Simulating dispersion of oils from a subsea release comparing mechanical and chemically enhanced dispersion - An experimental study of the influence of oil properties.

The main objective with subsea mechanical dispersion (SSMD) is to influence the fate of an oil spill in the marine environment by significantly reducing oil droplet sizes from subsea release of oil. Earlier studies have indicated that the capability of SSMD to reduce oil droplet sizes is comparable to subsea dispersant injection (SSDI). Earlier testing of SSMD has mainly used a low viscus paraffinic oil. Focus for this study was to study SSMD and SSDI effectiveness using five oil types spanning out a wide variation of relevant oil properties. Effectiveness was quantified as the reduction in oil droplet sizes measured by a Silhouette camera. Testing of the two technologies were completed in the same experiment on a simulated subsea release. The results show a variation in effectiveness for both technologies as a function of oil properties. SSMD and SSDI showed comparable effectiveness for all oils tested.

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Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: The first author (Brandvik) has an Adjunct Professor position at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). This is a 20 % position financed by a cooperation between NTNU and a major energy company in Norway (Equinor AS). The program is called Akademia-avtalen. However, this cooperation does not give the industry any influence on candidates holding the adjunct position funded by the program. They are employed by NTNU through an ordinary announcement/evaluation process. The industry has also no influence on the academic activity or production of the adjunct professors.