Large-scale Oil Production Research Articles

Machine learning-driven prediction and optimization of monoaromatic oil production from catalytic co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastic wastes

Catalytic co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastic wastes is an efficient way for monoaromatic-rich oil production, while it is difficult to conclude oil evolution rule due to the complex interaction of multiple factors during co-pyrolysis. Hence, multiple machine learning algorithms were devised to aid process optimization and zeolite catalyst screening. The results showed that gradient boosting decision tree model performed the best prediction accuracy and generalization ability, as its coefficient of determination (R2) and root-mean-square error were 0.90 and 5.04, compared to random forest (R2 ∼ 0.84), extreme gradient boosting (R2 ∼ 0.90), and light gradient boosting machine (R2 ∼ 0.86). Both feature importance and partial dependence analysis showed that operating parameters, catalyst properties, and feedstock composition were in the descending order to affect oil yield with monoaromatic selectivity. The reaction temperature (∼500 °C) and feedstock/catalyst ratio (<5:1) had preferable influence on higher oil yield. The optimal selectivity of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEXs) in oil would be obtained at plastic proportion of around 60 wt% and Si/Al ratio of 20–30. The two-way PDA about interaction effect between multiple factors for oil products were also discussed in detail. The work favors to rationalize large-scale oil production from pyrolysis of solid wastes.

Research on the New Path of Oilfield Oily Wastewater Treatment and Resource Utilization Based on Big Data of Internet of Things

In oil exploitation, we often improve oil recovery by water injection, which is also the main reason to increase the water content of crude oil. At present, the most important artificial water injection technology in China is based on reservoir geological data, which is a way of injecting high-pressure water or polymer to improve formation pressure. At the same time, water or polymer will be injected into the ground, and water and crude oil will be produced from the ground together, which requires us to separate oil and water. At the same time, oil-water separation will produce a large amount of Oily Wastewater (hereinafter referred to as OW), which requires enterprises to treat OW quickly and effectively. Therefore, this paper first analyzes the classification of OW. In view of the common treatment methods, this paper carries out the treatment method of oil slick wastewater, which is also the main technology of water flooding to achieve large-scale oil production. With the popularity of computers, IOT has been applied to many fields, which is also applied to the treatment of oilfield OW. Through the various monitoring data, we can monitor the processing effect. This paper also analyzes the treatment process.

Modelling and Optimization of Processing Factors of Pumpkin Seeds Oil Extraction under Uniaxial Loading

In the present study, a Box–Behnken design of response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the processing factors (force: 100, 150, and 200 kN; speed: 3, 5, and 7 mm/min; and temperature: 40, 60, and 80 °C) for extracting pumpkin seeds oil under uniaxial compression. The design generated 15 experiments including twelve combinations of factors and three replicates at the center point. The responses: oil yield (%), oil expression efficiency (%), and energy (J) were calculated, and the regression models determined were statistically analyzed and validated. The optimum factors combination: 200 kN, 4 mm/min and 80 °C predicted the oil yield of 20.48%, oil expression efficiency of 60.90%, and energy of 848.04 J. The relaxation time of 12 min at the optimum factors increased the oil efficiency to 64.53%. The lower oil point force was determined to be 57.32 kN for estimating the maximum oil output. The tangent curve and generalized Maxwell models adequately (R2 = 0.996) described the compression and relaxation processes of pumpkin seeds oil extraction. Peroxide value increased with temperatures. The study provides detailed information useful for processing different bulk oilseeds under uniaxial loading for optimizing the mechanical oil pressing in large-scale oil production.

Comparative scoping study report for the extraction of microalgae oils from two subspecies of Chlorella vulgaris

Abstract The production of microalgae as a fatty acid oil resource for use in biofuels production is a widespread research topic at the lab scale. Microalgae contain a higher lipid content on a dry-weight basis compared to oilseeds such as soybeans. Additionally, the growth and cultivation cycle of microalgae is 15 days, in comparison to soybeans, for which the cycle occurs once or twice annually. However, to date, it has been uneconomical to produce microalgae oils in a world-scale facility due to limitations in cultivating microalgae at commercial scales. Recent developments suggest that the use of heterotrophic microalgae may be economically feasible for large-scale oil production. To assess this feasibility, a comparative scoping study was performed analysing the feasibility of an industrial-scale process plant for the growth and extraction of oil from microalgae. Processes were developed at the preliminary design level using heterotrophic subspecies and autotrophic subspecies of Chlorella vulgaris. AACE Class 4 cost estimates and economic analyses were performed. This study concludes that processes based on heterotrophic microalgae are more likely to reach economic feasibility than processes using autotrophic microalgae. However, a few barriers still remain to achieving free-market economic viability.

Differences between measured and reported volatile organic compound emissions from oil sands facilities in Alberta, Canada

Large-scale oil production from oil sands deposits in Alberta, Canada has raised concerns about environmental impacts, such as the magnitude of air pollution emissions. This paper reports compound emission rates (E) for 69-89 nonbiogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for each of four surface mining facilities, determined with a top-down approach using aircraft measurements in the summer of 2013. The aggregate emission rate (aE) of the nonbiogenic VOCs ranged from 50 ± 14 to 70 ± 22 t/d depending on the facility. In comparison, equivalent VOC emission rates reported to the Canadian National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) using accepted estimation methods were lower than the aE values by factors of 2.0 ± 0.6, 3.1 ± 1.1, 4.5 ± 1.5, and 4.1 ± 1.6 for the four facilities, indicating underestimation in the reported VOC emissions. For 11 of the combined 93 VOC species reported by all four facilities, the reported emission rate and E were similar; but for the other 82 species, the reported emission rate was lower than E The median ratio of E to that reported for all species by a facility ranged from 4.5 to 375 depending on the facility. Moreover, between 9 and 53 VOCs, for which there are existing reporting requirements to the NPRI, were not included in the facility emission reports. The comparisons between the emission reports and measurement-based emission rates indicate that improvements to VOC emission estimation methods would enhance the accuracy and completeness of emission estimates and their applicability to environmental impact assessments of oil sands developments.

Multivariate diallel analysis allows multiple gains in segregating populations for agronomic traits in Jatropha.

Jatropha is research target worldwide aimed at large-scale oil production for biodiesel and bio-kerosene. Its production potential is among 1200 and 1500 kg/ha of oil after the 4th year. This study aimed to estimate combining ability of Jatropha genotypes by multivariate diallel analysis to select parents and crosses that allow gains in important agronomic traits. We performed crosses in diallel complete genetic design (3 x 3) arranged in blocks with five replications and three plants per plot. The following traits were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter, canopy projection between rows, canopy projection on the line, number of branches, mass of hundred grains, and grain yield. Data were submitted to univariate and multivariate diallel analysis. Genotypes 107 and 190 can be used in crosses for establishing a base population of Jatropha, since it has favorable alleles for increasing the mass of hundred grains and grain yield and reducing the plant height. The cross 190 x 107 is the most promising to perform the selection of superior genotypes for the simultaneous breeding of these traits.

Extraction of Oil from Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Using Enzyme-Assisted Three-Phase Partitioning.

In this study, enzyme-assisted three-phase partitioning (EATPP) was used to extract oil from flaxseed. The whole procedure is composed of two parts: the enzymolysis procedure in which the flaxseed was hydrolyzed using an enzyme solution (the influencing parameters such as the type and concentration of enzyme, temperature, and pH were optimized) and three-phase partitioning (TPP), which was conducted by adding salt and t-butanol to the crude flaxseed slurry, resulting in the extraction of flaxseed oil into alcohol-rich upper phase. The concentration of t-butanol, concentration of salt, and the temperature were optimized to maximize the extraction yield. Under optimized conditions of a 49.29% t-butanol concentration, 30.43% ammonium sulfate concentration, and 35°C extraction temperature, a maximum extraction yield of 71.68% was obtained. This simple and effective EATPP can be used to achieve high extraction yields and oil quality, and thus, it is potential for large-scale oil production.

Responses in growth, lipid accumulation, and fatty acid composition of four oleaginous microalgae to different nitrogen sources and concentrations

Nitrogen deficiency is an effective strategy for enhancing lipid production in microalgae. Close relationships exist among lipid production, microalgal species, and nitrogen sources. We report growth, lipid accumulation, and fatty acid composition in four microalgae (Chlorococcum ellipsoideum UTEX972, Chlorococcum nivale LB2225, Chlorococcum tatrense UTEX2227, and Scenedesmus deserticola JNU19) under nitrate- and urea-nitrogen deficiencies. We found three patterns of response to nitrogen deficiency: Type-A (decrease in biomass and increase in lipid content), Type-B (reduction in both biomass and lipid content), and Type-C (enhancement of both biomass and lipid content). Type-C microalgae are potential candidates for large-scale oil production. Chlorococcum ellipsoideum, for example, exhibited a neutral lipid production of up to 239.6 mg/(L·d) under urea-nitrogen deficiency. In addition, nitrogen deficiency showed only a slight influence on lipid fractions and fatty acid composition. Our study provides useful information for further screening hyper-lipid microalgal strains for biofuel production.

Revising the potential of large-scale Jatropha oil production in Tanzania: An economic land evaluation assessment

Following up the rather sobering results of the biofuels boom in Tanzania, we analyze the preconditions that would make large-scale oil production from the feedstock Jatropha curcas viable. We do this by employing an economic land evaluation approach; first, we estimate the physical land suitability and the necessary inputs to reach certain amounts of yields. Subsequently, we estimate costs and benefits for different input-output levels. Finally, to incorporate the increased awareness of sustainability in the export sector, we introduce also certification criteria. Using data from an experimental farm in Kilosa, we find that high yields are crucial for the economic feasibility and that they can only be obtained on good soils at high input rates. Costs of compliance with certification criteria depend on site specific characteristics such as land suitability and precipitation. In general, both domestic production and (certified) exports are too expensive to be able to compete with conventional diesel/rapeseed oil from the EU. Even though the crop may have potential for large scale production as a niche product, there is still a lot of risk involved and more experimental research is needed.

Iran's Oil Nationalization and Mossadegh's Involvement with the World Bank

The first encounter between the World Bank and Iran over Iran's oil dispute with Great Britain took place in Washington, DC. The World Bank's Vice President, Robert Garner, met with Iranian Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh, who was in the United States to address a British resolution pending before the United Nations Security Council. In three Bank missions to Iran between January and March 1952, several features of the Bank's proposed temporary management of the recently nationalized Iranian oil company were discussed. The Iranian government refused to approve the employment of British nationals under the Bank's operation of the nationalized oil company. The Bank, meanwhile, prevented by its Articles of Agreement from excluding employment of personnel from one of its members, could not agree to undertake the temporary operation of Iran's nationalized oil company. After a few months' break in contact between Iran and the Bank, the Iranian government sent a representative to the Bank to reopen the discussions - but unaccompanied by a controversial international adviser Mossadegh had requested. Consequently, when the oil talks reopened, the Iranian representative was unprepared to fully articulate a new Iranian proposal that would allow the reengagement of British personnel. Unfortunately, the Bank team did not follow up on this meeting and did not support the Iranian representative in refining the new proposal. Less than a year later, Mossadegh was deposed, and an international consortium took over operation of the Iranian oil company. The fall of Mossadegh demolished the hope for national sovereignty and full democracy in Iran - with far-reaching consequences for the Iranian people and the international community. This article, based mostly on archived and unpublished World Bank materials, reviews the involvement of Mohammad Mossadegh's government with the World Bank after the March 1951 nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC). Before nationalization, the AIOC had a considerable international market share for crude and petroleum products. Its operation of the world's largest refinery in Abadan ensured an uninterrupted supply of oil products to the British merchant and navy fleet. However, the Iranian workers in Abadan lived in appalling conditions, with no running water or electricity. The AIOC's profit distribution was also highly uneven. For example, in 1946, its profit taxes to the British government were twice as large as its royalties and net profits payments to Iran. In February 1951, the AIOC increased its profit-sharing offer to 50-50, but the Iranian government was not satisfied. Many Iranians considered the AIOC exploitative, and its nationalization plan constituted a critical element of the government reform program. On March 20, 1951, the Iranian Senate approved the nationalization bill. In May 1951, the AIOC applied to the International Court of Justice at The Hague for arbitration proceedings. While British warships were stationed near Abadan, the British government appealed to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to pass a resolution for the two parties to resume negotiations.1 After the AIOC was nationalized and its British personnel left Iran, operations at its oil fields ceased. Iranian-trained workers were unable to manage large-scale oil production, and a British-imposed embargo made it almost impossible for Iran to find tankers to export oil.2 Consequently, the heavily oil-dependent Iranian economy suffered considerably and while the US refused to grant financial support and the Soviet government declined to repay its wartime debts to Iran, budget and balance-of-payments deficits ballooned.3 Among several unsuccessful attempts to resolve the dispute, at least two were made by from the US government: first by Henry Grady, US Ambassador to Iran,4 and then by W. Averell Harriman, President Harry S. Truman's special foreign policy assistant, who went to Tehran to reconcile the two diverging positions. …

Can policy intervention beat the resource curse? Evidence from the Chad–Cameroon pipeline project

Countries that are heavily dependent on natural resource exports have performed poorly on various measures of economic, social, and political development — a phenomenon usually described as ‘the resource curse’. In spite of this, many Western policymakers believe that natural resources will ultimately provide Africa’s road to development. The World Bank argues that the resource curse is not inevitable and that good governance and sound economic policies are intervening variables that can mitigate its ill effects. This article critically evaluates the Chad–Cameroon pipeline project in order to assess whether or not policy interventions can ameliorate the resource curse. The largest single private sector investment in sub-Saharan Africa, the Chad–Cameroon pipeline project has also featured unprecedented World Bank policy interventions designed to address the complex environmental, social, and budgetary implications of large-scale oil production. The pipeline project is the World Bank’s most significant attempt yet to modify the intervening variable of government policy and transform the equation from one of resource extraction + bad governance → poverty exacerbation to one of resource extraction + good governance → poverty reduction. This article finds that these policy interventions are not working well and that the Chad–Cameroon pipeline project is unlikely to lead to poverty alleviation.

Slave-Raiders and Middlemen, Monopolists and Free-Traders: the supply of slaves for the Atlantic trade in Dahomeyc. 1715–1850

This article, which extends and modifies the analysis offered in an earlier article in this journal (1977), examines what is known of the organization of the supply of slaves for the trans-Atlantic trade in Dahomey, with particular emphasis on the relative importance of local slave-raiding and the purchase of slaves from the interior, and on the evolution of a group of private merchants within Dahomey. It is argued that initially the kings of Dahomey sought to operate the slave trade as a royal monopoly, and relied exclusively upon slave-raiding rather than purchasing slaves from the interior. From the mid-eighteenth century, however, Dahomey did seek to operate as a ‘ middleman’ in the supply of slaves from the interior, and since its kings did not normally attempt to control this aspect of the trade this involved the emergence of a private sector in the slave trade. Although merchants in Dahomey were in origin state officials, licensed to trade on behalf of the king or ‘caboceers’ (chiefs), they subsequently acquired the right to trade on their own account also and thus became in some measure independent of the state structure. The autonomy and wealth of the merchant community in Dahomey were further enhanced by the transition from slave to palm oil exports in the nineteenth century, when leading merchants moved into large-scale oil production, using slave labour supplied by the king. There were recurrent tensions between the monarchy and the merchants over commercial policy and over the monarchy's expropriatory fiscal practices, and the conflict of interests between the two was exacerbated by the development of the oil trade, undermining the solidarity of Dahomey in the face of the European imperialism of the late nineteenth century.

Petroleum Exploration and Production in Europe in 1975

Large-scale oil production from North Sea fields started late in 1975, but production elsewhere in western and southern Europe changed little from the 1974 rate. A large gas field in the Dutch North Sea area went on production and other fields were being developed actively. A major oil discovery was made at Brae in the Viking graben near the center of the North Sea east of northern Scotland. Other new fields were found in the Viking graben and the Moray Firth basin and major extensions were drilled to discoveries of previous years. Two exploratory wells off the east coast of Spain tested large volumes of oil. In the Molasse basin of Austria there was an important discovery of oil and another of gas. A new gas field was found in the Molasse basin in southern Germany. In It ly there were 7 gas discoveries and a large reservoir of low-gravity oil was found in the Adriatic. New fields, probably small size, were found onshore in France, The Netherlands, and Sweden, and a 1973 oil discovery in southern England was confirmed and extended. In the Soviet Union production of crude oil and condensate was 9,820,000 b/d and of gas 27 Bcf/d. The large increase in Soviet oil production was at the expense of heavy withdrawals from a limited number of large fields, and there was concern about adequacy of future supply. Discoveries of oil in Paleozoic rocks of the floor of the southern West Siberian basin have encouraged extensive exploration in that region. Among widespread gas and oil discoveries in different parts of the USSR, deeper pool gas discoveries in the western Caspian at 16,500 to 17,500 ft (5,029 to 5,334 m), and gas discoveries and extensions in the Sea of Azov were of special interest.