How can sensing technology for surface water dispersant monitoring be practically implemented to measure droplet size distribution in the event of an accidental oil discharge? That’s the question this week’s tank test set out to answer. During the week-long research project, the Ohmsett staff assisted BSEE and NJIT scientists as they continue to test a variety of sensors to measure droplet size distribution, fluorescence, and determine which approaches are the most successful at evaluating the presence of oil droplets in the water column.

Continuing decades-long research on effective technologies for in-situ burn, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) developed the Flame Refluxer™ technology that could potentially burn off spilled oil quickly while lowering levels of harmful pollutants. It was evaluated at Ohmsett for buoyancy and behavior in waves.

What is the best way to prepare personnel for responding to oil spills? By providing hands-on training with real oil! During training, participants participated in equipment demonstrations and hands-on skimming exercises with real oil.

During a hands-on oil spill response training class, students learn to operate various types of skimmers in an oil at the north end of the Ohmsett Test Tank.

Oil in the Ohmsett Tank during a test or training activity

Lowering a heavy piece of equipment into the Ohmsett tank with a pulley system

A beautiful panoramic view of the Ohmsett tank and facility