In-Situ Burning

📖 The Scoop

In-situ burning is recognized as a viable alternative to mechanical methods for cleaning up oil spills on water. When performed properly and under the right conditions, in-situ burning can rapidly reduce the volume of spilled oil and eliminate the need to collect, store, transport, and dispose of recovered oil. In-situ burning can shorten the response time to an oil spill, thus reducing the chances that the oil will spread on the water surface and thereby protecting aquatic biota. Such rapid removal of oil can also prevent the oil from reaching shorelines, which are difficult to clean and where the greatest environmental damage caused by oil spills occurs. What remains after an in-situ burn are burn by-products such as carbon dioxide, water, some smoke particulate and unburned oil (residue). Sufficient information is now available to predict levels of these emissions and calculate safe distances downwind of the fire. Containment of the oil may be necessary to carry out in-situ burning as the oil must be thick enough to burn- a minimum of 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.12 in). Even if containment is necessary, in-situ burning requires less equipment and personnel than mechanical methods of oil spill cleanup. This book contains a compilation of information about in-situ burning of oil spills and includes the scientific aspects of the burning process and its effects, examples from the extensive research into in-situ burns, and practical information about the procedures to be followed and equipment required for carrying out an in-situ burn.

Genre: No Category (fancy, right?)