Assessment of Health, Safety and Environment Impact of Flavonoid-Derived Demulsifiers

Abstract

Abstract This paper aims at quantifying the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) impact of some flavonoid-derived demulsifiers using Chemical Scoring Index (CSI). The CSI is based on the three-hazard categories defined by United Nations' Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) for defining greener chemicals. Chemical components of each flavonoid-derived product were quantified by scoring the level of hazard posed by the component in relation to its percentage composition in the product.-a carcinogen in a 10% component of a product will be scored higher than in a 1% composition. Additionally, a carcinogen is weighted higher than an ‘irritant’. As such, products with low CSI within same usage group are considered to have lower intrinsic hazard and therefore used in selecting best HSE green chemicals. Eight (8) products were quantified; five (5) modified flavonoids and three (3) commercial demulsifiers. ‘Modified Flavonoids-A’ was considered best HSE chemical with a CSI of 420, while ‘Commercial demulsifier-B’ was the least HSE chemical with CSI of ‘1980’. It is recommended that rather than focus on only the performance and cost of a chemical product, it is essential to consider the Health, Safety and Environment impact in the selection of oilfield chemical products. This model will assist HSE professionals in quick assessment of safer chemicals alongside their performance.