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U.S. Department of Energy
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Test tank evaluation of a frequency-scanning, microwave radiometer to estimate oil thickness and physical properties. Final report, September 1994-February 1996

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:464231
This report describes the testing of a 26-40 GHz (Ka-band) Frequency Scanning Radiometer (FSR) at OHMSETT (the National Oil Spill Response Test Facility) to evaluate the instrument`s ability to detect and measure the thickness of oil films on water. Measurement variables were oil type, oil thickness, and wave conditions. The results indicate that the FSR was able to reliably measure oil thickness under calm conditions and, in some cases, under mild wave conditions. Future hardware development should include (1) a multichannel upgrade to the Ka-band FSR to decrease the data acquisition interval, and (2) the development of a proof-of-concept W-band (75-110 GHz) FSR to measure thinner films. After laboratory testing, these instruments should be evaluated at OHMSETT. Included in the appendices to this report are all of the radiometric brightness temperature (TB) versus measurement frequency plots for the data collected at OHMSETT.
Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Lexington, MA (United States). Lincoln Lab.
OSTI ID:
464231
Report Number(s):
AD-A--320082/1/XAB; CNN: Contract F19628-95-C-0002
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English