Mechanical Containment and Recovery

The objective of the work was to develop a standard method for measuring the buoyancy-to-weight ratio of oil spill containment booms. The following tasks were accomplished: Existing methods of estimating a boom's buoyancy-to-weight ratio were reviewed.
A direct measurement methodology, applicable to a range of boom types, was developed for use at the Ohmsett facility.
The methodology was validated through testing at Ohmsett.

Research investigated the effect of a previously identified key containment boom characteristic on boom performance. Ohmsett testing examined the relationship between boom performance and buoyancy to weight ratio, as measured by first loss and gross loss tow speeds. These carefully controlled tests were compared to previous data on boom performance collected both at Ohmsett and elsewhere in controlled tank tests and during at-sea trials. The spill response community has expressed concern with low buoyancy to weight ratios allowed under existing U. S.

This project reviewed existing test procedures for oil containment booms and skimmers and developed standardized test reporting procedures that will eliminate the problems of incomplete test documentation. The final report specifies a preferred test report format, requirements for describing devices tested, recommended content, and arrangement of test data.

An enhanced propane underwater bubbler system designed to allow the testing of fire resistant booms in flames was installed at Ohmsett-The National Oil Spill Response Test Facility, in Leonardo, New Jersey in the fall of 1998. The cornerstone of the test is an underwater bubbler system to create air-enhanced propane flames that produce an average total heat flux to the surface of a candidate boom in the range of 110 to 130 kW/m2 and flame temperatures on the order of 900 degrees C.

Alaska Clean Seas (ACS) conducted an International Oil and Ice Workshop April 7-10, 2000 in Anchorage, AK. The workshop assembled experts on oil fate and behavior, Arctic oil spill response, ice environments, and Arctic oilfield development to present the leading edge technologies in a seminar and field setting. Conducting the workshop in the operating oilfields on the Alaskan North Slope added a level of realism to the key topics that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. The workshop provided a forum to showcase the results of MMS's Arctic oil spill response research.

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) is seeking new and innovative methods and equipment for the cleanup of accidental oil spills in ice infested waters of the Alaskan Arctic. The overall objective of this research contract was to study the technology in the design and use of ice booms for recovering spilled oil in ice infested waters. The objective is to obtain the operating window in which an ice boom can be deployed when towing or pulling on a broken ice field. The work will also define the likely scenarios where an ice boom could be used effectively.

At present, the only known method of searching and detecting the presence of oil leaking at low rates from a marine pipeline in the winter period involves drilling holes at frequent intervals along the pipe to expose any oil which could be trapped in or under the ice. This method is expensive, labor intensive, and exposes personnel to the vagaries of extreme weather. There is a strong motivation within government agencies and industry to identify and develop a reliable and safe means of remotely detecting oil in and under ice.

The U. Miami researchers have developed a new boom design that uses inclined plane technology with a series of three carefully spaced, trailing, horizontal barriers. The spacing and varying drafts of these trailing barriers is the unique design change. The U. Miami has already tested the design in a flume tank and had promising results. At the typical tow/current speed of 0.75 knots, the oil collection efficiency remained as high as 98%, which would be a significant improvement over current boom technology. The proposal is now to build a full scale prototype and test it at Ohmsett.

The contractor analyzed and summarized all available performance test data of oil spill containment boom. The past test data from the Ohmsett facility was highlighted.

These are laboratory studies of the break up of oil, gas, and gas/oil mixtures discharging into a pressurized water environment. The interaction between gas bubbles and oil droplets under dynamic conditions simulating buoyant rise of this mixture were calculated. These experiments will be conducted in a high pressure test vessel located at the University of Hawaii. The experimental design simulated the release of hydrocarbon gases and fluids from a well blowout or pipeline rupture in deep water. The atmospheric pressure experiments were performed at MIT.