Physical Processes in the Spread of Oil on a Water Surface

Abstract

Formulae are recommended for calculating the extent of the spread of oil slicks on water as a function of time. They are based on empirical measurements of spreading rates and analytical and theoretical studies of the physical processes which accelerate or retard the spread of a film. Both one- dimensional and two-dimensional (axisymmetric) slicks are treated. Comparisons of the recommended formulae are made with the limited number of field observations, both for the rate of spread and the maximum slick size.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1971
Accession Number
AD0726281

Entities

People

  • David P. Hoult
  • James A. Fay

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boundary Layer
  • Coast Guard
  • Contracts
  • Energy
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Massachusetts
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanics
  • Physical Properties
  • Potential Energy
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Surface Energy
  • Surface Tension
  • Thickness
  • Tidal Currents
  • Two Dimensional

Readers

  • Approximation Theory.
  • Marine Ecotoxicology
  • Systems Analysis and Design