Use Of Combustion To Combat Oil Spills —Report Available

Practical information on using combustion to combat oil spills is contained in a report released recently by the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest Laboratory (operated by Battelle Memorial Institute).

The purpose of the report is to provide decision-makers with information they can use when considering combustion as an option in combating oil spills. Use of combustion is evaluated for disposing of oil within a stricken vessel, oil on water and oil-contaminated debris.

The study was conducted by researchers in Battelle's Water and Land Resources Department and sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the United States Coast Guard.

Part one of the two-part report is a practical guide that summarizes results of the study. "It classifies oils by their combustibility potential and gives information on the technical feasibility of burning oil," said C. Hugh Thompson, project manager. Significant points to consider in deciding whether to use combustion and research and technology development needs complete part one.

The statements in part one are based on data in part two, the resource document. It examines use histories of oil spills and includes theoretical studies of oil combustibility under varying weather conditions. Part two also includes a discussion of the ethics of oil burning and a comparison of combustion with other alternatives for dealing with oil spills.

Parts one and two are contained in a single volume entitled "Combustion: An Oil Spill Mitigation Tool," available from the N a t i o n a l T e c h n i c a l Information Service, United States Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Va. 22151.

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 46, Mar 1980

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