Numerical analysis of floating boom performance in open waters

Previously proposed numerical models of oil containment booms have a series of shortcomings. The boom is generally considered as a fixed object and in the few cases in which the main boom motions are implemented into the model, the containment is not taken into account. With the aim of overcoming these shortcomings, a more realistic numerical model including the main boom motions and the presence of the contaminant is being developed. This numerical model will be very useful to carry out the optimisation of a new boom design. In this work, the first results obtained from the numerical model are presented.