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Development of an Algorithm for Chemically Dispersed Oil Spills
- Source :
- Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol 7 (2020)
- Publication Year :
- 2020
- Publisher :
- Frontiers Media SA, 2020.
-
Abstract
- An algorithm utilizing four basic processes was described for chemical oil spill dispersion. Initial dispersion was calculated using a modified Delvigne equation adjusted to chemical dispersion, then the dispersion was distributed over the mixing depth, as predicted by the wave height. Then the droplets rise to the surface according to Stokes’ law. Oil on the surface, from the rising oil and that undispersed, is re-dispersed. The droplets in the water column are subject to coalescence as governed by the Smoluchowski equation. A loss is invoked to account for the production of small droplets that rise slowly and are not re-integrated with the main surface slick. The droplets become less dispersible as time proceeds because of increased viscosity through weathering, and by increased droplet size by coalescence. These droplets rise faster as time progresses because of the increased size. Closed form solutions were provided to allow practical limits of dispersibility given inputs of oil viscosity and wind speed. Discrete solutions were given to calculate the amount of oil in the water column at specified points of time. Regression equations were provided to estimate oil in the water column at a given time with the wind speed and oil viscosity. The models indicated that the most important factor related to the amount of dispersion, was the mixing depth of the sea as predicted from wind speed. The second most important factor was the viscosity of the starting oil. The algorithm predicted the maximum viscosity that would be dispersed given wind conditions. Simplified prediction equations were created using regression.
- Subjects :
- Materials science
chemical dispersion modeling
lcsh:QH1-199.5
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences
Oil viscosity
dispersion algorithm
Ocean Engineering
lcsh:General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution
010501 environmental sciences
Aquatic Science
Oceanography
chemical dispersion algorithm
01 natural sciences
Wind speed
Physics::Fluid Dynamics
symbols.namesake
Water column
lcsh:Science
dispersion modeling
Droplet size
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Water Science and Technology
Coalescence (physics)
Global and Planetary Change
Smoluchowski coagulation equation
oil spill modeling
Atmospheric dispersion modeling
Oil spill
symbols
lcsh:Q
Algorithm
chemical dispersants
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 22967745
- Volume :
- 7
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Frontiers in Marine Science
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....1df58f6f299c04e32e469bd61ae00d29
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.600614