Desenvolvimento de modelo lagrangiano de partículas considerando os efeitos do vento e espalhamento de manchas de óleo

Abstract

The computational modeling is an important tool to predict the trajectory and fate of the slick oil in different environmental conditions, since the complexity of processes involving oil spill. Thus, the present study has concentrated efforts on developing of a particle tracking lagrangian model that simulate the oil slick movement in the marine environment. The model used is Lagrangian Particles Random Walk Model (MLPDA), that it is based on the Langevin equation. First, the algorithm of the advection of the oil slick due to wind is implemented in the Random Walk Particle Lagrangian Model (MLPDA), seen its importance to the displacement of particles. It is considered that 3% of the wind velocity at 10 meters height allows a good representation of the drift of the slicks. The tests for this algorithm presented satisfactory results. Posteriorly, is implemented an algorithm that represents the physical process of spreading, also known as mechanic spreading, that is defined as the horizontal movement due to gravitational, viscous and inertial forces. In the present study, this process is based on the equations defined by Lehr et al. (1984), where the results of the tests showed that the particles spread as shown by this author and they are influenced up to 100 hours of simulation. In addition, it is evaluate the module for calculation the area implemented in MLPDA. It is adverted that very coarse grid may result in overrated areas, being advisable to use fine grid for calculation of these areas. Finally, three scenarios of simulation of a hypothetic oil spill at the Espírito Santo Bay, in the Tubarão Port, are conducted to illustrate an application of the model development. The simulations show large differences among the results obtained, mainly among the scenario that neglect the wind and the other two with the consideration of this forcing. The first scenario, the particles tended to remain at the Espírito Santo Bay, while other scenarios the particles walked to the channels of the Great Vitória estuarine system (Passage Channel and Access Channel to Ports).