The accurate monitoring of subsea oil release droplet sizes and the effects of applying subsea dispersants is a technology gap with consequences for decision-making, impact assessment, and scientific understanding of blowout behavior. Measurements and knowledge of the actual droplet sizes that exist under differing blowout or subsea release scenarios are fundamental to response decision-making and understanding potential ecosystem impacts.
The project will result in an optical in-situ particle imaging system (SilCam) hardware updates and software improvements which will be verified during testing specifically designed to elevate SilCam to Technology Readiness Level 8,
The project is complete. The final report is posted below.