INSTABILITY AT AN INTERFACE BETWEEN OIL AND FLOWING WATER

A linear, inviscid stability analysis is applied to the case of a relatively thin layer of stationary oil over a semi-infinite layer of water flowing at a constant velocity. Predictions of the velocity at which the interface becomes unstable and effect of the oil depth on this velocity agree qualitatively with observations. Results can be applied to the problem of containing oil with mechanical booms. The model predicts initiation of oil loss by droplet separation from beneath the slick at low current velocities, for example, 0.39 to 0.53 fps for No. 2 diesel fuel depending on slick thickness.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Paper for meeting November 26-30, 1972.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Jones, W T
• Publication Date: 1972-10

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 5 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Containing equipment; Oil spill cleanup; Oil spills; Thickness; Thin films; Water quality management
• Old TRIS Terms: Oil containment systems; Oil film thickness; Oil spill behavior
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00044585
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Report/Paper Numbers: 72-WA/Oct-7 Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 15 1973 12:00AM