Tank Tests of an Oil Recovery Device for Ice-Covered Waters

National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI) is carrying out a research and development (R&D) project of an oil recovery device for ice-covered waters – NMRI-ORDICE. The device uses air bubbling to separate oil from ice. This paper presents the results of model test performed in 2008. Three different series of tests were performed in the ice tank of NMRI. They are oil recovery tests, test to assess the range of oil viscosity that the device can handle and test to simulate the oil recovery operation in broken ice. Based on the test results discussion is made of the oil recovery performance of NMRI-ORDICE.