Mechanical Containment and Recovery

This project designed an ROV mounted tooling skid to detect, inspect, and recover pockets of oil under solid ice, and to scrape and remove oil-laden ice crystals formed on the underside of the ice. The tooling skid consists of a pumping system, a manipulator arm with collection nozzle and scraping tool, navigation, and lighting to allow differentiation of oil, water, and ice. It has a standardized “plug and play” power and data protocol such that it can be used with any qualified ROV.

BSEE is pursuing a line of research and plans to conduct full-scale tests of modified boom configurations in the Canadian Multi-Partner Research Initiative Offshore Burn Experiments (MOBE) planned for the summer of 2022. The primary goal of the research is to determine if alternate boom geometries will result in a reduction of particulate matter (PM) and trace pollutants in the plume and reduced amounts of burn residue.

This project will investigate towed oil containment boom systems to assess how computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and physical scaled model testing results may predict full-scale boom performance. The contractor will conduct CFD modeling and physical testing of scaled boom systems at multiple scales. Data obtained will be analyzed to determine their consistency when accounting for scale factors.

This project leveraged additive manufacturing (3D printing) to investigate unique and innovative surface geometries that could improve an oleophilic skimmer's oil recovery rate and/or efficiency in thin oil slicks (1/2 inch and less). Deep Analytics evaluated multiple 3D printed surface geometries in a series of tests at their facility. These culminated in an innovative drum skimmer design based on a gyroid surface mapped to a cylinder to create a volumetric recovery capacity.

This project supported the design, construction, and testing of an ice deflection system called BOWHEAD. The system can be deployed on the side of a vessel with an existing skimmer system. This project built upon previous work conducted under a Joint Industry Project that developed the MORICE system (BSEE project 310.) The project enhanced the MORICE system based on recommendations made in the MORICE final report. The BOWHEAD focuses on simplicity, scalability, ease of operation, and deployability, and can be paired with multiple commercially available skimming systems.

This project conducted a comprehensive assessment of sorbents for use in oil spill response. The assessment gathered information on sorbents currently used by Oil Spill Removal Organizations (OSROs), and how and when they are used by these groups. The assessment compiled data on commercially available sorbents.

This project developed oil thickness sensors to quantify the thickness of oil floating on water. Two unique sensors were developed to measure oil thickness greater than 3mm in real time. The first is a hand held unit that can be deployed from a vessel or used in a test environment. Measurements are read by the user directly from the sensor. The second is designed for mounting on a skimmer, buoy, or oil containment boom, and is designed to measure in wave conditions. This sensor transmits oil thickness measurements wirelessly to a user up to a distance of 200-250 meters.

This project investigated alternative oil response boom designs to allow booms to collect and contain oil when towed at speeds above the current standard of 0.7 to 1 knot.  SL Ross and the National Research Council of Canada conducted an extensive literature review on the existing studies in oil spill boom science and technology.

This project compiled information on current industry practices, procedures, and technologies used for oil demulsification and oil separation, both within the oil spill response industry and in related industries. The study reviwed, analyzed and summarized relevant new research and technology to identify areas where technology development could enhance oil demulsification or separation processes.

This project designed, built, and tested an active ice management system (AIMS) prototype to allow for improved mechanical recovery in broken ice with standard stationary skimmers. The AIMS provided a cage around a skimmer to prevent ice from entering the recovery zone. In addition, the AIMS provided six rotating drums at the cage perimeter to prevent ice from stagnating and clogging the perimeter. The rotating drums could be fitted with augers or spikes.