Analysis of emissions and residue from methods to improve efficiency of at-sea, in situ oil spill burns.

The combustion efficiency of simulated at-sea surface oil burns (in situ burns) was determined in a 63 m tank while testing varied boom configurations and air-assist nozzles in the presence and absence of waves. Combustion efficiencies of Alaska North Slope oil based on unburned carbon in the plume emissions ranged from 85% to 93% while values based on oil mass loss ranged from 89% to 99%. A four-fold variation in PM emission factors was observed from the test conditions.