The long-term objective of this proof-of-concept study is to accelerate and cleanly burn crude oil through a novel heat-feedback system. The research will study the use of heat pipe technology to enhance in situ burns of crude oil by transferring heat from the flames back into the oil slick. In addition to heat pipes, air-flow guide vanes will be studied to induce flame swirl and surface catalyst coatings to crude oil breakdown and combustion will be studied.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the work flow on this research effort; however, tasks were rearranged to focus on needed design efforts for the program. The CFD model built in an earlier pahse of this study is being used to determine optimum placement of heat pipes above oil slics to accelerate burning and increase burn efficiency.
The scope of the third and final year of this research effort is in progress.