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PETROMAKS-Maksimal utnyttelse av petroleumsreserver

Oil spill containment by use of air bubbles

Tildelt: kr 4,9 mill.

The proposed project will evaluate the use of air bubbles to improve oil spill recovery operations. When a large number of bubbles is released in water, the rising bubble plume induces an upward transport of water (upwelling), which consequently spreads o ut at the surface (outwelling). The outwelling has the potential to advect surface oil slicks and thereby constitute a 'pneumatic oil barrier'. Also, the rising bubble plume constitutes a sub-surface vertical barrier with a potential to prevent submerged oil from crossing it, and under given circumstances oil particles and oil droplets may attach to individual bubbles and be lifted to the surface (flotation). The latter mechanisms may e.g. be helpful in reducing so-called 'leakage' under the skirts of tra ditional oil booms. The project will include a combination of laboratory experiments, field tests and numerical modeling. We are in a position to take advantage of state-of-the-art measurement techniques and models of bubble plume processes through the p articipation of Dr. Ira Leifer (UCSB), and of state-of-the-art numerical models of oil spills and laboratory facilities through the participation of SINTEF Marine Environmental Technology. End user involvment is ensured by the participation of core govern mental and industrial stakeholders in the Norwegian oil industry and oil spill contigency, as well as leading Norwegian manufacturers of oil spill equipment.

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PETROMAKS-Maksimal utnyttelse av petroleumsreserver