Paul Meyer, Ohmsett
Not too long ago realistic oil spill response testing, training and research could only be done in
open water. In addition to a potential loss of oil into the environment, there was little control over test conditions such as waves and current. As a result, it was difficult to duplicate test conditions.
To overcome these obstacles, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) built Ohmsett, a renewable energy test and oil spill research facility, in 1974.
“With Ohmsett, the EPA could evaluate and improve marine oil spill response equipment and cleanup methods in a controlled, realistic and safe manner,” said Ohmsett Manager Paul Meyer.
Located at the Naval Weapons Station Earle Waterfront in Leonardo, New Jersey, Ohmsett is the largest oil spill response test facility in North America and is operated by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) under the watchful eye of 19 associates. Testing, training and research are conducted on-site with full-scale response equipment, using real oil in realistic conditions in a test tank that is 667 feet long, 65 feet wide and filled with 2.6 million gallons of salinized water to a depth of 8 feet. Water for the tank is maintained at open ocean salinity levels of 30-35 parts per thousand.
“The Ohmsett test tank allows testing of full-scale equipment,” Meyer explained. A computer-controlled wave generator at one end of the tank creates waves up to 3 feet high, while an adjustable wave damping “beach” system at the opposite end of the tank helps control the shape of the wave.
Three rail-mounted movable bridges span the width of the tank and twin 500 horsepower DC motors drive the bridges at speeds up to six knots.
“The bridges provide up to 36,000 pounds of tow force to simulate a ship towing response equipment, such as booms and skimmers,” Meyer said.
“A crow’s nest is mounted on the main bridge 30 feet above the water, providing an excellent vantage point for filming a test, as well as for mounting test equipment, such as sensors, to remotely detect oil spills,” Meyer added. “Tests are conducted year round, during both daylight hours and at night. In recent winters, sea ice has been added to the tank to test equipment in simulated arctic conditions.”
According to Meyer, the oil spill response community relies on Ohmsett to evaluate response equipment thoroughly and train response personnel.
“Much of the response equipment tested at Ohmsett is in the prototype stage,” he said. “Ohmsett’s controlled environment allows for repeatable test conditions so the effect of equipment modifications can be quantified and compared to optimize performance.”
Ohmsett operates a 60,000-gallon tank farm to test equipment in different types of oil, from light oils such as diesel to heavy oils. The site not only facilitates oil spill response research but also has the capability to test renewable energy devices that convert water current and wave energy into electricity.
“Ohmsett’s wave generator was upgraded several years ago so more sophisticated waves could be generated,” Meyer said.
Ohmsett is used to develop American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for performance measurement of test equipment.
“Many manufacturers have significantly improved the performance of their products through R&D testing at Ohmsett,” Meyer said. “One client who tested their device at Ohmsett went on to win the $125,000 grand prize in a ConocoPhillips Energy Prize competition, with prizes awarded for ideas to improve the way the United States develops and uses energy.”
BSEE is the principal federal agency funding offshore oil spill response research and is a key part of the bureau’s Oil Spill Response Research Program.
“The major focus of the program is to improve the methods and technologies used for oil spill detection, containment, treatment, recovery and cleanup,” Meyer said. “Many of today’s commercially available oil spill cleanup products have been tested at Ohmsett, and a considerable body of performance data and information on mechanical response equipment has been obtained there. This information is used by response planners in reviewing and approving facility response and contingency plans.”
A research partner
BSEE funds research to improve remote detection of spilled oil, and the devices are being tested at Ohmsett. Much of the full-scale dispersant studies are conducted at Ohmsett, including last-year’s BSEE-funded coldwater dispersant test, which tested four different dispersants.
“The report is in peer review and will be made publicly available,” Meyer said.
Ohmsett was also the venue for subsea dispersant injection research.
“‘Ice Month’ was an important test, held in the winter of 2013, which demonstrated how much a skimmer’s performance can decrease in heavy ice concentration,” Meyer said.
Sea ice was introduced into a test area in Ohmsett’s main tank in two concentrations: 30-percent ice coverage and 70-percent ice coverage. Ten different skimmers were tested to see how their performances changed depending on the ice coverage.
The exercise resulted in BSEE co-funding further testing with the U.S. Coast Guard to develop a cage that would surround a skimmer.
“The cage would keep ice from contacting the skimmer while letting oil flow to the skimmer to be recovered,” Meyer said.
ASTM may develop a standard for testing skimmers in ice conditions, Meyer added.
“Visitors from two dozen countries have observed and participated in testing and training exercises at Ohmsett,” Meyer concluded. “After over 40 years, Ohmsett remains the premier oil spill response, research and renewable test facility in the world.”
For more information, visit www.ohmsett.com, www.bsee.gov/Technology-and-Research/Ohmsett/index or call (732) 866-7183.
