Federal Research Facilities

The National Oil Spill Response Research & Renewable Energy Test Facility is operated by a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The facility is often referred to by the acronym of its former name, Ohmsett (Oil and Hazardous Materials Simulated Environmental Test Tank). Ohmsett is located at the Naval Weapons Station Earle Waterfront in scenic Leonardo, New Jersey (approximately one hour south of New York City). Ohmsett's above ground concrete test tank is one of the largest of its kind, measuring 203 meters long by 20 meters wide by 3.4 meters deep. The tank is filled with 2.6 million gallons of crystal clear saltwater. The Ohmsett test tank allows testing of full-scale equipment. The tank's wave generator creates realistic sea environments, while state-of-the-art data collection and video systems record test results. The facility has proven to be ideal for testing equipment, evaluating acquisition options, and validating research findings. Government agencies, academia, public and private companies are invited to contract the use of Ohmsett as a research center to test oil spill containment/clean-up equipment and techniques, to test new designs in response equipment, and to conduct training with actual oil spill response technologies.

Link: http://www.ohmsett.com/

U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC)
Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL)

CRREL solves interdisciplinary, strategically important problems of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Army, Department of Defense, and the nation by advancing and applying science and engineering to complex environments, materials, and processes in all seasons and climates. CRREL maintains unique expertise related to the Earth's cold regions. CRREL is part of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and provides innovative products and solutions in support of the Department of Defense, homeland security, environment, infrastructure, and civil works water resource management. CRREL has proven an ideal resource for better understanding how oil can be detected and mitigated to create effective spill response techniques for ice environments. The lab has regularly fostered collaboration among different partners including private companies, government agencies, and educational institutions.

Link: http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/innovations/oil_spill_research/

Last Modified: 9/28/2017