Antarctic Fuel Spill Evaporation Model with Thermodynamic Data

Australian Antarctic Division research developed an Excel-based model to simulate the evaporation and fractionation of Special Antarctic Blend and diesel-range fuels. The model uses thermodynamic data and Antoine equation parameters to predict hydrocarbon behavior at specified temperatures. The package includes three Excel files, a PDF paper, and a readme document, with data last updated in November 2003.

Use Cases

• Simulate hydrocarbon fractionation by inputting initial and weathered fuel composition into the 'Main Input' page of the single-temperature Excel model.
• Compare evaporation rate ratios across five different temperatures using the 'Temperature comparisons' worksheet to generate plots.
• Extend the model to other fuel compounds by utilizing the development file's worksheet containing fitted Antoine equation parameters.
• Validate model assumptions against raw experimental evaporation data from Australian Antarctic Division tests included in the development Excel file.

Strengths

• Model developed for specific Antarctic fuels (Special Antarctic Blend) used at four research stations.
• Includes raw experimental data from Australian Antarctic Division evaporation experiments for validation.
• Provides thermodynamic data and estimated parameters for hydrocarbons up to C36.

Limitations

• Data and model are from 2003 and may not reflect current fuel formulations or environmental conditions.
• Specific row counts, sample sizes, and column details for the underlying data are unknown.
• Model is delivered in legacy Excel file formats which may require compatibility tools.

Provenance

Source

Australian Antarctic Division (AU_AADC).

Collection Method

Model development based on thermodynamic principles, Antoine equation parameter fitting, and supporting laboratory evaporation experiments.

Time Range

Model and data circa 2003.

Freshness

Last updated 2003-11-30; static dataset.

Geography

Antarctica (Casey, Davis, Mawson, and Macquarie Island research stations).