Loss Of Crude Oil Research Articles

Superamphiphobic coating prepared via a two-step spray method: An effective coating for reducing VOCs emission from crude oil tank

In the petrochemical industry, crude oil adhesion in storage tanks leads to volatilization of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), causing environmental harm and economic losses. Superamphiphobic coatings show promise in addressing this issue, but current options face challenges like complexity, limited durability, and poor corrosion resistance. This work introduces a durable and corrosion-resistant superamphiphobic coating on Q235 carbon steel using the "paint + adhesives" two-step spray method. The first layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and epoxy resin (E-44), while the second layer consists of fluorine modified silica nanoparticles (F-SiO2). The numerous and homogeneously dispersed fluorine on the coating imparts excellent liquid-repelling properties for both water and crude oil, with a water contact angle of 164.1 ± 2.4° and a sliding angle of 1.1 ± 0.1°, as well as a crude oil contact angle of 172.1 ± 0.9° and a sliding angle of 2.5 ± 0.5°. Systematic stability tests confirm the coating's mechanical and chemical stability, suggesting its potential in practical applications. Importantly, a crude oil tank with our superamphiphobic coating can reduce non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) volatilization by 77.4 % ± 7.8 % compared to an uncoated tank. This research provides a superamphiphobic coating to reduce crude oil loss and VOC volatilization in petrochemical enterprises, showing significant contribution to environmental sustainability.

Kinetics of thermal decomposition of crude oils: Insights from principal component analysis and products characterization

Energy demand is souring, and fossil fuel reserves are dwindling, making heavy oil resources more attractive. In this study, thermogravimetric and Py-GC/MS analyses were conducted on Iranian crude oil samples to compare high and low API (American Petroleum Institute) crude oils. A kinetic study based on mass loss of crude oil was performed using three model-free methods and distributed activation energy model (DAEM). To do that, TG analysis carried out, the temperature was increased from room temperature to 1000 °C with heating rates of 10, 20, and 30 °C min−1. Activation energy (Ea) and pre-exponential factor (A0) were estimated from Friedman, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), and Ozawa-Flynn–Wall (OFW) methods for oil sample. The Ea and A0 for heavy crude oil (Koroosh) pyrolysis varied between 59.85 and 193.83 kJ mol−1 and 1.34 × 105 to 4.36 × 1011 s−1, respectively. For light crude oil sample Lavan, the Ea and A0 ranged between 35.93 to 62.89 kJ mol−1 and 337.41–722.65 s−1, respectively. Pearson's correlation analysis found that the activation energy barrier increases as the reaction progresses and the temperature rises. This makes it harder to form the activated complex, which is a key step in the reaction. Principal component analysis supported these findings. Saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons were liberated at mild temperature while the resins and asphaltenes consecutively released in favorable condition for developing sustainable heavy oil recovery systems. Py/GC–MS analysis shows the evolution of saturated hydrocarbon in Koroosh-oil and aromatic hydrocarbons in Lavan-oil and demonstrates their suitability for fuel applications.

An optimization framework to integrate distributed energy system in the crude oil stabilization process

ABSTRACT Crude oil stabilization is one of the important processes for crude oil treatment, which can reduce the evaporation loss of crude oil and improve the process safety of crude oil storage and transportation. The difference of operating conditions affects the product benefit and energy consumption of crude oil stabilization. In order to improve the overall economic efficiency, this paper used the data interaction function of MATLAB and HYSYS, and the temperature and pressure of the stabilized tower were optimized by using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Meanwhile, combined with the distributed energy system, the mixed-integer linear programming model was developed, and the design strategy of the energy supply equipment was determined by taking the minimum annual equipment cost and fuel cost as the objective function, so as to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. The method was validated in an oil field in China. The results showed that the optimal operating conditions after optimization were 0.1MPa and 130°C. The energy supply equipment was selected as an electric heater, a CHP engine, and a waste heat boiler. The energy consumption cost at this time is 3 .109 × 1 0 5 CNY/a, which is 17.65% less than the actual operating cost of the site. At the same time, carbon emissions fell by 7.8%. This method can guide the operation of the oilfield site to a certain extent.

Conversion of petroleum emulsion into light fraction-rich upgraded oil in supercritical methanol

Unconventional crude oil extraction, transportation, and downstream refining have encountered a huge formation of petroleum emulsion (or rag layer), which causes serious problems such as equipment corrosion, loss of crude oil, and catalyst poisoning. In addition, if not treated properly, the rag layer engenders toxic and hazardous effects on the environment and living organisms. In this study, we developed a supercritical methanol (scMeOH) route to convert the petroleum emulsions into light fraction-rich upgraded oil with low impurities. Several process variables were investigated, including temperature (350–400 °C), rag layer concentration (16.7–100 wt%), and reaction time (30–90 min). At 400 °C, 35 MPa, 16.7 wt%, and 90 min, a high recoverable oil yield (76.7 wt%) was achieved. In addition, the naphtha-to-diesel fractions increased significantly from 6.0 (rag layer) to 42.0 wt% (upgraded oil), the acidity in terms of total acid number (TAN) was reduced by up to 91.5% from 58.7 (rag layer) to 5.0 mg-KOH/g-oil (upgraded oil), and the heteroatoms (O, N, S) and metallic impurities (Ca, Ni, V, Fe) were reduced significantly in the upgraded oil. A model compound study revealed that esterification is the major deacidification pathway for TAN reduction. The rag layer conversion in scMeOH was compared with those in subcritical water (without adding additional methanol or water) and in supercritical water (scH2O). Asphaltenes, Ni, and N were completely removed from the toxic rag layer in the presence of scMeOH as compared to scH2O treatment, which makes it more suitable for upgrading.

Speciation of heavy metals in coastal water of Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf

Fuel storage tanks are one of the main sources of water pollution as well as loss of crude oil and oil products in refineries. In the process of utilization of these tanks, considerable amounts of hydrocarbons may find their way into the coastal water, which eventually lead to loss of valuable hydrocarbons. Oil type, climatic condition and characteristics of oil tanks are among the main variables in computing evaporative losses. The present study brings out the results of a project that was carried out to investigate the adverse effects of oil terminal on coastal waters of Qeshm Island and aims to elaborate on speciation of metals in coastal waters. For this purpose, 12 stations were sampled. Water chemistry software was used to draw Eh-pH diagrams. Along with the speciation of heavy metals, cluster analysis was carried out by MVSP software. According to the results, HSC diagrams showed that Cu and Cd were present as free ions. Lead, manganese, cobalt, zinc and nickel were respectively present as PbOH, MnOH, ZnOH, CoOH and NiOH in the Persian Gulf. Speciation of Cu and Ni was in the form of Cu2O and NiO. Vanadium was also present in combination with hydroxide. Since all the studied elements were within the water stability range, they were stable, and there were no environmental risks of contamination and toxicity. The results of cluster analysis did not show any relation between Eh and pH. This clearly showed that Eh-pH was governed by different mechanisms in coastal waters of Qeshm Island. Vanadium and Ni concentration was governed by pH, while Cu and Cd concentration was controlled by Eh.

How much oil is actually removed by evaporation, photo-oxidation and microbial weathering?

Crude oil is a complex mixture of thousands of organic compounds including alkanes, aromatics, asphaltenes, resins and waxes. A number of physical, chemical and biological weathering processes, as well as, vertical sinking followed by burial in sediments act on oil once it is released into the marine waters. The weathering processes cause oil's initial concentration/composition to change into oil residues, and allow natural mechanisms for oxidation and conversion of reduced organic carbons in oil back to CO2 and biomass. Once the lighter compounds are gone due to weathering, and some new oxidative compounds are formed, the heavier constituents left behind as residues ultimately sink to the bottom and/or strand at the coasts. The oil and oil residues can persist much longer in soil and sediments (20–40 years) than in the water column (<6 months), and can have long-term environmental impacts. Thus, it is important to know the amount and fates of the residues produced and transported to the seafloor and/or to the coastal marshes after early oil weathering in marine water column. The understanding of likely fates and behavior of oil allows us to choose and optimize a most appropriate response option. Recent studies have considered hopane as degradation resistant, used hopane normalization to determine the loss of select oil constituents via weathering, and have concluded that a significant proportion of spilled oil quickly is removed. Such analysis, however, are based on percentage removal of GC-amenable alkanes and PAHs, and may not represent the actual amount of loss of spilled oil via weathering processes as a large fractions of the crude oils (higher alkanes, PAHs, oxidative products, asphaltenes, resins and wax) are not GC-amenable which are not accounted in GC-based analysis. In the present study, we conducted a series of laboratory weathering experiments for direct estimation of the actual amount of loss of crude oil via evaporation and biodegradation. A known amount (mass) of BP surrogate oil was mixed into the natural seawater and allowed for weathering for 30 days, simulating natural physical conditions and periodically flushing the water to prevent accumulation of biomass. At the end of the experiment, oil residues were carefully collected, solvent extracted followed by evaporation of solvent and weighing the residues left behind. The comparison of pre-post mass, and mass balance including flushed water, provides direct estimation of loss of oil via weathering. This is a work-in-progress and results will be presented during the conference.

Monitoring of Oil and Gas Pipelines by Use of VTOL-Type Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Summary The vast and diverse spread of the oil and gas pipeline infrastructure makes real-time monitoring of the entire network a very costly task. This topology has provided vandals and crude-oil thieves with the opportunity of tapping the pipelines and successfully stealing crude oil from them unhindered. Nigeria lost more than USD 11 billion to crude-oil theft and pipeline vandalization over a 4-year period (2007 to 2011). The increase in vandalization has led to the divestment of assets by some of these oil companies because it is no longer economical to continue operating the assets. Strategies used by the government and oil companies to tackle these challenges include the deployment of military personnel to these assets and also along their pipeline right of way (ROW). In spite of these attempts, the results show that the deployment of these personnel and the attendant cost have not reduced the quantity and frequency of oil theft because the deployment time to some of these locations also contributes to delay in the response of the security personnel. The deployment of dynamic pipeline-pressure profiles enables the determination of the onset of a leak or a loss of crude oil. This paper presents the deployment plan and communication architecture of the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) type of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) for pipeline monitoring. The pipeline network of the company is divided into wide area cells, and each cell is controlled from a facility. Low-power UAVs with directional antennas and long-range zoom cameras are deployed to provide real-time visual monitoring of the pipeline section whenever a pressure drip or any significant third-party activity is detected on a section of the pipeline. Security personnel can then be deployed to the pipeline section if vandal activity is detected. This solution has the capability of reducing crude-oil theft by providing accurate location data in a timely manner to the company with respect to the bunkering activity along its pipeline ROW and also enabling the timely deployment of personnel to contain the situation.

Assessment of the physicochemical and microbiological status of western Niger Delta soil for crude oil pollution bioremediation potential.

The physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of the soil across the western Niger Delta area of Nigeria were determined to assess its potential for natural remediation of crude oil pollution. The pH (oil-producing area, 6.1 ± 1.1; non-oil producing, 5.9 ± 0.9) and temperature (28-35 °C in both areas) were favourable to natural remediation, while the fluctuating moisture (7.7-45.6 %) and the dominant sandy soil textural classes (70 %) were limitations. The carbon nitrogen phosphorus (CNP) ratio markedly exceeded recommended 100:10:1, while the cation exchange capacity was below acceptable range. Counts of heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and hydrocarbon-utilising and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (mean range log10 3.8 ± 1.5-6.52 ± 0.9 cfu/g) were favourable having markedly exceeded the minimum counts required. Crude oil loss was highest in loam soil, but significantly (P = 0.00) increased in all soil textural classes including sandy soils after amendment with cow dung/poultry dropping and manual aeration in laboratory and 8-month field tests as indicated by two-way ANOVA. Thus, the overall assessment is that while CNP can be viewed as the major limiting factor to natural oil pollution remediation in the western Niger Delta soil, its influence can be minimised by the amendment indicated in the study.

Phytoremediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil with <i>Axonopus compressus</i> in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

The study assessed the effectiveness of carpet grass (Axonopus compressus) in the phytoremediation management of oil impacted soil in Ubeji and Alesa Eleme communities of Niger Delta region of Nigeria. To achieve this, the study employed an experimental research design that involved the use of Axonopus compressus in the management of oil-impacted soil sites of Ubeji and Alesa Eleme. This experiment lasted for four months’ period (one planting season). Axonopus sp. was used for the treatment of the crude oil impacted sites. Laboratory analysis of the soil samples was conducted to determine the effect of phytoremediation on hydrocarbon, acidity, organic matter and moisture loss in oil impacted sites. The study revealed that the use of Axonopus sp. resulted in 66% loss of hydrocarbon from crude oil-impacted soils of Ubeji and Alesa Eleme. However, there is no significant difference in crude oil loss in the soils of Ubeji and Alesa Eleme as a result of Axonopus sp. This could be ascribed to the similarities in soil properties and climate type of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It also showed that the growth of Axonopus sp. in the crude oil-impacted soils of Ubeji and Alesa Eleme has reduced the acidity of hydrocarbon content in soils (4.46 - 6.87 pH in Ubeji and 4.66 - 6.86 pH in Alesa Eleme) from the first day to the 90th days of experiment, and thereafter there was stabilization at the 4th month. This indicates that acidity in soil increases (lower pH) with increase in the concentration of crude oil in soils. However, the adoption of Axonopus sp. in hydrocarbon-impacted soils has increased the pH of soils, and enhanced the accumulation of organic matter and moisture content in oil-impacted soils of Ubeji and Alesa Eleme. The implication of the findings is that Axonopus sp. has the tenacity to phytoremediate hydrocarbon concentration in soil effectively in any geographical region of the world; as such, it is recommended for adoption by oil companies, government and non-governmental organization agency for the remediation of oil spill sites.

Phytoremediation Innovative Technology (Series 2): A Short-term Comparative Analysis of Enhanced Biodegradation of Crude Oil in the Soil by Macrophytic Nodulation

A short term comparative ecological study of the use of two agro-forestry species, Leucaena leucocephala , Lam De. Wit and Bauhinia monandra , Kurz, in bioremediation of oil polluted environment was carried out, focusing on the evaluation and enhancing potential of the macrophytic species for degradation of hydrocarbon (crude oil) in the soil relative to their nodulation efficacy. Results show that L. leucocephala had nodules with levels ranging between 1.40 ± 1.40 to 11.60 ± 2.20 plant -1 and relative to various pollution levels and 15.10 ± 6.10 plant -1 in the control condition. Though L. leucocephala experienced pollution depression upon time lag in nodulation, the depression was directly proportional to the intensities of pollution. Bauhinia monandra had none at the end of the experiment both in the polluted and controlled conditions. Total hydrocarbon level following treatment of the soil by L. leucocephala and B. monadra has been deduced in relation to post-pollution concentration, disappearance and net % loss on such treated soil environment. A comparatively high value of 60% total loss of crude oil was indicated in L. leucocephala treated soil. This shows that natural biodegradation could be a major and ultimate mechanism for elimination of oil in terrestrial environment. The highest total % loss of crude oil was recorded in Leucaena leucocephala than Bauhinia monandra treated soil. Leucaena leucocephala showed an enhanced performance than Bauhinia monandra at the end of the study. Leucaena leucocephala was thus considered more ideal and more promising for remediation work than B.monandra . Keywords : Leucaena leucocephala, Bauhinia monandra , bioremediation, crude oil, nodulation Global Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 11-18

04/01781 Daily oil losses in shipping crude oil: measuring crude oil loss rates in daily North Sea shipping operations: Bhatia, R. and Dinwoodie, J. Energy Policy, 2004, 32, (6), 811–822

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are important air pollution issues because of their potential health effects, and the contribution to ground ozone and secondary particulate matter. In this study, 53 VOC species near nine roads in Hanoi were monitored by sampling and analyzed by GC-FID four times per day on weekdays and in the morning on the weekend, from December 2014 to January 2015. In parallel with VOC sampling, vehicle number was counted, and meteorological conditions were recorded. A large share of motorbikes was found, accounted for 82% of overall for all period, and 88% in rush hours. The average TVOC concentration was 305.1 ppb; while those of BTEX were 12.8/27.4/4.8/15.9/6.0 ppb for benzene/toluene/ethylbenzene/m,p-xylenes/o-xylene, respectively. Isopentane was the most abundant species of VOCs. A significant carcinogenic risk of benzene species was found. Ozone formation potential (OFP) of VOCs was of 1752.7 ppb. Levels of VOC species reflected well the transportation volume. Strong correlations between motorbike number related parameters and ethylbenzene were found. High correlations were also found among ethylbenzene and almost all other VOC species. It implied that the majority of VOCs near road emitted from the same source, which is motorbikes. The calculation using emission factors from COPERT 5 model with conditions of fleets in Hanoi showed that VOCs from motorbikes contributed to more than 90% of the VOC level.

Daily oil losses in shipping crude oil: measuring crude oil loss rates in daily North Sea shipping operations

Catastrophic crude oil spills excite media interest but operators usually manage greater losses from daily shipping operations single-handed. This paper invites energy policy makers to re-embrace daily oil losses. It categorises them, discusses physical and accounting measures and reports empirically crude oil loss patterns and factors influencing them on some recent North Sea voyages. Losses varied with crude-type, measured by its vapour pressure, API gravity and viscosity, but evaporative loss in transit was low on these short voyages. Where sediment and water content influenced losses or error rates are exceptional, measurement techniques should be revised. Varying losses across load and discharge ports infer revisions to tank and terminal designs. Empirical evidence revealed reduced losses in double hull vessels, supporting clingage theories, although insufficient pre-1985 or segregated ballast tank vessels were in employment to permit meaningful comparisons with newer ships. Calculating and applying vessel experience factors assists comparison and loss prediction. To minimise losses requires closer involvement of policy makers with operators.

Nitrogen fixing bacteria enhanced bioremediation of a crude oil polluted soil

The use of nitrogen fixing bacteria to enhance bioremediation of a crude oil polluted soil was investigated in a 56-day study period. Soil pH ranged between 5.3 - 6.8. Soil moisture content ranged between 10-30%. Counts of heterotrophic bacteria ranged between 4.5 x 106 - 6.0 x lO7Cfu/g. Counts of hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria ranged between 2.5 x 106 - 2.0 x lO7 Cfu/g. Levels of total organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and hydrocarbons decreased with time during the study period except in the kill control cell. The highest percentage loss of crude oil (84%) was recorded in cells, which contained seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris (White beans) and 5g slurry of Bacillus polymyxa. Cells in which 5g slurry of Anacystis (Chroococcus) sp., 5g slurries each of Azotobacter sp., Bacillus polymyxa and Anacystis (Chroococcus) sp. were applied, recorded 56% and 80% losses of crude oil respectively. Cells in which 5g slurry of Azotobacter sp., 5g slurries each of Azotobacter sp. and Bacillus polymyxa were applied, recorded 80% loss of crude oil. The fertilizer (NPK 15:15:15) treated cell showed a 64% loss of crude. The cell containing fertilizer (NPK 15:15:15) with seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris, and the cell containing fertilizer NPK 15:15:15 with 5g slurry of Anacystis (Chroococcus) sp showed 64% and 72% losses of crude oil respectively. The cell in which all treatment options were applied showed 56% loss of crude oil. The cell in which tilling alone was employed showed 72% loss of crude oil. The kill control cell recorded the least percentage loss of crude oil (24%) at the end of the study period. Results indicate that at 0.05 (95%) level of significance, there is a significant difference between nutrient level arising from treatment option and hydrocarbon level in soil samples. Thus the % losses of crude oil recorded in treatment cells were due to treatment options applied (at 95% level of significance) The results indicated a higher bioremediation rate when nitrogen-fixing bacteria were used instead of when inorganic nutrient (fertilizer) were applied. Key words: - Nitrogen fixing bacteria, Bioremediation, Crude oil, Polluted soil, Fertilizer. (Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences: 2002 8(4): 455-470)

The Oil Waste History of Smackover Field, Arkansas

Smackover Field, discovered in 1922, is an excellent example of the methodology of heavy oil handling and loss in early 20th century flush production fields. Emulsion problems and waste were severe; millions of barrels of heavy oil were stored in earthen pits for up to a decade, and millions of barrels of oil were lost to land and water. The largest quantity of crude oil waste was from the inadequate handling and treatment of waterin- oil emulsions. Crude oil loss was also associated with earthen storage both on leases and in large tank farms. Lease storage pits served numerous purposes and had the most complex fluid history. Many were used for decades as saltwater disposal pits following the flush oil period. Large earthen tank farms on the field edge stored millions of barrels of heavy oil in the 1920s and 1930s but were not used for saltwater storage. Today the farms exist within young forests where the ground is hardened by asphaltic deposits associated with both earthen construction and seepage loss. Drainage areas also provide a record of the extensive waste oil history. Asphaltic layers are most prominent in creek areas that did not burn, but degraded oil exists to some extent in almost all field drainage areas.

Abstract: Massive U. S. Crude Oil Losses, 1901-1933: Examples from Caddo-Pine Island and Smackover Fields 

ABSTRACT Oil spills of a few hundred thousand barrels or greater rank as the modern world's top fifty losses. These oil losses are fairly-well documented as compared to the crude oil losses of pre-1940s United States and other world production regions. Massive overproduction events coupled with rule of capture law plus technical limitations resulted in early 20th-century crude oil losses unprecedented in history. Great crude oil loss occurred due to earthen storage leakage and failure, evaporation, discarded emulsions, fires and well blowouts. There was practically no cleanup of any spillage, thus oil and associated saltwater remained as long-term influences on ecosystem recovery. Documentation of historic field development, including oil and saltwater production, storage and documented spillage, is used as the basis for field observations and imagery study. Historic spill analysis must take into account associated saltwater losses, as saltwater damage dominates old field landscapes. Caddo-Pine Island Field, LA, and Smackover Field, AR, share similar landscapes and climates yet vary some in their oilfield waste histories. Caddo-Pine Island Field's largest single oil loss occurred over 9 months (December 1918-August 1919) during heavy oil overproduction in the Pine Island district. A minimum of 3 million barrels of oil was lost. Smackover Field suffered heavy long-term chronic heavy oil loss starting in 1922. The field held 18 million barrels of heavy oil in earthen storage by 1925; recovery of the last 8 million barrels was not completed until 1933. Up to 25 million barrels of oil were lost in the field's first twelve years of production. The most pronounced landscape patterns are those dominated by major saltwater loss--most obvious is the extensive erosion and redeposition in drainage areas, very slow vegetative recovery, and major vegetative change with recovery. Areas of primarily oil loss are less obvious, as landscape damage is much less severe. Remnant asphaltic deposits are present in areas of largest heavy oil loss.

The use of satellites to detect oil slicks at sea

Oil pollution from ships (and offshore installations) poses a threat to the marine environment in two ways: • • the loss of crude oil due to accidents which can range in size from a few tens of tonnes to some hundreds of thousands of tonnes; and • • the deliberate illegal discharge of oil, which can vary from a few litres to a few tonnes. The effects of major spills have been well studied and the acute effects of the oil on the environment are fairly well understood. Illegal discharges pose a chronic threat and should be considered along with the other (greater) source of oil pollution which is land based, entering the marine environment via rivers. This paper will concentrate on illegal discharges from ships and offshore installations and how we in the UK consider satellites might be of value in detecting and deterring illegal discharges.

BIOREMEDIATION STUDY OF SPILLED CRUDE OIL ON FOWLER BEACH, DELAWARE

ABSTRACT A statistical approach was used to determine whether nutrient and/or microbial inoculation enhances the loss of crude oil experimentally released onto plots on the shoreline of Delaware Bay. Five replicates of three treatments were examined (nutrients alone, nutrients plus an inoculum of indigenous bacteria from the site, and an unamended control). An unoiled control served as a baseline for microbiological and toxicological studies. Preliminary results suggested that, although microbial growth was similar on all oiled plots, alkanes degraded faster on the nutrient plots than on the unamended plots by week 2.