Oil & Gas

The Use of Containment Boom to Eliminate Accidents

The use of containment booms has been a big help in many industries, especially when it comes to spill containment. But aside from that, they also play a major role in eliminating accidents and preventing them from happening.

One type is a floating boom. It is simple, yet reliable and is often used by fire brigades to contain crude oil from the surface of the water. Construction locations of buildings that are in the area of water courses need to have containment booms as there is a high tendency that crude oil materials would leak.

Containment Boom: How it Works?

Essentially, it is only a simple linking of PVC air tube with a cylindrical shape, and 30cm diameter. It is covered with a PVC-coated PES fabric that helps keep the boom on the surface. Also, it has a barrier skirt that is made of the same type of material as that of the skin and extends 40cm under the exterior and catches all impurities.

At the bottom part of the barrier skirt, a channel of 6cm in diameter can be found and it comes with a cord for loading elements. Such is usually a regular chain that is part of a product. However, a normal steel-tube could also be used.

There is also a type of containment boom that is produced in sections of 5m or 10m in length. The ends of every segment come with a connecting system that allows a simple and mutual interconnection of booms by attaching a linking PE cable.

oil spill

What are Advantages/Disadvantages?

The inflatable type of boom has outstanding physical and mechanical properties and this is all thanks to how they are unsinkable. They are also highly resistant to outside factors such as the results of UV radiation and mechanical damage. Even with little maintenance, they could last on water courses for many years.

Unlike with the absorption power of polystyrene-filled containment booms, inflatable booms are easy to keep and store and this is because they are lightweight and easy to handle. However, you need to inflate them whenever you have to use them. The good thing is, doing so is not complicated.

Installation Process

During the process of installation, the individual segments are being inflated through a valve using a pressure cylinder, as well as a manual pump or compressor to the needed pressure. At the same time, they are linked all together by cables. Then the controlling ropes are fastened to all ends of the barrier. One rope will be anchored on the bank while the other is transferred to the next bank. It is important that the slant of the barrier should be set according to the right speed of water flow, otherwise, it would break off on a stronger water course. Then after the barrier has been set, it will be anchored again.

When all trapped impurities have been removed, the boom could be disassembled but in a reverse procedure. The valve would have a 5/4” ending, but in case needed, the right procedure for each product can be normally supplied.