Energy approach to the description of the dynamics of hydrocarbon spills

Abstract

An energy approach to the problem of theoretical description of axisymmetric and quasi-one-dimensional oil product spills is presented. Within the framework of these models, approximate equations describing the evolution of the size of oil spots over time were derived. Solution of these equations describing the characteristics of spills of both a limited area (for machine oil stains) and unlimited spills of crude oil is obtained. A number of laboratory experiments have been carried out to study the dynamics of spreading of a spot of reference engine oil and crude oil for axisymmetric and quasi-one-dimensional flows. The presented theoretical and experimental results are in good agreement for both spreading regimes.