Petrochemical Research Research Articles

Immobilized Polyolefin Catalysts: Organic Versus Inorganic Supports

Annals of Chemical Science Research Immobilized Polyolefin Catalysts: Organic Versus Inorganic Supports Xiong Wang1*, Guangquan Li1, Pinglin He2, Dewen Chen3 and Wenqian Kang1 1Lanzhou Petrochemical Research Center, Petrochemical Research Institute, PetroChina, China 2Polyolefin Operation Department II, Lanzhou Petrochemical Company, PetroChina, China 3Chemical Operation Department I, Lanzhou Petrochemical Company, PetroChina, China *Corresponding author:Xiong Wang, Lanzhou Petrochemical Research Center, Petrochemical Research Institute, PetroChina, Lanzhou 730060, China Submission: March 21, 2023;Published: March 29, 2023 DOI: 10.31031/ACSR.2023.03.000572 Volume3 Issue5March , 2023

Synthesis and mechanism analysis of a new oil soluble viscosity reducer for flow improvement of Chenping heavy oil

Oil soluble viscosity reducers have gradually attracted the attention of petrochemical research due to their cleanliness and high efficiency. Considering the high viscosity and non-Newtonian fluid properties of Chenping heavy oil found in China, a series of new oil soluble viscosity reducers with different proportions and molecular weights were prepared by free radical polymerization using octadecyl acrylate, 2-allylphenol and N-methylolacrylamide as monomers. The viscosity reducer was applied to different types of heavy oil and found that it exhibited a better effect on heavy oils with high asphaltene content. The test of rheological behavior of heavy oil with additive was performed at wide range of shear rate (3–90 s−1) and temperature range (30–100 °C). The apparent viscosity reduction rate was up to 70.09%, which was better than the industrially relevant ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer under the same test condition. In addition, the effect of viscosity reducers on the components of heavy oil and the energy change of the system simulated by molecular dynamics simultaneously was investigated. The consistency of the simulated and experimental results show that the effect of viscosity reduction closely related to the crystallization process of wax and the viscosity reducer can reconstruct the surface structure of asphaltene and diminish the connection of benzene ring.

A Classification Algorithm of Fault Modes-Integrated LSSVM and PSO with Parameters’ Optimization of VMD

To overcome the shortcomings that the early fault characteristics of rolling bearing are not easy to be extracted and the identification accuracy is not high enough, a novel collaborative diagnosis method is presented combined with VMD and LSSVM for incipient faults of rolling bearing. First, the basic concept of VMD was introduced in detail, and then, the adaptive selection principle of parameter K in VMD was constructed by instantaneous frequency mean. Furthermore, we used Lagrangian polynomial and Euclidean norm to verify the value of K accurately. Secondly, we proposed a classification algorithm based on PSO-optimized LSSVM. Meanwhile, the flowchart of the classification algorithm of fault modes may be also designed. Third, the experiment shows that the presented algorithm in this paper is effective by using the existing failure data provided by the laboratory of Guangdong Petrochemical Research Institute. Finally, some conclusions and application prospects were discussed.

Management of Hazardous Chemicals in Petrochemical Research

Management of Hazardous Chemicals in Petrochemical Research

Shazand Petrochemical to market SAC500 catalysts from Petrochemical Research and Technology.

Shazand Petrochemical to market SAC500 catalysts from Petrochemical Research and Technology.

Study on biocompatibility, tribological property and wear debris characterization of ultra-low-wear polyethylene as artificial joint materials.

Ultra-low-wear polyethylene (ULWPE) is a new type polyethylene made by experts who are from China petrochemical research institute, which is easy to process and implant. Preliminary test showed it was more resistant to wear than that of Ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The purpose of the research is to study biocompatibility, bio-tribological properties and debris characterization of ULWPE. Cytotoxicity test, hemolysis test, acute/chronic toxicity and muscular implantation test were conducted according to national standard GB/T-16886/ISO-10993 for evaluation requirements of medical surgical implants. We obtained that this novel material had good biocompatibility and biological safety. The wear performance of ULWPE and UHMWPE was evaluated in a pin-on-disc (POD) wear tester within two million cycles and a knee wear simulator within six million cycles. We found that the ULWPE was higher abrasion resistance than the UHMWPE, the wear rate of ULWPE by POD test and knee wear simulator was 0.4 mg/106cycles and (16.9 ± 1.8)mg/106cycles respectively, while that of UHMWPE was 1.8 mg/106cycles and (24.6 ± 2.4)mg/106cycles. The morphology of wear debris is also an important factor to evaluate artificial joint materials, this study showed that the ULWPE wear debris gotten from the simulator had various different shapes, including spherical, block, tear, etc. The morphology of worn surface and wear debris analysis showed that wear mechanisms of ULWPE were adhesion wear, abrasive wear and fatigue wear and other wear forms, which were consistent with that of UHMWPE. Thus we conclude that ULWPE is expected to be a lifetime implantation of artificial joint.

Molecular Representation of the Petroleum Gasoline Fraction

The computer-aided reconstruction of gasoline composition is an active area of petroleum and petrochemical research as a result of the demand for molecular-level management of the petroleum feed streams. To that end, in this work, a molecular compositional model based on a predefined representative molecular set was built that allows for the conversion of conventional bulk property data to an approximate molecular composition. The selection of representative molecules was based on their presence in gasoline molecular compositional measurement and their potential contribution to the key physical properties. Around 170 hydrocarbons and heteroatom species were chosen as predefined identities of molecules that can exist in a gasoline sample. The physical property data of all of the representative molecules were collected, and suitable mixing rules for the gasoline range stream were applied for the accurate prediction of bulk properties. The approximate concentration of representative molecules was obtained th...

Implementation of a quantum cascade laser-based gas sensor prototype for sub-ppmv H2S measurements in a petrochemical process gas stream

The implementation of a sensitive and selective as well as industrial fit gas sensor prototype based on wavelength modulation spectroscopy with second harmonic detection (2f-WMS) employing an 8-μm continuous-wave distributed feedback quantum cascade laser (CW-DFB-QCL) for monitoring hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at sub-ppm levels is reported. Regarding the applicability for analytical and industrial process purposes aimed at petrochemical environments, a synthetic methane (CH4) matrix of up to 1000 ppmv together with a varying H2S content was chosen as the model environment for the laboratory-based performance evaluation performed at TU Wien. A noise-equivalent absorption sensitivity (NEAS) for H2S targeting the absorption line at 1247.2 cm−1 was found to be 8.419 × 10−10 cm−1 Hz−1/2, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 150 ppbv H2S could be achieved. The sensor prototype was then deployed for on-site measurements at the petrochemical research hydrogenation platform of the industrial partner OMV AG. In order to meet the company’s on-site safety regulations, the H2S sensor platform was installed in an industry rack and equipped with the required safety infrastructure for protected operation in hazardous and explosive environments. The work reports the suitability of the sensor prototype for simultaneous monitoring of H2S and CH4 content in the process streams of a research hydrodesulfurization (HDS) unit. Concentration readings were obtained every 15 s and revealed process dynamics not observed previously.

Emerging trends in photodegradation of petrochemical wastes: a review.

Various human activities like mining and extraction of mineral oils have been used for the modernization of society and well-beings. However, the by-products such as petrochemical wastes generated from such industries are carcinogenic and toxic, which had increased environmental pollution and risks to human health several folds. Various methods such as physical, chemical and biological methods have been used to degrade these pollutants from wastewater. Advance oxidation processes (AOPs) are evolving techniques for efficient sequestration of chemically stable and less biodegradable organic pollutants. In the present review, photocatalytic degradation of petrochemical wastes containing monoaromatic and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons has been studied using various heterogeneous photocatalysts (such as TiO2, ZnO and CdS. The present article seeks to offer a scientific and technical overview of the current trend in the use of the photocatalyst for remediation and degradation of petrochemical waste depending upon the recent advances in photodegradation of petrochemical research using bibliometric analysis. We further outlined the effect of various heterogeneous catalysts and their ecotoxicity, various degradation pathways of petrochemical wastes, the key regulatory parameters and the reactors used. A critical analysis of the available literature revealed that TiO2 is widely reported in the degradation processes along with other semiconductors/nanomaterials in visible and UV light irradiation. Further, various degradation studies have been carried out at laboratory scale in the presence of UV light. However, further elaborative research is needed for successful application of the laboratory scale techniques to pilot-scale operation and to develop environmental friendly catalysts which support the sustainable treatment technology with the "zero concept" of industrial wastewater. Nevertheless, there is a need to develop more effective methods which consume less energy and are more efficient in pilot scale for the demineralization of pollutant.

The 4th KACST-Oxford Petrochemicals Forum

The 4th KACST-Oxford Petrochemical Research Forum (KOPRC Forum) was held in Riyadh on 26–28 May 2014. The forum was focussed on potential “tipping point” advances to stimulate real, disruptive innovation in a mature, but receptive petroleum refining and petrochemical industry. Some of the presentations in the forum have been submitted to this special issue of Applied Petrochemical Research.

The Herman F. Mark Polymer Chemistry Award

Professor Ken Wagener at the University of Florida is the most recent recipient of the highest award provided by the Polymer Division of the American Chemical Society. This honor is called the Herman F. Mark Polymer Chemistry Award to recognize outstanding research accomplishments and contributions to the advancement of polymer science through teaching, research, technical leadership and scientific writings. A symposium was held in September 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA to celebrate this award; the first five papers in this issue of the Applied Petrochemical Research Journal represent part of the science that was presented at that time. The 2013 winner, Prof. Ken Wagener, joins a distinguished list of former recipients like Paul J. Flory, Carl S. Marvel, Maurice L. Huggins, Herman F. Mark, John D. Ferry, Charles G. Overberger, Walter H. Stockmayer, Michael Szwarc, Ed J. Vandenberg, Harry R. Allcock, James E. McGrath, James Economy, Murray Goodman, Robert Grubbs, Henry K. Hall, Jr, Robert W. Lenz, Leo Mandelkern, Otto Vogl, William J. MacKnight, Donald R. Paul, Robert Langer, Jean Frechet, and Kris Matyjaszewski. Herman Mark was a pioneer in the field of polymer science. Born in 1895, he chose the path of science for his life work, first establishing a strong reputation in X-ray diffraction of macromolecules. He worked in industry (IG Farben) for some time where he also proved to be an excellent synthetic polymer chemist. He then moved to the University of Vienna as a Professor of Physical Chemistry, followed by migration to Canada, which eventually led him to the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in New York. His work there was the first in polymer education in the USA, and it was at this location where he spent the majority of his academic career. Brooklyn Poly, as it was known then, was the leader in polymer education in the United States, truly pioneering the educational component of polymer science for decades. Herman Mark firmly established his place in history as being among the first generation of polymer chemists. The award was established in 1976. In 1989, the award was named the Herman F. Mark Polymer Chemistry Award. The award in his name is conferred every other year by the Polymer Division of the American Chemical Society.

Innovation Economics Development of the Region within the Frames of Cluster

In the context of economic ties globalization the economic actors in the certain region play a role of the agents participating in improving performance, obtaining positive dynamics of regions development and new job formation. Innovative development will make possible to increase competitive advantage both of the regions and of the country as a whole. The Republic of Tatarstan innovative development is based on maximization of inner potential in economic development of the territory as a result of competitive advantage intensification within the frames of the effective market institutions, the state support in the field of research and technology innovations, formation of techno parks and technology incubators. The program of the region innovative development implies clusters forming and further evolving on the basis of petrochemical sector enterprises, educational and research institutes located on the territory of Tatarstan. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1s3p183

Preface for the special issue of the 3rd KACST-Oxford Petrochemical Forum

The 3rd KACST-Oxford Petrochemical Research Forum (KOPRC Forum) was held in August 2013, some of the presentations in the forum have been submitted to the special issue of Applied Petrochemical Research. This paper collection covers most of topics of petrochemical technologies including catalyst and catalytic process, polymers, feedstocks and process improvements.

Poly (acrylonitrile-co-methyl methacrylate) nanofibers grafted with bio-nanosilver particles as antimicrobial against multidrug resistant bacteria

1 City of Scientific Research and Technology Applications, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute (ALCRI),Molecular Plant Pathology Department, New Borg El Arab City, 21934, Alexandria, Egypt. 2 Department of Chemistry, Petrochemical Research Chair, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 2455 Riyadh 11451, Riyadh, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia. 3 Department of Polymer Materials Research Advanced Technologies And New Material Research Institute, City for Scientic Research And Technology Applications (MuCSAT), New Borg El-Arab City 21934 Alexandria, Egypt Alexandria, Egypt. 4 Department of Mechanical Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia. 5 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

Research for industry

Petrochemical production accounts for a 6% of global energy consumption. Although this seems like a small percentage, in absolute numbers it is close to 30 EJ, i.e. 3 9 10 J. Consequently, industrial application of petrochemical research has a meaningful impact on the global economy and on the environment. Although the justification for petrochemical research in both industry and academia is clear, one may rightfully ask: why do we need yet another journal? The answer lies in the name: Applied Petrochemical Research. There are journals dealing with the many disciplines that support petrochemical research, such as catalysis, conversion chemistry, chemical engineering and material science. There are also journals dealing with the products from petrochemical research, such as polymers, lubricants and pharmaceuticals. However, applied petrochemical research requires integration across disciplines and products, even though studies may focus on only specific aspects. Applied studies do not have the same resolution of detail as discipline specific studies, but the relevance of applied studies is immediately apparent to practitioners that want to translate the research into actual processes and products. By its nature, Applied Petrochemical Research is home to multiand inter-disciplinary research dealing with petrochemicals, as well as single discipline studies that are of a more applied nature.

Heavy metal content in soil and consumption yield in the vicinity of petrochemical plant

Heavy metal content in soil and consumption yield in the vicinity of petrochemical plant The research on soil and consumption yield quality at the impact zone of the petrochemical plant in Płock (ZRiP), conducted in the 1970s and 80s, proved that the emissions from the plant threatened the agricultural production within the area. As the emission levels from the ZRiP have significantly dropped in recent years, analyses were conducted in order to assess the current content of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in soils as well as in wheat grain and potato tuber cultivated within the area. The results showed that the soils were not contaminated with above mentioned heavy metals, but the level of cadmium was exceeded in potato tubers collected from three research points and in wheat grain collected from one point.

Case-control study of intracranial tumors among employees at a petrochemical research facility.

This case-control study evaluated the relation between potential exposure to chemical and physical agents and the occurrence of intracranial tumors among employees at a petrochemical research facility. Cases were employees with glioma (n = 6) or benign intracranial tumors (n = 6). Controls (n = 119) were individually matched to cases on gender and birth year, and they were alive and did not have an intracranial tumor at the case's diagnosis date. Exposure information came from interviews with subjects or surrogates and from corporate records on agents used in research projects. Analyses computed matched odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for self-reported exposure to 15 agents and project-based estimates of exposure to 29 agents. For gliomas, the OR was elevated for self-reported exposure to ionizing radiation (OR, 15.7; CI, 1.4 to 179.4), n-hexane (OR, infinity; CI, 1.4 to infinity), organometallics (OR, 9.4; CI, 1.5 to 59.7), and amines other than nitrosamines (OR, 6.0; CI, 1.0 to 35.7). The OR also was elevated for project-based potential use of ionizing radiation (OR, 9.6; CI, 1.7 to 55.2) and for potential use of n-hexane lasting at least 4 years (OR, 16.2; CI, 1.1 to 227.6). For benign intracranial tumors, the OR was elevated only for self-reported exposure to ionizing radiation (OR, 5.4; CI, 1.7 to 43.1) and other amines (OR, 5.2; CI, 0.9 to 29.5). Occupational exposure may have contributed to the glioma excess, but the specific causal agents remain unknown. The study indicated that benign intracranial tumors were unlikely to be work-related.

Cancer and benign tumor incidence among employees in a polymers research complex.

The detection of several intracranial tumors among employees in one building complex (C500) at a petrochemical research facility prompted investigation of a possible workplace cause. This retrospective follow-up study included 1847 subjects, of whom 1735 had worked in C500. Medical records, death certificates, and Illinois State Cancer Registry data confirmed self-reported cancers and tumors. Analyses compared the subjects' cancer and benign intracranial tumor incidence rates with national general population rates. C500 employees had 15% fewer than expected total cancers (92 observed/108 expected; standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 85; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 69 to 104). An excess of brain cancer (6/2.0; SIR, 302; 95% CI, 111 to 657) was concentrated among white men who had 10 or more years since hire and 5 or more years of C500 employment (4/0.7; SIR, 602; 95% CI, 165 to 1552) and who had worked in a particular building of C500 (5/0.7; SIR, 735; 95% CI, 239 to 1716). An excess of benign intracranial tumors (6/1.6; SIR, 385; 95% CI, 142 to 839) was not restricted to a single type of tumor and was not concentrated in any particular building. Occupational exposure may have caused the increased rate of brain cancer but is a less likely explanation for the elevated rate of benign intracranial tumors.

Cancer incidence among employees at a petrochemical research facility.

This investigation evaluated cancer incidence among workers at a petrochemical research facility in Illinois. A cluster of brain cancer and other intracranial tumors had occurred at the facility before the study began. The subjects were 5641 people who had worked at the facility from 1970 through 1996 and who had lived in Illinois at any time between 1986 and 1997. Data on cancer cases came primarily from the Illinois State Cancer Registry. Analyses compared the 1986-to-1997 cancer incidence rates of employees with Illinois general population rates. Subjects had 18% fewer than expected total cancers (125 observed/153 expected cases; standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 68 to 98), which was primarily attributed to a large deficit of lung cancer (10/26; SIR, 39; CI, 19 to 72). Brain cancer was increased in the overall study group (6/2.7; SIR, 222; CI, 81 to 484). This excess was restricted to white men who were scientists or technicians for one of the three companies at the facility (6/0.8; SIR, 750; CI, 275 to 1633); all cases in this group had worked in the "500 building complex" (6/0.6; SIR, 968; CI, 355 to 2106). Subjects also had an increased incidence of thyroid cancer (7/2.6; SIR, 265; CI, 106 to 546) that was not concentrated in particular occupational or building groups. The brain cancer incidence patterns indicated that an unidentified occupational exposure might have been responsible for the excess. Chance, socioeconomic factors leading to better case detection in facility employees than in the general population, and confounding by potential nonoccupational risk factors are plausible explanations of the observed increase in thyroid cancer.

Mortality among employees at a petrochemical research facility

Background This retrospective follow-up study evaluated mortality during 1970–1996 among 6,956 employees at a petrochemical research facility in Illinois. Methods Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) compared employees' mortality rates with those of the Illinois general population. Poisson regression procedures estimated rate ratios for various subject subgroups compared to other facility employees. Results Subjects had 267 observed/524 expected deaths (SMR = 51) from all causes combined and a large deficit of deaths from all cancers (76/136, SMR = 56) and from most other major diseases. Other results included fewer than expected brain cancers (1/4.0, SMR = 25) and a slight increase in colorectal cancer (20/14, SMR = 139) that was concentrated in white male scientists employed for one of the three main companies at the facility (SMR = 295, RR = 2.6). Conclusions The deficit of brain cancer deaths contrasts with an excess incidence seen in a companion study. Subjects' generally favorable mortality experience probably reflects socioeconomic advantages of employees relative to the Illinois general population. Am. J. Ind. Med. 39:29–41, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.