Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The RTI request will help establish a Multi-Functional Wave Tank Platform for Marine Oil Pollution and Spill Response Research and Training (Wave-POL). The facility will provide a unique, near-realistic indoor lab environment for marine oil characterization, transport and fate simulation, and cleanup technology testing under controlled conditions (waves, wind, sea ice, lights, salinity, etc.), as well as for cross-disciplinary hand-on training for HQP. It will address the limitations and deficiencies Canada faces in wave-tank based environmental engineering research and training when addressing special requirements for studying and mitigating marine and coastal pollution caused by spilled oils (e.g., light to heavy crude, diluted bitumen (dilbit), marine fuel, (ultra) low sulfur fuel oil, and biofuels). The requested equipment is essential to the integrity of forming the unique research and training facility, along with an existing water tank. Wave-POL includes three RTI-requested components: 1) a multi-scenario marine wave generating module to mimic various marine and shoreline conditions for oil transport and fate simulation; 2) an integrated monitoring module to monitor water quality and capture images and motions during oil transport and response effects; and 3) a data/image analysis and modeling module to analyze collected experimental data and conduct numerical simulation and prediction. A system namely DEEP, developed by the applicants, will be used for treating Wave-POL generated oily wastewater with backup from a local service company. The envisaged capabilities of Wave-POL to replicate ice conditions will be able to predict the repercussions of maritime incidents in Canada's Arctic and North Atlantic regions. This strategic system encompassing diverse dimensions and versatile functions, ensures that users can spearhead multi-scale and multi-phasic simulations and testing. Wave-POL will not only help resolve the bottleneck challenges of the applicants and their HQP in marine oil spill research, but mark a ground-breaking step by forming a cutting-edge, multi-functional platform for marine oil spill and environmental engineering research and training for HQP and many potential users within and beyond academia across the country and the world. The capabilities will allow for rigorous test scenarios, iterative refinements, pinpoint optimizations, and strategic planning, ensuring on-site tests undertaken with high precision and predictability. The project outputs will not only fill the facility gaps, provide feasible solutions with potentially huge scientific and practical values, but help create a first-class stimulating and enriched training/research environment for HQP and collaborators. It will promote technology transfer to benefit industry and government, establish Canada as a leading country in marine oil spill response research, and help provide 6.5 million Canadians who live near marine coasts with a safer living environment.