Oil Containment by Boom in Waves and Wind. III: Containment Failure

Abstract

The numerical simulation of interfacial waves and waves on the free surface of an oil slick under combined current and wave conditions is presented in a companion paper. The present paper focuses on the application of a numerical model developed by Fang and Johnston that numerically predicts the relationship between oil containment failure velocity and wave/wind parameters. Comparative laboratory experiments have been undertaken in a 24-m-long, 0.4-m-wide, 0.4-m-deep wave flume. Detailed comparisons and discussions of the computed and experimental results are provided. The effects of oil viscosity and density on oil containment failure velocity receive particular attention, and the influences of other parameters such as oil volume and boom draft are also quantified. It is concluded that the developed numerical model provides an economic, convenient, and effective method of predicting oil containment failure under various sea conditions.