STUDY OF EQUIPMENT AND METHODS FOR REMOVING OR DISPERSING OIL FROM OPEN WATERS

A cost effectiveness analysis was performed for equipment, materials and techniques applicable to the removal or dispersal of spilled oil from U.S. Navy AO and AOG vessels on open waters. Effectiveness parameters included oil product types (JP-5, Distillate Fuel, Navy Special and Bunker C), expected spill locations (3 and l2 miles from shore) and size of expected spill (10 tons, 1000 tons and 25,000 tons). Criteria for evaluation of systems under the above parameter situations, formulated for presently available equipment and materials, include: completeness of oil removal; rate of removal; hazard and pollution; use in limited access areas; sensitivity to expected environmental factors; sensitivity to temperature extremes; toxicity to marine life and system availability. Cost effectiveness was determined using the 3 spill sizes and checked for spill frequency sensitivity. The three most cost effective systems for the spectrum of spill sizes were found to be burning of the oil, dispersing the spilled oil and mechanical skimming. Considering system applicability to various products and the practical requirements of rate of removal for massive spills, the most practical universal system with a favorable cost effectiveness ratio was found to be dispersing. This is followed by dispersing plus a containment boom. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

  3180 George Washington Way
  Richland, WA  United States  99354
• Authors:
  • Henager, C H
  • Walkup, Paul C
  • Blacklaw, J R
  • Smith, J D
  • Polentz, L M
• Publication Date: 1970-8-14

Media Info

• Pagination: 247 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Costs; Oil recovery equipment; Oil spill cleanup; Oil spills
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Oil removal; Oil skimmers
• Subject Areas: Environment; Finance; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00015337
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NCEL-CR-71.001
• Contract Numbers: N62399-70-C-0008
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 13 1973 12:00AM