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Swirling Flask Test  

Laboratory studies on the weathering of spilled oil and the performance of chemical dispersants can be undertaken using the new ASTM Method - the "Swirling Flask Test".

The method is used to determine the relative performance of different chemical dispersants under the same conditions.

dispersant effectiveness swirling flask test dispersant effectiveness swirling flask test

The pictures above show dispersant effectiveness tested on the same oil at different states of weathering. The oil on the left is fresh and the oil on the right is weathered.

The same dispersant is applied to both samples.

The oil on the left which is fresh, is successfully dispersed while the weathered oil on the right does not disperse well with the same dispersant under the same conditions.

More detailed weathering studies can be undertaken using the Mackay Apparatus.