Low Hydrocarbon Research Articles

Assessing the Potential Role of Dark Fermentation of Waste Streams and Its Related Business Models in Future Circular Economy

The global community is facing an unprecedented perfect storm battling with the Grand Challenge of climate change, with economic, societal and environmental ramifications being felt as much as never before, with South Asia at the epicenter. With greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions as the main driver of climate change, special attention is put into decarbonizing sectors that are the main contributors of these gasses. These include obvious ones, such as the energy sector, but also less obvious like waste. Nonetheless, numerous challenges lie on that end. For the former, intermittency of renewable energy is the biggest obstacle, whereas for the latter waste management and valorization are the key challenges to overcome. Dark fermentation has the potential to be the process that connects these seemingly irrelevant sectors through the solution of bio hydrogen. Hydrogen has been touted by many as the most promising alternative as an energy carrier and means of storage, primarily due to its energy density and lack of carbon content. Dark fermentation is applied both to municipal and agricultural waste, using easy to cultivate bacteria such as clostridium combined with E.coli. With the organic acids that remain, bio stimulants can be generated to benefit the rural communities, whereas with residue remaining from the lower hydrocarbon chains, useful bio methane can be channeled towards heating and cooking. This study initially examines sustainability, circularity and economic functionality of such a business model. It also assesses the implications, opportunities and challenges of a business model around dark fermentation for stakeholders, including farmers, distribution operators, energy storage companies and renewable energy communities. Finally, this study emphasizes on the public private partnership (PPP) possibilities and the strategies and policies. Multiple methods will be utilized, including empirical evidence/knowledge and literature research, but also interviewing methods will be included, if time allows, to the stakeholders involved, such as municipal workers, grid distribution/transmission professionals, regular citizens - members of renewable energy communities and farmers. The outcomes expected from this research are to identify the best and most cost-efficient dark fermentation practices, including the most cost-effective and least energy intensive byproducts, but also make a painstaking stakeholder map. In this way, the economic, social and ethical costs and benefits will also be identified.

Reducing the viscosity of missan heavy crude oil using combinations of low molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds

This work studied the facilitation of the transportation of Missan heavy crude oil characterized with high viscosity 84.61 cp at 15 °C, low API 23.1, by reducing its viscosity from break down asphaltene agglomerates using five solvents with some novel combinations of chemical additives were used for this study (naphtha & toluene, naphtha & xylene, naphtha & kerosene, toluene & kerosene, and xylene & kerosene).The viscosity of crude oil was measured after being treated with these chemicals at different concentrations (4, 8, and 12 weight%) and temperatures 15, 25, 35, and 45 °C. It has been found that increasing the concentration of naphtha with xylene from 4% to 12% causes a decrease in viscosity, from 48.62 cp at 15°C to 30.11 cp. The viscosity of a mixture of naphtha and kerosene drops from 50.15 cp at 15°C to 31.70 cp when the concentration is raised from 4% to 12%. The addition of toluene to kerosene causes the viscosity to drop from 51.76 cp at 15°C to 33.67 cp when the concentration of toluene is raised from 4% to 12%. Increasing the xylene concentration from 4% to 12% in kerosene led to a decrease in viscosity from 53.65 cp at 15°C to 34.88 cp at the same temperature. The findings of the present work could be applied to the petroleum industry for the purpose of transporting heavy oil of Missan or any other heavy crude.

Assessment of terrigenous and marine sourced oils mixtures: Los Manueles field, Maracaibo basin Venezuela

Seven crude oil samples from Los Manueles field, Maracaibo Basin, Venezuela, were analyzed to evaluate oil mixtures associated with different oil charges into the reservoirs. Analyses of the bulk physicochemical parameters suggest variations in the API gravity, the concentration of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons, NSO compounds + asphaltenes, sulfur, vanadium, nickel, and the biomarkers distribution. The oils were divided in two groups: G-I with high saturated hydrocarbons and low NSO compounds + asphaltenes, sulfur, vanadium and nickel, a bimodal distribution of n-alkanes, high Pr/Ph and oleanane index, low steranes index, low abundance of tricyclic terpanes and C35S/C34S < 0.54 and G-II with low saturated hydrocarbons and high NSO compounds+ asphaltenes, sulfur, vanadium and nickel, an unimodal distribution of n-alkanes with low Pr/Ph and oleanane index, high steranes index, abundance of tricyclic terpanes and C35S/C34S > 0.70. G-I has a higher contribution of terrigenous organic matter compared to G-II, characterized by a higher contribution of marine organic matter. Source rock lithology biomarker indicators suggest marine shale as the source rock for oils of terrigenous origin. The results indicate that oils were generated by two independent source rocks, La Luna Formation and a secondary source rock with terrigenous organic matter, probably represented by the Capacho Formation.

Tribological behavior of molybdenum disulfide and tungsten disulfide sprayed coatings in low viscosity hydrocarbon environments

The tribological behavior of MoS2 and WS2 transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) spray coatings in low-viscosity hydrocarbon environments was investigated. Sliding tests were performed in two hydrocarbons – hydrophilic ethanol and hydrophobic dodecane and were compared to tests in humid air and dry nitrogen conditions. Coating steel surfaces decreased friction across all test conditions, with the largest and most sustainable decreases being in dry nitrogen and dodecane environments, where friction coefficients of less than 0.1 were sustained. Analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Friction reductions in dodecane were explained by reduced oxidation of the coating, due to protection from the hydrophobic hydrocarbon film, allowing basal plane alignment and uninhibited sliding of TMD sheets.

Shale Oil Occurrence Mechanisms: A Comprehensive Review of the Occurrence State, Occurrence Space, and Movability of Shale Oil

Shale oil resources are important supplements for the gradually decreasing oil production from conventional reservoirs. Although the exploitation and development of shale oil have achieved considerable progress in the last decade, the commercial extraction of hydrocarbons from shales is still difficult, especially in the lacustrine sedimentary basins of China. One of the key points controlling the successful extraction of hydrocarbons from shale systems is the understanding of the occurrence mechanism of shale oil. This study comprehensively summarizes the theories and techniques to characterize oil occurrence state, occurrence space, oil content, and oil movability in shale systems. Sophisticated instruments, such as high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and high-energy ray imaging, were utilized to qualitatively analyze the pore networks of shales. Advanced physical experiments and numerical simulation techniques, including step-by-step rock pyrolysis, solvent extraction, and NMR, were introduced to characterize shale oil adsorption and movability. By the comparative analysis of the occurrence space, it is found that the image observation technique especially focuses on concentrated pores, such as organic matter-hosted pores. The fluid injection technology yields particular pore size information, which should be calibrated using other information. The 3D digital core, demonstrating the spatial distribution of minerals and pores, is an effective input for shale oil flow simulation. Geological controls analysis about oil retention in organic-rich shales has found that the inorganic matter pores and fractures are probably the “sweet spot” of shale oil, due to the low oil adsorption and high light hydrocarbons content. Many physical experiments measure the total free oil content but neglect the hydrocarbon–rock interaction and the sequential migration of hydrocarbon compounds. Thus, micro-scaled experiments measuring the hydrocarbon adhesion forces are needed to uncover the occurrence mechanism of shale oil in the future.

Treatment of Oil Sands’ Mature Fine Tailings Using Advanced Wet Air Oxidation (WAO) and Wet Air Peroxide Oxidation (WAPO)

Mature Fine Tailings (MFT) generated from oil sands processing represent a growing environmental issue, as settling of these tailings’ emulsion can take decades, increasing the risk of the toxic material’s leaching if left untreated. This study uses advanced wet air oxidation (WAO) and wet air peroxide oxidation (WAPO) to break down the MFT emulsions for faster settling. Three oxidation time intervals (5, 15, and 30 min) were investigated using compressed air and hydrogen peroxide in a pressurized vessel of 3.1–3.4 MPa internal pressure and at 200 °C temperature. The results showed that the WAO process was able to break the MFT emulsion, release trapped water, and recover residual bitumen. The WAPO process was much faster in breaking the emulsion; however, the presence of extra oxidants also resulted in the degradation of the residual bitumen. The 5 min oxidation time interval was found to be sufficient in breaking emulsions, separating water from soil particles, and recovering residual bitumen under the tested conditions. The oxidation process proved to be efficient by degrading all inorganic carbon, whereas 70% of the dissolved organic carbon in the recovered water after oxidation comprised only low molecular weight biodegradable hydrocarbons. Therefore, the WAO process was capable of breaking the MFT emulsions and allowing a faster settling of these tailings, with the added benefit of recovering residual bitumen.

Rapid atom-efficient polyolefin plastics hydrogenolysis mediated by a well-defined single-site electrophilic/cationic organo-zirconium catalyst

Polyolefins comprise a major fraction of single-use plastics, yet their catalytic deconstruction/recycling has proven challenging due to their inert saturated hydrocarbon connectivities. Here a very electrophilic, formally cationic earth-abundant single-site organozirconium catalyst chemisorbed on a highly Brønsted acidic sulfated alumina support and characterized by a broad array of experimental and theoretical techniques, is shown to mediate the rapid hydrogenolytic cleavage of molecular and macromolecular saturated hydrocarbons under mild conditions, with catalytic onset as low as 90 °C/0.5 atm H2 with 0.02 mol% catalyst loading. For polyethylene, quantitative hydrogenolysis to light hydrocarbons proceeds within 48 min with an activity of > 4000 mol(CH2 units)·mol(Zr)−1·h−1 at 200 °C/2 atm H2 pressure. Under similar solventless conditions, polyethylene-co−1-octene, isotactic polypropylene, and a post-consumer food container cap are rapidly hydrogenolyzed to low molecular mass hydrocarbons. Regarding mechanism, theory and experiment identify a turnover-limiting C-C scission pathway involving ß-alkyl transfer rather than the more common σ-bond metathesis.

Spatial distribution of micro- and nanoporosity in Oligocene Menilite and Cretaceous Lgota mudstones (Outer Carpathians): Organic porosity development as a key to understanding unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs?

The Oligocene Menilite Beds are considered the most important source rock for hydrocarbon accumulation in the Polish Carpathian region, whereas the Cretaceous Lgota Beds have been regarded as an additional potential source rock. Understanding their petrophysical and geochemical properties is essential for evaluating the hydrocarbon potential of these beds.This paper presents mineral and organic porosity characterization and focuses on factors responsible for the development of organic pores as a reflection of the depositional and diagenetic processes. Mudstones were evaluated as potential source and reservoir rocks, describing their diagenetic and thermal history and examining their effective porosity and permeability. The results show that the Lgota Beds mudstone in the Huczwice quarry is thermally mature (late oil/early gas window, Tmax 460–470 °C), containing type III kerogen and TOC between 0.68 wt% and 4.2 wt%, in contrast to the Menilite Beds mudstone (Monasterzec outcrop), which is thermally immature (Tmax<426 °C), containing type II kerogen and TOC content from 1.24 wt% to 8.7 wt%. The geochemical properties show that the Lgota mudstone is currently an ineffective source rock, whereas the Menilite mudstone can be a potential source rock. SEM-identified pores include mineral pores, organic pores and microfractures. Organic porosity is observable both in immature oil-prone type II kerogen and highly mature gas-prone type III kerogen. The amount of pores in organic matter increases with maturity, and no relation between TOC and organic porosity development has been observed. Palynofacies analysis showed that the Menilite and Lgota mudstones are dominated by amorphous organic matter, and that the Lgota mudstone also contains opaque woody material. MICP measurements indicate high (up to 15%) effective porosity values for the Menilite Beds and up to 8% for the Lgota Beds, with very low permeability values (<0.1 mD) in both cases. Isotherms obtained from nitrogen adsorption are type IV for the Lgota Beds and type II for the Menilite Beds, while the BET surface areas are around 13 m2/g and 3 m2/g, respectively. The Lgota Beds demonstrate advanced diagenetic processes such as compaction, cementation, dissolution, replacement, and transformation, which contributed to the significant reduction in porosity, while the Menilite Beds represent an early stage of burial with the prevailing impact of compaction and thus less destruction of original pores. Finally, the Menilite Beds from the Monasterzec outcrop do not demonstrate sufficient conditions for shale-oil/-gas source rock due to the lack of proper thermal maturity. Such criterion is fulfilled by the Lgota Beds in the Huczwice quarry, but due to very low hydrocarbon potential, the Lgota mudstone is an ineffective source rock. However, given the other petrophysical and geochemical properties, the analysed formations may constitute a basis for further research on the occurrence of unconventional reservoirs in the entire Carpathian region.

Effect of inherent oxygen mass fraction of alcohol blends with diesel on combustion and emission parameters

AbstractIncreasing air pollution and implementation of stricter emission regulations led to the research for the clean combustion concept of combustion engines. To resolve this concern, it is important to look for a clean and stable combustion concept that can adapt easily to an old existing engine as well as newer engines. The present study was performed to investigate the combustion stability and emission for blends of methanol (M), ethanol (E), and butanol (B) to evaluate the effect of their inherent oxygen content. Alcohol blends were prepared for two different oxygen mass fractions of 2.5% and 5% oxygen, m/m (defined as M2.5, E2.5, B2.5 and M5, E5, B5). For this, different volume fraction of respective alcohol was required (M2.5 and M5 contained 5.2% and 10.3% methanol respectively, E2.5 and E5 contained 7.4% and 14.8% ethanol respectively, B2.5 and B5 contained 11.7% and 23.3% butanol respectively). Detailed combustion analysis was performed for the alcohol blends (2.5% and 5% oxygen mass fraction) using the parameters like cycle‐to‐cycle analysis, coefficient of variation, combustion phasing etc. M5 showed the better stable combustion considering the lowest coefficient of variation for CA50 and indicated mean effective pressure. Moreover, the performance of E5 showed improved efficiency with brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of 27.94% and reduced brake specific fuel consumption. Significant reductions in hydrocarbon (HC), smoke and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were recorded for 2.5% and 5% oxygenated condition. M5 showed lowest emission level among tested fuel with 20% lower oxide of nitrogen (NO) and 50% lower HC.

Research on the Emission Characteristics of a Passenger Car Powered by Ethanol, Methanol, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Under Real-World Running Conditions

Abstract Alternative fuels have gained considerable attention because of their excellent sustainable energy conservation and emission reduction characteristics. In this study, emission characteristics and fuel economy of three alternative fuels were compared for a passenger car under real-world running conditions. Specifically, the portable emission measurement system (PEMS) was used to evaluate the emission performance of 10 vol% ethanol in gasoline (E10), 15 vol% methanol in gasoline (M15), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The results showed considerable variation in both gaseous and particulate emissions under different running conditions. Carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions were higher on main roads, whereas particle number (PN) and particulate matter (PM) emissions were higher on expressways. Regulated emissions from the vehicle powered by three alternative fuels were lower than those of the vehicle powered by pure gasoline (G100). That is, the PN emissions of the three alternative fuels were 1–2 orders of magnitude less than those of G100, with a concomitant reduction in PM. Moreover, the proportion of nuclear-mode particles was reduced, with a maximum difference of more than 10% on expressways. LPG resulted in the cleanest gaseous and particulate emissions. M15 produced lower HC emissions than E10 because of its higher oxygen content, but led to higher carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions.

Optimization of Condensate Transfer Pump in the Hydrocarbon Condensate Stabilization Unit of Natural Gas Liquefaction Plant – An Industrial Case

PT. Badak NGL is a commercial LNG producer located in Bontang, Indonesia. In recent years, the decline in LNG production of PT. Badak NGL results in a lower hydrocarbon condensate flow rate. To prevent power losses since its pump operated at below rating, a new operation scheme was proposed. This new scheme adjusts the way of pump is operated without any alteration in terms of pump characteristics. Three pumps operated intermittently for 8 hours per day at a maximum flow rate. The pump power consumption was calculated based on electric current data monitored relay panel. The results show that the pump energy saved by 60% with the absolute value of annual energy efficiency of 957.7 MWh. This study contributes to reducing the greenhouse effect by 412 tons eq CO and the annual production cost of around USD 130,000. The new scheme reliability examines by evaluating pump vibration, pump performance, hydrocarbon condensate quality, and condensate tank liquid level. The result shows that the pump’s vibration in the range of 0.21 in/sec with a steady winding temperature.

Long-term exposure to low concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and alterations in platelet indices: A longitudinal study in China.

Long-term exposure to low polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration may ave detrimental effects, including changing platelet indices. Effects of chronic exposure to low PAH concentrations have been evaluated in cross-sectional, but not in longitudinal studies, to date. We aimed to assess the effects of long-term exposure to the low-concentration PAHs on alterations in platelet indices in the Chinese population. During 2014-2017, we enrolled 222 participants who had lived in a village in northern China, 1-2 km downwind from a coal plant, for more than 25 years, but who were not employed by the plant or related businesses. During three follow-ups, annually in June, demographic information and urine and blood samples were collected. Eight PAHs were tested: namely 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 9-hydroxyfluorene (9-OHFlu), 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPh), 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (1-OHPh), 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), and 3-hydroxybenzo [a] pyrene. Five platelet indices were measured: platelet count (PLT), platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet crit, and the platelet-large cell ratio. Generalized mixed and generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate correlations between eight urinary PAH metabolites and platelet indices. Model 1 assessed whether these correlations varied over time. Models 2 and 3 adjusted for additional personal information and personal habits. We found the following significant correlations: 2-OHPh (Model1 β1 = 18.06, Model2 β2 = 18.54, Model β3 = 18.54), 1-OHPh (β1 = 16.43, β2 = 17.42, β3 = 17.42), 1-OHP(β1 = 13.93, β2 = 14.03, β3 = 14.03) with PLT, as well as 9-OHFlu with PDW and MPV (odds ratio or Model3 ORPDW[95%CI] = 1.64[1.3-2.06], ORMPV[95%CI] = 1.33[1.19-1.48]). Long-term exposure to low concentrations of PAHs, indicated by2-OHPh, 1-OHPh, 1-OHP, and 9-OHFlu, as urinary biomarkers, affects PLT, PDW, and MPV. 9-OHFlu increased both PDW and MPV after elimination of the effects of other PAH exposure modes.

Performance and emission evaluation of CI engine fueled with ethanol diesel emulsion using NiZnFe2O4 nanoparticle additive

Diesel engines are widely used due to their higher thermal efficiency and lower Hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. The price fluctuation of petroleum fuel; the none-renewability and different hazardous emissions from petro-diesel, researchers are searching for a suitable renewable energy source for diesel engine. Ethanol is one of the promising alternative fuels that could be used to power diesel engine. Some of the techniques so far tried are ethanol fumigation, dual injection and blending. The former techniques need different engine modification to enable the additional systems to work on the existing engines. Blending is the best technique to substitute the existing diesel fuel as long as we prepare it as per the current diesel fuel minimum requirement. For this specific case micro emulsion of ethanol in diesel fuel with emulsifier is prepared by using magnetic stirrer and bath type ultrasonicator. Nickel Zinc Iron Oxide (NiZnFe2O4) nanoparticle is added in one of the selected emulsion which is having 10% ethanol in three different dose as additive to see the effect on the performance and emission variation of the emulsion compared with diesel fuel. The performance of the prepared sample fuels are tested on a test rig with single cylinder diesel engine. The emission is measured by using exhaust gas analyzer and smoke opacity meter. The specific fuel consumption, brake torque and brake power of E5 (95% diesel and 5% ethanol), E10 (90% diesel and 10% ethanol) and E15 (85% diesel and 15% ethanol) are evaluated and the result showed 27, 34 and 37% increment in fuel consumption; 15, 5 and 15% reduction in brake torque and the power reduction is 19, 7 and 12% respectively. E10 is selected for further test with addition of the nanoparticle with 25, 50 and 100ppm named as E103N25 (E10 with 25ppm NiZnFe2O4 nanoparticle), E103N50 (E10 with 50ppm NiZnFe2O4 nanoparticle) and E102N100 (E10 with 100 ppm NiZnFe2O4 nanoparticle). The result showed fuel consumption reduction by 16, 27 and 27% torque output increment of 1, 2 and 2% and power output increment of 5, 7 and 7% respectively compared with E10. The emission result revealed that the HC emission reduced by 50, 58 and 71% for E103N25, E103N50 and E103N100 fuel samples respectively, Carbon monoxide (CO) emission reduced by 67, 80 and 81% for E103N25, E103N50 and E103N100 fuel samples respectively. The reduction in smoke emission is reduced by 60, 69 and 61% for E103N25, E103N50 and E103N100 fuel samples respectively. Nitrogen oxide (NOX) and Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increased with the amount of nanoparticle added in to the fuel.

Discernment of synergism in co-pyrolysis of HDPE and PP waste plastics for production of pyro-oil: Mechanistic investigation with economic analysis and health risk assessment

Plastic waste is a major environmental challenge globally as it can hazard the soil, groundwater, marine, and land creatures. It also emits several toxic gases in open environment when heated up. The ceaseless demands for plastic materials due to wide applications generated a high volume of plastic waste which can impact sustainability development. The present study reports synergism in co-pyrolysis of mixed waste plastic for production of value-added products with economic analysis and health risk assessment. The characterization results of mass spectroscopy and NMR revealed that the product contains different types of hydrocarbons such as paraffins, aromatic, cyclic olefins, and lower hydrocarbons. The physicochemical characterization of pyro-oil showed similar fuel properties to that of commercial diesel (CD). Blending of pyro-oil obtained from HDPE:PP (20:80) improved the fuel quality that results in high brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and reduced brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC). At the maximum load condition, ∼19.17% and 29.43% enhancement in BTE were observed with 10% and 20% PO blending, respectively. Also, ∼23.4% of fuel consumption was reduced when 20% PO blend was used with CD. The results showed that the maximum CO emission of 30.93% could be reduced by blending 10% PO. The engine performance and combustion characteristics revealed that PO blended fuels emit low percentage of CO, NOx, CO2, and HC – which essentially suggest a better life style by minimizing the health risks via reduction in greenhouse gas emission that may cause cardiovascular collapse, seizures, coma, and sometimes death. Thus, the present study will help in valorization and mitigation of generated waste plastics through energy conservation and boost the circular economy. The economic analysis based on the present investigation showed that ∼₹9.73 (0.12$) profit per litter can be achieved in the first year itself, while the profit in the 2nd and 5th year could be increased up to ₹54.43 (0.68$) and ₹67.73 (0.85$), respectively.

Optimization of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) biodiesel production using RSM technique coupled with GA: Addressing its performance and emission characteristics

The present study focuses on producing biodiesel from waste okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) seed oil via process parameters optimization using the response surface methodology coupled with the genetic algorithm (GA). The central composite design generates the experiment's run order for the transesterification process. The objective function of the regression equation was optimized through GA, and it attains a maximum yield of 90.17% okra seed oil biodiesel (OSOB) for a 30:1 methanol/oil molar ratio, 70 °C reaction temperature and 4.5 wt % catalyst concentration. Subsequently, the OSOB characteristics were analyzed, and the thermophysical properties were evaluated in accordance with the ASTM D6751 standard. The produced OSOB was blended in various proportions like 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% with neat diesel respectively. The prepared OSOB blends performance and emission characteristics were investigated in the diesel engine. At 5.2 kW engine power output, the OSOB20 blend shows improved engine performance at higher brake thermal efficiency (32.69%), lower in both brake specific fuel consumption (0.25 kg/kWh) and exhaust gas temperature (321 °C) respectively. In addition to that, the OSOB20 blend consequently improves combustion characteristics of in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate than other OSOB blends. From the emission analysis, it was observed that the OSOB20 blend emits lower hydrocarbon (15.94%), carbon monoxide (22.2%) and smoke opacity (15.62%) emissions than the neat OSOB. However, the nitric oxide emission for OSOB20 was 2.52% lesser than that of neat diesel fuel. Based on the results obtained, the OSOB20 blend was suggested as a workable replacement for standard diesel fuel in diesel engine applications.

PROSPECTS OF OIL AND GAS POTENTIAL OF THE JUNCTION ZONE OF THE NORTH-EAST OF THE PRECASPIAN BASIN AND THE SOUTHERN SEGMENT OF THE URAL FOLD SYSTEM (AKTOBE URALIAN FOREDEEP)

The identification of promising areas of exploration to develop the resource base of the Aktobe region is an urgent issue due to the gradual depletion of proven hydrocarbon reserves. The subsalt complex of the Aktobe Uralian Foreland is a prospective object, where prospecting and exploration work was carried out unevenly in the 1950s and 1980s, and most of the seismic survey data of 2004-2008 are low-informative. The subsalt complex of the studied area has been poorly studied by high resolution seismic studies and deep exploration drilling and previously belonged to the territories with low hydrocarbon potential. On the basis of the conducted research, data on the structural and tectonic zoning of the junction zone of the Precaspian basin and the southern segment of the Urals Foredeep are summarized, the geological structure of the Aktobe Uralian Foreland area is substantiated, favorable geochemical criteria of oil and gas potential are revealed.

Wettability transition and tribological properties of hydrophobic alloy surfaces prepared by one-step method

The manipulation of surface wettability has become a vital approach to enhance tribological properties of alloy steel. In this work, hydrophobic sinusoidal textured surfaces of 40Cr steel were fabricated via nanosecond laser ablation through oil film. It was discovered that the textured 40Cr surface undergoes a hydrophobic transition from its initial hydrophilicity and displays strong adhesion to water. The wettability transition mechanism is investigated, demonstrating that the hydrophobicity of textured surfaces primarily attributes to the presence of surface roughness and the low surface energy hydrocarbon layer. Additionally, the enhanced surface hydrophobicity has a beneficial effect on reducing the friction coefficient. This work is expected to provide a novel strategy to enhance the tribological properties of alloy steel.

Hydrocarbon regulation and lower temperature pyrolysis of balikun oil shale kerogen

Oil shale kerogen is a kind of composite nature of fossil energy polymer. Kerogen pyrolysis is a feasible and alternative strategy to produce fossil fuels from shales. However, the disadvantages including the high energy consumption, the high cost, and the low hydrocarbon conversion, significantly hinder the development and utilization of unconventional hydrocarbon resources. Herein, the hexagonal crystal structural layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with the Ni/Fe ratio of 5.64:2.36 is proposed as pyrolysis catalyst to improve the catalytic efficiency, the selectivity of target hydrocarbons, and lower the temperature for the process of kerogen pyrolysis. As a result, needle-like nanoscale NiFe-LDHs are prepared successfully to perform the fast thermal upgrading of Balikun oil shale kerogen. The catalytic pyrolysis performance has been observed that the temperature for maximum conversion (Tmax) is 401.18 °C, presenting a Tmax reduction of 37.84 °C, the yield of shale oil is increased by 7.83 wt%. And during 350°C– 400°C, a progressive increment of 147.67%, 230.86%, and 310.61% is obtained corresponding to the content of C1-C5, C6-C14, and C14 + hydrocarbons, respectively. This finding enriches the catalyst candidates for kerogen pyrolysis and provides new insights into industrial applications of in-situ pyrolysis technology for oil shale recovery processes.

Freshwater Sediment Toxicity Evaluation from Meso-Scale Spill Tests of Diluted Bitumen and Conventional Crude.

Oil and gas development and transportation in many areas of the world, such as the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada, are heavily monitored to minimize the environmental impacts of development and the risk of oil spills. However, oil spills to aquatic environments still occur. Although the science of oil spills has received considerable attention of late, uncertainty still remains in evaluating the fate and transport of oil spills as well as the effects of those spills on aquatic biota. Experiments using meso-scale spill tanks were used to examine the physical and chemical behavior of two types of oil, conventional crude (CC) and diluted bitumen (DB), under similar environmentally relevant scenarios (i.e., volume of spill, temperature, duration, wave action, and presence of river sediment). In addition, biological impact assessments via sediment toxicity testing collected from the oil spill tests were conducted. Sediments were evaluated for acute toxicity using three standard sediment test species: Hyalella azteca, Lumbriculus variegatus, and Chironomus dilutus. Sediments collected from the CC simulated spill showed a higher level of acute toxicity than sediments collected from spills with DB. Higher toxicity in the CC-contaminated sediment was supported by higher concentrations of low molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) when compared with the DB-contaminated sediment, while the remaining PAH profile was similar between the contaminated sediments. The use of a meso-scale spill tank in combination with sediment bioassays allowed for the evaluation of oil spills under controlled and environmentally relevant conditions (e.g., nearshore high sediment loading river), and in turn provides assessors with additional information to identify the appropriate mitigation and remediation efforts needed in the event of future spills. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2797-2807. © 2022 SETAC.

Synergism and production of hydrocarbon-rich fuel from mixed-feedstock through co-pyrolysis of LDPE and PP: An assessment of fuel properties, engine performance, and gas emission

This investigation reports the conversion of waste plastic materials to hydrocarbon-based fuel as an alternative source of energy with a detailed study of fuel properties and CI engine performance including an analysis of gas emission. Low-density polyethylene and polypropylene have been used for the production of hydrocarbon-based pyrolysis oil or pyro-oil. The properties of pyro-oil have been determined using different ASTM methods and analytical techniques such as GC-MS, 1H and 13C NMR, FTIR, CHNS analysis, etc. The fuel properties of the pyrolysis oil were more or less similar to that of commercial diesel. The results of mass spectroscopy and NMR confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons like paraffin, aromatic, cyclic olefins, and some lower hydrocarbons. The conversion rate of post consume waste plastic material was found to be 75–81 wt% in the form of liquid, 9–18 wt% fuel gases, and 2–10 wt% as a solid residue. As per the 1H NMR results, the percentage composition in liquid fuels was 9–11 % (v/v) aromatics, 17–26 % (v/v) olefins, and 65–71 % (v/v) paraffin with a degree of branching in the range of 0.84–3.94. The engine performance has been evaluated at different blending ratios using a four-stroke diesel engine. The emission results showed that blending of PO with diesel ∼31.34 % of CO emission could be reduced, while CO2 emission was found to be ∼3.55 % lower in PO blended fuel samples as compared to commercial diesel. On the other hand, the results showed that 10 % and 20 % blending of PO can reduce the un-burnt hydrocarbon release by ∼50.74 % and ∼21.8 % as compared to commercial diesel. The experimental results of performance and combustion revealed that blending of hydrocarbon-rich fuels produced from waste plastic material can reduce the overall fuel consumption as well as enhances the engine performance.