ASTM F3350-18(2024)

Standard Guide for Collecting Skimmer Performance Data in Ice Conditions

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide establishes test conditions that will provide a measured oil recovery rate and efficiency for a skimmer operating in drift ice.  
4.2 End users need a procedure to quantify optimum performance data for planning and selection of equipment.  
4.3 The procedure in this guide will assist in verifying and accurately reporting skimmer system performance.  
4.4 Tests will be conducted under well documented conditions and provide repeatable results. Other detailed testing and collection of skimmer performance data are covered under existing standards (see Guide F631 and Test Method F2709).
SCOPE
1.1 This guide defines a procedure and measurement criteria to quantify the recovery rate and efficiency of a stationary skimmer system in drift ice conditions.  
1.2 The suggested procedure and test parameters are intended to provide conditions typical of relatively sparse drift ice and relatively dense drift ice coverage.  
1.3 It is accepted that the recovery rate as determined by this guide will not likely be achievable under actual conditions of a spill. The procedure in this guide does not account for such issues as changing recovery conditions, number of daylight hours, operator downtime, less than ideal control of skimmer settings, and inclement weather.  
1.4 The procedure in this guide involves the use of specific test oils that may be considered hazardous materials. It is the responsibility of the user of this guide to procure and abide by necessary permits and regulations for the use and disposal of test oil.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 29-Feb-2024
• ICS: 13.020.40 - Pollution, pollution control and conservation
• Technical Committee: F20 - Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response
• Drafting Committee: F20.12 - Removal

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F3350-18 - Standard Guide for Collecting Skimmer Performance Data in Ice Conditions
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024

Overview

ASTM F3350-18(2024), Standard Guide for Collecting Skimmer Performance Data in Ice Conditions, provides a comprehensive procedure for evaluating oil recovery skimmer systems operating in drift ice environments. Developed by ASTM International, this guide outlines test conditions and measurement criteria to produce repeatable and reliable data for oil recovery rate and efficiency under varying ice coverage scenarios. The standard addresses the unique challenges posed by ice during oil spill response, ensuring that end users-such as response organizations, equipment manufacturers, and regulators-can confidently assess, compare, and select skimmer technologies for operations in icy waters.

Key Topics

• Test Procedures: The standard details the steps required to measure skimmer oil recovery rate (ORR), oil recovery efficiency (ORE), and operational efficiency (OpEff) in both sparse (30%) and dense (70%) drift ice.
• Test Conditions: Guidance includes requirements for test tank size, ice types and distribution, oil slick thickness, temperature documentation, and fluid storage.
• Performance Metrics: Clear definitions and calculation methods for ORR, ORE, and OpEff allow for industry-wide consistency:
  • Oil Recovery Rate (ORR): Volume of oil recovered per hour.
  • Oil Recovery Efficiency (ORE): Percentage of recovered fluid that is oil.
  • Operational Efficiency (OpEff): Percentage of active oil skimming time versus total test time.
• Documentation and Reporting: This guide emphasizes detailed documentation, including skimmer setups, environmental conditions, and analytical measurements ensuring results are transparent and reproducible.
• Safety and Compliance: Users are reminded to address relevant safety, health, and environmental requirements, particularly when using potentially hazardous test oils.

Applications

ASTM F3350-18(2024) is essential for:

• Oil Spill Response Planning: Allows emergency response teams and decision makers to quantify skimmer performance in ice, improving operational planning and resource allocation.
• Equipment Evaluation and Procurement: Enables purchasers to assess and compare skimmer systems under standardized ice conditions, supporting evidence-based equipment selection.
• Certification and Quality Control: Manufacturers and regulators can reference measured data that meets international testing criteria, ensuring that performance claims are substantiated.
• Research and Development: R&D teams use standardized test protocols to refine skimmer technologies and advance oil spill response capabilities in polar and subpolar regions.
• Training and Simulation: Realistic, repeatable testing supports the development of training programs and operational guidelines for skimmer deployment in ice.

Related Standards

For comprehensive oil skimmer performance assessment, ASTM F3350-18(2024) should be considered alongside related standards:

• ASTM F631: Guide for Collecting Skimmer Performance Data in Controlled Environments – focuses on non-ice conditions.
• ASTM F2709: Test Method for Determining a Measured Nameplate Recovery Rate of Stationary Oil Skimmer Systems – provides detailed methodology for skimmer recovery rate.
• ASTM D971, D1298, D2983, D4007: Methods for testing various oil and fluid properties relevant to skimmer operation and performance evaluation.

Summary

ASTM F3350-18(2024) is the definitive guide for quantifying the performance of stationary skimmer systems in drift ice, setting the benchmark for consistent, accurate, and repeatable testing. It plays a vital role in oil spill preparedness, response effectiveness, and equipment innovation for challenging ice conditions. Following this standard ensures reliability, transparency, and comparability in the evaluation of skimmer technology used in cold and icy marine environments.

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: F3350 − 18 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Guide for
Collecting Skimmer Performance Data in Ice Conditions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3350; 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 D1298 Test Method for Density, Relative Density, or API
Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Prod-
1.1 This guide defines a procedure and measurement criteria
ucts by Hydrometer Method
to quantify the recovery rate and efficiency of a stationary
D2983 Test Method for Low-Temperature Viscosity of Au-
skimmer system in drift ice conditions.
tomatic Transmission Fluids, Hydraulic Fluids, and Lubri-
1.2 The suggested procedure and test parameters are in-
cants using a Rotational Viscometer
tended to provide conditions typical of relatively sparse drift
D4007 Test Method for Water and Sediment in Crude Oil by
ice and relatively dense drift ice coverage.
the Centrifuge Method (Laboratory Procedure)
1.3 It is accepted that the recovery rate as determined by this
F631 Guide for Collecting Skimmer Performance Data in
guide will not likely be achievable under actual conditions of Controlled Environments
a spill. The procedure in this guide does not account for such
F2709 Test Method for Determining a Measured Nameplate
issues as changing recovery conditions, number of daylight Recovery Rate of Stationary Oil Skimmer Systems
hours, operator downtime, less than ideal control of skimmer
settings, and inclement weather.
3. Terminology
1.4 The procedure in this guide involves the use of specific
3.1 Definitions:
test oils that may be considered hazardous materials. It is the
3.1.1 oil recovery effıciency (ORE), n—the ratio, expressed
responsibility of the user of this guide to procure and abide by
as a percentage, of the volume of oil recovered to the total
necessary permits and regulations for the use and disposal of
volume of fluid recovered.
test oil.
3.1.2 oil recovery rate (ORR), n—the volume of oil recov-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3
ered by the device per unit of time (m /h).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.1.2.1 Discussion—Note that the measurement is of oil
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
only, after netting out free and emulsified water.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.3 operational effıciency (OpEff), n—the ratio, expressed
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
as a percentage, of the time spent actually skimming to the total
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
test time, having deducted time spent out of the water to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
re-position the device.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.3.1 Discussion—This may be of particular interest in
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
dense ice cover, when a significant portion of the test period
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
may be spent re-positioning the skimmer to find thick patches
2. Referenced Documents
of oil.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.4 skimmer system, n—a skimmer along with its associ-
D971 Test Method for Interfacial Tension of Insulating
ated power supply, hydraulic lines, offloading pump, control
Liquids Against Water by the Ring Method
apparatus, and accessories.
3.1.5 total test time, n—the period of time from the start to
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
end of collecting recovered fluids for measurement including
Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F20.12 on Removal. repositioning.
Current edition approved March 1, 2024. Published March 2024. Originally
approved in 2018. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F3350 – 18. DOI:
4. Significance and Use
10.1520/F3350-18R24.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4.1 This guide establishes test conditions that will provide a
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
measured oil recovery rate and efficiency for a skimmer
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. operating in drift ice.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3350 − 18 (2024)
4.2 End users need a procedure to quantify optimum per- Note that if testing outdoors, solar effects may significantly
formance data for planning and selection of equipment. increase surface oil temperature. If steam or heat is introduced
into the skimmer system as part of its design, additional
4.3 The procedure in this guide will assist in verifying and
measurements are to be taken before such heating to accurately
accurately reporting skimmer system performance.
gauge the properties of the oil.
4.4 Tests will be conducted under well documented condi-
5.8 Ambient air test temperature shall be recorded. Tem-
tions and provide repeatable results. Other detailed testing and
perature of the water in the test basin shall be recorded.
collection of skimmer performance data are covered under
existing standards (see Guide F631 and Test Method F2709).
5.9 Record water salinity if applicable.
5.10 Tanks are required for storage of recovered product
5. Test Facilities
and subsequent volume measurements. The collection tanks
5.1 Tests should be performed within a tank or boomed area
shall be elevated above the test oil surface to accommodate a
that will contain the oil and constructed ice field. The minimum
required static head on the skimmer system equal to 3.5 m of
lateral dimensions of the test tank shall be three times the
fluid.
length and width of the skimmer device. For example, a
5.11 Alternatively, a variable flow restriction with pressure
skimmer with a lateral footprint of 2 m by 3 m would require
a minimum test area of 6 m by 9 m. Note that the test area may gauge may be substituted to simulate the static head (3.5 m)
and dynamic head (frictional losses) at the flow rates expected.
have to be increased beyond the minimum test area to ensure
that the skimmer has access to enough oil for a 30 s minimum
5.12 For skimmers that do not include a discharge pump, the
collection time. The following calculation can be made to
recovery rate shall be measured as oil accumulates in the
determine the minimum test area that will contain adequate oil
skimmer’s sump.
for a 30 s skimmer test, based on estimated skimmer perfor-
5.13 When applicable, hydraulic pressure and flow mea-
mance:
surements shall be made during the tests. Pressure and flow
2 3
Min Test Area m 5 predicted recovery rate m ⁄h
~ ! @ ~ !
values shall not exceed manufacturer recommendations.
× length of test h ÷ 1 2 % ice coverage
~ ~ !!# ~ !
5.14 Ice Conditions—Tests should be performed using two
× ~oil thickness! (1)
different ice concentrations, 30 % and 70 % coverage. These
ice concentrations are generally regarded as thresholds for
where:
mechanical recovery in ice: below 30 % concentration, oil slick
length of test = 0.00833 h,
thickness equilibrium is minimally affected by the presence of
oil thickness = 0.025 m, and
ice, and above 70 % concentration, oil slick thickness equilib-
predicted recovery rate = minimum recovery rate expected
rium is severely restricted and, while skimming may be
for the skimmer.
possible, it may require moving the skimmer from oil pocket to
5.2 The tank depth shall accommodate the skimmer without
oil pocket within the ice.
grounding during the test.
5.15 Ice for the tests can be salt-water or freshwater.
5.3 Test oils shall be identified by industry-accepted name
5.16 Prior to testing, ice will be added to the test area, to
and are recommended to fall within the five categories defined
achieve the desired coverage using the following size distribu-
in Guide F631. It is recommended that the skimmer system be
tion (55 % 1 × 1 m + 30 % 0.5 × 0.5 m + 15 % small
tested in two or more oil types for comparison purposes.
fragments). This actual size distribution is based on an analysis
NOTE 1—Type 1 in particular is recommended to allow comparison
of fields of broken pack ice and has been defined as represen-
with other tests.
tative and been used in previous oil-in-ice experiments.
5.4 The preferred test oil is a refined product, which is
5.17 If produced as larger size pieces, ice can be broken
selected to provide a stable test fluid over the test period (that
manually to produce the specified sizes. Ice coverage will be
is, minimal evaporation and emulsification) and present no
estimated initially by measuring the area of the ice pieces
breathing hazard related to oil vapors.
added to the test area, and will be confirmed subsequent to the
5.5 The oils used for testing will be characterized from
test for documentation in the test report using an image area
samples taken at the start of a test series and when oil is
analytical technique of overhead digital photographs or other
replenished from a new source. A test oil log shall be generated
comparable technique.
and will indicate test oil type, sample number, temperature, and
5.18 Ice thickness should be approximately 200 mm (8 in.)
test date.
or greater to allow for adequate freeboard.
5.6 The following tests are to be conducted on test oils:
5.19 Slick Thickness—Tests should be performed with a
viscosity (Test Method D2983), bottom solids and water (Test
slick thickness of 25 mm (1 in.). This thickness is selected to
Method D4007), specific gravity (Test Method D1298),
allow comparison with previous testing performed as part of
surface, and interfacial tension (Test Method D971). Viscosity
the SINTEF skimmer development and testing program. It is
may also be established using a published temperature/
viscosity chart for the test oil.
5.7 Manual temperature measurements of the test oil will be
taken in or near the skimmer sump with an accuracy of 61 °C. https://www.sintef.no/en/.
F3350 − 18 (2024)
also representative of batch-type spill in moderate to dense ice 6.4 Control lines, hydraulic lines, and discharge hoses
conditions, such as a release from a ship or storage tank. should not interfere with the normal operation of the skimmer.
Route hydraulic and discharge hoses to minimize effect on
5.20 Each test will continue until approximately one-third
skimmer freeboard.
of the 25 mm thick slick has been removed (this concurs with
the general principle of the Test Method F2709 nameplate test
6.5 The pump and power supply shall be operated within its
standard). Additional oil should be added to the test area as part
normal operating range or duty point for the system.
of the initial volume to ac
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