Development of an Oil Thickness Sensor

This project developed two sensors for measuring the thickness of oil on water. The first, a capacitive sensor, measures 3 to 100 millimeter (mm) thick oil layers while mounted to a skimmer, in the apex of a boom, or on a free-floating buoy and provides near real-time wireless communication of thickness information. This sensor can also be used during experimentation or testing to verify oil thickness. The second sensor measures very thin sheens of oil, between 100 micrometer to 3mm, and is designed as a free-floating sensor. Both prototypes were tested at the Ohmsett Facility in November, 2017. Results are detailed in the final report.