Test Tank Evaluation Of A Frequency-Scanning, Microwave Radiometer to EstimateOil Thickness and Physical Properties

摘要

This report describes the testing of a 26-40 GHz (Ka-band) Frequency ScanningRadiometer (FSR) at OHMSETT (the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility) to evaluate the instrument's ability to detect and measure the thickness of oil films on water. Measurement variables were oil type, oil thickness, and wave conditions. The results indicate that the FSR was able to reliably measure oil thickness under calm conditions and, in some cases, under mild wave conditions. Future hardware development should include (1) a multichannel upgrade to the Ka-band FSR to decrease the data acquisition interval, and (2) the development of a proof-of-concept W-band (75-110 GHz) FSR to measure thinner films. After laboratory testing, these instruments should be evaluated at OHMSETT. Included in the appendices to this report are all of the radiometric brightness temperature (TB) versus measurement frequency plots for the data collected at OHMSETT.