Skip to main content

Ohmsett

OSRR-476-Ohmsett 2003 Cold Water Dispersant Effectiveness Experiments

During the past two years there has been an increased use of dispersants as a response technique to offshore marine oil spills. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently revised the National Project Schedule with regards to dispersants, and the cold water application and performance of these materials has come under critical review.

OSRR-458-Process for the Removal of Spent Oil Spill Dispersants from Test Water at Ohmsett

The project identified potential methods for the removal of dissolved dispersants from Ohmsett tank water using membrane filtration technology. The goal was to lower the dispersant concentration in the tank water to undetectable levels after dispersant effectiveness testing at Ohmsett. Previously, after a series of dispersant test in the Ohmsett tank, the only effective method for removing dissolved dispersant was to entirely drain the tank, then refill the tank, filter the water and add sufficient salt to bring the tank water up to open ocean salinities.

OSRR-457-Effect of Oil Spill Containment Boom Characteristics on Boom Performance

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.

OSRR-456-Techniques to Remove Dissolved Dispersant from Ohmsett Basin Water

This project researched techniques to remove dissolved dispersant from Ohmsett water after the tank has been used for a series of chemical dispersant effectiveness experiments. The primary objective of the proposed study was to develop and test a simple, inexpensive system for expediently removing dissolved dispersant from Ohmsett tank water. The second objective of the study was to select and refine an analytical technique for determining the concentration of dissolved dispersant in the tank salt water.

OSRR-428-Procedures for Reporting Tests of Oil Spill Containment Booms and Skimmers

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.

OSRR-391-Fire Boom Testing at Ohmsett

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.

OSRR-375-Feasibility of Using Ohmsett for Dispersant Testing and Research

The study examined various ways that dispersant testing might be accomplished at Ohmsett and evaluated the feasibility and costs. Four issues were evaluated: effect of dispersant in the tank water after multiple tests on the results of subsequent dispersant tests;
effect of residual dispersant in the tank water on slick behavior and equipment buoyancy during subsequent mechanical clean up equipment tests;
effect of turbidity from clouds of dispersed oil on underwater viewing and photography during subsequent tests;

OSRR-347-Emulsions Formed at Sea and in Test Tanks

This project will evaluate the tendency of oils to emulsify at sea into unstable, meso-stable, or stable emulsions. Until now there were only laboratory scale tests of emulsification and some analysis of emulsions collected at sea during clean up operations. The proposed work will extend the laboratory work into the Ohmsett tank and evaluate the factors that affect emulsification, such as oil slick thickness and wave energy in a controlled, reproducible environment like Ohmsett.

Subscribe to Ohmsett