The effect of pressure variation on droplet size distribution of dispersed oil under simulated deep-water conditions.

ABSTRACT: Droplet size distribution of dispersed oil in deep-water is critical to the transport and biodegradation of spilled oil in deep-sea. Few studies have focused on the effects of pressure on chemically dispersed oil through experiments. This study thus simulated how the crude oil homogenously pre-dispersed by Corexit 9500A using baffled flasks would behave after being exposed to deep-water conditions. Key factors included dispersant-to-oil ratio (DOR), mixing energy (energy dissipation rate and Kolmogorov microscale), and pressure (up to 150 bar). The variations of pressure were demonstrated to have insignificant effects on the size distribution of pre-dispersed oil. Both the average and medium droplet sizes were correlated negatively with DOR and mixing energy in an established model with a

SUBMITTER: Song X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7966848 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature