Design and Evaluation of a Large Boat-Mounted Dispersant Spraying System and Its Integration with Other Application Equipment Available to Purchase

Oil spill response groups have recognized that it is essential to have the ability to apply dispersants properly when they are needed. Some of these organizations have developed unique application equipment as part of their total capability. Two California industry cooperatives have designed dispersant spray systems that are attached to existing advancing recovery devices, thus providing the largest spray systems yet developed for any surface vessels.

Detailed calibration of the systems has been done and has provided tables and charts which can be used by both management and operators for direction of dispersant application programs. Close control of dispersant dosage is a requirement for successful dispersant application and also for accurate documentation for regulatory authorities. The calibration work reported here has also shown the variability that can be found in very similar systems and indicated the need for careful evaluation of educator performance, as well as the value of use of accurate metering pumps for dispersant, whether used diluted or undiluted.