Simulation of oil spills from underwater accidents I: Model development

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Abstract
A three-dimensional comprehensive numerical model is developed to simulate the behaviour of buoyant oil jets that result from underwater accidents. The numerical model is developed based on a Lagrangian integral technique. The model can simulate the behaviour of oil in stratified or unstratified ocean environments. Both the shear induced entrainment and the forced entrainment are considered in the model. The presence of a multi-directional ambient current is considered. The fluid in the buoyant jet can be a liquid, gas or liquid/gas mixture, which is typical of many underwater oil-related accidents. The model formulation includes the diffusion and dissolution of oil from the jet to the ambient environment. This paper presents the model development including the governing equations and the numerical discretization. A companion paper presents the verification of the model and applications to several cases.

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