HF Technology in the Production of Oil Spill Containment Booms
FIAB high-frequency welding machines are a professional solution for manufacturers of oil booms and spill containment barriers. HF technology ensures hermetic, durable welds resistant to extreme aquatic environments and chemicals.
Applications in Environmental Protection
- Oil sorbent booms – hydrophobic barriers absorbing oil and petroleum products
- Offshore containment booms – pneumatic barriers for open waters
- Harbor booms – barriers for ports, marinas, docks
- River booms – barriers for flowing waters and canals
- Rigid and flexible booms – curtain and pneumatic structures
- Oil skimmers – overflow-pump and adhesive systems
- Curtain booms – curtain barriers for containing spills
- Quick response booms – lightweight rescue booms for vessels
Types of Oil Booms
Sorbent Booms
Filled with hydrophobic (water-repelling) fiber, they float on the surface even after absorbing oil. They absorb crude oil, gasoline, engine oils, and other petroleum products.
Pneumatic Barriers
Air-filled, lightweight for transport, high buoyancy on waves. Used on open waters and for rapid emergency response.
Curtain Booms
Impermeable structures made of reinforced PVC/PU fabric, secured with steel cables. For long-term protection of water bodies.
FIAB Models for Boom Manufacturers
FIAB 360, 500 (3-5 kW) – machines for producing small sorbent booms (Ø 13-20 cm x 3-6m).
FIAB 960 (8 kW) – welding machine for medium barriers up to 10-20m in length.
FIAB 1400 (13-26 kW) – industrial series with electrode up to 1500 mm for producing large-format offshore booms. Mobile construction enables welding of barriers 50-100m in length.
FIAB 1900W, 2060W – largest machines for extremely wide marine booms.
Materials for Oil Booms
- Coated PVC (650-1200 g/m²) – fabrics resistant to oils and chemicals
- Polyurethane (PU) – elastic hydrophobic materials
- Neoprene – fabrics resistant to UV and petroleum products
- Polypropylene nonwovens – sorbent materials for fillings
Properties of Oil Booms
- Resistance to crude oil, gasoline, oils, BTEX, PAH
- Hydrophobicity – water repellency, floating on surface
- UV resistance and weather conditions
- Tensile strength 2000-5000 N/5cm
- Sorption capacity up to 200 liters of oil per boom
- Durability 5-10 years of operation
Construction of Oil Booms
- Outer shell – PVC/PU fabric welded with HF
- Filling – sorbent nonwoven or pneumatic chambers
- Reinforcements – internal steel cables bearing loads
- Nylon mesh – protective outer coating
- Metal connectors – systems for connecting booms into chains of any length
- Mooring ropes – handles for anchoring and towing
Oil Boom Production Process
- Cutting PVC/PU fabric according to dimensions
- HF welding of shell into tube/sleeve form
- Inserting sorbent nonwoven or mounting pneumatic valves
- Welding ends and applying connectors
- Mounting steel cables and handles
- Tightness and buoyancy control
- Flotation and sorption capacity testing
Advantages of HF Technology
- Tightness – hermetic welds preventing oil leakage
- Strength – welds resistant to stress during towing
- Chemical resistance – welds undamaged by oil and chemicals
- Durability – connections resistant to UV, waves, extreme temperatures
- Speed – production of hundreds of meters of booms daily
- Precision – parameter repeatability in serial production
Standards and Certificates
- PZH certificate (National Institute of Hygiene)
- Fire resistance certificates
- NATO standards for military applications
- ISO 14001 – environmental management
- Certification for marine rescue services
Special Applications
- Port and marina protection – permanent barriers at quays
- Water fuel stations – booms around refueling piers
- Offshore operations – protection of drilling platforms
- Maritime transport – emergency barriers on vessels
- Maintenance work – securing bridges, quays
- Water body cleanup – booms for concentrating pollution
- Military protection – mobile field barriers
Production Efficiency
- Production of 200-1000m of booms daily (depending on type)
- Cost reduction of 50% vs traditional methods
- Minimization of defects to 2%
- Long boom lifespan (5-10 years)
Infrastructure
- Production hall min. 20-50m in length
- 3x400V power supply (25-63A)
- Welding tables or rail tracks
- Ventilation for PVC fumes
FIAB welding machines are a reliable solution for oil boom manufacturers, ensuring hermetic seal, strength, and compliance with aquatic environmental protection standards.
