USE OF FIRE STREAMS TO CONTROL FLOATING OIL

The substantial momentum output of large volume, high pressure water nozzles can be used to establish surface currents which are helpful in controlling floating oil. When these induced currents have components opposite to the ambient current, a turbulent rip zone is established where the opposing currents cancel. It is mainly by means of this zone that oil slicks may be influenced in a useful way. An empirical relationship for the distance between the impact point of the stream and the rip zone, as a function of nozzle output and natural current speed, has been determined and compared with a theoretical prediction based on a simplified model. If the natural current is small, the rip zone's turbulence will be slight and it will be a barrier to approaching oil. If the natural current is large, the turbulence will be intense and the oil will be churned downward and pass under the zone. Techniques for the use of such large volume, high velocity water streams to control oil are described and their limitations are discussed.

• Corporate Authors:

  Environmental Protection Agency

  Office of Research and Monitoring
  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Katz, B
  • Cross, R
• Publication Date: 1973-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 36 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Oil spill cleanup
• Old TRIS Terms: Oil barriers; Oil containment; Oil spill control
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00048089
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Science Foundation
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPA-R2-73-113
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 31 1973 12:00AM