Numerical Modeling of Unsteady Oil Leakage from a Damaged Reservoir into the Water

The time-dependent problem of oil outflow from a defected reservoir into water is considered. The mathematical model of the joint flow of three immiscible phases (water, oil, and air) includes the continuity and Navier–Stokes equations, together with the equation for determining the interphase surface location. The problem is solved using the finite volume method. The velocity of the oil outflow from the tank, the fluid velocity profile in the orifice section, and the orifice size effect on the drop of oil level are determined. Different variants of filling the ballast space of a tanker are estimated from the standpoint of minimizing the negative effect of the petroleum products spill on the surrounding medium. It is shown that in the emergency case the presence of ballast space filled with water reduces considerably the volume of the oil seepage into the water.