- Author
- Yoshioka, G. | Wong, E. | Grossman, B. | Drake, W. | Urban, R. W. | Hudon, T.
- Title
- Past In Situ Burn Possibilities. Final Report.
- Coporate
- ICF Incorporated, Fairfax, VA PCCI, Alexander, VA Coast Guard Research & Development Center, Groton, CT
- Report
- NIST SP 995; Volume 2; CG-D-17-99, March 2003, 38 p.
- Distribution
- AVAILABLE FROM: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. Telephone: 1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000; Fax: 703-605-6900; Rush Service (Telephone Orders Only) 800-553-6847; Website: http://www.ntis.gov
- Keywords
- in situ burning | oil spills | fire research | environmental effects | crude oil | controlled burning
- Abstract
- This study evaluated the feasibility of conducting in-situ burning (ISB) using current technology on post 1967 major oil spills over 10,000 barrels in North America and over 50,000 barrels in South America and Europe. A diverse set of 141 spills representing various combinations of parameters affecting spill responses (e.g., spill size, oil type, weather conditions, sea temperature, and geographic location) were evaluated using four Phase 1 criteria: distance to populated area, oil weathering, logistics, and weather conditions. In Phase 1, a spill that failed to meet one of the four criteria was considered an unsuccessful candidate for ISB. In total, 47 of the 141 spills passed the Phase 1 analysis. The potential effect of the plume on populated areas was the most significant of the four Phase I criteria; 59 of the 141 spills did not pass Phase 1 because the incident occurred near a sizable city. Spills that met all four criteria were further evaluated using a Phase 2 analysis that applied additional criteria and considered individual spill circumstances to determine if the spill should be rated a successful, marginal call, or unsuccessful ISB candidate. Fourteen spills were ultimately determined successful in the Phase 2 analysis, and 12 were designated marginal calls.