Containment

CONTAINMENT
		Containment is a pollution response technique which can be used both in the open sea and in port and coastal areas. It involves the use of floating booms and aims to: Reduce the spreading of slicks of pollutant Thicken slicks and control their drift Concentrate the pollutant to optimise its recovery by pumping or using sorbents Protect a given area. Containment therefore optimises pollutant recovery operations at sea, generally carried using skimmers. A pollutant can be contained at the surface using floating booms. Several types of booms exist: Inflatable booms, mainly designed for the open sea This type of boom comprises an inflatable buoyancy chamber and a “skirt” on the lower part and is mainly designed to be used in the open sea for the dynamic containment of a slick. These booms are stored on land wound on reels. Foam-filled booms, designed for sheltered and port areas These booms, made up of foam blocks enclosed in watertight pockets, are generally used to contain a slick of pollutant in a coastal or port area, or to protect a sensitive part of the shoreline from the arrival of pollutant from the sea. These booms are stored on land in containers. Permanent booms These booms are used for the permanent protection of a sensitive area. They can be left in place for several months. Fireproof and hazmat booms Booms made entirely of stainless steel can be used to contain oil or chemicals. They are fireproof up to a temperature of 1250°C without compromising their mechanical characteristics and their watertight seal.

Last Updated on Friday, 20 February 2009 18:24

CONTAINMENT