Modelling of Oil Droplet Kinetics Under Breaking Waves

Abstract

A research program was initiated to develop numerical models to describe oil droplet formation and behaviour following oil spills at sea. Specifically, suitable models have been examined to quantify the energy requirement for the formation of oil droplets and their subsequent mixing and resurfacing. Wave energy dissipation rate (c) is a critical parameter governing the evolution of spilled oil including its droplet size distribution, break-up, coalescence, dispersion, and resurfacing. Four parameters influencing energy dissipation rate were considered, and one was selected for detailed study of oil droplet kinetics including related mixing and transport. Since previous experiments illustrated the evolution of oil droplets maintained under a constant wave energy level, a population model was used to account for the change of droplet size and distribution with time. It is expected that these study results will provide a fundamental understanding of the natural oil dispersion process and the exact nature of the fluid mechanics involved. This information will be used to formulate a standard procedure for testing available and new oil spill countermeasures.