Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of spill rates from moving vessels

Abstract

ABSTRACT Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to estimate spill amounts from vessels that are underway. We find the following: The amount of oil spilled from a moving vessel increases as the square of the vessel velocity. The slope of the hole indentation into the hull can significantly affect the amount of oil spilled. The oil spill rate decreases with time. The oil spill rate was virtually the same for No.2 and No. 6 oils. On a gash of the same size as an actual accident (2.8 m long and 0.3 m wide), 20% of the oil has been forced out of the tank in the first hour at a barge speed of 3 m/s, and about 2% at 1 m/s.