OHMSETT RESEARCH OVERVIEW, 1979–1980*

ABSTRACT This paper presents an overview of the 1979–1980 work performed at the OHMSETT spill research facility of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The experiences of these 2 years are discussed in the light of the purpose and objectives of OHMSETT, as is the probable direction of research there during the coming years. Foremost among the objectives has been the evaluation and advancement of the state of the art for spill response. The bulk of the effort at OHMSETT, therefore, has been toward testing and investigating ways to improve equipment. This paper briefly summarizes the results of 12 equipment performance evaluations, 2 new equipment development programs, and an experimental oil weathering program. The equipment evaluated was the U.S. Coast Guard high speed “zero relative velocity” skimmer prototype; the Sapiens Sirene skimming system; the Hydrovac System sweeper arm; the Soviet harbor oil/debris skimmer; the Oil Mop remote skimmer prototype; the Versatile Bennett Arctic skimmer prototype; the Petro-Fiber, Oljesanering, AB Sorbent Distribution/Recovery System; the Global Oil Recovery (DiPerna) skimmer; the Clean Atlantic Associates Fast Response Open Sea Skimming System; the University of Lowell oil gelation system; the Peabody Meyers Corp. Vactor air conveyor; and a Coleman Environmental Pollution Control Equipment Co. vacuum truck. The equipment developed was the Johnson sampler for stratified liquids and the Johnson high speed skimmer. Several new areas of work are anticipated for the near future. These include evaluation of cleanup equipment in the presence of ice, increased emphasis on testing at spills-of-opportunity, a study of some of the problems associated with high viscosity water-in-oil emulsions, testing separators and pumps for spill response, increased emphasis on smaller skimmers, and further testing with hazardous materials.