Performance Evaluation of Biodiesel Produced from Waste Tire Pyrolytic Oil as a Lubricant Additive in Oil Drilling Systems

Samuel E Sanni,Emmanuel E Okoro,Sandra Iwuajoku

doi:10.3390/recycling5040029

Abstract

This study investigates the performance of biodiesel produced from distilled waste tire pyrolytic oil through transesterification as a lubricant additive for aqueous drilling fluid systems. Aqueous-based drilling fluids have a high coefficient of friction as compared to oil-based drilling fluids. The inclusion of a biodiesel additive was for smooth application/operation. The friction-reducing physicochemical properties of the additive were analyzed and compared with the guidelinesof the United States specification (ASTM Standard) and the European specification (EN Standard). The chemical structure of the produced biodiesel was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results show that the distilled waste tire pyrolytic oil contains aliphatic, naphthenic, and aromatic hydrocarbons. The free fatty acid value reduced from 5.6% (for pyrolytic oil) to 0.64% after the transesterification process. A saponification value of 203.36 mg/g was recorded for the pyrolytic oil, and this value was also reduced to 197.35 mg/g after the transesterification process. The kinematic viscosity was reduced from 11.2 to 5.3 mm2/s for the obtained biodiesel, and this value is within the ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standard values (1.9 to 6 and 3.5 to 5 mm2/s, respectively). The cetane number (47.75) was obtained for the biodiesel, and this is within the minimum range stipulated in ASTM D6751 guidelines. The produced biodiesel’s chemical structure analysis using GC-MS shows that it comprises of decanoic acid methyl ester and methyl ester. Furthermore, comparative analysis of the quantified friction-reducing physicochemical properties of the additive shows that the biodiesel produced from the distilled pyrolytic oil is a suitable additive for the improved lubrication of the friction-prone metallic parts of drill bits when water-based drilling fluids are employed for drilling oil and gas wells.

Highlights

The success of hydrocarbon-well drilling operations depends on a variety of factors, but one of the most important factors, often controllable is the drilling fluid system used for the operation.During drilling, many problems related to drilling fluid properties arise, and they include a slow drilling rate or excessive drill pipe torque and drag, which merely render the drilling operation less efficient, causing non-productive time (NPT)
Comparative analysis of the quantified friction-reducing physicochemical properties of the additive shows that the biodiesel produced from the distilled pyrolytic oil is a suitable additive for the improved lubrication of the friction-prone metallic parts of drill bits when water-based drilling fluids are employed for drilling oil and gas wells
Alternative lubricant additives must have friction-reducing physicochemical properties and moderate costs comparedto those of petroleum oils before they can become widely accepted in the marketplace

Summary

Introduction

Many problems related to drilling fluid properties arise, and they include a slow drilling rate or excessive drill pipe torque and drag, which merely render the drilling operation less efficient, causing non-productive time (NPT). Significant friction can occur when raising and lowering the drill strings (tripping in and out of a hole), a problem called drag. Under certain conditions (substantial deviation, being under gauge holes, or the dynamics of the drill string being weak), the torque and drag can be enormous, leading to an unacceptable loss [3]. Adding a small amount of lubricant to the sludge can cut this energy loss, and it is common engineering practice to minimize friction by placing a layer of oil or grease between moving metal parts. The capillary pressure of the oil on the aqueous filter cake runs into thousands of pounds, so the pressure of the mud column on the filter cake’s surface compresses it and reduces the contact angle [3]

Methods

Results

Conclusion