Methods of early detection and monitoring of oil and oil products spills at water bodies, and an evaluation of their effectiveness

Abstract

U CROSSINGS FOR TRUNK PIPELINES and the water areas around oil-loading ports are potential sources of oil pollution for internal waters. For this reason, monitoring oil and oil products (OOP) spills in such areas is extremely important. Early detection of OOP spills makes a timely and practical response to the spill possible, and makes it possible to begin taking measures to contain and clean up the spill and, in so doing, reduce the damage to the body of water, as well as minimising or completely avoiding damage to third party interests (the fishing industry, the water supply for the population etc.). This article presents the results of studying methods of monitoring and early detection of oil and oil products spills on the water surface, and the devices based on these methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate how effective these methods and devices are, and to consider the possibility of using them at OOP transporting and transloading facilities. The paper examines the basic physical and chemical processes which occur when oil spills into water. It also presents the results of analysing scientific works, methodological literature, presentations and reports from international task forces and foreign organisations related to this subject, as well as information from the websites of manufacturers of early detection and monitoring equipment. Comparative analysis and an evaluation of effectiveness has been carried out on the basis of criteria for comparison which were drawn up during the research, as well as on the basis of full-scale tests of the early detection and monitoring devices. Testing was carried out in the open water of the Ayaks Bay (Bukhta Ayaks) offshore area in the Peter the Great Gulf (Zaliv Petra Velikogo) using simulated oil product. From the results of this research, conclusions have been drawn on the possibility and viability of using devices and methods for early detection and monitoring of OOP spills at pipeline transporting and transloading facilities, as well as on the prospects of developing science and technology in the field of monitoring and early detection of oil and oil products spills. Vol. 2, No 3, September, 2018