Publications

Sebastião, P.J. and Guedes Soares, C. (1995), “Modelling the Fate of Oil Spills at Sea", Spill Science and Technology Bulletin, Vol. 2, Issues 2-3, pp. 121-131

A numerical model for the simulation of the physicochemical weathering processes of an oil spill at sea is presented based on state-of-the-art models. The model includes the significant processes: spreading, evaporation, dispersion into the water column, emulsification and the change in viscosity and density. These processes depend on each other and are allowed to vary simultaneously since processes are decribed by a set of differential equations, solved by a fourth-order Runge-Kutta methods. Numerical examples are given, order to test the results obtained, and compared with available experimental data in the literature. The model predicts well the variation of water incorporation, density and viscosity but seems to overestimate the fraction evaporated. However more experimental data are needed to calibrate and validate the model since differences in the composition of the simulated oil and the sample from which experimental data are taken may occur in evaporation studies. The model is suitable to join other modules for the prediction of the spill trajectory by advertion due to winds and currents and sub-sea transport.

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