Design, Fabrication, Simulation, and Initial Testing of an Unmanned Surface Vehicle for Oil Spill Sampling

Abstract

Abstract Detection of oil spills with aerial or space-born remote sensing resources has been deeply studied and developed over recent years. However, all these technologies still rely on in-situ verification with direct monitoring and sampling for validation. This paper presents the design, fabrication, simulation, and testing of an unmanned surface vehicle (USV), specifically designed for hydrodynamic efficiency and effective oil spill sampling. The USV's design, featuring a customized platform for the oil sampling mechanism, underwent an extensive simulation process using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to validate its stability and analyze its impact on water flow dynamics. The design and fabrication process involved hull construction, integration of the control and power systems, and testing in a laboratory environment. The CFD analysis and testing revealed exceptional stability in the USV, showing only minimal rocking and pitching, which translates to consistent speed and precise navigation for the USV during operation. Using CFD for the design analysis allowed for the optimization of water flow dynamics between the two hulls, resulting in reduced drag and enhanced maneuverability for the USV. Turbulent flow patterns were observed at higher speeds, which notably provided valuable insights into the USV's hydrodynamic behavior and its possible interaction with any unforeseen marine conditions, such as encounters with marine life or debris. The key findings demonstrate the USV's potential to revolutionize environmental response efforts, especially in the context of oil spill disasters in remote areas. The accuracy of the CFD simulations was pivotal in anticipating the USV's performance in various marine conditions, which demonstrates the importance of collaboration between theoretical models and practical applications. This paper introduces an innovative integration between autonomous technology and environmental responsiveness, which showcases the possibilities of advancements in the field of autonomous maritime solutions. The involvement of this research extends beyond its immediate scope and offers a new prototype for monitoring and protecting marine environments. This advancement significantly contributes to the broader discussion for safer, more sustainable offshore exploration and environmental management.