What’s the Difference Between Diesel and Gasoline?
You’ve probably experienced the diesel and gasoline mixup once before. You pull your car up to a local gas station only to find that the pump you’re about to use is one that will fill your car with diesel, not gasoline. Today we’ll dive into the difference between the two oils. Both are used to fuel vehicles, and they both begin as crude oil mined from the earth. During the refining process, diesel and gasoline become two separate types of fuel in which diesel becomes thicker than gasoline. This allows diesel to evaporate slower and contain more energy density. Engines that require gasoline are lighter and higher performing, which is why most cars cannot be filled with diesel.
The tricky part of using diesel or gasoline is the cleanup after a spill. Fuel spills happen more often than you’d think, with thousands of spills occurring in U.S. waters each year. This also creates safety hazards in neighborhoods, whether it’s at a gas station, near a park, or even on your own driveway. Our findings show that any fuel spill can cause significant damage to the environment. Luckily, there are ways to clean up diesel and gasoline spills before they can cause lasting damage to properties and wildlife.
How to Clean Up Diesel Spills
Diesel fuel is the standard for many large vehicles and machinery across industries. Boats, barges, trucks, trains, farm and construction equipment, and even most forms of public transportation like large buses use diesel. Because of this, it’s important to know how to start the cleanup process in the case of a spill.
Reduce Fire Hazard
The first thing you should do is prioritize safety by making sure that there is nothing in the area around the spill that could be damaged or become a fire hazard. Diesel is very flammable, so even the smallest spark could lead to a huge fire. You should also determine if the leak can be stopped to prevent even more spilling.
Absorb the Spill
Next, it’s time to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Having tools on hand like a grease sweep or absorbent pads will help clean up some of the diesel. Sprinkle absorbent over the spill and let it sit until all the diesel has been soaked up. Sweep up the debris with a broom and dustpan. These are steps that should be taken, if it is safe to do so, to help mitigate hazards until a professional cleaning crew arrives.
Call a Professional Oil Spill Clean-up Company
While it’s not impossible to manage a spill on your own, there are experts who can provide the right tools to make sure the spill is clean and won’t cause you and the environment harm. The OPG+ cleanup professionals use a bio-stimulant formula to clean up spills from surfaces like grass, concrete, asphalt, sand, and clay. We determined through our tests that this formula is environmentally friendly and won’t harm people, pets, or the land around the spill as it converts spilled oil into CO2 and water.
How to Clean Up Gasoline Spills
Cleaning up gasoline spills is a similar process to cleaning up diesel spills. We’ll dive into the step-by-step process to ensure that the clean-up is complete and keeps you and your crew safe.
Reduce Fire Hazard
Make sure nothing flammable can come in contact with the spill, then begin the cleaning process. Remember, gas and water won’t mix, so using a hose to try to clean up the spill will only spread it to a larger area. Gasoline should not be washed down drains because it is a toxic and hazardous material. Once the spill has been stopped, begin the cleaning process by absorbing as much of the gasoline as possible.
Absorb and Dispose of Properly
Absorbent pads or absorbents like clay-based cat litter can help get some of the mess off the ground. When it comes to disposal, you should contact local authorities to determine if your area has a hazardous waste collection facility, as these materials should typically not be disposed of in a normal trash can or dumpster.
Contact the Cleanup Professionals
While it’s possible to mitigate the damage of an oil spill on your own, the best way to keep yourself and the environment safe is to contact experts. With OPG+, diesel and gasoline spills don’t have to be a headache. Our response team uses an on-site approach with a 100% biodegradable product, free of any poisonous chemicals. After the initial spill is cleaned up, our team will take samples from the area to determine if an additional treatment is needed.
Learn more about our emergency cleanup services, or request a demo today!
