ASTM F1780-18(2024)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Estimating Oil Spill Recovery System Effectiveness
Standard Guide for Estimating Oil Spill Recovery System Effectiveness
ABSTRACT
This guide covers the key factors to consider in estimating the effectiveness of containment and recovery systems that may be used to assist in the control of oil spills on water. The purpose of this guide is to provide the user with information on assessing the effective use of spill-cleanup equipment. It is intended for use by those involved in planning for and responding to oil spills. In evaluating the effectiveness of containment and recovery systems used in response to oil spills, many factors need to be considered of which skimmer performance is but one. The objective of this guide is to describe a range of factors that must be considered in estimating recovery system effectiveness. Response strategies will depend to some extent on the type of spill. The spill scenario should be defined as to whether it is an instantaneous or continuous release, whether or not the spill has ceased flowing, and whether the spill is contained or uncontained. The following oil slick properties must be specified for the spill scenario: spill volume; area; slick thickness; slick viscosity; and emulsification.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the key factors to consider in estimating the effectiveness of containment and recovery systems that may be used to assist in the control of oil spills on water.
1.2 The purpose of this guide is to provide the user with information on assessing the effective use of spill-cleanup equipment. It is intended for use by those involved in planning for and responding to oil spills.
1.3 Sections of this guide describe calculation procedures for estimating recovery system effectiveness. It should be understood that any such calculations cannot be expected to predict system performance, but are intended to provide a common basis for comparing system performance.
1.4 One of the main reasons that the calculation procedures cannot be used to predict system performance is that the analysis is sensitive to assumptions made on the properties of the oil slick, and particularly the changes in slick thickness and emulsification. It is emphasized that the purpose of this guide is not to provide a standard method for estimating slick property changes, but rather to provide a standard guide for using that information in comparing system performance.
1.5 Consideration should be given to alternative means of estimating response system effectiveness, such as Genwest 2012.2
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1780 − 18 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Guide for
Estimating Oil Spill Recovery System Effectiveness
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1780; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This guide covers the key factors to consider in estimat- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
ing the effectiveness of containment and recovery systems that
F625 Practice for Classifying Water Bodies for Spill Control
may be used to assist in the control of oil spills on water. Systems
F631 Guide for Collecting Skimmer Performance Data in
1.2 The purpose of this guide is to provide the user with
Controlled Environments
information on assessing the effective use of spill-cleanup
F808 Guide for Collecting Skimmer Performance Data in
equipment. It is intended for use by those involved in planning
Uncontrolled Environments (Withdrawn 1997)
for and responding to oil spills.
F1523 Guide for Selection of Booms in Accordance With
1.3 Sections of this guide describe calculation procedures
Water Body Classifications
for estimating recovery system effectiveness. It should be
understood that any such calculations cannot be expected to
3. Terminology
predict system performance, but are intended to provide a
3.1 Definitions:
common basis for comparing system performance.
3.1.1 advancing skimmer, n—a skimmer that is designed to
1.4 One of the main reasons that the calculation procedures
be used to sweep out the spill area.
cannot be used to predict system performance is that the
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The skimmer may be independent or
analysis is sensitive to assumptions made on the properties of
may be attached to containment boom to increase sweep width.
the oil slick, and particularly the changes in slick thickness and
In some cases, the skimmer may not be attached to the boom
emulsification. It is emphasized that the purpose of this guide
but is positioned in the pocket of the boom for skimming. As
is not to provide a standard method for estimating slick
long as the skimmer operates while moving, it is considered to
property changes, but rather to provide a standard guide for
be an advancing skimmer. Some skimmers are used in both an
using that information in comparing system performance.
advancing and stationary mode. These are classified according
1.5 Consideration should be given to alternative means of
to their application.
estimating response system effectiveness, such as Genwest
3.1.2 contained spills, n—a spill that is restricted from
2012.
spreading by containment boom or natural means.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.3 oil slick encounter rate, n—the volume of oil slick per
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
unit time actively encountered by the oil spill recovery system,
standard.
and therefore available for containment and recovery (m /h).
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.4 oil spill recovery system, n—a combination of devices
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
that operate together to recover spilled oil; the system would
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
include some or all of the following components: (1) contain-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ment boom, (2) skimmer, (3) support vessels to deploy and
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
operate the boom and skimmer, (4) discharge/transfer pumps,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
(5) oil/water separator, (6) temporary storage devices, and (7)
shore based storage/disposal.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
Substances and Oil Spill Responseand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F20.12 on Removal. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved March 1, 2024. Published March 2024. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F1780 – 18. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F1780-18R24. the ASTM website.
2 4
Genwest Systems, INC. 2012. EDRC Project Final Report. Prepared for Bureau The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Sterling, VA. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1780 − 18 (2024)
3.1.5 recovery system effectiveness, n—the volume of oil it is an instantaneous or continuous release, whether or not the
that is removed from the environment by a given recovery spill has ceased flowing, and whether the spill is contained or
system in a given recovery period. uncontained.
3.1.6 recovery period, n—the time available for recovery
5.2 Oil Slick Properties—The following oil slick properties
systems to carry out cleanup operations. must be specified for the spill scenario. As some of these
properties may vary with time, it may be desirable to use
3.1.7 response time, n—the time interval between the spill
computer-based behavior models to produce spill property
incident and the start of cleanup operations.
information for the time period of interest. For certain appli-
3.1.8 stationary skimmer, n—a skimmer that is intended to
cations it may be useful to produce standard sets of spill
be used in a fixed location and is moved to new accumulations
property information that describe spills of interest as a
of oil as skimming progresses.
function of time.
3.1.8.1 Discussion—Some stationary skimmers are used in a
5.2.1 Spill Volume—The total volume of oil spilled should
containment boom system that moves to collect oil, then 3
be specified (m ). For spills that have not ceased, a spill rate
pauses to permit the skimmer to recover the oil collected. Even 3
(m /h) should also be specified.
though this system moves periodically, the skimmer is still
5.2.2 Spill Area—The total spill area must be estimated in
ranked as a stationary skimmer because it operates when the
order to calculate estimates of slick thickness. For uncontained
system is at rest.
spills, the total spill area will increase over time; estimates can
3.1.9 uncontained spill, n—a spill that continues to spread be made using computer-based behavior models. Alternatively,
after the recovery effort begins.
a simplified spreading model (Fig. 1: example spreading
curves) can be used for first-order estimates.
4. Summary of Guide 5.2.3 Slick Thickness—Slick thickness is used in subsequent
calculations of system encounter rate. Slick thickness is de-
4.1 In evaluating the effectiveness of containment and
fined as the overall average thickness of the slick, and is
recovery systems used in response to oil spills, many factors
estimated by dividing the spill volume by the total spill area at
need to be considered of which skimmer performance is but
any given time. For this calculation, spill volume should take
one. The objective of this guide is to describe a range of factors
into account losses from the slick due to evaporation and
that must be considered in estimating recovery system effec-
natural dispersion, and increases to the slick volume due to
tiveness.
emulsification. For uncontained spills, natural spreading forces
4.2 In order to evaluate a recovery system, there are two
will cause the slick thickness to decline steadily during
general types of information required, a set of information to
recovery operations, and may result in a discontinuous slick
describe the spill scenario against which the system will be
composed of windows and patches separated by sheen or open
measured, and a set of information to describe the performance
water, or both. These factors should be considered in estimat-
characteristics of the recovery system.
ing an overall average slick thickness.
5.2.4 Slick Viscosity—The viscosity of the spilled product is
4.3 Information on the spill is required to adequately define
used as a criteria to evaluate skimmer performance, as many
the problem and thereby provide a focus for the evaluation
skimming and pumping units will perform less effectively as
process. The spill should be defined in sufficient detail as to
viscosity increases. The viscosity of the spilled product will
allow an unambiguous interpretation of its behavior in terms of
generally increase through the recovery period as the oil is
the operating parameters of the countermeasures system. For
subjected to weathering and emulsification processes. The
certain purposes it may be desirable to develop a set of
viscosity should be specified as mm /s (cSt).
standard spill scenarios against which response system effec-
tiveness would be measured in a quantifiable manner.
4.4 The performance characteristics must be identified for
the recovery system and its various components. In general, the
information requirements will include the rates or capacities, or
both, the operating limitations, and the support requirements.
4.5 This guide covers equipment-related factors that will
affect recovery-system effectiveness. Additional important fac-
tors that are not covered in this guide but should be considered
as being critical to the success of a spill response include:
contingency planning; communications plans; government ap-
provals; logistics of supporting manpower and equipment in
the field; and training and exercising of manpower.
5. Spill-related Information
5.1 Spill Type:
5.1.1 Response strategies will depend to some extent on the
type of spill. The spill scenario should be defined as to whether FIG. 1 Total Slick Area versus Time
F1780 − 18 (2024)
5.2.5 Emulsification—Emulsification is important as a spill 5.3.4 Visibility—Due to concerns with worker safety in poor
process not only for its effect on oil viscosity but also because visibility, as well as the inefficiencies related to the monitoring,
an emulsified oil represents a greater total volume of spill tracking, and containment of oil slicks during periods of poor
product that must be handled by skimming and pumping visibility, it is assumed in general that recovery operations are
systems. Many crude oils and refined products will tend to only possible when there is daylight and visibility of greater
emulsify over the life of the spill depending on the properties than 500 m (0.25 n.miles). Both of these factors should be
of the oil and the level of wave energy in the spill environment. expressed as the percentage of time that conditions exist that
The degree of emulsification should be specified as the would allow effective operations.
emulsified water content expressed as a percentage.
5.3.4.1 It may be possible to effectively operate during
5.2.5.1 It is recognized that emulsification rates for oil
periods of darkness and poor visibility if the recovery system
spilled in the marine environment will vary greatly depending
includes adequate lighting equipment, remote sensing systems
on the oil properties, spill size, sea conditions, and temperature.
for assisting monitoring and containment efforts, or highly
As noted in 1.4, it is not the intent of this guide to provide
accurate navigation systems, or combination thereof. This may
standard rates of emulsification for a variety of oil products and
be particularly applicable to spills in nearshore and protected
environmental conditions. For the purposes of comparing
waters. In such cases a more liberal criteria for visibility
system performance, the data in Table 1 is provided as an
limitations could be specified.
example of emulsification data for crude oil over a period of
5.3.5 Summary of Environmental Applicability Factors—
several days. Users of this guide are encouraged to use
The wave exceedance, daylight, and visibility factors can be
alternative data that suits their particular oils and environmen-
combined to produce an overall applicability factor that would
tal conditions.
represent the percentage of time that a given recovery system
could be effectively used for a given spill scenario. For
5.3 Spill Environment:
example, for an environment that has waves less than 2 m for
5.3.1 Temperature—Water temperature is important as a
80 % of the time, receives 14 h of daylight, and has visibility
parameter for estimating oil slick properties as well as the rate
greater than 500 m for 95 % of the time (note: all figures
of change of those properties due to weathering and emulsifi-
should be specified for the time of year of interest), the
cation. (It is assumed that the temperature of the oil slick is the
environmental applicability would be estimated as:
same as the water on which the oil is floating.) Water
(0.80) × (14 ⁄24) × (0.95) = 44 %.
temperature is defined as the temperature of the upper surface
layer and should be specified as °C.
5.4 Spill Location:
5.3.1.1 Air temperature may be important as a parameter for
5.4.1 Spill location should be specified with respect to
modifying or limiting the performance of skimming and
distance of response bases, in order to estimate transit times for
pumping equipment, and should be specified as °C.
the recovery systems, and with respect to shoreline, in order to
5.3.2 Wind/Waves—The wind and wave environment is
estimate the time available to respond prior to shoreline oiling.
important to the analysis for two reasons; first, as a parameter
Spill location may also be of importance when evaluating
in estimating the behavior changes of the oil slick, and second,
recovery systems that include the shuttling of recovered oil
as a limiting factor for recovery operations. For the first
between the recovery site and temporary storage locations, in
purpose, average wind speeds (km/h) should be specified. For
which case transit times may have to be deducted from the
the purpose of establishing criteria for limiting recovery
on-site availability of storage systems.
operations, exceedance statistics (significant wave height)
should be specified for the spill location. Exceedance criteria
6. Recovery System Information
should be expressed as the percentage of time that conditions
will allow recovery operations with reference to the equipment 6.1 Containment System Operating Factors:
selected for the response and the environme
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