Enhancement of Drum Skimmer Oil-Spill Recovery Performance by using Nano-Ceramics Coating under Different Operating Conditions

Abstract

A marine oil-spill forms a massive environmental and economic crisis. Among all oil recovery techniques, the oleophilic mechanical skimmers offer the cheapest and most environmental-friendly solution. The objective of this research was to study the effect of nano-ceramics coating on the performance of a drum skimmer under different operating conditions. A model was constructed with coated- and uncoated-surface drums. Several tests were performed under a variety of operating conditions of rotational speed, oil type and slick thickness, and scraper shape. The results indicated the superiority of the nano-ceramics coated surface over the traditional steel surface in oil recovery rate. The nano-ceramics was found to catch a minimal amount of water during the recovery process specially with low-viscosity oils. An average increase in the oil recovery rate up to 21.5% was recorded for all oil types when applying nano-ceramics coated surface instead of pure steel one. Modifying the shape of the scraper to flank the sides of the drum increased the recovery rate up to 20%. Moreover, the oil recovery rate was enhanced by increasing the oil slick thickness, as well as the rotational speed.