Author: Ying Zheng, Project Lead
Canada's energy infrastructure, a sprawling 68,000 km pipeline network, is the beating heart of the nation's energy sector, delivering over 80% of the country's crude oil. When oil spills occur, they threaten the pristine environments through which these pipelines pass. Traditional cleanup methods could fall short in some situations. In-situ burning (ISB) has emerged as a promising alternative, capable of combating oil spills in various water terrains, including challenging Arctic conditions. Yet, ISB comes with its own set of challenges, particularly the thick smoke (plumes) it generates, raising concerns about the health and safety of nearby communities.
Currently, ISB is not a permitted response technique in Canada. However, in a groundbreaking study, Dr. Ying Zheng's group from Western University, in collaboration with Dr. Feiyue Wang's group from the University of Manitoba, is developing iron-based smoke suppressants to reduce the smoke plumes produced during ISB. The smoke suppressants consist of small iron particles less than 0.2 microns (Figure 1).
The smoke suppressants are currently undergoing testing by blending them with various crude oils and petroleum products for combustion tests in a custom designed ISB chamber (Figure 2). A laser device is used to quantify the reduction in smoke produced by burning petroleum oils. This research not only aims to address one of the main limitations of using ISB to clean up oil spills in Canada but also opens the potential for the suppressants to be used in various fire events.
Figure 2. A student working with the In Situ Burning Experiment (credit: Ying Zheng)
The research team has conducted studies to understand theoretically how the smoke suppressants promote fuel combustion and suppress smoke production. This theoretical knowledge serves as a guideline for further improving the smoke suppressant material to enhance its quality and reduce costs in the future. This groundbreaking research has the potential to revolutionize oil spill cleanup efforts in Canada. As the research progresses, it brings hope for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for Canada's energy sector.