Abstract
Conventional treatment of drill cuttings, as drying and thermal desorption, is failing to meet environmental and economic standards; therefore, new alternatives for the treatment of this waste must be developed. The purpose of this study was to remove n-paraffin from drill cuttings using microemulsion systems (MES). The extraction percentage (%) of n-paraffin was quantified by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The optimization of extraction parameters showed that the extraction percentage (%) is directly proportional to the stirring speed and contact time and inversely proportional to the HLB of the surfactant used in the microemulsion system. Results for MES using Alkonat® L90 and Renex® 95 were similar, but Alkonat® L90 was chosen as the best system considering the environmental issue. The MES/cuttings ratio did not influence the percentage of n-paraffin extracted, reaching 55.03% and 56.32% for the ratios of 0.5 and 2.0, respectively. The reuse of MES in multiple extractions showed that MES can be reused in up to two extractions, obtaining up to 86% extraction. The optimal parameters for Alkonat® L90 microemulsion systems were MES/cuttings ratio of 1.0, stirring speed of 132 strokes, and contact time of 80 min, achieving 86.27% extraction. Results obtained in this study may help to better understand n-paraffin removal from drill cuttings by MES, considering the future use of this technology in the design of an industrial treatment plant for both onshore and offshore operations.
Highlights
Drill cuttings are rock fragments cut from the formation by the drill bit and carried to the surface by the drilling fluid
This study reports the use of new microemulsion systems in the treatment of drill cuttings contaminated with n-paraffin, as well as the study of the influence of extraction parameters on the percentage of extraction
It was concluded that 150 °C and 4 h of drying time are enough to remove the most volatile contaminants, as well as the n-paraffin adsorbed on contaminated cuttings
Summary
Drill cuttings are rock fragments cut from the formation by the drill bit and carried to the surface by the drilling fluid. When drilling is made using paraffin-based non-aqueous fluids, this n-paraffin adsorbs on drill cuttings, promoting contamination, and, the treatment and disposal control of this waste are mandatory (Ball et al 2012; Caenn et al 2016). Contaminated drill cuttings are generally treated in two different ways: by drying the cuttings or by performing thermal desorption. Drying uses a cuttings dryer (vertical centrifuge) to promote the separation of n-paraffin (which can be reused) and drill cuttings, which are generally disposed of in landfills. Thermal desorption utilizes high temperatures to promote contaminant evaporation, which can be condensed for reuse, and the solid waste can be discarded (OGP 2003; Jacques Whitford Stantec 2009; Ball et al 2012)
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