Oil Dispersant System for Fixed Wing Aerial Platform

The proposed project is related to analysis and optimization of a system of potential interest to oil and gas industry in terms of oil-spill remediation. A fixed wing aircraft can be retrofitted with an oil dispersant system suitable for fast response in case of large oil-spills. This oil dispersant system is to satisfy certain requirements from the safety and efficiency perspectives. In other words, the forces developed on the dispersant system while deployed in flight are required to have minimal effect on the airframe of the aircraft. These developed forces are created by the airflow and inertia of the oil dispersant chemical inside the system. The study of the interaction between these forces and the elastic properties of the dispersant system is known as aeroelasticity. Utilizing the knowledge provided by aeroelasticity the airflow forces developed on the dispersant system can be decreased. Also the elastic properties of the system can be enhanced using composite materials. Therefore to eliminate possible damage of the aircraft, aeroelasticity and composite materials are to be used. This research provides the framework and methods of both aeroelastic analysis and composite materials considerations.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sam Nakhla

Student:

Partner:

Provincial Aerospace Ltd

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Transportation and warehousing

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: