Oil Spill Detection Sensor using Artificial Illumination with Blue LEDs

Abstract

In this study, a new optical method for oil detection using the analysis of a light-absorption image of separate oil-water mixtures with artificial illumination is described. To obtain information about the presence of oil on water and the thickness of oil, the intensity of light-absorption images acquired through a CCD is analyzed. To select the optimal wavelength of the light source, an experiment is conducted using several LEDs with four different wavelengths. Using a blue LED with 465-nm wavelength, the tendency for intensity decreasing of the light-absorption image is clear. Through this research, new optical oil detection methodology is proposed using the absorption difference between water and oil with a light source of specific wavelength and a CCD sensor.