Computer Simulation of Oil Dispersion in Rivers in Brazil Following a Spill: A Case Study Involving the Berigui and Iguaçu Rivers

Authors

Vincius Alexandre Sikora de Souza Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Assed Naled Haddad Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

oil spill, dispersion, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

This study analyzed the dispersion of oil leaked from the Presidente Getulio Vargas Refinery in 2000 into the Iguac¸u and

Berigui Rivers, both in the State of Parana, Brazil. We studied three (3) flow scenarios: the first with the values observed on the day of

the accident, the second utilizing peak values and the third, using low flow. We used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to simulate

propagation of the plume. The plume showed a greater spread during the maximum flow of water, while for less flow, less dispersion

of oil occurred. These results show that in situations of low flow, adoption of measures aimed at mitigating environmental damage

(containment and recovery of spilled oil) are easier than recovery of spilled oil dispersed in the plume at high flow.

Download data is not yet available.