This project's objective was to assess performance of standard skimmer hoses and hose couplings used during oil recovery operations when subjected to low temperatures found in the Arctic. Performance and life cycle testing were conducted under two tasks.
Task 1: Moving recovered oil/water/ice product through a hose using a diaphragm pump.
Oil/Ice/Water mixtures in various concentrations were pumped through various hose lengths at low temperatures to determine a family of performance curves that can be used to highlight situations where the product flow through a hose may become an issue. Variables included hose length, oil/ice/water concentration, and ambient temperature.
Task 2: Evaluation of hose/hose coupling performance in a low temperature environment.
Task 2a. Testing was performed to determine the force required to couple/uncouple standard hose connections at varying temperatures using various gasket materials. Variables included temperature and gasket material. Data collected was analyzed to provide recommendations on gaskets that perform the best in an arctic environment.
Task 2b. Testing was performed to determine the resilience of a gasket material subjected to continued compression-rebound action within a hose coupling. Life cycle testing was performed on five gasket materials at three temperatures. Compression cycling was performed for a predetermined number of cycles or until failure occurred.
Task 2c. Life cycle testing of hoses and coupling was performed in simulated field conditions to assess hose and coupling integrity. Two hose pieces coupled in the middle were subjected to forces resulting from diaphragm pump pulsations as well as movement across ice/snow surfaces in order to determine the life span of the hose/couple system. Variables include temperature. Failure mechanisms such as percentage of hose wear or hose to connection leak were monitored during testing.
The final report is complete and posted below.