Recent Development on Herder Commercialization

Abstract Herders (also known as surface collecting agents) are made of active compounds (surfactants). They reduce the tension water and thereby change spreading behavior immiscible liquids, such an oil slick, floating on surface. Oil slicks that have spread too thin to burn can be re-thickened if herders sprayed around a slick. Once slick is thickened, it amenable in situ burning without need for fire-resistant boom. listed agents National Contingency Product Schedule administered by US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 2019) use waters. commercially available spill response organizations capability utilize herders. A new joint industry / government agency project was recently initiated develop novel herder delivery ignition system. The initial plan remotely operated vehicle (RSV) will deliver from onboard reservoir system ignite herded slicks. RSV we developing has 10–12 hours operation time, range 500 miles travel at speeds up 65 miles/hour. deployed helicopter cargo hook, boat, potentially fixed-wing aircraft appropriately sized hatch. vision rapid remote location using (or aircraft) this platform until vessel arrives scene. then take over control freeing other duties. This paper describe planned development testing progress toward commercialization.