Application of Mechanical Dispersant on Oil Spills

In the event of oil and gas spills on the seabed, containment and mitigation efforts are critical to minimizing environmental and economic impacts. This study introduces a laboratory-based method, conducted at the instrumentation and control laboratory of the State University of Santa Catarina, to simulate oil spill dynamics using a water jet system directed at compressed air bubbles. Key parameters such as bubble diameter and velocity were analyzed, showing that reducing bubble size increases surface area, enhancing biodegradability and uptake by marine organisms. The findings enabled the development of dimensionless flow models, providing a robust framework for refining dispersion techniques and improving environmental remediation and offshore operations.