Mechanical dispersion of oil on sea

In 2017 we conducted two comprehensive tests of the technology. The first test was carried out at SINTEF in a relatively large tank with flowing water. The tests were made with several oil grades. These trials gave good insight into the challenges that must be solved and the basis for further technology development. In the autumn of 2017 a separate test facility was established in a somewhat smaller tank, with still water and a moving nozzle rig. This is similar to the situation we will meet operatively (movable rig). These trials have been very useful. Based on these tests we concluded that mechanical dispersion works as expected. Tests have been carried out with numerous oil grades, up to 30-40,000 mPaS. The tests show that we achieve high immediate effect, that the droplet size distribution shows a somewhat higher average (diameter droplet size) compared to chemical dispersion, but that we are able to treat more weathered oil better than chemical dispersion meaning that we can operate with a larger window of opportunity. We have developed a prototype to be tested at sea. The prototype is an unmanned small vessel (18 feet long) with our technology integrated. The prototype has been completed and has been tested in Trondheimsfjorden in June-September. The prototype is on its way to California in October 2018 for testing against natural oil seeps outside Santa Barbara at the end of October. We have entered into an agreement with affiliates in California for this purpose. Overall, the project goes according to plan.

Prosjektet er gjennomført i henhold til revidert plan. Arbeidet har resultert i at det er utviklet en ny metode for bekjempelse av oljesøl til havs. Denne metoden er nå under videreutvikling gjennom et prosjekt finansiert av Innovasjon Norge (Miljøteknologiordningen) og det forventes at selskapet kommer over i en kommersiell driftsfase i løpet av de neste to årene.

The present project describes a chemical free solution for dispersing oil on water using high-pressure water jet. Tests performed over the latest months has verified that the Chemfree-solution will enable treatment of both the light as well as the heavier oil grades and oil emulsions with high viscosities (up to at least 30.000mPas for crude oil emulsions). Through work carried out over a 5-year period, we are approaching a cost-efficient and new technology that has the possibility of solving a serious environmental challenge. ChemFree utilizes seawater to remove the oil slick from the surface and thereby preventing damage to the shoreline. During the development in 2017 we have reached a conclusion that the primary product will be a USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) with the Chemfree technology onboard. We have started the development of the USV in parallel with the present project, building on results from the present project. The USV-solution will solve a number of other issues related to oil spill contingency operations, with HES issues as the most important. The USV-concept enables small and larger solutions. The solution we are developing at the moment is a coast and harbour version (small to medium). One important result from the development in 2017 is that we have reached an understanding with the authorities in California USA that our solution shall be tested against natural seeps outside Santa Barbara in 2018. The development in 2017 and 2018 is adjusted according to this goal. We have also concluded that the NCA-pool in Horten is too small for a test of the USV-solution. We will therefore run the test in Trondheimsfjorden in April - may 2018 with focus on sea performance. Despite this we will still keep close contact with NOFO and NCA to ensure that we meet the requirements that they have regarding this type of oil spill technology. We are planning a small workshop here in Trondheim in connection with the sea test and a larger workshop in 2019 in Longyearbyen. A comprehensive marketing program is under development involving among others a WS arranged by Innovation Norway in Canada in April 2018, meetings with authorities in California, the Clean Gulf Conference, AMOP and Interspill, and a Nordic Innovation Conference / competition in Stockholm. We are also listed as an Associate Member of NOSCA (Norwegian Oil Spill Control Organization). We receive ample input on further development and application from all relevant actors and will also actively use our network within the oil spill market to directly gain access to key players nationally and internationally. Over the next few months we will develop a prototype for coastal areas and test this prototype on sea in Norway and USA. Modelling and medium-scale laboratory and tank experiments shows that the oil that hits the impact area of the water jet is effectively dispersed. CFD modelling activity along with model experiments and tests at SINTEF and in the company´s own premises has demonstrated that we are able to extend the window of opportunity for dispersion far beyond the capacity of chemical dispersion for most crude oil qualities.