C.I.Agent Solutions

C.I.Agent® Agent-Q finally becomes a reality

C.I.Agent Solutions — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 19:29:49 +0000

Two years ago, during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the unrealized idea of a quilted blanket containing C.I.Agent Solidifying Polymers for oil retrieval and containment on water resurfaced. Now two years later through the diligent efforts of the C.I.Agent Solutions R&D team and Dr. Gupta, Ph.D. and independent consultant with extensive expertise in fibers, nonwovens and other textiles, the product has become a reality.

Patent-pending C.I.Agent Agent-Q has C.I.Agent polymer granules embedded between layers of high-strength, lightweight hydrophilic spundbond nonwoven fabric that are quilted together via ultrasonic bonding. One square meter (m2) of fabric holds 350 grams of C.I.Agent, a blend of USDA food-grade polymers that are non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-carcinogenic, and non-hazardous, that encapsulates hydrocarbons into an inert rubber like mass that floats. Water flows freely through one layer of Agent-Q at a rate of 400 gallons per minute per m2 as the oil is captured by the polymer granules.

Initially developed as an oil spill response solution, C.I.Agent Agent-Q is also an excellent filtration media, where an end user can install an Agent-Q filter in a containment system and leave a valve open to allow water to process through and not back up in the containment area. Agent-Q will process oil sheen and if multiple layers of Agent-Q are used, they will create total stoppage of a hydrocarbon substance. Currently C.I.Agent Agent-Q is being used in C.I.Agent Scuppers, C.I.Agent Sheen Boom, and C.I.Agent Drip Pad.

With the great flow rates that have been achieved with C.I.Agent Agent-Q, the company plans to use it in other existing products for our secondary containment, water filtration, stormwater and emergency response markets. Other promising opportunities include providing it to original equipment manufacturers for products such as pleated filters.

Emergency Response for Hurricane Sandy

C.I.Agent Solutions — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 18:08:38 +0000

C.I.Agent Solutions’ staff stands ready to help those affected by the tropical storm damage from Hurricane Sandy. As the rain stopped and the water showed signs of receding, the calls came in for clean-up products that would help pump out water in underground subway and train stations, storage areas, tunnels, vaults, etc. These flooded areas are not just dealing with water, but water that has hydrocarbons in it from cars, grease, lubricants, etc. By law, the water has to be filtered first to remove the hydrocarbons or pumped by vacuum trucks and hauled away for processing. Plus there will be sediment mixed in the water that may need to be removed.

Utility substations or generating plants in this area of the country have basements or are partially built underground. Because of the tropical storm damage the flood waters reached these subsurface areas, the water shorted out the electricity needed to run the turbines and other equipment. The turbines also need oil to lubricate their moving parts and with water being heavier than oil, the water washed out the lubricant thus stopping any turbine movement. Now the problem exists of flood water with oil in it as well as the oil covering the outside of the turbines and other equipment. All the water has to be processed to remove the oil or hydrocarbons and the equipment cleaned to remove the oil coating their surface.

Production of products like the EVAC Filtration System, the Pump-It Tube Silt Sack, the Sheen Boom, the Quick Deployment Boom, C.I.Agent Pillows, and C.I.Agent Solidifying Polymers were increased over the weekend in anticipation of the need. C.I.Agent Hydrocarbon Detection Strips have been requested frequently to test for hydrocarbons in the water. Degreasing products like our 1ST STRIKE was transferred into more manageable containers and boxed. So far we have been able to keep up with the demand.

The tropical storm flood water makes delivering the products to the customer a challenge. With water still standing, trucks can’t deliver the goods and electricity is still out in many areas. Special arrangements for air drops have been discussed. C.I.Agent Solutions has a mobile command center and response trailer loaded with product. If called on, the command center and trailer will head for the east coast.

C.I.Agent Solutions, located in Louisville, Ky, has a network of manufacturing representatives in the affected areas of New York, the coast of New Jersey, and Pennsylvania who have been our eyes and ears and have been able to keep on top of the situation. Some of our own have lost homes, vehicles, and power because of Hurricane Sandy. Others were affected by the freak snow further inland.

Like everyone else now, we wait. When the time is right and our number is called, we will do what we do best – remove hydrocarbon and sheen from water, degrease equipment, and help get communities back up and running.

C.I.Agent Barrier Boom 10th Anniversary

C.I.Agent Solutions — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:13:02 +0000

November marks the 10th Anniversary of the first installation of C.I.Agent® Barrier Boom for Secondary Containment Systems in the Utility industry.

Since its conception, we have installed C.I.Agent® Barrier Boom in over 9,000 SPCC applications for spill containment. C.I.Agent® Barrier Boom is installed nationally in all 50 states, and internationally in Canada, Australia, UK, Sweden, Korea, Puerto Rico, and the Middle East. We have manufactured and installed over 2.1 miles of Barrier Boom in the first quarter of 2012.
C.I.Agent Solutions® is the only company in this market that provides the customer with an environmental insurance policy (when product is installed to manufacturer’s specs).

The oil solidifying polymers known as C.I.Agent® were originally used for oil cleanup in auto maintenance shops in the 1990s by Dan Parker at his company Onsite Waste Management. Wanting to break into new markets, such as oil spill response and oil spill containment, Dan created the company Immediate Response Spill Technology (IRST).

The first official PO for a C.I.Agent Barrier Boom Oil Spill Containment system came in October; the largest order the company had ever received had to be turned around quickly for a November install. Both C.I.Agent® Pillows and Boom Socks had to be made. To get enough C.I.Agent® to fill the order, all the samples that had been distributed to potential customers and field reps had to be recalled. Spouses, relatives and friends were asked to donate their time to construct the Pillows and Boom Socks so the install could be completed on schedule.

On November 5, 2002, the first C.I.Agent® Oil Spill Containment system went into the ground. Four hundred eight 12 x 12 inch C.I.Agent® Polymer-filled Pillows and approximately 317 linear feet of 4 inch Boom Socks were used to construct the first spill containment install. The process went without any challenges and the system is still providing protection to this day. If a spill were to happen, an updated C.I.Agent® Secondary Containment system would put in place.

Over the years there have been many improvements made to C.I.Agent® Barrier Boom Secondary Containment System. The technique of using 12” pillows horizontally has been replaced with a high tech vertical boom composed of C.I.Agent® Agent-X, C.I.Agent® Solidifying Polymers and a geotextile sandwiched together, providing a cost effective and EPA SPCC compliant means of protecting the environment.

Michael Gallagher recently appointed to SCAA Board

C.I.Agent Solutions — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:58:36 +0000

C.I.Agent Solutions is proud to announce the appointment of Michael Gallagher, a representative of C.I.Agent Solutions in the New York state area, as one of three new SCAA (Spill Control Association of America) Directors. Mike joined the C.I.Agent Solutions team in 2006 and has been an active participant in the growth of the company.

Mike represents the fourth generation of Gallagher’s who have worked in the marine industry in New York up until 2005. Mike joined the C.I.Agent Solutions team in 2006 and has been an active participant in the promotion of our bilge cleaning and Emergency Spill Response Products.

Mike’s shared his knowledge and leadership abilities by being the spokesperson for the New York Shipyard Operators, the president of NY/NJ Dry Dock Association, a member of American Waterways Operators, Associate Member of Ship Builders Council of America, Co-chairman of NY/NJ Port Promotion Association, Director of NY/NJ Maritime Association, Director for the Redevelopment of the US Navy Homeport in Staten Island, and recipient of the Business Man of the Year Award from New York State Federation of the AFL CIO. His experience in the industry will serve as an invaluable edition to SCAA’s ability to respond and coordinate future oil spill prevention and response efforts.

The Spill Control Association of America was organized in 1973 to actively promote the interests of all groups within the spill response community. The organization represents spill response contractors, manufacturers, distributors, consultants, instructors, government & training institutions and corporations working in the industry. For more information on the SCAA, visit their site at www.scaa-spill.org.

Executive Director, John Allen (L) with new board member Michael Gallagher – C.I.Agent Solutions, Long Island, NY (R)

C.I.Agent Solutions helps UK Power Networks Properly Store Electric Poles using Secondary Containment Technology

C.I.Agent Solutions — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:34:33 +0000

UK Power Networks, which provides electricity to thousands of customers throughout the South East and the East of England, worked with C.I.Agent® Solutions to improve their method of safely storing their spare wooden electrical poles using our Secondary Containment technology. These wooden electrical poles are treated with creosote, which isn’t good for the environment. But C.I.Agent Solutions provided an effective and inexpensive method of retaining this chemical from reaching the communities waterways.

The containment area was lined with High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), a sturdy material comparable to that used for pond liners, and incorporated a 1 meter squared window of C.I.Agent Agent-X membrane at its low point. The membrane served to solidify and retain the creosote while allowing the rainwater to easily pass through.

Five senior members of staff from one of Ireland’s premier electricity companies, attended a meeting hosted by Jim Nicholl from UK Power Networks on how to safely store these wooden poles. After the meeting Jim had this to say about his visitor’s impression of C.I.Agent Solutions containment unit: “Our visitors were very impressed. In Ireland they have even more of a rainfall problem than we do so pollutants getting into the water courses near pole storage is a bigger issue”.

C.I.Agent Solutions Named Business Of The Year

C.I.Agent Solutions — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:28:14 +0000

C.I.Agent Solutions, innovator of groundbreaking oil spill remediation products, is the recipient of Business First‘s Eagle Award of Excellence in the small company category. The Louisville magazine honors area businesses that exhibit substantial growth and professionalism.

“We are proud to accept this honor,” said Dan Parker, C.I.Agent Solutions founder and CEO. “Contributing to the preservation of the environment is rewarding in itself. Having our efforts and success recognized is much appreciated.”

Judging criteria included financial performance, increased market share, new products or services and major new clients. Community involvement and employee/client relationships also were considered.

Founded in 2000, C.I.Agent Solutions is a global leader in oil spill cleanup and secondary containment. A non-toxic, food-grade polymer, C.I.Agent solidifier turns fuel and other hydrocarbons into reusable and recyclable solids. The company’s custom-engineered utility systems drastically reduce the labor and expense of secondary containment to meet federal regulations.

C.I.Agent Solutions was involved in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup. They built a five-mile barrier containing C.I.Agent solidifier─the longest oil/water separator in the world.

C.I.Agent Solutions – 29th Fastest Growing Company In Louisville

C.I.Agent Solutions — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:04:40 +0000

Business First recognized 50 of Kentuckiana’s fastest-growing businesses last Wednesday, during an event at the Kentucky International Convention Center last week.

With a growth of 36%-45%, C.I.Agent Solutions was awarded the #29 spot on the Fast 50 list.

C.I Agent Solutions Company Description

Develops and manufactures environmentally friendly products used to immobilize and encapsulate hydrocarbon spills on land and water.

What’s the best thing that has occured at your company recently?

We participated in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico, where our products protected the shoreline of Dauphin Island, Ala., with the world’s longest oil-water separator.

We also participated in the Enbridge spill cleanup in Michigan, where our products removed sheen from the surface of the water.

What strategic steps have you taken to grow in a sluggish economy?

We have increased the visibility of our products and services by participating on the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepeneurship and by our appearance on the ‘Huckabee Show’, a Fox News political commentary program.

We’ve also expanded our presence at targeted trade shows and have entered new markets, such as wind farm protection, stormwater diversion, water monitoring and cost recovery for fire departments.

How is your company different from your competitors?

We sell solutions, not just products, and we have strong ethics and values. At the conclusion of our participation in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup, we discovered that BP had overpaid us by over half a million dollars.

It has taken nine months to convince BP of the overpayment and to get them to agree to take the money back. We know they would have never found the error, but that’s the type of business we run.

What are the biggest challenges for your company in the next 12 month?

Our challenges are keeping up with orders, the timely introduction of new products, and the hiring of employees with the same ethics and values as our present team.

Describe your company’s corporate culture in five words

Environmentally focused. Entrepeneurial. Ethical. Fun-Loving.

Diesel Fuel Spill Emergency Cleanup

C.I.Agent Solutions — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:17:14 +0000

Last week, C.I.Agent^® Solutions’ immediate response team was deployed on a diesel fuel spill that occurred at a distribution facility in Middletown, KY.

The spill was caused by a tractor not having its air brake engaged after positioning a trailer up to a loading dock. The unmanned tractor rolled into a Ford F-150 truck parked on the premises. The Ford truck subsequently flipped over and fell 6 feet into a creek.

The impact between the tractor and the truck caused the tractor’s saddle tank to rupture. Approximately 125 gallons of diesel fuel started leaking from the tank into the creek.

When the C.I.Agent Solutions response team arrived on scene, they deployed C.I.Agent Sheen Boom to stop the diesel fuel from spreading on the water. C.I.Agent Pillows and Loose Granules were used to solidify and remove the fuel from the water.

It took C.I.Agent Solutions 7.5 man-hours to completely contain and clean up the spill.

Photos

Overturned Truck in Creek

C.I.Agent Sheen Boom deployed to contain diesel fuel. Loose Granules applied on diesel fuel.

Solidified diesel fuel floats on water and is easily recovered.

The solidified diesel fuel is non-toxic and can be recycled or simply displosed of.

The creek is clean after 7.5 hours

National Sales Meeting 2011

C.I.Agent Solutions — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:56:11 +0000

We want to thank all our representatives for attending the National Sales Meeting on October 3rd 2011. The meeting was very educational and exposed the representatives to new products and new applications for existing products. We also want to thank guest speaker Gary Montgomery for his insightful and witty presentation about “A Positive Attitude Brings Positive Results”.

After the day-long meeting, the representatives joined C.I.Agent Solutions’ management aboard the CQ Princess for an elegant dinner cruise to enjoy the scenery of Louisville, KY from the Ohio River while experiencing the local cuisine.

Many representatives continued their stay in Louisville to attend the ICUEE tradeshow held at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

Oil Spill In Tjörn, Sweden

C.I.Agent Solutions — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:42:54 +0000

C.I.Agent Solutions is assisting the Swedish National Coast Guard (Kustbevakningen) in cleaning up a large oil spill in Tjörn, Sweden. On Saturday, it received a request from the Swedish Coast Guard to supply 10,000 pounds of C.I.Agent oil solidifying polymers and fifty 50-feet C.I Agent Quick Deployment booms.

Swedish authorities first learned of the large oil spill on Thursday. It is not entirely clear what caused the spill, but Swedish news agency The Local said that the oil slick was traced back to a September 10 ship collision off the Danish west coast.

“Clean up efforts have been going on around the clock since Friday,” according to Jonas berg of the Swedish Coast Guard.

This oil spill is the largest to affect Sweden in years. The Local reported that over 110,000 gallons of oil have been recovered so far. Although the majority of the spill is expected to be cleaned up in the next few days, the full recovery is expected to take weeks.

According to Jonas Akerlund from the Swedish Coast Guard: “The oil has not spread, it remains inside the booms at Haron. It appears we will have good weather today so we hope to remove a lot of the oil during the day.”

Nine vessels, one airplane and over fifty coast guard personnel are involved in the cleanup operation.

Gothenburg’s Bird Centre (Göteborgs Fågelcentral) had received 15 oiled birds by Saturday afternoon. The extent of the damage to birds and other wildlife still remains uncertain.

According to Tommy Järås from the Bird Centre, “It is difficult to assess how many birds are affected. But presumably it can involve hundreds, perhaps up to a thousand. There may be injured birds on the islands and reefs that can only be reached by boat”.

For photos of the spill, please check out the Swedish Coast Guard website.