Microbubbles as Proxies for Oil Spill Delineation in Field Tests

To overcome the environmental impacts of releasing oil into ocean for testing acoustic methods in field experiments using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), environmentally friendly gas bubble plumes with low rise velocities are proposed this research to be used as proxies oil. An experiment was conducted test performance a centrifugal-type microbubble generator generating and their practicability experiments. Sizes bubbles were measured Laser In-Situ Scattering Transmissometry sensor. Residence time estimated by Ping360 sonar. Results from showed that larger number small found deeper water rose quickly surface without staying column. The residence generated at depth 0.5 m over 5 min. is planned applied future experiments, it effective producing relatively long-endurance can potential trials AUVs delineating spills.