| Project Number | 1041
|
|---|---|
| Office | OSRR
|
| Progress Date | 9/29/2016
|
| Category | |
| Project Initiation Date | 9/15/2014
|
| Performing Activity | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
|
| Principal Investigator | Dr. Richard Camilli
|
| Contracting Agency | Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
|
| Estimated Completion Date | 2/28/2017
|
| Description | The objective of this project is to develop and test a next generation in-situ mass spectrometer payload that operates on an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) glider for real-time subsea hydrocarbon detection and classification. The system will be designed to operate for long-term subsea inspection, monitoring, and incident response. The project will be comprised of six main elements: Construction of the HC-Sentinel hydrocarbon mass spectrometer. Modification of a Slocum glider payload bay to accommodate the HC-Sentinel. Calibration of the payload instrument system. Development of goal-directed mission executive and rules-based expert system to adaptively survey areas of interest. Sea trials in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. Demonstration operations at a naturally occurring seafloor petroleum seep site. |
| Latest progress update | Demonstration operations in the Santa Barbara Basin were conducted in September 2016. During this time the HC Sentinel glider was tested to complete two types of missions: 1) a dense grid survey of shallow water site, and 2) a long-range transit to and return from a deep water site. The HC Sentinel glider conducted a total of 160 dive cycles to a maximum depth of 570 meters (1,870 ft) covering 25 km, at an average speed of 35 cm/s. The collected data is currently being processed and the draft report will be delivered soon. |
| Status | In Progress
|
Promoting Safety, Protecting the Environment and Conserving Offshore Resources