Oil Extraction Research Articles

Bioremediation of dissolved organic compounds in produced water from oil and gas operations using Chlorella sorokiniana: a sustainable approach.

The sustainable treatment of petroleum-derived produced water (PW), a significant byproduct of oil and gas extraction, presents a persistent problem due to the presence of organic pollutants. This study examines the potential of the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana (C. sorokiniana) for the bioremediation of dissolved organic pollutants in PW. The primary objectives were to evaluate the efficacy of C. sorokiniana in decreasing the levels of dissolved organic contaminants while examining its growth and survival in such a complex environment. The cultivation of C. sorokiniana in photobioreactors containing synthetic produced water (SPW), supplemented with synthetic municipal wastewater (SMW) to provide essential nutrients, was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions. Parameters such as biomass growth, lipid content, and the microalgae's capacity to metabolize organic compounds are monitored over time. The results indicate that, except for 100% PW, maximum biomass output after 16 days ranged from 733 to 1077 mg/L. Total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency increased with rising PW concentrations, peaking at 85% for 50% PW. The cultivation period resulted in substantial nitrogen and phosphorus removal from the enriched PW media, achieving a maximum nitrogen removal of 87% at 10% PW and a phosphorus removal of 98.5% at 40% PW. Lipid content ranged from 12 to 16% during this period. In conclusion, C. sorokiniana offers a promising and sustainable approach for the bioremediation of dissolvedorganic compounds in PW. This method provides an eco-friendly option to reduce the ecological impact associated with petroleum-derived PW.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Effect of Shale Wettability on CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery.

The wettability of shale is an important factor affecting oil and gas extraction, and conventional experimental methods are difficult to study at the nanoscale. Moreover, most existing studies are qualitatively based on the wettability of rock surfaces with little consideration for their impact on the CO2-EOR. This study employs molecular dynamics simulation methods to conduct an in-depth analysis of the role of rock surface wettability in the CO2-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process. The research findings indicate that as the surface hydroxyl content increases, the adsorption affinity for CO2 is enhanced, with the selectivity increasing exponentially from 0.74 in the strongly oleophilic wetting (SOW) pore to 3.62 in the strong hydrophilic wetting (SHW) pore. Additionally, variations in wettability result in different types of CO2 displacement. As oil wettability decreases, the contact interface between CO2 and oil changes from a convex to a concave shape. Moreover, different types of wettability result in different dynamic contact angle changes over time, which significantly impacts various displacement stages. A comprehensive comparison shows that pores exhibiting oil-wet characteristics reduce the efficiency of the CO2-EOR. Finally, the investigation explored the influence of pore structure on oil displacement efficiency. In double pores, when the larger pores exhibit hydrophobic characteristics, they further accelerate the displacement speed of the smaller pores. In connected pores, the presence of notch speeds up the displacement effect within the smaller pores, reducing the impact of wettability on displacement efficiency. This study deeply analyzes the role of shale surface wettability in the CO2-EOR process, revealing the impact of wettability on the CO2 adsorption affinity, fluid displacement, oil displacement efficiency, and flow characteristics of shale oil, providing an important theoretical basis for optimizing the CO2-EOR process by adjusting wettability.

Thermosensitive poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s as effective flocculants for oil extraction from contaminated coastal sand

Thermosensitive poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s as effective flocculants for oil extraction from contaminated coastal sand

The Oil Resplendence: Evolution of the Oil Extraction Areas in Ecuador through the Night Luminosity

This article assesses a frequently overlooked impact, namely, the artificial illumination emanating from infrastructures associated with oil extraction installations from 2012 to 2019 located in the Amazon region, one of the places with the greatest biodiversity in the world. The primary dataset utilized in this study is derived from VIIRS nighttime satellite imagery. The significance of this research lies not only in examining light pollution but also in presenting a method for utilizing these images. The analysis focuses on Ecuador, one of the principal oil-producing nations in Latin America. The findings suggest a discernible correlation between the evolution of luminosity and the volume of crude oil production, although the luminosity shows a much higher growth rate than crude oil production. Additionally, it is observed that the elevated radiance levels in oil-rich areas yield luminous impacts comparable to those generated by major Ecuadorian cities. Consequently, this study's approach contributes to elucidating the territorial repercussions of the evolving patterns in oil consumption in a non-artificialized territory with high biodiversity. The results obtained herein aspire to instigate discourse on the environmental conditions engendered by extractive activities in their respective habitats. Furthermore, this study seeks to underscore the potential inherent in the selected data source and methodology.

Data-Driven-Based Full Recovery Technology and System for Transformer Insulating Oil

This study aims to develop an efficient recovery solution for waste transformer insulating oil, addressing the challenge of incomplete separation of residual oil in existing recovery technologies. A multi-module integrated system is constructed, comprising a waste oil extraction module, a residual oil vaporization module, an exhaust gas treatment module, and an online monitoring module. By combining steps such as oil extraction, residual oil absorption, hot air circulation heating, and negative-pressure low-frequency induction heating, the complete recovery of waste oil is achieved. The recovery process incorporates oil–gas saturation monitoring and an oil–gas precipitation assessment algorithm based on neural networks to enable intelligent control, ensuring thorough recovery of residual oil from transformers. The proposed system and methods demonstrate excellent recovery efficiency and environmental protection effects during the pre-treatment of waste transformer oil. Experiments conducted on 50 discarded transformers showed an average recovery efficiency exceeding 99%, with 49 transformers exhibiting no damage to core components after the recovery process. From a theoretical perspective, this research introduces monitoring and control methods for transformer insulating oil recovery, providing significant support for the green processing and reutilization of discarded transformer insulating oil. From an application value perspective, the recovery process helps reduce environmental pollution and facilitates the disassembly of transformers. This enables better analysis of transformer operating characteristics, thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of power systems.

Removal of heavy metals present in wastewater from oil and gas drilling wells through natural coagulants based on yuca almidon and Opuntia ficus indica in the municipality of Sahagún, Córdoba

The efficiency of Opuntia ficus indica and Cassava Starch as coagulants in treating wastewater associated with oil and gas production was evaluated. Laboratory-scale tests of coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation were conducted with contact times of 1 minute (rapid mixing), 20 minutes (slow mixing), and 30 minutes, respectively. The samples were taken from wastewater associated with oil and gas extraction, with an initial turbidity value of 14500 NTU, from a well named Clarinete-5 under Sucre jurisdiction. Various concentrations were evaluated, considering parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, pH, and heavy metals (Mercury, Iron, and Lead). Opuntia ficus indica exhibited efficiency in removing Iron, turbidity, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and COD, with results exceeding 87%.

Development of Second-Generation Feedstock Towards Environmental Sustainability: Biobased Oil Extraction, Thermodynamics and Advanced Nonlinear Kinetic Modeling

Development of Second-Generation Feedstock Towards Environmental Sustainability: Biobased Oil Extraction, Thermodynamics and Advanced Nonlinear Kinetic Modeling

Advances in Valorization of Biomass-Derived Glycolic Acid Toward Polyglycolic Acid Production

Glycolic acid (GA) is a versatile two-carbon organic chemical with multiple applications in industry and daily life. Currently, GA production depends heavily on the coal chemical industry. In this context, the sustainable production of GA from renewable resources has garnered significant attention. With the design and development of various catalytic systems, the yield of GA from biomass-based feedstocks has been improved observably. Poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) is an aliphatic polyester that exhibits a unique crystalline structure, excellent gas barrier properties, high mechanical strength, superior biocompatibility, and biodegradability. It has a wide range of applications in various fields, such as medical devices, oil extraction, bottle materials, film materials, and textile materials. This article comprehensively elaborates on the methods for the biomass-based synthesis of glycolic acid, the precursor of polyglycolic acid (PGA), as well as the preparation process of PGA. It fills the research gap regarding the sources of biomass raw materials for polyglycolic acid. Additionally, it delves into various modification strategies for PGA and provides an overview of its current applications in multiple fields, including biomedicine, food packaging materials, oil and gas resource development, and agricultural cultivation. The purpose of this article is to provide comprehensive reference information on the synthesis techniques, modification methods, and practical applications of PGA. Furthermore, it offers guidance for research on biodegradable plastics and the biomass-based synthesis of glycolic acid.

Semi-Continuous Microwave-Assisted Oil Extraction and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Butia Odorata Seeds: Efficient Recovery of Oil and Fermentable Sugars in a Sequential Method

Semi-Continuous Microwave-Assisted Oil Extraction and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Butia Odorata Seeds: Efficient Recovery of Oil and Fermentable Sugars in a Sequential Method

Scatter Search for Optimal Sizing of a Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Scheduling Green Hydrogen Production

At present, energy demands are mainly covered by the use of fossil fuels. The process of fossil fuel production increases pollution from oil extraction, transport to processing centers, treatment to obtain lighter fractions, and delivery and use by the final consumers. Such polluting circumstances are aggravated in the case of accidents involving fossil fuels. They are also linked to speculative markets. As a result, the trend is towards the decarbonization of lifestyles in advanced societies. The present paper addresses the problem of the optimal sizing of a hybrid renewable energy system for scheduling green hydrogen production. A local system fully powered by renewable energies is designed to obtain hydrogen from seawater. In order to monetize excess energy, the grid connection of the system is considered under realistic energy market constraints, designing an hourly purchasing strategy. This crucial problem, which has not been taken into account in the literature, is solved by the specific dispatch strategy designed. Several optimization methods have been used to solve this problem; however, the scatter search method has not previously been employed. In this paper, the problem is faced with a novel implementation of this method. The implementation is competitive in terms of performance when compared to, on the one hand, the genetic algorithm and differential evolution methods, which are well-known state-of-the-art evolutionary algorithms, and, on the other hand, the optimal foraging algorithm (OFA), a more recent algorithm. Furthermore, scatter search outperformed all other methods in terms of computational cost. This is promising for real-world applications that require quick responses.

Evaluation of Biological Activity of Essential Oil from Teucrium polium L.

Background: Teucrium polium L. has an essential place in traditional medicine throughout the world. Their use, based on empirical knowledge passed down from generation to generation, has helped to treat a multitude of illnesses and relieve a variety of symptoms. These traditional practices have laid the foundations for modern research, which seeks to understand the significant antibacterial properties. The bioactive compounds present in the plant, such as essential oils and polyphenols, have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. This includes bacteria responsible for gastrointestinal, skin and respiratory infections. Methods: The focus of this study was the extraction of essential oils from the aerial portions of Teucrium polium L. via the hydrodistillation method, their anti-oxidant effect using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay method and iron reduction and antimicrobial activity of these essential oils was evaluated against seven ATCC bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Escherichia coli ATCC25922, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC10428, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC700603 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC7033. In addition, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by incorporation method. These tests were carried out at the Laboratoires de the analytical chemistry laboratory at the Department of Pharmacy, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria. Result: The hydro distillation method yielded an essential oil of 0.45%. Antimicrobial activity was tested by the sensitivity test, which revealed inhibition zone diameters ranging from 11.5 mm to £20 mm. In addition, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined, showing variations between bacterial strains, suggesting potential therapeutic importance for some strains. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the essential oils was assessed using the iron-reducing capacity assay and the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Although the results indicated notable antioxidant potential, the IC50 values obtained were relatively high when compared to ascorbic acid, registering 107.38 mg/ml for iron reduction and 91.62 mg/ml for DPPH reduction. These findings contribute to the exploration of the therapeutic potential of Teucrium polium L. essential oils for their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Enhancing the oil extraction process and exploring phytochemical composition and bioactivities of bitter melon seeds (Momordica charantia L.)

This study was conducted to determine the phytochemical composition of bitter melon seeds (Momordica charantia L.) grown in Long An province (Vietnam), to investigate optimal conditions for lipid extraction, and to evaluate the extracted lipid’s quality. The seeds had a moisture content of 5.27%, total ash of 1.85%, total flavonoid content of 91.10 mg/100 g, and total polyphenol content of 478.95 mg/100 g. The seeds were also free of highly toxic metals such as lead and cadmium. Using the Soxhlet method, optimal lipid extraction was achieved with a material-to-solvent ratio of 1:80 (w/v) over 4 hours, resulting in a lipid extraction efficiency of 13.74%. The acid, saponification, ester, and peroxide values were 1.01 mg KOH/g, 355.60 mg KOH/g, 354.59 mg KOH/g, and 3.82 meq O2/kg, respectively, in compliance with the quality requirements of Vietnam and Codex standards. The extracted lipids had antioxidant activity at an IC50 value of 119 mg/mL and inhibited the growth of two microbial strains Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii. These findings suggest that bitter melon oil has potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Molecular Dynamics of CO₂ Stripping Oil on Quartz Surfaces

The CO2-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology has the dual significance of enhancing oil recovery and realizing carbon storage in onshore and offshore oil and gas exploitation. This study investigates the adsorption of crude oil components on quartz surfaces and the microscopic mechanisms of CO2 stripping from crude oil using molecular dynamics simulations. A four-component model representing C6H14, benzene, resins, and asphaltenes was constructed to simulate the oil phase, while the quartz surface model was created using Materials Studio. Simulations were conducted under different temperature conditions to understand the distribution and adsorption behavior of crude oil components, as well as the impact of CO2 on the oil film at pressures up to 10 MPa. The results indicate that the resin–asphaltene interactions are significantly weakened at elevated temperatures, affecting the adsorption capacity. Furthermore, CO2 stripping primarily extracts light components such as C6H14 and aromatic hydrocarbons, while heavy components remain in the oil phase. The highest extraction efficiency and expansion effect of CO2 were observed at 35 °C, demonstrating optimal conditions for enhanced oil recovery through CO2 flooding. These findings provide insights into the effective use of CO2 for crude oil extraction and its interactions with oil components on a quartz substrate, which is crucial for optimizing CO2-enhanced oil recovery operations.

Kinetics Extraction of Arabica Coffee Bean (Coffea Arabica)

Coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee plant and a source of coffee beverages. Arabica coffee beans contain oil which has many benefits. The process of extracting oil (solute) in coffee can be done through solvent extraction (leaching). The coffee bean oil extraction process uses n-hexane as a solvent because it can dissolve compounds that have the same properties. The purpose of this research was to study the extraction of essential oil from Arabica coffee beans and to determine the kinetic model of extraction of essential oil from Arabica coffee beans by leaching. The process of separating coffee oil and solvent using thermogravimetric analysis with a temperature of 80℃ until the sample mass is constant. The variables used were temperature and time. The extraction time is 2 hours with retrieval time every 10 minutes. The temperature used is 30°, 40°, and 50℃ with a ratio of material and solvent 1:10. The results showed that the kinetics of arabica coffee extraction followed the second-order extraction kinetics model. The second-order kinetic parameter values of arabica coffee essential oil extraction namely extraction capacity (Cs) at 30°, 40°, and 50℃ were 5.45836, 5,46, and 5.46001 g L-1, respectively, the rate of the initial extraction (h) was 0,00762718, 0,00756716, and 0,0104452 gL-1minute-1, the extraction rate constant (k) was 0,000256, 0,000254, and 0,00035 g-1L-1minute-1, and determination values of 0,9965, 0,9967 and 0,9983.

Linseed: oil extraction, mechanical properties and crystallinity

Linseed oil has interesting properties, including health benefits, which motivated us to evaluate films incorporating this oil. Cold and hot extraction were performed to obtain the oil from linseed. The cold-pressed oil was incorporated into the starch/glycerol films. Mechanical testing and XRD analysis were discussed here in this article. We observed that the starch/glycerol and starch/glycerol/oil films presented, according to XRD results, differences in the level of crystallinity. It was observed that glycerol breaks the crystallinity present in the original corn starch (bought in the market). The films were also compared with each other with regard to the visual aspect.

Process Optimization for Madhuca indica Seed Kernel Oil Extraction and Evaluation of its Potential for Biodiesel Production

The current research aims to optimize the solvent-based oil extraction process from Mahua (Madhuca indica) seed using response surface methodology and biodiesel production using heterogeneous catalysts. The oil extraction was varied through the levels of process parameters including extraction temperature (60 to 80°C), solvent-to-seed ratio (3 to 9 wt/wt), and time (2 to 4 h). The experiments were designed following the Central Composite model. The regression model provided optimal values for the selected process parameters based on the extraction yield percentage. To ensure the model’s reliability, it was experimentally validated. Maximum experimental oil yields of 50.9% were obtained at an optimized extraction scenario of 70 °C extraction temperature, solvent-to-seed ratio of 6 wt/wt, and time 4 h. The extracted oil’s physicochemical properties and fatty acid composition were tested. Also, using copper-coated dolomite as a catalyst, the extracted oil was transformed into biodiesel via transesterification. The FAME (94.31%) content of the prepared biodiesel was determined via gas chromatography. As a result, the findings of this study will be useful in further research into the use of Madhuca indica as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production.

Enrichment of polyphenols from Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel by macroporous adsorption resins and evaluation of its antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities

The Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel (CCSK) has potential as a natural source of bioactive phenolics. However, there is limited information on the recovery and characteristics of polyphenols from the by-product of CCSK after oil extraction. In this study, an efficient macroporous adsorption resin technology was established to enrich polyphenols from CCSK (CCSK-P). HJ-18 resin was found as the most appropriate adsorbent because of its highest adsorption/desorption capacity for CCSK-P. The pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm models better described the whole adsorption process. The adsorption process was spontaneous, physical, and dominated by multilinear intraparticle diffusion. The optimum enrichment procedure of CCSK-P on HJ-18 resin was as follows: for adsorption, loading flow rate and sample volume were 1.5 BV/h, and 4.79 BV, respectively; for desorption, the eluent type, elution flow rate and volume were 80% ethanol, 3.0 BV/h and 8 BV, respectively. After one-step large-scale enrichment, the total polyphenol content of CCSK-P was increased 7.11-fold with a recovery of 81.07%. Moreover, enriched CCSK-P showed significantly higher scavenging ability against DPPH radical and ABTS radical and higher inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. In conclusion, CCSK-P was well enriched by HJ-18 resin and exhibited good antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activity, which may be applied in the food, cosmetic and pharmacy industries. This study provides a meaningful guidance for the industrial enrichment of polyphenols from CCSK.

Rice bran valorization: Oil extraction via extrusion-SC CO2 processing and development of protein hydrolysates from its residue

Rice bran valorization: Oil extraction via extrusion-SC CO2 processing and development of protein hydrolysates from its residue

Synthesis and characterization of clove residue-derived carbon quantum dots: Application in Pickering emulsion with enhanced antibacterial properties

Clove essential oil exhibits excellent antibacterial properties; however, its application is limited by low water solubility. To overcome this, solid particle-based Pickering emulsions have been explored. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs), which are promising solid particles for food applications, have not been studied regarding their synthesis from residual biomass for forming Pickering emulsions. This study aimed to synthesize CQDs from clove residue left over after the extraction of essential oil, assess their emulsifying efficacy, and compare their antibacterial properties with those of a traditional emulsion employing Polysorbate 80 as a surfactant. Four types of CQDs were synthesized using ultrapure distilled water and ethanol, with analyses such as 1H NMR, XPS, and interfacial tension confirming that CQDs synthesized with 40 % ethanol were the most effective as emulsifying agents. Additionally, the unique characteristics of CQDs rendered the Pickering emulsion’s surface relatively rough, which enhanced its interaction with bacteria and demonstrated potent antibacterial effects through disruption of the cell membrane. Consequently, this study suggests that the emulsifying efficiency and properties of Pickering emulsions can be tailored by controlling the surface properties of the solid particles.

Impact of natural fractures on hydraulic fracture propagation in Denver-Julesburg Basin: Insights from a decade of research

The Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin is a key region for unconventional oil and gas extraction, particularly from the Niobrara and Codell formations. This study synthesizes findings from a decade of research conducted in three different geographic areas of the basin as part of the industry consortium Reservoir Characterization Project at Colorado School of Mines. The research explores how natural fractures affect hydraulic fracture propagation, leveraging geophysical data sets including 3D seismic imaging, image logs, microseismic monitoring, and crosswell distributed strain sensing. Key observations reveal significant variations in hydraulic fracture orientations and propagation speeds between the Niobrara and Codell formations, which are the main targets for horizontal drilling and stimulation. High natural fracture densities and orientations notably influence the propagation of hydraulic fractures in the Niobrara Formation, deviating them from the regional maximum horizontal stress (SHmax) directions, while hydraulic fractures in Codell consistently align with SHmax where lower natural fracture densities are observed. The study also highlights the critical role of stress anisotropy and zipper fracturing sequences in dictating hydraulic fracture behavior. Additionally, a marked negative correlation between natural fracture density and hydraulic fracture propagation speed underlines the fracture network complexity added by natural fractures. These findings advocate for a comprehensive natural fracture characterization and tailored fracturing strategies to optimize well placement and completions. The implications for DJ Basin development from this study are profound, suggesting that understanding local geomechanics and fracture networks can significantly enhance hydrocarbon recovery. Future work should focus on more precise assessments of hydraulic fracture interactions with natural fracture systems to refine operational strategies further.