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A RIGID, PERFORATED PLATE OIL BOOM FOR HIGH CURRENTS
Citation:
Ayers, R. A RIGID, PERFORATED PLATE OIL BOOM FOR HIGH CURRENTS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-76/263.
Description:
A boom capable of diverting oil spills toward shore in a 3-knot (1.5 m/s) river or tidal current has been developed. Loss of No. 2 and No. 4 Fuel Oil at this velocity is typically less than 15 percent when the angle of the boom is 45 degrees to the shoreline. In contrast, conventional booms lose this amount at only 1 knot (0.5 m/s). Good performance at high currents is achieved by placing a baffle upstream of a conventional flat plate boom. The baffle, an inclined, perforated plate, is used to create a flow-sheltered region where the oil layer thickens. A continuation of the inclined plate baffle forms the 'floor' of the sheltered region to control the flow rate of exiting water. Horizontal plates immediately behind the baffle reduce water down-flow. The boom is made up of 8-foot (2.4 m) long, rigid sections similar in plan view to a floating dock module. Floating suction or sorbent rope collection devices may be used to remove accumulated oil from the flow sheltered region and increase 'capacity'. Drawings are provided to permit construction by others.