Author(s): J. Allen Ph.D. M.I.C.E. M.I.Mech.E.; J. C. M. Thanarajah B.SC A.M.I.C.E.

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Abstract: In order to investigate the influence of the wind upon the movement of oil slicks on water, experiments were performed using an open channel placed inside a wind tunnel. The channel was a specially designed Ahlborn tank which was arranged so that the direction of flow of the water could be easily reversed, thus enabling the water to be pumped either with or against the direction of the wind. A detailed investigation of the wave motion in the liquid was also performed, since this was clearly an important factor affecting both the velocity and the spreading of the oil. An attempt was made to relate the significant height of the waves on the water surface to the effective roughness factor k in the equation for the velocity distribution in the air. The results seem to be surprisingly consistent. The velocities of the oil, and of the air and water between which it was sandwiched, were measured for a wide range of oils. Several different techniques and instruments were utilised in order to ensure the accuracy of the readings. Previous work done by O'BRIEN [1] utilised a tank containing static water which was situated inside a wind-tunnel, but did not enable any measurements of the effects of pumping the water to be made.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221687709499636

Year: 1977