrocarbons that have impacted the shoreline.  The ability of PRP® to flow in and out with the tide enables the product to travel to impenetrable areas where hydrocarbons are present.
When contact is achieved between the hydrocarbon and PRP®, the encapsulating wax breaks down and forms a hydrocarbon and wax matrix, thus effectively initiating the remediation of hydrocarbons.  The matrix will float on the surface of the water creating a perfect microenvironment in which the microbes can perform.  The environment created at the surface of the water allows PRP® to obtain moisture from the water and at the same time gain oxygen from the ambient air.
Since the nutrients and micronutrients are contained in the wax, the possibility of over-stimulation of the water column is minimized and hydrocarbon degradation is maximized, because PRP® is introduced directly into the spilled product.
These characteristics set the product apart from liquid-based products when considering application control.

Residual PRP®
PRP® that does not come in contact with hydrocarbons is in effect inert and will eventually degrade.  The indigenous microbes will survive a short time on the nutrients and wax encapsulating material, and will fully reconstitute upon contact with a hydrocarbon.

APPLICATION SCENARIOS
PRP® can be used in a variety of ways to control and degrade hydrocarbons as a first, second, or tertiary response tool in open water, backwater, wetland, near shore scenarios and anywhere water comes in contact with hydrocarbons.  PRP® can be allowed to degrade in-situ, recovered mechanically, recycled or relocated for land treatment.

First Response
Preemptive is the best term that can explain the advantage of using PRP® as a first response tool.  PRP® can be favorably used to control the impact of hydrocarbons to the shoreline and to float heavy hydrocarbons that typically sink in the water.
The application of PRP® as a first response tool will accomplish three very significant benefits.  The encapsulating wax will form a matrix that will greatly increase the amount of oil that will ultimately be recovered.  The PRP® matrix will also reduce the impact of the hydrocarbons to the shoreline, vegetation or surface that it may contact because of the encapsulating matrix that is formed.  PRP® is extremely buoyant and has shown the ability to float hydrocarbons, which typically sink in water (e.g. #6 Fuel Oil).  These products characteristics support the use of PRP® as a first response tool.

Near Shore and Wetlands
These environments are well-suited applications for PRP® because labor-intensive techniques and chemicals are not acceptable means of recovery because of the potential for damage to the environment.  In-situ burning can also cause adverse environmental affects that outweigh the negative impacts caused by a spill.  The proximity of sensitive wildlife, structures, or adverse weather conditions can eliminate in-situ burning from consideration.
PRP® is non-toxic and 100% natural biological response tool.  Its use is favored by most in difficult hard to reach environments where other methods cannot be successful.
The PRP® matrix can be left in-place (in-situ) to remediate the hydrocarbons or may be recovered for land remediation, land filling or recycling.  Through the use of PRP®, there are many final cleanup options that would not have been made possible in the absence of such a product.

Benefits
Microbial products are used frequently in industrial settings to reduce and eliminate waste streams.  Use and effectiveness of these products is well known and accepted by regulatory agencies and industry.  Because of the wax encapsulating material, PRP® has made available to industry, an effective method to control and degrade water borne hydrocarbon spills.  Some of the benefits of PRP® are listed below.

• PRP® is a non-toxic 100% all natural product
• PRP® is hydrophobic (floats)
• PRP® is oleophilic (attracts oil)
• PRP® minimizes impacts to the environment
• PRP® maximizes hydrocarbon degradation
• PRP® is effective in sensitive areas where labor intensive techniques are unproductive
• PRP® can be allowed to degrade in-situ or may be recovered for land remediation, land filling or recycling

Cost Savings

• PRP® reduces expense by reducing reclamation costs
• PRP® allows control of the disposition of the spilled hydrocarbon
• PRP® reduces disposal and transportation costs
• PRP® promotes the minimization of waste streams and eliminates long term landfill liability 

Where to Use PRP®

Oil spills along the highway
The soil is easy to excavate and remove to a landfill.  The recommendation is to have the remediation process completed between 1-3 days.
The use for PRP® is limited in this application at this time.

Oil spills in lakes and ponds
Our survey has indicated that environmental companies prefer using their trucks and other equipment for this application.  However PRP® can be used along the shoreline or edge of the water.
Consideration should be given to applying PRP® on top of the water during this procedure.  PRP® will cause the oil to coagulate and make the extraction easier and more efficient.

Oil spills in wetlands, swamps and other similar areas
Surveys indicated that a person should not walk in this environment while there is oil in the area.  Using peat does absorb the oil but it takes the oil to the bottom and does not biodegrade the oil.
Using either a portable or commercial Hydro-seeder located at the edge of the contaminated area can spread PRP®.  The biodegrading process will take between 20-40 days.  In the winter PRP® will absorb the oil but not biodegrade it.  The biodegrading process does not work very well until the temperature is consistently above 40 degrees.

Oil spills on vegetation with or without a stream or water source

Method of remediation

1. Hand removal – Weeds are cut, bagged and moved to a landfill.  Most expensive procedure however, maintains root structure.
2. Excavation – least expensive but eliminate root structure and can cause erosion.
3. Weed burning – Keeps root structure.  Time sensitive.  A burning permit can take from 3 to 20 days.  Lower cost than option one, higher cost than option two.
4. PRP® with Hydro-seeder – Can be done within days, keeps the root structure and environmental friendly.  Takes 15-40 days to remediate.  In winter it can absorb the oil but not biodegrade it.  Cost more than option two, lower than option one and three.

Small oil spills in rural areas
PRP® can be used when it is not economical to excavate and remove the soil.  Can absorb but not biodegrade in the colder months.

Application Instructions PRP®

Soil / Water / Rocks / Marshland / Beaches / Rail Road Ballast

1. Apply 1/16 inch (2mm) to 1/8 inch (4mm) of PRP® on to the top of the entire contaminated soil or water area, by sprinkling or spraying.  When working large areas of contamination, a hydro-seeder is recommended
2. Analysis – Seawater and most fresh water lakes and rivers require little or no analysis.  Soil must be analyzed to determine the amounts of hydrocarbon (parts per million, ppm) before any applications are made.  If detergents or surfactants are present they will render the PRP® ineffective. 
3. If water is not present, apply a sprinkling of water over the entire area, keep soil moist, rain or heavy dew is sufficient for the product/microbes to work.
4. Tap water is not recommended; it generally has chlorine in it and will kill the indigenous microbes preventing bioremediation or will slow the process way down.
5. Inspect the contaminated soil weekly, when the surface oil is no longer visible, till the contaminated area and reapply another layer of PRP®.  Repeat the process until all of the contamination is gone.  Please note:  complete cleaning of the contamination can take different amounts of time depending on the level of contamination and weather conditions.
6. Ph - PRP® works at its optimum when the Ph is between 3 & 8, but has worked in the 11 range.  Alkalinity and Turbidity are generally not an issue; Sediment is also not an issue, though we have on occasion seen a reduction where PRP® was used.
7. PRP® optimum bio-remediation performance range is 40 to 95 degrees F.
8. Encapsulation or absorption occurs regardless of temperature – no restrictions.
9. Test on absorption have been successfully conducted in a range of -60 to 125 degrees F. 
10. When Ph, purity of hydrocarbon contamination, sun, rain, etc. are at optimal levels, remediation will take place in the 34 to 110 degree F. range.
11. Heat and PRP® are not totally compatible.  As indicated above, PRP® works well in a wide temperature range, but the application process has some problems when something is used other than a hydro-seeder.  Drop or spin spreaders will not work for very long when the temperature goes above 90 degrees F. and is generally replaced by manual applications.

SUBJECT:  OIL BUSTER (PRP®)
RAILROAD, APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Oil Buster® is a 100% environmentally safe product used on oil and diesel soaked ballast and ties, found in railroad yards and track switching areas.  Oil Buster® initially absorbs and then bioremediates fuel, oil and hydraulic fluids over a varying period of time depending on weather conditions and the possibility of additional fuel or oil spills.  Bio-remediation works best at temperatures from 40 to 95 degrees F., the process slows at higher or lower temperatures.

1. Initial application should be done after discussing the situation with a factory trained specialist in order to get the maximum from this product.  Correct amount and frequency of application will be recommended at that time.
2. Oil Buster® can be spread by hand using a slotted box, plastic bucket with perforated holes in the top, a fertilizer spreader or a hydro-seeder.
3. Some of the applied product will fall between the ballast and make its way to a lower saturated oil level.  It will penetrate and remediate as long as air and water are available.
4. Our products must be kept wet or moist to function at their best.
5. When product appears to have bonded with saturated amounts of oil, more should be applied.
6. Oil Buster® does not have to be picked up.  Additional Oil Buster® should be applied as required to continue the remediation process.
7. DO NOT USE OIL BUSTER® (PRP®) WITH, OR WHERE, SURFACTANTS OR DETERGENTS HAVE BEEN USED.  THEY PREVENT ABSORPTION AND REMEDIATION.

PRODUCT BULLETIN

SUBJECT:  PRP® AND OIL BUSTER®
RAILROAD APPLICATION PROCEDURES

These products are to be used on oil and diesel soaked ballast stones primarily found in rail yards where diesel engines are parked for any length of time and around track switching areas.
PRP® and Oil Buster® will absorb and bioremediate diesel fuel, oil and hydraulic fluids over a period of time.  Application of the product can be done in several ways depending on the local situation and conditions.
Bio-remediation works best at temperatures ranging from 45 to 90 degrees F.  It will work at higher and lower temperatures but the process is slower and in some cases stops until the temperatures raises or lowers.

1. Both products should be applied with the consistency applicable to the amount of oil or fuel already on the ground.  A total covering of PRP® is required on the first application.  This should be approximately 1/16th of an inch thick.
2. The applied product will fall between the stones and make its way to a lower saturated oil level.  Eventually it will penetrate and remediate to a lower level as long as air and water are available.
3. Our products must be kept wet or moist in order to function at their best.  If dry weather conditions exist for several days, the area must be wetted down.
4. When the product appears to have bonded with a saturated amount of oils, more should be applied.  This varies with each situation however the PRP® products are capable of remediating much more fuel and oil than their weight.  Discolored product does not mean it is finished bonding or working.
5. Both products can be spread by hand using a slotted box, plastic bucket with screen mesh over the top, a fertilizer spreader or a hydro-seeder.
6. Initial applications should be done with a trained specialist in order to get the maximum from either product.  Correct amounts and frequency of application can be recommended at that time.
7. PRP® is the preferred product in almost all applications.  Oil Buster® should only be used on cement or asphalt and on track ballast where there is minor fuel and oil dropped.
8. Approximately 1 pound of PRP® will cover 2 to 3 running feet of area between the rails.  One 50 lb. drum should cover 125 ft. of track.
9. PRP® does not have to be picked up.  Additional PRP® can be applied as required to continue the remediation process.  It is 100% environmentally safe.