The Feasibility of Surface-Skimming Oil Collection Devices

摘要

Results are presented of theoretical and experimental investigations of the flow of a thin oil film into a large, converging-channel surface skimmer. Three flow regimes are described: the undisturbed thin slick, which may extend some distance into the skimmer, a captive pool of greatly increased thickness occupying most of the skimmer, and a region of critical flow in the skimmer throat. Feasibility of large-scale skimmer devices is established, based on small-scale laboratory models and numerical analysis. Configurations for the various regions of a skimmer are developed, and a design excercise based on an oil recovery rate of 200 tons per hour is worked out. (Author)