Evaluation of a Containment Barrier for Hazardous Material Spills in Watercourses

摘要

The development and evaluation of a Hazardous Material Barrier (HMB) for the capture and containment of spilled or leaking hazardous wastes on waterways is described. The system was originally designed, constructed, and tested in 1971/1972 as a prototype for use in incidents such as transportation accidents. The barrier consists of a plastic film with an air flotation collar and a lower, liquid-filled bladder which seals the 'curtain' to the bottom of the waterway. Based on three deployments in 1971 and 1972, several improvements were recommended and incorporated in a later version, which was then evaluated in 1976. The latter tests demonstrated that the barrier could be effective - in calm waters (less than 1 knot) - in containing spills of hazardous materials that did not disperse rapidly in the waterbody. Unfortunately, attempts to simulate a hazardous material spill with a dye could not be completed in 1976 because higher current velocities caused the barrier to close in on itself, i.e., collapse. Additional improvements needed to facilitate deployment and recovery were recommended on the basis of these trials.