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API REPORT 79-28 Document Information:
Title
Review of the State-of-the-Art of Oil Spill Simulation Models Phase I
American Petroleum Institute
Publication Date:
Feb 1, 1981
Scope:
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This report summarizes the results of the first of a three-phase study
project for the American Petroleum Institute (API). The project is to
conduct a review and evaluation of the state-of-the-art of oil spill
simulation models with an aim of identifying models, or model
components, that may be integrated to form a single "state-of-the-art"
model for simulating the fate of the spilled oil in the marine
environment.
There are essentially the following processes that affect the fact of
the spilled oil in the marine environment: advection, spreading,
evaporation, emulsification, dispersion, dissolution, biodegradation,
photo-oxidation, and sinking/sedimentation. Although these processes
have long been identified to affect the fate of the spilled oil, very
few of the existing models, as far as we are able to determine, have
attempted to include all of these processes in the model. In fact,
most of the models developed to date deal only with the drifting and
spreading of oil slicks. The other oil weathering processes such as
evaporation, dissolution, emulsification, oxidation, and biodradation,
etc. have been neglected by a number of reasons including the
complexity involved and the lack af sufficient understanding of the
mechanisms involved in determining the fate of the spilled oil. Even
the spreading of oil slicks on the sea, although it has received a
considerable amount of attention in the past decade (Fay, 1969;
Blokker, 1964; Murray, 1972; Ichiye, 1972), is still poorly
understood. Recently, a few models that simulate the physical
advection and spreading processes with reasonably satisfactory results
have been developed (e.g. Kollmeyer and Thompson, 1979). There are
also other models (e.g. MacKay and Leinonen, 1977) that deal
extensively with the physical-chemical processes that determine the
movement of oil slicks. A number of models (e.g. Slikforcast, 1980;
URI, 1978; Garver and Williams, 1975; USC/API, 1977) have attempted to
incorporate both the physical and physical-chemical processes. In
addition, a number of studies designed to achieve a better
understanding of these processes have been conducted and algorithms
for simulating these processes have been proposed. In these models or
algorithms, different methods are used to simulate a particular
process or set of processes. They need to be evaluated so that the
"best elements" that represent the state-of-the-art may be identified
and then integrated to form a "state-of-the-art" model.
The above goals are to be achieved in three phases. In the Phase I
study, whose results are reported herein, the objective is to gather,
update and expand the existing information on oil spill simulation
models. In addition, a preliminary review of the acquired models was
made to identify those models or model components having the potential
of contributing to the state-of-the-art model. A detailed evaluation
of the selected models or algorithms will be made in the Phase II
study. Afterwards, recommendations for integrating the "best elements"
into a state-of-the-art model will be made in Phase III.
In the Phase I study, various information search resources have been
utilized, including the computer literature search and consultations
with various recognized experts in the oil spill modeling field. More
than 1000 references have been screened. Those that contain model
descriptions were subjected to a preliminary review of the model
(those that have been or can be computer coded to simular the fate of
spilled oil). A synopsis for each of the models reviewed is provided
in Section 2. Information for some of the models is still being
sought. Some models that warrant further detailed evaluation of their
capabilities, accuracy, and realism that will be made in the Phase II
study are discussed in Section 3. The detailed review of these models
will be made in conjunction with the results of recent research for
their possible incorporation into the existing models. Based on the
preliminary review of the available models, an overview of the
state-of-the-art of existing models is presented in Section 3. A
bibliography be noted that the materials presented herein represent a
preliminary review of the available information. More information may
be added as it become available.
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