Case ref: MLA/2020/00114

Case summary

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Project description

Exercise Imber 3 – 727 Spray Evaluation
The undertaking of placing an aerial dispersant system on a jet aircraft by Oil Spill Response Ltd, (OSRL) is a world first. As such OSRL needs a recognised way to be able to certify that the system is functional and that it will be effective in a response situation. The ASTM Standard F1738 – 10 procedures are recommended.

A brief outline of the operational detail surrounding the testing procedure:
The reason to conduct the spray analysis is to provide data for the calibration and optimisation of the TERSUS system. The calibration/optimisation seeks to ensure an even spray swath, appropriate droplet size and to minimise spray drift. The calibration / optimisation work is outside the scope of this project.

Spray Analysis of the Tersus System consists of three main areas:
•analysing the uniformity and width of the swath pattern;
•droplet size examination; and
•measurement of the flow rate produced from the spray boom.

To achieve this requires a flight test, consisting of several sorties in which the aircraft flies across the flight line while spraying. For this water is used as the test fluid. The flight line is the location from which all data is collected and consists of multiple Petri dishes laid perpendicular to the direction of flight; it is these dishes that are used for swath analysis. Water sensitive cards are placed at intervals along the length of the line are utilised for droplet size analysis. This procedure is followed multiple times altering variables, including flow rate of the pump, aircraft altitude and nozzle configuration. Once this data has been collected and analysed, conclusions are drawn as how to best operate and configure the system.

The deliverable from this project will be:
•Data that will be used to optimise the configuration of the system
•Report detailing the testing procedure and outcomes of the Spray Evaluation
The requirement of this trial is to conduct spray operations over the data collection line which will be located on the at Donna Nook Range, during low water. These sprays will be spread over several sorties. In favourable weather conditions, sorties will be completed on one or two days. Note the exact days cannot be determined until the favourable weather conditions are met, these are currently programmed for dates between the 1st June and 31st July. If weather conditions were unfavourable during either of the planned exercises additional dates, the exercise would be rescheduled with a view to complete by 28th August. All works will be completed in working hours 0800-1800 each day (flight time will be approx 3 hours)

On the Hard Target will be wooden target boards, spanning a line approximately 100 meters. The targets will be holding a piece of water sensitive paper. The aircraft will then fly perpendicular over the line whilst spraying water. This will happen approximately 10 times.

After each spray run, the water sensitive paper will be removed and taken to a sheltered area (ie. Portacabin) with power to be photographed. The petri dish will also be taken to the same area and weighed. This data will be collected from the wooden targets by 5 personnel, who will collect the sample and replace the used paper and petri dishes with new ones in preparation for the next spray run. These personnel will be utilising a vehicle to store the samples and transport them to the sheltered area for analysis.

During the trial, one member of the OSRL team will maintain communications with the aircraft to provide a run-in bearing for the target and to give the ‘all clear’ or ‘abort’ spray run call to the aircraft. The ‘all clear’ will only be given id the flight line is set up correctly and all personnel are at least 500ft clear of the flight path.

At the end of the trial, all equipment and materials will be removed from the site.

Other information

Applicant details

Mr   Shane Jacobs / +44 (0)7585 707 483 / shanejacobs@oilspillresponse.com
OIL SPILL RESPONSE LIMITED / LOWER WILLIAM STREET SOUTHAMPTON / SO14 5QE
02-MAR-2020
05-MAR-2020
14-AUG-2020
Withdrawn