Efficient Atomization and Combustion of Emulsified Crude Oil

Abstract : A novel, air-assisted atomizer designed for low pressures and high viscosity fluids was used to produce and burn a spray of emulsified crude oil with different fractions of seawater. For a set of spray nozzles, the operational stability limits based on the crude oil flow rate, atomizing air ratio, seawater fraction, and co-flowing air characteristics were established. The droplet diameter and velocity distributions in the non-reacting spray plume were measured using phase Doppler interferometry. The low air and oil pressure requirements permit low power compressors and pumps with a minimal infrastructure footprint. This technology can be a scalable, effective, and fieldable remediation method for benthic spills or crude oil too emulsified for traditional in situ burning.