THE USE OF DEFLECTORS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF OIL BOOMS IN RIVERS

ABSTRACT A study was conducted to design, develop, and test deflectors for use in aligning oil containment booms at an angle to the current direction in flowing waters. A series of experimental field trials were undertaken in which booms, fitted with deflectors, were either towed in a lake or deployed in flowing water. During the program, several design improvements were incorporated and a final suggested design was established. A simple hydrodynamic theory has been devised which enables the boom deflection angle to be predicted from the number, dimensions, and configuration of the deflectors and the dimensions of the boom. Agreement between the simplified theory and the experimental results is satisfactory. A graphical procedure has been devised by which an on-scene commander can calculate the requirements for deflecting a given boom. Two promising applications for deflectors are discussed. A permanently deployed system could be used across a waterway subject to periodic oil discharges. A boom with deflectors closed could be moored alongshore in sensitive areas, allowing rapid deployment into the river current upon release of the deflectors.