Research institute develops oil spill robot

Scientists in the Virginia Institute of Marine Science have developed a new design of remotely operated underwater vehicle that can measure the thickness of an oil slick in Arctic waters. The small, square-shaped device can travel on the seafloor using powerful motorized tracks. It uses upward directed sound waves that are reflected back downwards from the slick to precisely measure the thickness of the oil. An umbilical cable connects to a laptop computer for controlling the device.

While precise thickness measurements can enable the accurate assessment of total oil volumes in a slick that covers a wide area, knowledge of where the thickest parts of a slick lie can enable responders to focus their efforts most effectively, the researchers say.

“Gauging the volume of a spill and the extent and thickness of its surface slick are usually done by visual surface surveillance from planes and boats, but that can be quite difficult,” said project leader Paul Panetta. “Our remote operated vehicle uses acoustic signals to help more easily locate and focus on the thickest part of the slick.”

Funding for the initiative has come from the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s oil spill response research program. The research team conducted tests of a prototype version of the device in BSEE’s Ohmsett offshore spill response test tank in New Jersey. The Ohmsett tests involved the use of a variety of crude oils and refined petroleum products.

- Alan Bailey