In-situ burning: a clean-up technique for oil spills on water

Abstract

This monograph is devoted to the subject of in-situ burning of oil spills, including the scientific aspects of the burning process and its effects, practical information about the procedures to be followed and the equipment required for carrying out in-situ burns. It the contention of the authors that when performed properly and under the right conditions, in-situ burning is most effective in rapidly reducing the volume of spilled oil, thus eliminating the need for collecting, storing, transporting and disposing of recovered oil. By shortening the response time, in-situ burning also reduces the chances of oil spreading over large areas of the water surface, thereby reducing damage to aquatic biota. Fire resistant containment booms may be necessary to concentrate the oil to thicknesses that will ignite. The various types of booms available and the special handling required with most fire-resistant booms are described, along with the types of ignition devices available for starting in-situ fires. Safety precautions, methods of monitoring burns, communications and backup measures, methods of escape for the burn crew, methods for controlling unwanted fires and to extinguish fires are reviewed. Emissions of burning such as particulate matter, soot, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, exotic or highly toxic organic compounds generated by the combustion process, carbonyls, and combustion gases are discussed extensively, including monitoring procedures, sampling techniques and relevant instrumentation. Appendices contain much useful practical information about documentation, operating guides for in-situ burning monitoring equipment, advance response technologies, and a complete listing with addresses and telephone numbers of all North American oil spills equipment depots. 89 refs., 12 tabs., 32 figs,. 9 appendices.