OIL SPILL SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM STUDY

Test studies of active and passive infrared sensor systems were conducted to determine the ability of these systems to detect petroleum oil on the water's surface. Since there are temperature, as well as emissivity differences between oil and water, it was expected that these systems might have applications for real time detection, alarm, monitoring, and recording of oil spilled or discharged in harbors, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and near shore coastal waters. The tests results indicate that both sensor systems have distinct advantages in oil spill surveillance applications. The active sensor provides absolute oil spill detection, for ranges to 300 feet that is not affected by the time of day, weather, or water surface conditions. The passive sensor makes possible oil volume determination, areal coverage, and probable oil detection for ranges to 1000 feet. Since both evaluated sensor systems have distinct and equally important features, a combination active and passive sensor system would provide the best surveillance for oil spill applications. Two combination system designs are described in this report. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Environmental Protection Agency

  401 M Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20460
• Authors:
  • Mohr, D
• Publication Date: 1973-8

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 215 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Detectors; Identification systems; Infrared detectors; Monitoring; Oil spill cleanup; Remote sensing
• Old TRIS Terms: Oil spill detection; Oil spill identification; Oil spill monitoring
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00054069
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Maritime Research Center, Galveston
• Report/Paper Numbers: EPA-R2-73-215
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 7 1974 12:00AM