Edison Water Quality Laboratory October 1970
OIL CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS
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OIL SPILL CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS
FEDERAL WATER QUALITY ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
by
Oil & Hazardous Materials Research Section
Edison Water Quality Laboratory
Edison, New Jersey 08817
October 1970
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WATER POLLUTION CONTROL RESEARCH SERIES
The Water Pollution Control Research Reports describe the
results and progress in the control and abatement of
pollution of our Nation's waters. They provide a central
source of information on the research, development, and
demonstration activities of the Federal Water Quality
Administration, Department of the Interior, through
in-house research, and grants and contracts with Federal,
State, and local agencies, research institutions, and
industrial organizations.
Water Pollution Control Research Reports will be distributed
to requesters as supplies permit. Requests should be sent to
the Planning and Resources Office, Office of Research and
Development, Federal Water Quality Administration, Department
of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20242.
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FWPCA Review Notice
This report has been reviewed by the Federal Water Quality
Administration and approved for publication. Approval does
not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views
and policies of the Federal Water Quality Administration,
nor does mention of trade names or commercial products
constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
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ABSTRACT
Oil spill containment systems can be broadly characterized
into the following types: commercial floating booms,
multipurpose booms, improvised booms and air barriers.
These systems are designed to prevent the spread of oil
slicks over wide areas, thus providing for feasibile re-
covery, collection and disposal of the spilled product.
Containment systems, including those presently commercially
available, as well as those under patent and development,
are discussed and illustrated. Performance data5 when
documented by reliable and competent personnel, are also
included. Systems have been listed in alphabetical order
so as to indicate no product preference by FWQA.
Additional information, concerning specific devices or
concepts can be obtained by contacting the manufacturer
or inventor directly.
KEY WORDS: Oil containment systems, booms, air barriers,
oil pollution control.
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CONTENTS
Page
Table of Contents i
List of Figures iv
Introduction 1
Commercial Floating Booms 5
Summary Tabl e 7
Abribat Boom (France) 13
Aqua Fence 15
Boom-Kit (Great Britain) 17
Bristol Aircraft Company Boom (Great Britain) 19
British Petroleum Company Boom (Great Britain) 21
California Oil Company Boom 23
Elo-Boom (Norway) 25
English China Clay Company Boom (Great Britain) 27
Flexy Oil Boom 29
Flo-Fence 31
Galvaing Floating Booms (France) 33
Gates Boom Hose 37
Headrick Boom 39
Jaton Boom 43
Johns-Manville Spillguard Booms 45
Kain Filtration Booms 49
i
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Page
Marsan Oil Barrier 53
MP Boom 57
Muehleisen Boom 59
Oscarseal: Hover-Platform 63
Oscarseal - Steel Boom 65
Red Eel Oil Boom 69
Retainer Seawall 71
Sea Curtain 7 5
Sea Fence 79
Sealdboom 81
Sea Skirt. 83
6-12 Boom 85
Slickbar Oil Booms 87
SOS Booms (Sweden) 89
Transatlantic Plastics Boom 93
T-T Oil Boom (Norway) 95
Warne Booms (Great Britain) 99
Water Pollution Controls Boom 105
Multipurpose Booms 107
Summary Table 109
ICI Oil Absorbing Boom (Great Britain) Ill
Roscoff Heavy and Light-Weight Booms (France) 115
ii
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Page
Sea Serpent 119
Skimmer Boom 121
Improvised Booms 123
Summary Table 125
Cork Filled Boom 127
Cork Float Boom 129
Fire Hose Boom 133
Puerto Rican Boom 135
Rubber Bladder Boom (Great Britain) 137
Rubber Tire Boom (France) 139
Steel Pipe Boom. 141
U.S. Navy - Long Beach (California) Boom 14-3
Wooden Float Boom 147
Wooden Timber Booms 149
Wooden V-Boom (France) 151
^ir Curtains 153
Air Barrier for Oil Slick Containment 155
Harmstorf Pneumatic Barrier 159
Other Testing of Pneumatic Barriers 161
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Fig1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
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10
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12
13
14
15
16
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21
30
32
36
38
41
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47
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58
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64
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70
73
78
82
84
86
88
91
98
LIST OF FIGURES
Flexy Oil Boom
Flo-Fence
Galvaing Floating Boom....
Gates Boom
Headrick Boom
Jaton Boom
J-M Spillguard Boom
Kain Filtration Boom
Marsan Oil Boom
M-P Boom
Muehleisen Boom
Oscarseal: Hover-Platform
Oscarseal - Steel Boom....
Red Eel Boom
Retainer Seawall
Sea Curtain
Sealdboom
Sea Skirt
6-12 Boom
Slickbar Oil Boom
SOS Boom
T-T Boom
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Figure Page
23 Warne Booms 104
24 Sea Serpent 120
25 Skimmer Boom 122
26 Cork Filled Boom 128
27 Cork Float Boom 131
28 Navy Boom 145
29 Wooden Float Boom 148
30 Air Barrier Effect 157
31 Bubble Barrier, Buffalo River 162
v
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INTRODUCTION
Oil and petroleum product spills can occur whenever and
wherever these products are transported, handled or used-
Spillages may be due to accidents or improper handling
procedures at petroleum refineries, oil transfer terminals,
onboard transport tankers, etc. Compared to chronic or
continuous waste oil discharges, the accident situation
is far less frequent. Severe accidents, however, such as
the collision or stranding of a tanker at sea; the collapse
of a waterfront oil storage tank; the derailing and rupture
of a series of railroad cars may cause widespread pollution
of the water environment together with untold consequences
and damages. The critical situation may also be the direct
result of natural forces such as devastating floods, hurri-
canes or earthquakes.
Resources that may be seriously affected and downgraded by
chronic or accidental releases of petroleum products into a
water body include: municipal, industrial and agricultural
water supply sources; waterfowl, fish, and general aquatic
flora and fauna; recreational interests both public and pri-
vate such as beaches, shorefront properties and homes,
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marinas, pleasure boats, tourist centers, etc.; shellfish-
harvesting; and the general public amenities normally
associated with a pollution-free environment.
To prevent the spread of oil slicks over wide areas, many
different types of oil-retention barriers have been developed.
Oil booms may be deployed to encircle oil slicks, thereby
reducing the area of coverage and increasing the thickness
of slick and providing for feasible recovery, collection
and disposal of the waste material. Oil booms may also be
installed as a barrier to close off prescribed zones where
spills may occur or where oils should not enter.
This report provides a description of various oil spill
containment systems. Information was compiled from past
and current literature, correspondence with manufacturers
and their product bulletins, and from other technical sources.
These methods include conceptual design (only if such is
described in the published literature), systems under patent
application, systems in the stages of final development
(with information release obtained from manufacturer), and
various full-scale commercial equipment available today.
The listing in this report is intended to be as complete as
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possible, but it is likely that some systems have been
overlooked due to their recent development. Systems have
been listed in alphabetical order so as to indicate no pro-
duct preference. It must also be noted that a large majority
of the data contained in this report were taken directly from
published reports and manufacturers' "sheets" and, as such,
reflects the adequacy and integrity of these information sources.
The oil spill containment systems described by this report may
be broadly generalized into the following types: commercial
floating booms, multipurpose booms, improvised booms, and air
barriers. This report categorizes more than 50 different ap-
proaches to the problem of corralling and holding oil spills,
although many more systems are possible.
It must be recognized that boom systems represent only one set
of tools, although an important one, in effectively combating
oil spills once they do occur. Oil spill booms are almost
always deployed in conjunction with other equipment and methods
for effective control and cleanup. In the simple case, this
will mean a skimming or pickup device, whereas, for the serious
spill it may mean any number of methods and techniques used
concurrently to combat the situation.
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There is a great scarcity of information on system
performance and results obtained from particular boom
systems when used in actual spills or field demonstra-
tions. Therefore, performance criteria has been denoted
only where specific documentation by competent technical
personnel has been accomplished.
Experience has shown that a majority of the existing booms
and oil containment systems have only limited use, for
they generally fail to operate effectively under open sea
conditions. It is hoped that new designs and approaches
will be stimulated by ongoing research to expand the
operational capabilities of booms, which in turn will
lead to desirable commercial development of oil spill
boom systems.
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COMMERCIAL FLOATING BOOMS
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SUMMARY TABLE
COMMERCIAL FLOATING BOOMS
Boom
Stage of Development
Cost $/Ft.
Manufacturer
1. Abribat Boom
2". Aqua Fence
3. Boom Kit
4. Bristol Aircraft Company Boom
5. British Petroleum Company Boom
6. California Oil Company Boom
7. Elo-Boom
8. English China Clay Company Boom
Under Patent
Under Development
In Production
In Production
Under Patent
In Production
In Production
In Production
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
$2.45
$2.20
Unknown
Addre'ss Unknown
France
Versatech Corporation
Nesconset, Long Island
New York
Roberts Plastics Ltd.
England
Bristol Aircraft Company
England
British Petroleum Company
Finsburg Circus
London, E. C. 2, England
California Oil Company
Perth Amboy, New Jersey 07501
Helly J. Hansen A/S
Moss, Norway
English China Clay Company
England
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Boom
Stage of Development
9. Flexy Oil Boom
10. Flo-Fence
11. Galvaing Floating Booms
12. Gates Boom Hose
13. Headrick Boom
14. Jaton Boom
15. Johns-Manville Spillguard
Booms
16. Kain Filtration Booms
In Production
In Production
In Production
In Production
Under Development
In Production
In Production
In Production
Cost $/Ft.
Manufacturer
Unknown
Unknown
$16.20-$22.40
$50.00
Expected Price
$25-$35
Unknown
$7.50-$20.00
$18.00-$23.00
Smith-Anderson Company, Ltd.
3181 St. James Street West
Montreal, Quebec
Logan Diving & Salvage Co.
530 Goodwin Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32204
Gamlen Naintre & Cie
92 Clichy, 2 ,
Rue Huntiziger, France
Gates Rubber Company
6285 East Randolph Street
Los Angeles, California 90022
Headrick Industries, Inc.
4900 Crown Avenue
La Canada, California 91011
Centri Spray Corporation
39001 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, Michigan 48150
Johns-Manville Company
22 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
Bennett International Service
302 A-5645 Topanga Canyon
Boulevard
Woodland Hills, California 91364
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Boom
Stage of Development
17. Marsan Inflatable Oil
Barrier
18. MP Boom
19. Muehleisen Boom
20. Oscarseal - Hover Platforms
21. Oscarseal - Steel Boom
22. Red Eel
23. Retainer Seawall
In Production
In Production
In Production
Patent Pending
Patent Pending
In Production
Patent Pending
Cost $/Ft.
Manufacturer
$5.95 -$6.95
$9.75
Submitted Upon
Request
Submitted Upon
Request
$40 - $50
$2.60
$20.00 light duty
$58.60 heavy duty
Marsan Corporation
Box 83, Route 1
Elgin, Illinois 60120
Metropolitan Petroleum
Company, Inc.
25 Caven Point Road
Jersey City, New Jersey 07305
Muehleisen Manufacturing Co.
1100 North Johnson Avenue
El Cajon, California 92020
The Rath Company
P.O. Box 226
La Jolla, California 92037
Morrison-Knudsen Company, Inc.
Box 7808
Boise, Idaho 83707
Trelleborg Rubber Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 178
225 Main Street
New Rochelle, New York 10802
Environmental Pollution Systems
209 Profit Drive
Victoria, Texas 77901
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Boom
Stage of Development
24. Sea Curtain
25. Sea Fence
26. Sealdboom
27 . Sea Skirt
28. 6-12 Boom
29. Slickbar Oil Boom
30. SOS Booms
In Production
Experimental
In Production
Developmental
In Production
In Production
In Production
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Cost $/Ft.
Manufacturer
$ 2 -$ 4 light duty
$10 -$15 heavy duty
Unknown
$12.00
Unknown
$ 9.75
$3.85-$ 6.80, 4"
$5.25-$12.25, 6"
$5.50-$16.50
Kepner Plastics Fabricators, Inc.
4221 Spencer Street
Torrance, California 90503
Aluminum Company of America
4-63 48th Avenue
Long Island City, N.Y.11101
Uniroyal, Inc.
10 Eagle Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02901
Core Laboratories, Inc.
Box 10185
Dallas, Texas 75201
Worthington Corporation
Pioneer Products Division
P.O. Box 211
Livingston, New Jersey 07039
Neirad Industries
Saugatuck Station
Westport, Connecticut 06880
Surface Separator Systems
103 Mellor Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21228
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Boom
Stage of Development
31. Transatlantic Plastics Boom Unknown
32. T-T Boom In Production
33. Warne Booms In Production
34. Water Pollution Controls Patent Pending
Boom
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Cost $/Ft.
Manufacturer
Unknown
$6,77-$8.08
$15.00-$36.00
Unknown
Transatlantic Plastics Ltd.
England
East Coast Service, Inc.
343 Washington Street
Braintree, Massachusetts 02184
Surface Separator Systems
103 Mellor Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21228
Water Pollution Controls, Inc.
2035 Lemoine Avenue
Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024
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ABRIBAT BOOM (FRANCE)
The Abribat Boom was patented in France shortly after the
Torrey Canyon accident in 1967. Little is known of the
Abribat Boom except that it is made of a rubberized material
attached to foam plastic flotation blocks and tied together
with plastic ropes. It is reported that this boom will pro-
vide an effective freeboard of approximately 24 inches. The
design and development stages of the Abribat Boom are not
known at this time.
Inter-Office Memo by U. S. Corps of Engineers, Hydraulic Design
branch, August 3, 1967.
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AQUA FENCE
Aqua Fence is Versatech Corporation's name for its water
borne system of containing and controlling the spread of
oil on the water's surface. Aqua Fence is in the con-
ceptual stage and will require engineering analysis, develop-
ment and testing to bring it to a deliverable hardware status.
A conceptual scale model of the Fence reportedly has been
constructed and tested satisfactorily in simulated wind and
sea conditions.
The Aqua Fence system is conceived as a helicopter-transportable
package which can be flown to the site of an oil slick. The
package will consist of the machinery and sufficient raw
materials for fabricating a continuous Aqua Fence of optimum
length. Additional raw materials can be stationed at designated
supply points.
The operation of fabricating Aqua Fence will consist of auto-
matically feeding two rolls of plastic sheet through forming
machinery which folds and joins the sheets into a continuous
row of "pockets". Flotation will be provided by inflating
the pockets with air during the sealing operation. Tests
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under actual conditions will be required to obtain the most
satisfactory system configuration. At the present time,
several different cross-sectional shapes are being studied.
Information provided by Versatech Corporation, Nesconset,
Long Island, New York
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BOOM-KIT (GREAT BRITAIN)
The Boom Kit is manufactured by Roberts Plastics Ltd. of
Great Britain. The kits may be stored in central depots
and the parts assembled to make "a deflection boom" of any
desired length. Each kit contains two buoyancy floats and
a mesh curtain, together with clamps, shackles, washers
and bolts. Ballasting is recommended by weights suspended
from end shackles. Further data on dimensions, costs, and
capabilities of this system are not available at this time.
"Clearing Up the Oil", Paper published in Petroleum Magazine;
however, volume, number and date of this article are not known.
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BRISTOL AIRCRAFT COMPANY BOOM (GREAT BRITAIN)
In 1967 the Bristol Aircraft Company developed a boom
comprised of 10-inch diameter fiberglass pipe onto which
strips of marine plywood, 12 and 9-inches wide, were
attached to the top and bottom edges of the pipe. The
fiberglass pipe is provided in 20-foot lengths with both
ends sealed to permit flotation. In the upright position
this boom has a height of 31 inches, consisting of the
12-inch strip of plywood serving as freeboard, the 10-inch
flotation unit, and the 9-inch plywood board serving as the
submersible section. The structure is maintained upright
by 28-pound weights attached to the 9-inch plywood strip
and positioned at 5-foot intervals along the boom.
Any number of 20-foot sections may be joined together to give
the desired length of boom. The assembly is moored to oil
drums every 100 feet with support cables tied to marine
anchors.
Inter-Office Memo by U. S. Corps of Engineers, Hydraulic Design
Branch, August 3, 1967.
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BRITISH PETROLEUM COMPANY BOOM (GREAT BRITAIN)
The British Petroleum Company boom, described in a British
patent application, comprises resilient foam material sur-
rounding one or more buoyancy chambers extending along the
length of the boom. The buoyancy chambers, which are re-
portedly non-permeable to air or liquids to ensure inflat-
ability, are lined or coated with canvas or other flexible
materials. The number of buoyancy chambers necessary for
the boom will depend upon the buoyancy and characteristics
of the absorbent foam, and desired ease in handling the
boom. The buoyant chambers are also constructed in such a
manner they may be compressed to remove oils absorbed in
the foam material.
The inventor claims this boom system to be lighter and less
expensive than existing systems, and due to its flexibility
it will closely follow the contour of the water surface even
under moderately-choppy conditions. It is not known whether
the British Petroleum Company concept has been translated
into system design and development.
Patent Specification No. 1,028,470, Great Britain, date of
filing given as July 22, 1964; Specification published
May 4, 1966, Great Britain.
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CALIFORNIA OIL COMPANY BOOM
The California Oil Company has employed a polyethylene
floating boom for containing and collecting oil spillages
at its Perth Amboy, New Jersey terminal facilities. This
boom is made up of a plastic float with a lead-weighted
fin extending six inches below the water surface. Floats
are available in 3, 4 and 6-inch diameter sizes depending
upon freeboard desired and site conditions.
The 4-inch polyethylene boom is quoted at $2.4-5 per foot.
The company reports that the boom can be deployed and set
in place within 15 minutes or less. Also, because of their
flexibility and light-weight, the booms may be readily
transferred and stored close to the intended points of use.
"Plastic Floats Contain Harbor Spills", Oil and Gas Journal,
p. 155, September 3, 1962.
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ELO-BOOM (NORWAY)
The Elo-Boom\ manufactured in Norway, is available in
82-foot lengths at a cost of approximately $2.20 per foot.
It consists of a flotation unit 8-inches in diameter, from
which hangs a skirt of 16 inches. The flotation chamber
contains a series of tubes which are filled with carbon
dioxide gas from standby compression cylinders. Chain
ballasting is provided on the skirt and the assembly has
a total weight of 3.5 pounds per foot. Further information
on materials of construction, and system performance and
handling, was not readily available.
1. Inventor of Elo-Boom given as Helly J. Hansen A/S,
Moss Norway.
"Containing and Removing of Oil Spillage from Water Surfaces",
Cornelssin, J., MPD Division, Paper C-9, Pollution Abatement
Conference, The Hague, 1963.
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ENGLISH CHINA CLAY COMPANY BOOM (GREAT BRITAIN)
The English China Clay Company Boom consists of rubber
belting, 1/2-inch thick by 24 or 30 inches wide, and main-
tained in the vertical position by "outriggers". The out-
riggers, presumed to be a continuous float on both sides
of the boom, are made of 4-inch plastic pipe filled with
plastic foam for additional buoyancy. Metal straps serve
to hold the outriggers to the belting, but were reported
as being "too light". Sections of 100 feet or more are
assembled near shore, then towed to the operational site
for final fastening and anchoring. The English China Company
boom was reported ready for testing in August 1967 in
England, but it is not known if these tests were conducted.
Inter-Office Memo by U.S. Corps of Engineers, Hydraulic Design
Branch, August 3, 1967.
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FLEXY OIL BOOM
Flexy Oil Boom, made in Canada by Smith-Anderson Co., Ltd.,
Montreal, Quebec, is constructed of 36-inch wide FVC nylon
fabric. When in use, the skirt depth is 24 inches and the
freeboard 12 inches.
Available in 100-foot lengths, the nylon fabric has a tensile
strength of 450 pounds per inch and is fitted with aluminum
stiffeners for rigidity. Stability is provided and maintained
by floats and lead ballast weights spaced two feet on center,
and galvanized chain at the skirt bottom running the full
length of the section. Weight of a 100-foot section, in-
cluding floats and ballast, is reported at 250 pounds.
For attaching one or more sections together, each end of the
boom is equipped with five snap hooks placed two feet from the
end, and five matching outlets on the adjoining section; thus
providing an overlap of two feet at the junction or connection
points. For extra strength, the chain ballast at the skirt
base is shackled together.
Information provided by Hurum Shipping and Trading Co., Ltd.,
300 St. Sacrament Street, Montreal, Quebec, sole distributors
for Flexy Boom; January 197 0.
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FLOATS
ALUMINUM STIFFNERS
WATER LINE
3 FT
XT
2 FT
LEAD WEIGHT
Hi" galvanized chain for
STABILITY AND STRENGTH
THE ALUMINUM STIFFNERS ARE SEWN INTO A SEPARATE DOUBLE LAMINATED
POCKET BEFORE SEWN ON TO THE FABRIC AND EACH STIFFNER SPACED
AT TWO FEET CENTERS
V»" NYLON LINE
SEAM -
* FLOATS
\/
Figure 1
FLEXY OIL BOOM
SEAM
TO ADD MORE STRENGTH, THE FABRIC IS
DOUBLED AT A WIDTH OF 7" IN LONGI-
TUDINAL DIRICTION ALONG WATER-
LINE
3 FT
SEAM —J.
SEAM
* LEAD WEIGHT
V," NYLON LINE
30
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FLO-FENCE
Flo-Fence, an inflatable barrier, available in various
diameters and weight skirt lengths, is manufactured by
Logan Diving and Salvage Company, Jacksonville, Florida.
Constructed of fireproof, acid, and oil resistant coated
fiber, the barrier is available in 100-foot lengths,
weighs 95 pounds per 100-foot section, and can be stored
in an area of 6 feet by 5 feet by 3 feet.
Company picture with description obtained December 1969 from
Logan Diving and Salvage Company, 530 Goodwin Street,
Jacksonville, Florida 3220*4-.
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Figure 2 FLO-FENCE BOOM
32
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GALVAING FLOATING BOOMS (FRANCE)
Galvaing Booms are composed of short compact units of
rigid floats inserted into plastic-coated fabric panels
or PVC-coated asbestos panels. Individual units (con-
sisting of a vertical panel and a float attached to each
side of the panel) are coupled together by neoprene rubber
or a plastic-coated fabric. To avoid unnecessary strain
on the panels and prevent them from being pulled out of
shape, a cord or metallic chain is inserted into the top
and bottom hems of the panels running the length of the
barrier.
Individual units are only 3.2 - 3.9 feet long to provide
for maximum flexibility of the boom. A standard section
of the Galvaing barrier comprises either 4 or 5 units de-
pending upon the type of barrier. The length of a standard
section varies from 16 to 20 feet. Security hooks are pro-
vided to link any number of standard sections together for
total length of boom desired. The barrier extends approxi-
mately 8 inches above water and 8 inches below.
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Three types of Galvaing barriers are available: (1) The
Emergency Barrier; (2) The Ballast Water Removing
Barrier; and (3) The Fire Barrier.
The Emergency Barrier is made up of polyurethane floats
attached onto plastic-coated fabric panels and may come
equipped with skirt and ballast fixed to the bottom of the
panels. The Ballast Water Removing Barrier appears similar
to the Emergency Barrier except a special skirt is attached
to the bottom of the panels giving a total submersible
depth of about 3 feet. When used for the purpose of re-
taining and separating oils from ballast water, the manu-
facturer recommends weighting of the skirt. The two types
of barriers described above are relatively light-weight,
approximating 1.1 pounds per foot without auxiliary skirt
and ballast.
The Fire Control Barrier is designed for containing oil and
petroleum product spills within harbors and other similar
areas, but is also intended for encircling and minimizing
the spread of petroleum fires on water. The Fire Barrier
is like the Emergency Barrier in principle. Major dif-
ferences are aluminum alloy floats inserted into PVC-coated
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asbestos cloth, and the units being coupled by plastic-
coated asbestos and galvanized! steel chain. The Fire
Control Barrier is available in standard and heavy-duty
forms. The standard fire barrier has an overall height
of 13 inches, weighs approximately 4 pounds per foot,
and cost given in 1967 was $16.20/foot - FOB Marseilles,
France. The heavy-duty fire barrier has an overall height
of 18 inches, weighs approximately 8 pounds per foot, and
1967 cost quotations were given as $22.40/foot. After use
in a fire, considerable repair work is indicated even for
the Fire Control Barriers. One to three months delivery
time may be expected for Galvaing barriers and/or replace-
ment parts.
The manufacturer recommends that when the Galvaing boom is
towed to the site of an oil spill, it should not be pulled
at a speed exceeding one knot. It is also suggested that
these booms not be deployed against a fast-moving current
nor placed directly across a river or waterway. Rather,
the boom should be moored at a desirable angle of closure
with the shoreline, enabling recovery of oils in the slower-
moving downstream areas of the boom.
Product bulletins received from Gamlen Naintre and Cie
(Subsidiary of Gamlen Chemical Co.), 92 Clichy, 2,
Rue Huntiziger, France, 1969.
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ure 3 GALVAING BOOM
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GATES BOOM HOSE
The Gates Boom Hose is a 25-inch (outer diameter) floating
cylinder to which is attached a 20-inch deep skirt ballasted
by two pounds of lead weight per running foot of skirt.
The one-half inch thick hose consists of two piles of nylon
tire cord carcass reinforced with spiral wire, with neoprene
outer cover and inner high-tensile Buna-S tube. The Gates
Boom Hose rides 19-20 inches above the water surface and
5-6 inches below (excluding skirt). The 1/16-inch thick
neoprene-nylon skirt is built into the hose with rein-
forcing piles, and comes equipped with grommets along the
bottom edge of the skirt to attach lead weights and with
grommets at the ends of skirt section to splice adjacent
lengths together.
The hose assembly is available in lengths of approximately
25 feet. The ends of the hose are reinforced with fiber-
glass, also containing a built-in aluminum nipple and aluminum
round plate welded to the nipple. Adjacent hose sections
are fastened together by stainless steel bands over the end
plates. It is noted the Gates Hose is a non-inflatable boom.
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It is reported the assembly is flexible and has high-tensile
strength capable of withstanding end loads of 30,000 pounds.
When the Gates Boom Hose exceeds 400 feet in length, the
manufacturer recommends that additional reinforcement be
provided by steel cables attached to the hose nipples.
Boom price is quoted at approximately $50 per foot.
2 plies
Nylon tire
cord carcass
Neoprene
Cover
Reinforcing
wire
20"-
Surface of Water
Reinforcing Plies
Nylon with heavy
neoprene skim stock
Approx. 1/16" thick
pi'— 2 Lb. lead weight
v 12" centers
Hose Cross Section
Figure 4 GATES BOOM
Information received from the Gates Rubber Company,
999 S. Broadway, Denver, Colorado 80217, November 1969.
38
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HEADRICK BOOM
Headrick Industries, Inc., La Canada, California, has
developed a series of air-inflatable booms for different
sea states. Essentially, the booms consist of flotation
cylinders positioned directly over a submersible cylinder.
The floating tubes are air-filled and slightly pressurized
whereas the bottom or center tube is filled with water,
providing ballast and stability to the boom assembly. The
tubes are manufactured as a single continuous unit with a
membrane inter-connecting the tubes and made from the same
coated fabric from which the tubes are constructed. A
steel towing and/or mooring cable is integrated and enclosed
permanently in a loop of fabric attached to the lowermost
exterior of the water tube. Construction material for the
boom is high-strength PVC over nylon fabric.
Air tubes are segmented every 50 feet and the water tube every
20 feet so as to isolate a damaged chamber and still maintain
near complete integrity of the boom. Each chamber is separately
filled with air and water from a service vessel. The manu-
facturer claims that the inflatable tubes will retain their
- 39 -
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air supply for several weeks, and that pressure differential
between high and low temperatures during the day will present
no problems.
For applications where the boom must remain in the water for
long periods of time without surveillance, the manufacturer
suggests the air tubes may be filled with polyethylene, ex-
panded styrofoam, or similar materials. However, in this
case there is some loss of flexibility and the boom is less
conveniently stored after use.
Weight of the prototype boom, made up of three 10-inch
diameter tubes, was approximately 1.8 pounds per foot. Booms
expected to be made available in future production include
the 10, 13, 16 and 22-inch tube sizes with estimated boom
weights between 1.8 and 3.6 pounds per foot, and an expected
price range of $25 - $35 per foot. Booms will probably be
marketed in 1,000-foot lengths made up of four 250-foot
sections together with necessary coupling attachments and
hardware.
(1) "The Use of Coated Fabrics in Containment of Petroleum",
Paper presented at September 11, 1969 Meeting of the
American Petroleum Institute, Los Angeles Basin Chapter,
by Richard T. Headrick, Firestone Coated Fabrics Company.
(2) Information received from Headrick Industries, Inc.,
4900 Crown Avenue, LaCanada, California 91011
- 40 -
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10" AIR
8" AIR
10" AIR
10" AIR
4" A
4" A
i4" W
10" WATER
OPEN OCEAN SEMI-PROTECTED SHELTERED
WATER WATER
Figure 5
HEADRICK BOOM
41
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JATON BOOM
"Jaton" is the tradename for a floating oil retainer,
which is of the float and skirt design. The flotation
pocket contains a unicellular plastic foam cylinder
measuring 4 inches in diameter by 9 feet long. The foam
flotation cylinders, in standard nine foot lengths, are
thermetically sealed in individual, air-tight compartments.
The curtain extends down from the underside of the flotation
element and is made of vinyl-impregnated nylon. The curtain
depth comes in various sizes, 6 to 24 inches.
Steel keel weights are stitch-enclosed along the bottom edge
of the curtain to span the length of each flotation segment.
The keel weights are galvanized steel bars, 4 inches in
length and 3/8-inch diameter. Grommets are No. 3 brass
spur.
Costs for this boom may be obtained from Centri-Spray
Corporation.
Product bulletin obtained in December 1969 from Centri-Spray
Corporation, Centri Clere Filter Division, 39001 Schoolcraft
Road, Livonia, Michigan 48150.
- 43 -
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FLOATING OIL RETAINER
REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE DIA FLOTATION MEMBER WITH 10" CURTAIN
6" THERMAL SEAM
NO 3 BRASS
GROMMETS
>-\ FLOTATION
POCKET
FLOTATION
K \ POCKET
KEEL WEIGHT POCKETS
NYLON STITCHING
FLOTATION POCKET CONTAINS 4" * 9' DOW ETHAFOAM CYLINDER
KEEL WEIGHTS ARE 3/8 *4 HOT DIPPED GALV RODS
Figure 6
JATON BOOM
44
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JOHNS-MANVILLE SPILLGUARD BOOMS
The Johns-Manville "Spillguard" boom is a sheet fence which
rides vertically in the water. The boom consists of 10-foot
lengths of asbestos rubber sheet. A neoprene flotation liner
is cemented firmly to both sides of the boom running the
length of the section and enabling the sheets to ride upright
at the waterline near the mid-point of the flotation liner.
Each of the 10-foot sections is connected to the next section
with a 2-ply reinforced rubber hinge. Nine sections, plus
the hinges, are combined to form a 100-foot length. The
Spillguard boom is available in two sizes:
No. 411 - 4 inches above the water surface and
11 inches below
No. 1224 - 12 inches above the water surface and
24 inches below
The Spillguard boom is furnished in standard lengths of 100-feet
and a special connection is provided for joining the standard
lengths. Bulkhead connectors are also available which provide
a seal between the end of the boom and the stationary vertical
member; the connectors allow for free movement of booms with
the rise and fall of tides.
- 45 -
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The manufacturer reports that the No. 411 boom can be
handled by two men in a small outboard-driven boat. The
No. 411 boom weighs approximately 3 pounds per foot.
The No. 1224 boom, which weighs about 9 pounds per foot,
reportedly can be deployed and recovered by four men.
During a demonstration in Chesapeake Bay, the company
reports that 300-feet of the No. 1224 were connected and
set by four men in less than 10 minutes; recovery of the
boom required less than 15 minutes hauling aboard a har-
bor tug.
Costs recently quoted for the Nos. 411 and 1224 oil booms are
respectively $7.50/ft. and $20.00/ft. The connection for
joining standard sections is included in the above costs,
whereas bulkhead connectors are quoted at $75 and $125
respectively for the Nos. 411 and 1224 booms.
(1) Johns-Manville product bulletins, Manville, New Jersey
and New York, New York, 1968 and 1969.
(2) Personal communication with Johns-Manville Sales Office,
New York, New York, October 1969.
- 46 -
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0 0
0 0 0
Chaih
J~* SPILIG
U*RD
tOOM
J-M
SPiUgu.
'Qure ?
aro
b°om
47
-------
FCAIN FILTRATION BOOMS
The Kain Filtration Boom essentially comprises a deep
vertical barrier supported by flotation chambers on each
side of the curtain. Approximately one-third of the cur-
tain boom protrudes above the water surface (freeboard)
and two-thirds is immersed below the waterline. Three types
of booms are reported available, including the 3-foot curtain
intended principally for use in marinas and for surrounding
tankers; the 5-foot curtain for harbor use; and the large
8-foot curtain for offshore sea operations.
The vertical section of the boom is basically a "sandwich"
structure. The centerpiece consists of wire mesh or one-half
inch steel-cable net (depending upon type of boom) sandwiched
on each side by galvanized steel industrial cyclone fencing,
and finally encased with filtration fabric comprising the
outer sides of the boom. The steel-cable net is woven into
8-inch squares with a longitudinal strength of 400 tons safe
working load. The two layers of cyclone fencing serve as a
support for the filtration material on each side of the steel-
cable net. The filtration fabric is constructed of a polypro-
pylene fiber mechanically enmeshed and heat-fused. The filtra-
tion material reportedly allows water to freely pass through
- 49 -
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in both directions, but precludes the passage of floating
oils, etc. A standard section of offshore boom would
appear to be 150 feet long.
Flotation chambers providing for proper immersion depth of
the curtain are firmly attached to both sides of the curtain
by 3/8-inch galvanized wire (through the barrier), thimbles,
clips and snaphooks. The flotation cylinders are nylon-vinyl
sleeves stuffed with polyurethane bags which in turn are filled
with styrofoam pellets. The assembled cylinders for the off-
shore boom are 14-inches in diameter and manufactured in
18-foot long sections. Tow cables, ropes, grommets, shackles,
cables and thimbles represent auxiliary equipment used in
completing the Kain Filtration Boom.
The heaviest component of the Kain offshore filtration boom is the
curtain element which weighs approximately 1,000 pounds for a
150-foot section. All elements for the offshore boom are stored
and shipped together for the standard 150-foot length. The
standard length can be reduced into a volume of 800 cubic feet
weighing approximately 1,250 pounds.
- 50 -
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The filtration boom at sea reportedly has considerable
freedom of movement and can encompass 360 degrees of travel.
The Kain filtration boom may be purchased outright or leased
on a short or long-term basis from Bennett International.
Purchase costs for 1,000-feet of marina and harbor boom are
respectively $18,000 and $23,000; no purchase price is given
for the offshore boom. Weekly rental rates for the marina,
harbor and offshore booms per 1,000-feet usage are respectively
$1,800, $2,300 and $2,900 (prices do not include auxiliary
services, and minimum of 2 weeks use for the offshore boom).
Other lease plans are also available.
"Oil Pollution Defense", bulletin and technical data received
from Bennett International Services, Inc., Woodland Hills,
California, September 1969.
- 51 -
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FLOAT
FILTRATION MATERIAL
Figure 8
KAIN FILTRATION BOCM
-------
MARSAN OIL BARRIER
The Marsan Oil Barrier is essentially a plastic curtain
with an air or styrofoam filled buoyancy pocket, a stif-
fened freeboard portion above the pocket, and drop curtain
below the buoyancy pocket.
The upper few inches of the boom riding above the water
surface are described as the stowage fin with grommets lo-
cated on two-foot centers. Stowage fin stiffeners are pro-
vided at each end of a standard barrier section. The buoyant
pocket is sewn into the curtain separating it from the stowage
fin and drop curtain. The upper sewline contains a dacron ten-
sion line running the full length of boom. At the bottom edge
of the drop curtain is found a pocket for inserting chain
ballast providing vertical orientation of the Marsan barrier
within the water. The standard Marsan barrier has a drop
curtain 15 inches in depth but 2^ and 36-inch curtains are
also available.
The barrier is provided in standard lengths of 50 or 100-feet
and is constructed of vinyl-covered nylon material, which is
fire-resistant and reportedly remains flexible at temperatures
- 53 -
-------
considerably below 0°F. The standard boom sections would
appear linked together by a series of snap connectors to-
gether with special provisions for extending a hose line
through the sections when air inflation is used. Self-
actuating buoyant air reservoirs, which serve to inflate
the hose in the buoyancy pocket, are spaced every 200-feet
on the barrier.
The cost of the standard Marsan barrier (with 15-inch drop
curtain) is $5.95/ft., including actuating air reservoirs.
Inflatable barriers with 24 and 36-inch drop curtains are
quoted at $6.95/ft. A. relatively small metal storage rack
for holding 500-feet of barrier may also be purchased for
$175 and a zippered canvas cover over the storage rack is
$75. Prices are F.O.B., Chicago, Illinois.
Product Bulletins received from the Marsan Corporation, Chicago,
Illinois, 1969.
- 54 _
-------
Curtain
Pocket
Chain Ballast
Pocket
Dacron web
reinforcement
and
tension member
Vinyl coated nylon
Closed cell bead-type styrofoarn floats
Cutaway view showing construction of
Marsan Oil Barrier and method
of segmenting sections
Marsan Oil Barrier confining oil-soaked straw and heavy
load of debris
Figure 9 MARSAN OIL BARRIER
55
-------
MP BOOM
Metropolitan Petroleum Company, Inc., manufacturers the
MP Boom, which essentially consists of a 6-inch diameter,
closed cell polystyrene bead filled flotation chamber,
a 12-inch submerged skirt, and a solid weighted keelson to
provide ballast. The flotation material is enclosed in a
vinyl envelope for added protection in case of a break
in the synthetic fabric covering.
This particular boom is recommended by the manufacturer for
use on sheltered water where wave height is less than two
feet. Constructed in 6-foot sections, and available in
100-foot lengths, this containment device is priced at
$9.75 per foot. Lower prices are available when booms are
purchased in lots exceeding 400 feet in length.
This same boom, with a different label (6-12 Boom), is also
available from Worthington Corporation. (See Page 85).
Bulletin and letter received from Metropolitan Petroleum
Petrochemicals Company, Inc., Jersey City, New Jersey,
October 1969.
- 57 -
-------
Cable for towing and skirt stability
Clip fasteners (on the other end) for additional lengths
Grommets for a variety of uses \ Toe plate (on one end)
Buoyant flotation sausage
Strong, flexible skirt
Keelson stabilizing rod
Figure 10 MP BOOM
58
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MUEHLEISEN BOOM
The oil boom consists of a series of Ethafoam floats from
which is suspended a one-foot barrier shield above water
and a two-foot skirt below. Manufactured in three-foot high
by 100-foot lengths, the barrier is fabricated from a vinyl-
nylon material.
Both ends of each 100-foot section are reinforced by doubling
the material to form a pocket to insert an aluminum plate;
then punching through this reinforced area for the attachment
of grommets to prevent tearouts. At each joint where 1,000-
foot sections are joined together, a positive lap type connec-
tion (full width) is used to prevent oil from escaping through
these areas.
The top edge of the barrier shield is semi-rigid construction
by reinforcement with PVC pipe and rope hem, with the rope
inserted to prevent the top edge from drooping while the boom
is floating in either a relaxed position or under tension. The
bottom skirt leading edge is lead and chain weighted to main-
tain the boom in an upright position through a series of perpen-
dicular aluminum rods that are inserted in pockets at the
folding parts of the boom.
_ 59 _
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Each section folds at approximately 3 feet-4 inches on center
for the full length of these 100-foot sections to enable
stowing in an orderly fashion. The bottom leading edge of the
skirt has a rope hem with rope insert and a series of grommets.
for the attachment of a continuous chain. This chain is
attached with lap links in such a manner that the chain's pri-
mary function is to relieve the stress on the boom during pull-
ing and installation.
Product bulletins received December 1969 from Muehleisen Manu-
facturing Company, El Cajon Industrial Park, 1100 North Johnson
Avenue, El Cajon, California 92020.
_ 60 _
-------
J \j— 100' ^
pr-
LL
?-
i F
- 10"-
—.3"k
Ityp
36"
H* 13.5"" —4
6.5
TYP
LINK CHAIN
30 EQUAL SPACES
'I i I
—(
9?
6"r--
TYP BOTH ENDS
REINFORCED
AREA TYPICAL
A/k\
j-
ROPE HEM 2.5" TYP
3/16" POLY ROPE
3/8" X 32" PVC SCHED #40 PIPE-28 PCS
CENTER SECTIONS, TOP ONLY
3/8" X 28" BOTH ENDS.
BB
3/16" POLY ROPE
'¦ -• ..s.'-V-
/ « *' -* * "i ~ ~ ' -*"*
' C*- *t i", «.
- • ~
W&M
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rh ""'It
mm—
- -'•¦¦gSBWWP' -. - -yjKi mj. -
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Figure 11
MUEHLEISEN BOOM
61
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OSCARSEAL: HOVER-PLATFORM
The Oscarseal Hover-Platform consists of a series of inter-
connected "captured air" floats. The standard floats are
fabricated from steel plate in lengths of 40 feet. The "Air
Skirt" is attached to one side of the float which will form
the inner circle. A hinged plate is attached to the opposite
side of the "Air Skirt" acting as a depth-shield and keel.
Extension curtain sections for high-sea state and locations
may be attached to the bottom edge of the shield. Each float
has its own blower-air supply system, capable of being powered
from a variety of sources.
The linkage of the Oscarseal Containment Systems consist of two
clip-links attached to the steel float on the upper edge of the
inner-side providing for approximately 3-inches of interval
between each two air floats. In addition to this a steel, cable
is provided to be installed on the top side near the clip-links.
It serves both as a safety device for the system, for the serv-
ice of the embedment anchors, and also for towing purposes.
The "Air Skirt" is made of a puncture resistant textile designed
and manufactured to withstand the impact of the sea and the air-
- 63 _
-------
sea interaction. It is claimed that the skirt material does
not absorb water, stays lightweight, is easy to handle even
when wet; flash-dries, is rot and mildew resistant, and can be
stored wet or dry. It is further claimed that it is easy to
clean with a bristle brush, soap and water.
A price quotation will be submitted upon request. The Oscar-
seal Containment Systems was developed by the Rath Company in a
joint venture with Morrison-Knudsen Company, Inc.
Figure 12 OSCARSEAL HOVER-PLATFORM
Product brochure received in December 1969 from the Rath Company,
P. 0. Box 226, La Jolla, California 92037.
64
-------
OSCARSEAL - STEEL BOOM
Each individual section of the Oscarseal containment boom
measures 40 feet in length, is 7 feet wide and weighs
approximately 5,000 pounds. Flotation is derived from two
longitudinal steel pipes and boxed cross-members. The for-
ward pipe is to be 14 inches in outside diameter and the rear
pipe is 12 3/4 inches. Both have wall thicknesses of
3/16-inch and are sealed with welded-on end caps. Two
12 x 12-inch boxed flotation members will be spaced 13 feet
inward from the ends of the flotation pipes. In addition,
two 24 x 12-inch boxed flotation members are located at each
end of the float, both of which are installed on a 45-degree
slope to give "lift" to the float when being towed.
A two-foot upright barrier runs the length of the forward
14-inch pipe section. It is constructed with a steel frame and
12-gauge steel face. A rubber seal is attached to the lower
edge of this barrier to prevent any passage of an oil slick
between the 14-inch flotation pipe and the upright barrier.
The barrier itself is hinged to the pipe so it can be folded
to facilitate shipment or storage.
65
-------
Angling downward beneath the 14-inch flotation pipe is
a "slope sheet" that is five feet wide and 40 feet long.
It has a welded frame of 1 x 1 x 1/8 inch angle steel and
a skin-plate of 16-gauge steel. The entire assembly is
attached to the 14-inch pipe by hinges, which permit
folding for transport or storage, and is also sealed with
rubber belting at the point of contact with the flotation
pipe. It is suspended beneath the float at a 45-degree
angle by adjustable chains.
Running the length of the slope sheet at its low (undersea)
end is a 1 1/2 inch-diameter pipe manifold, drilled with a
total of 160 holes, each 1/8 inch in diameter and spaced on
three inch centers. From these holes, air is emitted to
escape upward along the slope sheet, thus giving a rolling
action to the water.
Air is supplied at 6-pounds pressure to each unit by means of
a 3 HP electric motor that drives a rotary compressor at
1,800 rpm. The compressor delivers 61 cfm of air to the mani-
fold, and by increasing the speed of the motor to 2,400 rpm,
can deliver 96 cfm. Motor and compressor are mounted on an
angle-iron frame in the center of float.
_ 66 _
-------
Electrical power at 440 volts is required to supply a series
of Dynamic Oil Boom units. This can be accomplished by a
diesel-powered generating unit aboard a service barge or tug.
Each 40-foot float unit is equipped with 1 inch pad eyes and 1-inch
shackles for coupling to another unit, thus enabling the boom
to be extended to any length. Wire straps may be used on the
backside connections in order to permit formation of a desired
arc around an oil slick.
Cost of this boom, which is presently not commercially available,
is estimated at $40 to $50 per foot.
Product brochure received January 197 0 from the Morrison-
Knudsen Company, Inc., Box 7808, Boise, Idaho 83707
67
-------
/ / // oOQ O
r / //o O°on
rV //o o o °
//o° o o
/AoOOO
//c rP°0
//oo0° 0
1 (W?° Q0n°/
^^°0°C0CoO
v^000^
JKS^oSo"
Figure 13
OSCARSEAL STEEL BOOM
68
-------
RED EEL OIL BOOM
The Red Eel Oil Boom, available from Trelleborg Rubber
Company, Inc., New Rochelle, New York, can be assembled
on site during oil spill incidents. Sections ready for
assembly include a 164-foot length of 23 1/2-inch wide
PVC (2-ply); shaped cellular plastic floats; plastic bags
for sinkers; seven battens for each 164-foot section; and
metal hank couplings to attach each section. Price for
each 164-foot section is quoted at $426.40, or $2.60 per
foot.
Information supplied by Trelleborg Rubber Company, Inc.,
P.O. Box 178, 225 Main Street, New Rochelle, New York, 10802,
March 1970
_ 69 _
-------
Figure 14 RED EEL BOOM
70
-------
RETAINER SEAWALL
A light and heavy duty oil containment system has been devel-
oped by Environmental Pollution Systems, Inc. The light duty
unit consists of two cells, while the heavy duty unit consists
of six cells, each made separately and then sealed together to
comprise one unit.
Each cell has a zipper top through which ballast and flotation
materials are placed. Two #6 grommets in the bottom of each
cell allow movement of water into the cell for additional ball-
ast .
A cell is approximately 11.6 cu. ft. Unit dimensions for the
light duty are 2 feet-4 inches wide by 6 feet-11 inches long by
28 inches deep; while the heavy duty unit is 6 feet-2 inches
wide. A skirt extends 28 inches below the bottom of the cell
giving an overall depth of 4 feet-8 inches. Minimum depth below
the water level is 32 inches, thus providing additional protec-
tion in rough seas. Skirt design gives a low center of gravity
acting as a stabilizer.
Units are hooked with quick connections to make a wall the
desired length. Also, in case of damage, replacement of a single
unit is facilitated. The upper and lower fins of each unit are
_ 71
-------
also connected to provide a positive seal for the entire length
of the seawall.
Patents are pending on the Retainer Seawall systems. Prices are
approximately $20.00 per foot for the light duty and $58.60 per
foot for the heavy duty unit, F.O.B. Victoria, Texas.
Product bulletins obtained in December 1969 from Environmental
Pollution Systems, Inc., 209 Profit Drive, Victoria, Texas 77901.
_ 72 _
-------
LIGHT DUTY UNIT
HEAVY DUTY UNIT
Figure 15
RETAINER SEAWALL
73
-------
SEA CURTAIN
Sea Curtain, manufactured by Kepner Plastics Fabricators, Inc.,
Torrance, California, is a relatively large plastic-rubberized
oil spill barrier consisting of an upper air or foam-filled
flotation chamber, and a lower-hanging skirt. The foam-filled
chamber consists of polystyrene beads enclosed in an inner
liner. The Sea Curtain is available in standard 20-foot lengths
and in four different sizes and types as follows:
Type A - Heavy-duty, off-shore, ocean service
boom with foam-filled float 20-inches
in diameter and with a 30-inch skirt
suspended below. Approximate price
is between $10 - $15 per foot.
Type B - Heavy-duty harbor and channel boom
with foam-filled float 12-inches in
diameter and with an 11-inch skirt
below. Approximate price is given
as $6 - $9 per foot.
Type C - An emergency service boom with lined-
inflatable float 19 inches in diameter
and a 32-inch skirt. Price range is
between $4 - $6 per foot.
Type D - Light-duty boom with 12-inch inflatable
float and an 11-inch skirt. Price range
is reported as $2 - $4 per foot.
The Sea Curtain is provided with ballast in the form of a
chain running through the bottom of the skirt. Recently,
_ 75 _
-------
Kepner Plastics has started design of booms containing
chain ballast on both sides of the skirt with up to
3/8-inch cable being used on the heavy-duty ocean boom.
It is possible to add chain ballast onto the offshore
boom until the unit weight approaches and even exceeds 10
pounds per running foot of boom. Extremely heavy ballast
may be best for severe offshore winds and waves, but until
additional data are secured, the company suggests for off-
shore booms that lesser amounts of ballast in the range of
5 to 7 pounds per foot be employed for ease in handling,
towing and installation. The Kepner heavy-duty offshore boom
weighs approximately two pounds per foot without ballast.
The offshore boom with heavy ballast is belived to be in
the cost range of $15 to $17 per foot.
Standard fittings at the ends of each section of the Sea Cur-
tain are reportedly similar to that provided on the Slickbar Boom
(given later in this report) although the company is known to
be developing new joints providing tighter and more secure
connections between sections. The foam-filled boom is apparently
- 76 -
-------
recommended by Kepner Plastics over the inflatable-type
curtain for durability and longer service upon open waters.
(1) "Study of Equipment and Methods for Removing Oil from
Harbor Waters", Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific
Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Washington 99352,
Report No. CR 70.001, prepared under Contract N 62399-69-C-0028
for the U.S. Department of the Navy, August 25, 1969.
(2) Product bulletins received from Kepner Plastics Fabricators,
Inc., Torrance, California 90510, 1969.
(3) Personal communication with Kepner Plastics Fabricators, Inc.,
Torrance, California 90510, July and September 1969.
_ 77 _
-------
HEAVY DUTY OCEAN SERVICE
FOAM FILLED FLOAT
HEAVY DUTY HARBOR & CHANNEL
SERVICE
FOAM FILLED FLOAT
COMPACT STORAGE FOR QUICK
EMERGENCY SERVICE
LINED INFLATABLE FLOAT
ECONOMY MODEL-FOR PROTECTED
HARBORS AND SIMILAR LIGHT
DUTY SERVICE
Figure 16
SEA CURTAIN
78
-------
SEA FENCE
The Sea Fence is an oil spill boom in the experimental-develop-
ment stage expected soon to be in commercial production by the
Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA). The Sea Curtain is made up
of rigid vertical sheets of aluminum held together by steel cable,
with foamed plastic material for flotation, and neoprene joints
providing a flexible seal between the aluminum panels. The boom
is fireproof and reportedly capable of being stored onto reels.
A prototype model has been tested. However, no further informa-
tion is currently available concerning the Sea Fence.
"Study of Equipment and Methods for Removing Oil From Harbor
Waters", Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific Northwest Labora-
tories, Richland, Washington 99352. Report No. CR 70.001,
prepared under Contract N 62399-69-C-0028 for the U. S. Depart-
ment of the Navy, August 25, 1969.
- 79 -
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SEALDBOOM
Sealdboom, manufactured by Uniroyal, Inc., Providence,
Rhode Island, is a thin-wall barrier made of nylon-rubber.
Closed-call polyethylene foam support floats provided on each
side of the curtain, are fully-enclosed within the barrier.
Vertical stiffeners, which are elastomer-coated spring
steel strips, are located 21 inches on center. Available
in 30-foot sections, the barrier provided 12-inch freeboard
and a 24-inch draft below the waterline.
The curtain is fabricated from "Paracril" coated nylon and
is reported to be abrasion-resistant and vulcanized similar
to an automobile tire for added strength. The boom, which
weighs 3.8 pounds per foot, uses lead weights, spaced 21
inches apart, for ballast. Cost of the Uniroyal barrier is
reported as $12.00 per foot.
Information received from Uniroyal, Inc. (U.S. Rubber),
Providence, Rhode Island, October 1969.
- 81 -
-------
rJ •'/?' -V //
Figure 17 SEALED BOOM
82
-------
SEA SKIRT
The system consists generally of lengths of inflatable tubing
provided with weighted skirts, the widths of which can be
changed as conditions require. The tube and integral skirt
sections can be stored on a reel in a deflated condition. When
needed, the units are inflated as they are being unreeled for
deployment into the water. Additional skirt sections can be
added during the unreeling and inflating step, or they can be
added later. Inflation to a pressure of 0.25 to 0.50 psi is
reportedly sufficient to provide buoyancy and still allow flex-
ibility to permit conformance with the water surface.
When deploying, three anchor points are utilized to form an
elongated diamond shape, with the long apex being in the down-
wind or leeward direction. A windward opening can be provided
to permit ingress and egress of boats. The windward apexes are
held relatively stable by anchor lines, but the leeward apex is
free-floating, so that it will not submerge and allow oil to
spill over. An oil collecting sump is attached to the leeward
apex to permit separation and pumping out of the oil. If the
wind direction changes appreciably, either the anchors can be
moved or the sump can be moved from one apex to another.
_ 83 _
-------
Under circumstances where the 12-inch inflated section is not
sufficient, due either to rough seas or a thick accumulation
of oil, it is possible to increase the height of the above water
barrier by pyramiding the inflated tube units.
No costs are available on this oil boom. This boom is manufac-
tured by Core Laboratories, Box 10185, Dallas, Texas 75201.
TOP VIEW
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INFLATABLE TUBE
(COATED FABRIC)
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SKIRT
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Figure 18 SEA SKIRT
News Release obtained in December 1969 from Lenen & Newell, Inc,
Advertising, Wyatt and Williams Division, 19th Floor LTV Tower,
Dallas, Texas 75201.
84
-------
6-12 BOOM
The 6-12 Boom, available from the Pioneer Products
Division, Worthington Corporation, Livingston, New Jersey,
is the same boom that is offered by Metropolitan Petroleum
Petrochemicals Co. (See Page 57).
In addition, Worthington also has available the "Acorn"
barrier, which has a flotation chamber of approximately
16 inches, and a skirt of approximately 15 inches. This
barrier, which is claimed to be applicable for open sea
conditions, weighs 4.4 pounds per foot.
Product bulletin received from Worthington Corporation, Pioneer
Products Division, P.O. Box 211, Livingston, New Jersey 07039,
1970
- 85 -
-------
CLOSED CELL POLYSTYRENE BEADS
FLOTATION MATERIAL ENCLOSED
IN VINYL ENVELOPE
FOR ADDED PROTECTION
TOUGH LAMINATED
SYNTHETIC FABRIC COVERING
CURTAIN DESIGNED TO ARREST c 1£>
AND CONTAIN SPILLED MATERIAL NgUre IY
6-12 BOOM
SOLID WEIGHTED KEELSON
TO INSURE VERTICAL
POSITION OF CURTAIN
86
-------
SLICKBAR OIL BOOMS
"Slickbar" booms are manufactured by Slickbar, Inc.,
Westport, Connecticut. They are composed of plastic floats
nine-feet long embedded into a plastic fin. The float is
additionally secured to the fin by stainless steel straps
and rivets at appropriate intervals on the fin. Lead-ballast
is riveted directly into the bottom edge of the fin, the
amount and spacing of ballast depending upon conditions
expected at the use site.
Slickbar booms are manufactured in 4 and 6-inch float diameter
sizes, and with fin (skirt) depths ranging from 6 to 24-inches
below the float. The booms are also reinforced with 1/4-inch
stainless steel cable running directly below the plastic
float the full length of the booms, and secured at the float
straps and end connectors. Twelve inches of plastic fin
abridge each 9-foot float section (6-inches at each end); thus,
extending the boom section to 10-feet and providing for a
continuous barrier when sections are connected.
Prices for the 4-inch boom, with varying ballast weights, and
fin depths from 6 to 18-inches, range from $3.85 to $6.80 per
- 87 -
-------
foot. Total system weights for the 4-inch boom vary from
0.74 to 1.77 pounds per foot depending upon the particular
boom desired. Prices for the 6-inch boom, with varying
ballast weights and fin depths from 6 to 24-inches, range
from $5.25 to $12.25 per foot. Total system weights for
the 6-inch boom vary from 0.90 to around 3.6 pounds per foot.
Slickbar, Inc. has indicated that their existing oil booms
are principally intended for use in harbor areas. A larger
and somewhat heavier boom with an 8-inch float, for appli-
cation in estuarine and offshore waters, is expected to be
in production soon.
foam ~""r
(1) Product bulletins received from Slickbar, Inc., Westport,
Connecticut, 06880, September 1969.
(2) Personal communciation with Slickbar, Inc., September 1969.
88
1/4" CABLE
PLASTIC SKIRT
LEAD BALLAST WEIGHTS
END PLATE
Figure 20 SLICKBAR BOOM
-------
SOS BOOMS (SWEDEN)
"SOS Booms", manufactured in Sweden and distributed in
the United States, are available in two types: the inflatable
emergency boom and the permanent boom of glass-fiber rein-
forced polyester.
The inflatable emergency boom, suggested for temporary or
intermediate use, consists of a circular float section 6-inches
in diameter made of PVC plastic, a 14-inch skirt extending
downward from the float, and chain ballast provided in the
bottom hem of the skirt. This bottom chain is also used in
towing the boom. The SOS emergency boom is manufactured in
standard lengths of approximately 80 feet. Adjacent sections
are joined by vertically-slit rigid PVC tubes and hooks for
linking the respective ballast chains.
Xt is reported that the inflatable emergency boom retains air
for long periods of time and that these booms have been in the
water for more than two months without need for refilling.
The boom may be inflated by means of a motor-driven air com-
pressor, compressed air bottles, etc. Equipment is also
available for simultaneously inflating more than one section
of the boom at a time. A standard 80-foot length of inflatable
- 89 -
-------
emergency boom weighs approximately 29 pounds (unit weight
of 0.4 pounds per foot) and had a purchase price in 1967 of
$350, East Coast U.S. (i.e., $4.40 per foot).
The SOS permanent boom consists of a 7-inch diameter fiber-
glass tube filled with urethane foam. Attached to the flota-
tion tube is a nylon-reinforced PVC-coated skirt 18-inches
in depth. The SOS permanent boom, available in 10-foot
sections, comes equipped with chain ballast fitted into the
bottom edge of the skirt. A price of $16.50 per foot,
delivered East Coast, U. S., has been reported.
(1) "Study of Equipment and Methods for Removing Oil From
Harbor Waters", Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific
Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Washington 99352.
Report No. CR 70.001 prepared under Contract N 62399-69-C-
0028 for the U. S. Department of the Navy, August 25, 1969.
(2) Product bulletins supplied by Surface Separator Systems, Inc.,
Baltimore, Maryland 21233, 1968 (products manufactured by
Skandinavisk Oljeservice AB, Goteborg, Sweden)
(3) Copy of letters of correspondence from Surface Separator
Systems, Inc., to Maryland Port Authority, April 1967.
- 90 -
-------
Figure 21 SOS BOOMS
91
-------
TRANSATLANTIC PLASTICS BOOM
A plastic-filled boom has been developed by Transatlantic
Plastics Ltd. It is basically a flat tube divided longi-
tudinally into a continuous, plastic-filled buoyancy bag,
and a series of ballast-filled compartments trailing 30
inches under the surface. A plastic straining rope is
welded to the length of the boom. Booms made of BXL poly-
ethylene or heavy-gauge flexible PVC have been used already.
"Combating Oil Pollution", Pstroleum Times, 71:620, 625-628,
April 28, 1967.
-------
T-T OIL BOOM (NORWAY)
The "T-T" boom is a reasonably-deep plastic rubberized
curtain maintained in the vertical position by bottom1 ballast
and floated by means of many individual plastic floats spaced
at close intervals attached to both sides of the curtain. The
canvas curtain, made of PVC plastic pressed from both sides
into nylon cloth, floats in the water with approximately
one-foot freeboard and two-feet submersible depth.
Two types of T-T booms are available and different only in
the spacing of the plastic floats. The Type 1-98 has floats
spaced 3-feet, 4-inches, whereas the Type 2-160 has floats
spaced every 2 feet on the curtain. The T-T boom is manu-
factured in standard lengths of 164-feet (50 meters), is
3-feet deep, and weighs approximately 220 pounds per standard
length.
The foam plastic floats are firmly attached by hooks and straps
on each side of the curtain. Aluminum rods are sewn into the
canvas across the width of the boom (i.e., standing struts) to
enable vertical stability of the boom. Lead weights are per-
manently fixed at appropriate intervals on the lower edge of the
- 95 -
-------
boom, and increased ballast may be provided by chain
threaded through eyelets on the bottom of the curtain ex-
tending the full length of the boom. The T-T boom is
reportedly highly-flexible in the longitudinal direction,
and, by means of terylene rope lines running through brass
rings fixed on both top and bottom edges of the curtain,
the boom can be easily contracted in accordian-like fashion
to reduce the encircled area of an oil spill. Tensile strength
of the nylon-plastic cloth is reported around 300 pounds per
inch. Sections are interconnected by a two-foot overlap of
the canvas and appropriate hooks and tie-lines. After use,
a standard section may be folded and stored into a 3 foot
by 4 foot area.
When the T-T boom is used in towing and for sweeping a sea
surface, the ends of the boom may be equipped with "paravanes"
for greater stability and ease in handling the boom. The
paravanes, made of aluminum, are designed with stable-keel
and steering ropes. A pair of paravanes weighs approximately
220 pounds.
- 96 -
-------
Purchase costs for a standard section (164-feet) of T-T
boom were reported in May 1969 as $1,110 for the Type 1-08
(i.e., $6.77 per foot), delivered to the East Coast, U.S.;
and $1,325 for the Type 2-160 (i.e., $8.08 per foot). A
pair of aluminum paravanes were quoted at $720 and Magnet
clamps (pair) for attachment of booms to vessels, etc.
(weighing 55 pounds) were quoted at $376.
(1) Product bulletin received from Hurum Shipping and Trading
Company, Ltd., Montreal, Canada, March 1969 and May 1969.
(2) Personal communication with Hurum Shipping and Trading
Company, Ltd., Montreal, Canada, September 1969.
- 97 -
-------
ALUMINUM BAR
STIFFENER
FOAM-PLASTIC FLOAT
TERYLENE LINE
PLASTIC SKIRT
LEAD BALLAST
T-T BOOM
Figure 22
T-T BOOM
98
-------
WARNE BOOMS (GREAT BRITAIN)
Warne Booms are manufactured by William Warne and Co., Ltd.,
England, and distributed in the United States by Surface
Separator Systems, Inc. of Baltimore, Maryland.
The Warne Booms are heavy-duty booms made of fabric-reinforced
synthetic rubber and consisting of an inflatable or plastic
filled flotation tube, fabric skirt, and pocket at the bottom
edge of the skirt for enclosing chain ballast. Four types
of Warne Booms are currently available:
1. Rising and Sinking Boom (Type Z)
2. Inflatable Oil Spillage Boom (Type Y)
3. Polythene Tube-Filled Boom (Type T)
Foam-Filled Boom (Type F)
The Rising and Sinking Boom (Type Z) is primarily intended for
permanent installation at off-load and on-load terminal
facilities and cutout berths where there is heavy vessel
traffic. This boom has an 8-inch diameter inflatable chamber,
20-inch skirt and 3-inch tube at the bottom of the curtain
for containing chain ballast. Standard sections are 25-feet
and 50-feet long, and adjacent sections are connected by
- 99 -
-------
pin-hinge joints. A permanent air supply is required for
this installation. An air line runs the full length of the
boom and release valves are incorporated into each boom
section to avoid over-pressurizing. Although the main line
air pressure is maintained around 40 psi, the pressure within
the flotation chamber approximates only 1.5 psi. Prices recently
quoted for the Type Z boom are $440 for the 25-foot length
and $750 for the 50-foot length (i.e., $15.00 to $17.40 per
foot).
The Inflatable Oil Spillage Boom (Type Y) is similar to the
Rising and Sinking Boom. Whereas this boom is available with
either an 8 or 16-inch diameter flotation chamber — the skirt,
the 3-inch weighing tube, and other appurtenances and connections
are identical to those employed for the Type Z boom above.
The inflatable barriers may be rolled-up when not in use, or
the hinged joints permit the boom to be folded concertina-wise
in an enclosed area of the harbor away from vessel traffic.
Spring-loaded non-return air valves connecting adjoining
sections of the boom ensure that the entire length of barrier
will not lose buoyancy if one section fails; yet the same air
system permits the complete boom to be inflated from a common
point.
- 100 -
-------
The inflatable Warne Booms have been used for controlling
the spread of petroleum fires, and in some cases, water hoses
have been added across the top of the boom making it possible
to spray a water curtain over the entire length of the barrier.
Recent price quotations for the Type Y Warne Boom are given'
as follows: 8-inch float, 25-ft. section - $445; 8-inch float,
50-ft. section - $755; 16-inch float, 25-ft. section - $585;
16-inch float, 50-ft. section - $940. The above price range
is $15.10 to $23.40 per foot.
The Polythene Tube-Filled Boom (Type T) is different from the
inflatable booms in that the flotation chamber is tightly filled
with 2-inch diameter polythene ~ubes which are sealed or
crimped at 2-ft. intervals and at the ends of the boom section.
The Type T boom is intended for use in strong tidal conditions
and rough waters. The Type T boom is similar in outer con-
figuration, but reportedly more flexible and durable than the
inflatable barriers. The polythene tube-filled boom, con-
structed of synthetic rubber and reinforced with plastic fabric,
has a 20-inch weighted skirt and is available with either
8 or 16-inch flotation chambers and in standard lengths of
25 and 50 feet. Because of the nature of the Type T boom,
it is less vulnerable to failure than inflatable booms used
- 101 -
-------
under the same conditions. This boom is relatively ex-
pensive and latest prices for East Coast, U.S. delivery
are as follows: 8-inch float, 25-ft. section - $595;
8-inch float, 50-ft. section - $975; 16-inch float, 25-ft.
section - $900; 16-inch float, 50-ft. section - $1,525.
The above price range is $19.50 to $36.00 per foot.
Except for the differences in the type of flotation chamber,
the neoprene-coated, plastic foam-filled boom (Type F), is
essentially the same, including its application potential,
as the Type T Boom. Prices for this boom are in the same
general area as the Type T barrier.
The Warne booms are relatively heavy and their unit weights
are in the range of 6.0 to 8.5 pounds per foot. The majority
of weight is centered in the 5/8-inch chain ballast inserted
in the bottom of the curtain of most booms. This chain has
a unit weight of 4.3 pounds per foot.
The company also specifies that any type of boom must
receive proper and continuous maintenance to operate
satisfactorily over long periods, and for its permanent
installation, the company recommends weekly inspection and
- 102 -
-------
servicing if necessary. If an oil boom is held within
the water for considerable time, maintenance and routine
cleaning of the boom become very important. Without
cleaning, it has been shown that accumulated marine growths
can greatly limit the effectiveness of a boom, besides
causing serious damage to the boom itself.
(1) Personal communication with Surface Separator Systems, Inc.,
Baltimore, Maryland 21233, October 1969.
(2) Product bulletins of Warne and Co., Ltd., England, received
from Surface Separator Systems, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland
21233, 1968.
(3) Product bulletins received from Surface Separator Systems, Inc.,
Baltimore, Maryland 21233, 1968.
(4) "Floating Oil Spill Booms - Their Use for Counteracting
Spillages", Dock & Harbor Authority, Vol. 42, No. 498,
April, 1962.
(5) "Removal of Oil from Harbor Waters", Scott, A. L. and
Gifford, S. E., Technical Note N-964, Naval Civil Engineering
Laboratory, Port Hueneme, California 93041, February 1968.
(6) "Containing and Removing of Oil Spillage from Water Surfaces",
Cornelessin, J., MPD Division, Paper C-9, Pollution Abatement
Conference, The Hague, 1963.
(7) "Oil Spillage Booms", Petroleum Times, 69, No. 1775, August
20, 1965.
(8) Inter-Office Memo by U. S. Corps of Engineers, Hydraulic
Design Branch, August 3, 1967.
(9) "Study of Equipment and Methods for Removing Oil from Harbor
Waters", Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific Northwest
Laboratories, Report No. CR 70.001 Prepared under Contract
N 62399-69-C-0028 for the U. S. Department of the Navy,
Richland, Washington 99352, August 25, 1969.
- 103 -
-------
16" DIAMETER TUBE ,6" DIAMETER TUBE
POLYTHENE TUBES
SEALED AT 2' INTERVALS
20" SKIRT
RUBBER TUBE & SKIRT
REINFORCED WITH
SYNTHETIC FABRIC
CHAIN POCKET
TYPE T
WATERTIGHT
2' LONG FOAM SECTIONS
SEALED WITH NEOPRENE
SYNTHETIC RUBBER
20" SKIRT
RUBBER TUBE & SKIRT
REINFORCED WITH
SYNTHETIC FABRIC
TYPE
CHAIN POCKET
Figure 23
WARNE BOOMS
AIR, FOAM, OR
TUBE FILLED
OR 16
WATERLINE
NEOPRENE TUBES
AND SKIRT
REINFORCED WITH
SYNTHETIC FABRICS
20" SKIRT
TUBE FOR BALLAST CHAIN
104
-------
WATER POLLUTION CONTROLS BOOM
Water Pollution Controls, Inc. has developed a 48-inch diameter
inflatable device which is stored as a thin plastic "ribbon",
attached on a reel, and designed for compact stowage on ships,
helicopters and drilling rigs. The boom can be retrieved after
use and eliminates the need for skirt attachment.
Deployment around the spill periphery is made from a helicopter
or small craft using a reel to unload an evacuated ribbon from an
anchored and marked point of beginning. The purpose of stringing
the material flat is to make possible the accommodation of sever-
al thousand feet of containment equipment on a spool of reasonable
diameter and weight. After making turns for a closure back to the
original point (around buoyant floats), inflation of the evacuated
tube begins at a single point into a valve.
Inflation of the ribbon is accomplished by use of a small pump
discharging through a venturi, taking sea water into its suction,
and air into the venturi inlet. Gauges provide the unit volume
ratio (air to water) desired to meet the sea condition and deter-
mine what portion of the tube will serve as the underflow skirt
or surface trap.
- 105 -
-------
This design eliminates the need for a skirt attachment. Infla-
tion of 4,000 linear feet of 48-inch diameter tubing reportedly
can be accomplished in approximately 30 minutes, with a pump
delivering a one-to-one air to water ratio through the venturi.
The tubing can be modular, and therefore, is capable of being
expanded or contracted as need requires. After the oil has been
removed and the need for containment is over, the ribbon can be
retrieved.
The patent is pending on this containment device.
Product bulletin received in December 1969 from Water Pollution
Controls, Inc., 2035 Lemoine Avenue, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07 024.
- 106 -
-------
MULTIPURPOSE BOOMS
- 107 -
-------
SUMMARY TABLE
MULTIPURPOSE BOOMS
Boom
Stage of Development
Cost $/Ft.
Manufacturer
1. ICI Oil Absorbing Boom
Roscoff Heavy and Light-
weight Booms
In Production
Used at Torrey Canyon Spill
$6.75 - 7.45
Unknown
ICI Fibres Ltd.
Harrogate
Yorkshire, England
Marine Biological
Laboratory
Roscoff
North Brittany, France
3. Sea Ser pen L
4. Skimmer Boom
Under Development
Patent Pending
Unknown
Unknown
Johns-Manville Co.
22 East 40th Street
New York, New York 10016
E. P. Hall
FWPCA
Washington, D.C. 20242
- 109 -
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ICI OIL ABSORBING BOOM (GREAT BRITAIN)
The ICI boom, fabricated by ICI Fibres, Ltd., Yorkshire,
England, has been designed to serve both an oil spill
barrier and absorbent boom for collecting floating oils.
The main feature of the ICI boom is the heavy oil-absorbing
skirt or curtain, which consists of a 2-foot wide quilt of
polypropylene fibre wrapped within "ulstron" polypropylene
netting, and mounted on a "spunstron" polypropylene support
rope. The boom (and skirt) is fitted with alternative floats
depending upon site conditions; otherwise the polypropylene
quilted skirt may be used without floats for absorbing oils
in quiet waters. It is reported the skirt can absorb oils
upwards of six times its own weight.
The skirt is made up in individual sections 25-feet long.
The fibrous polypropylene is loosely packed in the netting
amounting to about 7 pounds absorbent material per running
foot of the boom. The netting is oversewn with synthetic twine
at 18-inch intervals to form pockets of fiber and give the
appearance of a large quilted blanket. By itself, the poly-
propylene quilt will float on water, but it is normal practice
- Ill -
-------
to provide chain ballast on the skirt of one pound per foot
or greater. The polypropylene skirt, 2-feet deep by
approximately 3-inches thick, is supported on the polypro-
pylene "spunstron" headrope, which is one-inch in diameter
and has a minimum breaking strength of 7.5 tons.
Various floats suggested for the ICI polypropylene skirt
include:
1. Polyethylene or propathane semi-rigid tubing
having one-quarter inch wall. This tubing is'
heat-sealed on the ends and adjacent lengths
are attached by flexible couplings. The float
is attached to the headrope on the polypropylene
skirt by straps wound around the circumference
of the float. This type of float is reported'
relatively durable and can withstand a high
degree of abrasion.
2. Twelve-inch diameter spiral-reinforced flexible
ducting produced from PVC-coated nylon fabric.
The ducting is filled with polystyrene and
attached to the skirt headrope by grommetted
flaps on the ducting.
- 112 -
-------
3. Polyurethane coated nylon fabric containing
an inflatable inner tube made of PVC with
independent inflation nozzles. This type of
float is provided with flanges for attachment
to the skirt headrope and/or secured by straps
around the float and headrope.
The above floats are provided in standard lengths varying
from 20 to 150-feet. Sections of polypropylene skirt are
linked by eye splices and shackles on the headrope, together
with twine interlacing between the skirts. Total weight of
the ICI oil absorbing boom is in the range of 7.5 - 9.0
pounds per foot. Price quotations were given in 1967 as
$4.70 per foot for the polypropylene skirt alone, and
$6.75 - $7.45 per foot for the complete boom assembly in-
cluding one of the three alternative floats described above.
(1) "Cleaning up the Oil", Paper published in Petroleum
Magazine; however volume, numbers and date of this
article are not known.
(2) "New Boom Absorbs Oil", Chemistry and Industry, p. 632,
April 22, 1967 .
(3) General information release, ICI Fibres Ltd., Harrogate,
Yorkshire, England.
- 113 -
-------
ROSCOFF HEAVY AND LIGHT-WEIGHT BOOMS (FRANCE)
Of the large mass of oil which escaped from the Torrey Canyon
in March 1967, part of it in weathered form or in the highly-
emulsified chocolate mousse form, finally reached the coast
of North Brittany, France, between Roscoff and the lie de Batz
around mid to late April 1967. The Marine Biological Laboratory
at Roscoff provided considerable assistance in shoreline de-
fense, particularly in design and construction of oil spill
barriers. Two types of booms developed for use during this
period are described below.
The first of these was a heavy boom comprised of blocks of
expanded polyurethane (6.5 ft. by 1 ft. by 1 ft.) surrounded
by great amounts of straw and overwrapped by a parcel of
rubber sheeting 39 feet long. The exterior of the boom was
covered by 0.3-inch mesh seine netting and a 24-inch ballasted
skirt was suspended from the boom. The barrier was strengthened
by 1/4-inch nylon rope encircling the boom at 20-inch intervals
and by a 1/2-inch nylon rope running the length of the boom.
The ends of adjacent sections of boom were overlapped 3-6
feet and firmly bound together by 1/2-inch ropes. The heavy
boom has reasonably good flotation and provides 8-12 inches
- 115 -
-------
freeboard above water. However, the weight and bulkiness
of this boom created problems in handling and deployment.
It was reported that sections of heavy boom, 330 feet long
and 2.3 feet in diameter, have an approximate weight of
7,000 pounds and require at least 100 men to lift these
sections onto the shore. It was also found the net wrap-
ping was not strong enough to withstand abrasion from the
shore bottom. Further problems were encountered in attempts
to moor the boom against the strong tidal current mainly
because anchor blocks were too light and there was an insuf-
ficient supply on hand. Subsequent change was made in the
above boom whereby the sections were reduced to 93 feet in
length, weighing 2,400 pounds, and the boom was covered by
double-woven jute sacking to increase its strength against
tearing.
The light boom was a smaller version of the boom described
above with the purpose of being deployed in more confined
areas and for combating superficial films of oil or small
patches remaining after the large oil masses had passed. The
expanded polyurethane blocks were of smaller size around 20-inches
by 6-inches by 4-inches, lesser quantities of straw were used,
- 116 -
-------
and the boom sections were reduced to 93 feet in length
with an approximate diameter of 8 inches. The small
barrier was strengthened by 1/4-inch sisal rope encircling
the boom at 12 - 16 inch intervals and longitudinal pull
was taken by 1/2-inch nylon rope. The boom was covered
with jute sacking and a short skirt was attached and also
made of jute. The buoyancy of the small boom was relatively
good, but this boom provided only 2 inches freeboard, thereby
limiting its use to calm waters. Despite reduction in size,
it was found for proper mooring, this boom required 90 - 220
pound anchors every 15 - 16 feet.
Other observations were made concerning both types of booms.
Straw was used in construction of the booms because of low
cost, availability and adsorptive properties. The chocolate
mousse emulsion was reportedly broken down by the hydrophobic
properties of the straw causing the oils to agglutinate. The
boom skirts made of netting and subsequently weighed, were
found effective in strong currents only if liberal amounts of
straw were spread on the waters directly in front of the boom
before arrival of the oil slick. Although the heavy boom appeared
- 117 -
-------
capable of giving good protection against moderate oil
slicks, a better system of mooring is advised. This boom,
in offering considerable resistance against strong waves
and currents, requires great weight in anchoring. It was
also reported that in bad weather both booms "suffered",
presumably due to the battering action of strong waves
and currents.
"How Roscoff Won the Torrey Canyon Battle", Cabioch, L. and
Lacassagne, M., The Dock Harbour Authority, Vol. I, No. 583,
May 1969.
- 118 -
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SEA SERPENT
"Sea Serpent" is an absorbent product currently in the
final testing phases by the Johns-Manville Company. The
product may be described as sausages or bundles of oil-
absorbent material contained in a polypropylene mesh
netting. The sausages may be tied together into the form
of an oil boom or applied in discrete bundles onto an
oily-water surface and later retrieved.
The absorbent material is a preprocessed rayon fiber in
a polypropylene rayon fiber. The manufacturer reports the
fiber will absorb approximately 6-16 times its own weight
in crude oil. If so desired, the oil-saturated bundles may
be incinerated, and manufacturing objectives indicate com-
plete combustion is possible. The absorbent sausage, when
commercially made available, will likely have an approxi-
mate size of 8-feet long by 16-inches in diameter and weigh
about 30 pounds per section. A nylon or plastic-type rope
is strung through the sausages to couple the units together
for towing purposes or for stringing an oil boom.
Information received from Johns-Manville Company, Manville,
New Jersey 08835, 1969.
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Figure 24 SEA SERPENT
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SKIMMER BOOM
The Skimmer Boom is a concept described in a patent
application whereby a skimming trough is embodied as an
integral function within a floating boom for the purpose
of containing and collecting floating oil. It is envisioned
the collected oils or oily-water mixtures are subsequently
conveyed to recovery facilities for eventual disposal and/or
reuse.
The Skimmer Boom provides three functions: a skimming tube
or section for oil capture; a flotation section to properly
float the boom on the water; and a weight section to provide
integrity and stability of the boom.
The skimming section of the boom allows for entry of floating
oils through a series of slots, over a weir, or other means,
into the trough or skimming tube. The floating section is
specified as being filled with air, cellular material or other
appropriate means. The patent description indicates that
the size and shape of the skimmer slots, and the flotation
and weighting materials may be varied into a wide range of
configurations without altering the basic concept.
Report of Invention on Skimming Boom for Floating Oil, Hall, E.P.,
Radamacher, J.M., and Biglane, K.E., U. S. Department of the
Interior, FWPCA, December 15, 1967.
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COLLECTION TROUGH
WEIGHT SECTION
FLOTATION SECTION
WATER FLOW DIRECTION
BOOM SECTIONS
CONNECTED TO FORM BOOM
OIL FREE WATER
DISPOSAL POND
FLOATING OIL
Figure 25
SKIMMER BOOM
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IMPROVISED BOOMS
i
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1
2
3
k
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
SUMMARY TABLE
IMPROVISED BOOMS
Type of Boom
Location Where it was Used
Cork-Filled Boom
Norfolk, Virginia
Cork-Float Boom
Port Hueneme, California
Fire Hose Boom
Quiescent Waters
Puerto Rican Boom
Ocean Eagle Oil Spill
Rubber Bladder Boom
Helford River, Great Britain
Rubber Tire Boom
Torrey Canyon Oil Spill
Steel Pipe Boom
U . S. Navy Boom
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Long Beach, California;
Chevron Spill, 197 0
Wooden Float Boom
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Wooden Timber Boom
Quiescent Waters
Wooden V-Boom
Peros Gyiroc, France
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CORK FILLED BOOM
The U. S. Navy facilities at Norfolk, Virginia have
employed a homemade boom of granular cork enclosed
within 6-inch diameter neoprene fabric tubing. The
flotation cylinder is attached to a 2-inch submersible
skirt with sufficient ballast affixed to the skirt.
Standard sections are 10-feet long and the boom is reported
easy to handle and clean. Although the Norfolk cork-
filled boom is relatively stiff, it functions suitably in
certain harbor waters. No further information is available
concerning this boom.
"Removal of Oil From Harbor Waters", Scott, A. L. and
Gifford, S. E., Technical Note N-964, Naval Civil Engineering
Laboratory, Port Hueneme, California, February 1968.
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Figure 26 POLYVINYL COVERED 6-INCH DIAMETER CORK FLOAT BOOM
ON 8-FOOT DIAMETER REEL
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CORK FLOAT BOOMS
A U.S. Navy report indicates that cork float booms are
used for combating oil spills in harbors and other pro-
tected areas. One type of cork float boom is made up of
a series of cork discs 6-inches in diameter by 2-inches
thick, and 3-inches in diameter by 1-inch thick, strung
alternately onto a 3/8-inch diameter cable. The cable
may be made of polyvinyl-coated steel or bronze. The
cork floats are then suitably enclosed inside a polyvinyl
or canvas cover. On occasion the cover is perforated to
permit water to enter and cause the boom to float lower
in the water. This type of boom is available in 50-foot
sections and normally is unskirted.
The cork float boom is adaptable for being rolled onto
large reels for storage and transportation. For use in
somewhat rougher waters, a one-piece polyvinyl (presumably
slip-on) cover and skirt is also available. The flexibility
of the cork float boom reportedly permits the boom to follow
the water profile very closely. Nevertheless, the absence
of a skirt would cause loss of oil under the boom even.in
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relatively quiescent waters and a submersible curtain is
advised.
These booms are reported quite durable, easily cleaned
and handled especially when powered reels are employed.
Estimated costs for the above cork float boom is around
$6 per foot.
"Removal of Oil From Harbor Waters", Scott, A. L. and
Gifford, S. E., Technical Note N-964, Naval Civil Engineering
Laboratory, Port Hueneme, California, February, 1968.
- 130 -
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Figure 27 SIX-INCH DIAMETER CORK BOOM
SHOWING ARRANGEMENT OF FLOATS TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY
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FIRE HOSE BOOM
Readily-available fire hose inflated for use as an oil
boom has been deployed in many port and harbor areas
for containing oil spills. The normal couplings are
removed from the hose and replaced with plastic or
aluminum inserts for connecting the various lengths of
hose. Metal caps and air valve fittings are provided
on the ends of the hose, and the sections are then in-
flated with air.
This type of boom is reported easy to tow and clean.
Afterwards, the sections are deflated and rolled up for
compact storage. Because of its relative stiffness and
small diameter, floating oils will sweep over and under
this boom when the water surface is other than calm.
The fire hose has limited use.
"Removal of Oil From Harbor Waters", Scott, A. L. and
Gifford, S. E., Technical Note N-964, Naval Civil Engiut-s r ¦ ,
Laboratory, Port Hueneme, California 93041, February 196S
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PUERTO RICAN BOOM
A large floating boom was fabricated by the Puerto Rico
Department of Public Works following the sinking of the
"Ocean Eagle" in the entrance to San Juan Harbor on
March 3, 1968. Two 55-gallon drums were firmly secured
onto each side of 4-foot by 8-foot sections of 5/8-inch
marine plywood. A canvas curtain was then attached to the
bottom edge of the plywood extending 40-inches below the
boom and a 1 1/2-inch steel rod was inserted in the curtain
serving as ballast. Heavy canvas was also provided between
successive sections of plywood to seal the sections and
a heavy steel cable was strung continuously and fastened
across the uppermost part of the plywood sections for
longitudinal strength in the boom. In many respects, this
boom is quite similar to the U. S. Navy - Long Beach
(California) boom described elsewhere in this report.
A total of 588-feet of continuous boom was fabricated and
subsequently placed in the harbor waters on March 20, 1968.
However, by this time it was reported the oil pollution
problem had materially subsided.
(1) Preliminary Report of March 13-21, 1968 concerning the
Ocean Eagle Tanker, San Juan, Puerto Rico, unpublished,
FWPCA, Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, Georgia, 1968.
(2) Trip Report of April 2, 1968 concerning the Ocean Eagle
Tanker, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Inter-Office Memo, FWPCA,
Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, Georgia, 1968.
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RUBBER BLADDER BOOM (GREAT BRITAIN)
Following the Torrey Canyon, a rubberized-bladder oil
boom was tested at the mouth of the Helford River in
Great Britain. This boom consisted of a number of
rubber bladders approximately 18-inches in diameter by
15-feet long fastened together by ropes and anchored at
the ends of the sections. The bladders were filled with
air for flotation. Whereas no actual data were available,
it appeared that the boom would be adaptable only for
quiescent waters. Indication was given that short period
waves of 2 feet or more and excessive water current could
cause the boom to break or otherwise cause floating oils
to be carried under the boom.
Inter-Office Memo by U. S. Corps of Engineers, Hydraulic
Design Branch, August 3, 1967.
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RUBBER TIRE BOOM (FRANCE)
During the Torrey Canyon, the Roscoff Laboratories in
North Brittany, France also conceived a boom system con-
sisting of abundant amounts of foam plastic wrapped with
straw and burlap encased in used automobile tires on both
sides and around the bottom of the boom. The tires served
to protect the burlap covering and to reduce waves splashing
over the top of the boom. It was also visualized that fish
netting would be suspended from the bottom tires to give
proper depth to the boom. The rubber tire boom was to be
anchored with 80 pound weights spaced at 20-meters along
the barrier and with anchors weighing one ton each spaced
every 100-meters. There is no information to indicate
whether this boom was fabricated and eventually used.
Inter-Office Memo by U. S. Corps of Engineers, Hydraulic
Design Branch, August 3, 1967.
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STEEL PIPE BOOM
A make-shift steel pipe boom has been used across the
mouth of a river in the Philadelphia area serving as both
an oil and debris barrier. The boom is made up of a con-
tinuous length of 8-inch pipe about 80-feet long welded
shut on both ends. One end has a horizontal ring which
encircles a pile and the boom rides up and down the pile
as the tide varies. The other end has a cable loop which
allows the gate to be opened and vessels to pass through.
The steel pipe boom used mainly as a debris barrier is
reported relatively inexpensive, durable, and maintenance-
free. As an oil boom, this device would appear effective
only for quiet water conditions.
"Removal of Oil From Harbor Waters", Scott, A. L. and
Gifford, S. E., Technical Note N-964, Naval Civil Engineering
Laboratory, Port Hueneme, California 93041, February 1968.
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U. S. NAVY - LONG BEACH (CALIFORNIA) BOOM
The U. S. Navy at their Naval Shipyard in Long Beach,
California, has fabricated and tested a sturdy oil boom
made up of heavy plywood sections (serving as the vertical
curtain) supported and floated by a series of 55-gallon
drums strapped to both sides of the plywood sections along
the full length of the boom.
The individual boom units consist of 4-foot by 8-foot ply-
wood sheets (4 ft. vertically and 8 ft. horizontally) onto
which four 55-gallon drums are strapped - two drums on each
side. The individual units are joined together with two
sheets of nylon cloth impregnated with vinyl ("Fasilon").
This nylon cloth is also used for the bottom skirt. Half-inch
wire ropes are firmly attached to the outer periphery of each
drum and the painters run the full length of the boom on both
sides of the barrier. These wire guides provide suitable
tensile strength in towing and mooring the boom, particuarly
in relieving stress and tear in the nylon-vinyl end connections.
The 24-inch bottom skirt is weighted or ballasted with approxi-
mately 50 pounds of sand or scrap material per 8-foot section.
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A five-unit boom section received extensive testing by
the U. S. Navy including towing trials to determine
strength and stability of the boom. According to the
U. S. Navy, the boom remained in a vertical position de-
spite reasonably high-towing speeds and the freeboard
was never less than two-feet. When a sharp turn was exe-
cuted with the boom, it did tip but returned to the normal
position when the turn was completed. The tests demon-
strated that the boom section followed the wave contours
quite well with good performance under simulated storm
conditions. Waves were generated by a tow boat running
close to the boom at high speeds.
In another series of tests, the U. S. Navy towed a 320-foot
section of boom beyond the outer breakwater and moored the
section to mine buoys in place. The boom section was judged
by the U. S. Navy as giving good performance and did not fail
during a seven-day period moored at sea over which time at
least two storms passed through the area.
Chevron Oil Company constructed this boom during the Louisiana
platform fire and oil spill in February 1970. It was observed
by FWQA representatives on scene that this boom performed
relatively well.
Letter, technical data and photographs provided by U. S.
Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Command, April 1969.
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55 GAL. DRUMS
3/4" PLYWOOD
1/2" WIRE ROPE
BALLAST FILLED PLASTIC SKIRT
"NAVY" BOOU
Figure 28
NAVY BOOM
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WOODEN FLOAT BOOM
A wooden float boom has been previously used in Pearl
Harbor. It consists of short compact hollow wooden
floats 6-inches square by 36-inches long, interconnected
by heavy waterproof canvas held onto the ends of the
floats by 1/8-inch copper wire. The wooden floats are
made from 1 1/4-inch redwood (often scrap lumber),
grooved and nailed together, with a cap plug at each
end of the float to give additional buoyancy. Several
of these booms are used alternately so that the wood
may dry adequately between uses, thereby minimizing damage
by marine growths. The wooden float boom is reported
relatively inexpensive, light-weight and easily deployed.
"Removal of Oil From Harbor Waters", Scott, A. L. and
Gifford, S. E., Technical Note N-964, Naval Civil Engineering
Laboratory, Port Hueneme, California 93041, February 1968.
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Figure 29 PEARL HARBOR WOOD FLOAT BOOM
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WOODEN TIMBER BOOMS
Wooden timber booms may be assembled by joining together
used wooden timbers or telephone poles end-to-end, and
wrapping the ends with heavy canvas, burlap or other
suitable material to preclude oil leakage between the
joints. To provide increased strength and integrity over
a long wooden boom, a steel cable is strung continuously
over the length of the boom and fastened to each wooden
section at two or more points.
Advantages of the wooden timber booms are their relative
simplicity and comparatively low cost. Because of its
rigidity, the timber boom will not closely follow the con-
tour of a water surface, which is subject to wind and
wave action. Therefore, the timber boom is considered only
appropriate in relatively quiet waters.
"Study of Equipment and Methods for Removing Oil From Harbor
Waters", Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific Northwest
Laboratories, Richland, Washington 99352. Report No. CR 70.001
prepared under Contract N 62399-69-C-0028 for the U. S.
Department of the Navy, August 25, 1969.
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WOODEN V-BOOM (FRANCE)
In attempts to preclude large amounts of crude oil from
the Torrey Canyon flowing into the harbor at Peros Gyiroc
in France, a V-shaped wooden boom was anchored to two
jetties spanning the harbor entrance. A pair of 1 1/2 by
12-inch planks were nailed togethet in the shape of a
trough. It was hoped short-period waves would spill oil
into the trough and the oil could be recovered by pumping
from both ends of the trough. The boom remained in place
under quiet water conditions but broke apart under sub-
sequent wave action. The trough was not effective in
removing oils from the harbor waters.
Inter-Office-Memo by U. S. Corps of Engineers, Hydraulic
Design Branch, August 3, 1967.
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AIR CURTAINS
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AIR CURTAINS
Air Barriers for Oil Slick Containment
The air barrier (air curtain) represents, in certain
cases, an alternative method of containing or confining
spilled oils within a given area, and also preventing
floating materials from entry into high-use waterfront
areas. A perforated pipe is laid on the river or harbor
bottom and compressed air is forced through the line.
The air delivery pipe may also be suspended at some depth
above the river bottom depending upon local conditions.
A curtain of rising air bubbles produces an upward current
which upon reaching the free surface, spreads laterally
in opposite directions. The artifically-induced currents
generated by the air curtain are designed to counter the
normal surface currents prevalent in the body of water,
thus confining floating pollutants within the desired
boundaries. The air barrier has distinct advantages over
the physical oil booms since vessel traffic may pass through
the control area without hindrance; however, it also has
certain disadvantages. The Standard Oil Company (New Jersey)
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reports that:
'The capacity of a pneumatic barrier
is limited by both environmental and
economic considerations. The natural
current of the water effects the
rising air plume, by causing it to
lean over. If the plume is leaned
over more than 30 degrees from the
position it would assume if no cur-
rent were acting, the plume will
break up and the overall effective-
ness is diminished. This problem
can be overcome by increasing the
velocity of the rising air bubbles.
However, for a given nozzle there is
a critical velocity above which
additional increases in air volume
have little effect on the magnitude
of the surface generated current;
i.e., the efficiency of the barrier
is greatly reduced. The efficiency
of the barrier improves in proportion
to water depth; shallow waters require
greater volumes of air."
In conclusion, air barriers have been demonstrated to be
successful in quiescent waters. However, more work is
required on determining the influence of orbital wave
motion on the performance of an air barrier.
Oil Spill Cleanup Manual, prepared by The Standard Oil
Company (New Jersey), 1969.
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RESTRAINED OIL
STAGNATION ZONE
FREE SURFACE
TURBULENT ZONE
• o
RIVER FLOW
0
RISING WATER COLUMN
Figure 30
AIR BARRIER EFFECT
157
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HARMSTORF PNEUMATIC BARRIER
The Harmstorf Pneumatic Barrier has been commercially
available for many years with extensive use in many locations
throughout Western Europe and Northern Africa. Harmstorf
employs a small diameter plastic pipe(s) properly weighted
and placed on the harbor bottom. It is believed that the
Harmstorf curtain produces a relatively small diameter
bubble under small orifice conditions with relatively high
pressure in the air delivery line.
Harmstorf"s air barriers have generally been limited to
harbor areas where surface currents do not exceed 0.8 -
1.0 feet per second. The cost of this barrier is approxi-
mately $30.00 per foot.
Product bulletins received from the Harmstorf Corporation,
Germany. Materials also received from Spearin, Preston, and
Burrows, Inc. - U.S. Representative for Harmstorf Corporation,
New York, New York, 1968.
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OTHER TESTING OF PNEUMATIC BARRIERS
1. Ocean Science and Engineering Company at Santa Barbara,
California.
2. Cornell Aeronautic Laboratories at Buffalo, New York.
FWPCA Grant 11020DJG.
3. Maine Port Authority at Portland, Maine. FWPCA Grant 15080DOZ.
Since all of these projects are in the final testing phase,
and/or preparing final reports, we have refrained from pre-
senting any information on these projects until their work
has been concluded and reported.
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Figure 31 BUBBLE BARRIER, BUFFALO RIVER
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