Ohmsett

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.

This is a Multi-Phase Joint Industry Project (JIP) whose current fund providers include the MMS, Alaska Clean Seas, Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute, BP Exploration, Phillips Alaska, Norsk Hydro and Store Norske Spitzbergen Kulkompani. The MORICE program was initiated in 1995 to develop technologies for more effective recovery of oil spills in ice-infested waters and is a multinational effort involving Norwegian, Canadian, American and German researchers.

The goal of this project was to develop an effective means of summarizing and disseminating the testing capabilities, protocols, and test results for the MMS OHMSETT facility in Leonardo, New Jersey. The document served as a concise technical reference for researchers and engineers and a general information and marketing document for agency officials, private industry, and the general public.

The purpose of the study is to determine the maximum towing forces allowable for different boom types. S.L. Ross will use recent field and tank test studies on tow forces and boom performance parameters to improve existing formulae. The existing formulae on calculating towing forces are generally valid but need to be refined to account for the variance in drag force coefficient among different boom styles.

The Objective of this study is to conduct full-scale tests of recovered oil/emulsion/water separation rates at OHMSETT in order to predict the optimum time for decanting separated water in temporary storage devices.

The purpose of this project is to develop a rapid current boom using the submergence plane concept. A first generation prototype was developed and tested. In addition, an experimental program involving standard, vertical oil booms to generate data for comparison with numerical predictions of oil boom failure was conducted. This will compare uniform flow cases without waves. The use of instability delaying techniques (structural, chemical) was investigated. Then the effects of surface waves on oil-containment failure was investigated.

Development of an all-weather, airborne instrument capable of measuring oil thickness over an oil-slick area in real time.

This is a Joint Industry Project (JIP) between MMS and Environment Canada to investigate the performance of sorbent materials used in the remediation of oil spills. A database will be developed to provide responders with firsthand information during a spill. The objectives of this study include: (1) develop a test procedure for sorbents used for oil spill remediation; (2) test these products to ensure repeatable, reliable, and representative data; and (3) generate a database of information from testing results to determine certifiable criteria.

No standards exist for the performance of oil spill response equipment. Development of a non-polluting, cost effective standard test procedure for evaluating the performance of open ocean containment booms and oil skimmers is needed. The need to increase the number of evaluated products is amplified by recent failures and difficulties in mechanical recovering equipment. Less than 1% of the spill control devices for open ocean field conditions have been tested under measured conditions.

The Minerals Management Service initiated a cooperative effort with Environment Canada to participate in continuing evaluation of innovative oil spill response technology and procedures. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has suspended operation of the Oil and Hazardous Materials Simulated Environmental Test Tank (OHMSETT) facility at Leonardo, New Jersey, and alternative facilities and procedures are necessary to minimize the delay in testing innovative oil spill response technology and procedures. This project will identify all suitable test tanks in Canada.