You are here:
DESIGN, FABRICATION AND TESTING OF THE AIR-JET OIL BOOM
Citation:
Cohen, S. AND W. Lindenmuth. DESIGN, FABRICATION AND TESTING OF THE AIR-JET OIL BOOM. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/7-79/143.
Description:
This novel boom has the capability to divert oil slicks under wave and current conditions that normally preclude the development of conventional booms. Tests at the EPA's OHMSETT facility have demonstrated that this boom can divert oil slicks at 3 knots with 85 percent efficiency when at 30 degrees to the flow. Moreover, with the addition of steep, 4-foot waves, the boom's performance is virtually unchanged. The key operational feature is a continuous, horizontally oriented air jet ejected from along the boom at the water's surface. Overall, each boom module is about 33 feet long and 2 feet in diameter. Major components include two inflatable sections (ducts) to support the continous air-jet nozzle and a center support float/jet pump. Some unique features of the structural design are low draft (1 inch) and excellent compliance to waves. Furthermore, the sections are both lightweight and highly compactible for storage.