The objective of this Statement of Need (SON) was to build a fundamental knowledge base concerning the occurrence and behaviors of shipboard oil/water emulsions. A better understanding of how oil/water emulsions are created, stabilized, or worsened in this environment will assist the development of methodologies or technologies that can mitigate the formation and undesired consequences of shipboard emulsions.

Knowledge gaps in Armed Forces bilgewater applications regarding formation and stabilization of emulsions were addressed by successful proposals. Proposers ultimately identified the factors that drive the formation and breaking of complex oil/water emulsions chemically bound by surfactants. Factors warranting further investigation include but were not limited to pH, types of surfactant, zeta potential, redox potential, temperature, shear/mixing, salinity (e.g., electrolytes, ion strength), water/oil/surfactant ratios, interfacial tension, morphological changes, size distribution, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, affinity to potential coagulants (e.g., Fe), and feasibility of microbial biodegradation. Ideally, new ideas or approaches were proposed to gain further understanding and control of shipboard emulsions. Proposals that only addressed alternative emulsion removal methods were not considered responsive to this SON.

Funded projects will appear below as project overviews are posted to the website.