Effect of sea conditions on emulsification profile of oils in coastal waters after major spills Conference

Tansel, B, Kumar, V. (2011). Effect of sea conditions on emulsification profile of oils in coastal waters after major spills . 1826-1829. 10.1061/41173(414)189

cited authors

  • Tansel, B; Kumar, V

authors

abstract

  • Transformation and partitioning of oil between air, water, and sediment phases result into different transport and persistence patterns. Transformation and partitioning behavior (i.e., rates and patterns) of oil in different phases (i.e., slick, dispersed/emulsion phase, adsorbed fractions) over time define persistence profile of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) in natural systems. From a spill management perspective, emulsification at sea adversely affects the spill management efforts since emulsified oils are more viscous than the original oils and droplets can move faster than the slick phase. Once the emulsification starts, the process is rather fast resulting in formation of stable oil droplets which remain in suspension for a long time and/or aggregate on suspended matter and organisms. This paper presents a brief overview of the effect of mixing on emulsification of oil spills in relation to sea conditions. Transformation, persistence, and mobility of droplets formed in oil-water emulsions are reviewed in relation to sea conditions (i.e., wave and wind). Droplet formation and transport characteristics are interpreted in relation to critical emulsification and transport parameters. © 2011 ASCE.

publication date

  • July 21, 2011

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 13

start page

  • 1826

end page

  • 1829