Oil Production Research Articles

Khartoum War's Echoes in Oil and Energy Sectors: Economic and Environmental Implications for Sudan and South Sudan

The energy sector is a main driver of African growth, particularly in regions with geopolitical conflicts like Sudan and South Sudan. The oil and gas industry notably influences these regions' economy, politics, humanitarian situation, and social stability. This study seeks to investigate how the Khartoum War affected the energy sector of both Sudan and South Sudan, particularly looking at the disruptions caused by recent conflicts and their impact on oil production, economic stability, and environmental conditions. The study employs a multi-disciplinary approach, utilising different sources such as regional legal agreements, government reports, academic articles, and press releases from international organisations. The key methodology includes qualitative analysis of several documents and quantitative assessment of production data and economic reports. The study's key findings show a significant decline in oil production and transportation due to the shutdown of key oilfields and pipelines, intensifying economic and humanitarian crises. Additionally, the damage to oil infrastructure has presented serious environmental risks, highlighting the delicate balance between resource management and regional stability. In conclusion, the study's findings underscore the intense impact of the Khartoum War on the energy sector of Sudan and South Sudan, and the urgent need for policy recommendations to mitigate these effects and foster sustainable development.

Enhancing economic sustainability in mature oil fields: Insights from the clustering approach to select candidate wells for extended shut-in

Fluctuations in oil prices adversely affect decision making situations in which performance forecasting must be combined with realistic price forecasts. In periods of significant price drops, companies may consider extended duration of well shut-ins (i.e. temporarily stopping oil production) for economic reasons. For example, prices during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic forced operators to consider shutting in all or some of their active wells. In the case of partial shut-in, selection of candidate wells may evolve as a challenging decision problem considering the uncertainties involved. In this study, a mature oil field with a long (50+ years) production history with 170+ wells is considered. Reservoirs with similar conditions face many challenges related to economic sustainability such as frequent maintenance requirements and low production rates. We aimed to solve this decision-making problem through unsupervised machine learning. Average reservoir characteristics at well locations, well production performance statistics and well locations are used as potential features that could characterize similarities and differences among wells. While reservoir characteristics are measured at well locations for the purpose of describing the subsurface reservoir, well performance consists of volumetric rates and pressures, which are frequently measured during oil production. After a multivariate data analysis that explored correlations among parameters, clustering algorithms were used to identify groups of wells that are similar with respect to aforementioned features. Using the field’s reservoir simulation model, scenarios of shutting in different groups of wells were simulated. Forecasted reservoir performance for three years was used for economic evaluation that assumed an oil price drop to $30/bbl for 6, 12 or 18 months. Results of economic analysis were analyzed to identify which group(s) of wells should have been shut-in by also considering the sensitivity to different price levels. It was observed that wells can be characterized in the 3-cluster case as low, medium and high performance wells. Analyzing the forecasting scenarios showed that shutting in all or high- and medium-performance wells altogether results in better economic outcomes. The results were most sensitive to the number of active wells and the oil price during the high-price period. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of unsupervised machine learning in well classification for operational decision making purposes. Operating companies may use this approach for improved decision making to select wells for extended shut-in during low oil-price periods. This approach would lead to cost savings especially in mature fields with low-profit margins.

Detoxification of contaminated soils from hydrocarbon rocket fuel used in «Soyuz» launch vehicles using the bioremediation method

Rocket and space activities are developing worldwide, but environmental concerns are overlooked in pursuing new technologies. The Republic of Kazakhstan's "Baikonur" Cosmodrome routinely launches rockets in emergencies, causing toxic fuel to spill onto and contaminate the soil. This study examines the effect of T-1 kerosene, a hydrocarbon rocket fuel of toxic hazard class 4, on the soil microbial community from the aeration zone in laboratory conditions. In three different soil samples, 15 g/kg, 30 g/kg, and 50 g/kg of T-1 kerosene were tested according to their utilization by microbes throughout three, ten, and thirty days.Based on scientific research, several strains of microorganisms were able to utilize T-1 kerosene rocket fuel, such as Acinetobacter calcoaceticum-18, Bacillus sp.-20, Micrococcus roseus-25, and Candida sp.-12/5, purifying it from 70 to 90 %. According to a study conducted after 30 days of microbiological detoxification of calcisols (loamic) (site 196) and dystric arenosols (site 31), with an initial load of 50 g/kg of T-1 kerosene, the concentration was determined. Microorganisms that produce 5 + 20 (99.83 %) and 18+20+25+12/5 (99.80 %) oil products are well utilized. During decontamination of soils contaminated with hydrocarbons was found to be present in the soil after 60 days when microorganism № 20 was used at 9.3 mg/kg, and the association of microorganism 5 + 25 at 8.88 mg/kg. The article describes the developed technology for soil detoxification using the microbiological method.

PVP-assisted in-situ self-assembly hierarchical BiOCl with oxygen vacancies for efficient photocatalytic oxidation of cyclohexane under air in solvent-free conditions

Cyclohexane (CHA) selective oxidation reactions are crucial in designing advanced organic intermediates but suffering from very challenges as the products of KA oil (cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone) are more readily oxidized to CO2. Herein, we report that a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coating of fluffy self-assembled morphology of BiOCl by nanosheets with exposed {001} facets are synthesized via the solvothermal method. Moreover, the as-synthesized hierarchical BiOCl exhibits a significant presence of in-situ produced oxygen vacancies during photocatalysis, thereby facilitating efficient CHA oxidation to KA oil with air as an oxidant in solvent-free at room temperature. The crystallinity, micromorphology, and electronic structure of BiOCl can be significantly influenced by the concentration of NH4Cl and PVP. In the photocatalytic oxidation, oxygen vacancies act as traps to inhibit electrons and holes recombination and adsorb-activate the oxygen molecule, producing h+ and ·O2− radical to achieve 466.7 μmol of KA oil (340.8 μmol of cyclohexanone and 125.9 μmol of cyclohexanol) with a selectivity of 93.9 %. The ∙OH radicals play a predominant role in the production of CHA-one. After conducting 5 experimental cycles, a consistent yield of 92 % towards KA oil and unchanged selectivity can still be maintained. The excellent photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the enhanced photo-absorption and narrow energy gap, abundant oxygen vacancies, high exposed {001} facets, smaller size and large specific surface area, and efficient electron-hole separation. The present work sheds light on the synergistic effect of PVP coating and in-situ formed oxygen vacancies on enhancing photocatalytic activity of Bi-based materials.

Novel THAI well arrangements for improving heavy oil recovery rate in comparison to that achievable in the conventional THAI in situ combustion technology

The toe-to-heel air injection (THAI) is an environmentally friendly process for in situ upgrading of heavy oils and bitumen via in situ combustion (ISC). Unlike the conventional ISC that uses a vertical producer, the THAI process uses a horizontal producer (HP) well to produce the upgraded oil to the surface. Recent field data has shown that the THAI process is a relatively low-oil-production-rate technology. These considerations call for innovative solutions so that the oil production rate is improved, whilst propagating a stable, efficient, and safe combustion front. Consequently, this work has provided those solutions. Through numerical reservoir simulations, using CMG STARS, five completely new THAI well configurations, which have been labeled A01, A02, A03, A04, and A05, have been developed and studied, and their performances are compared against that of the conventional THAI process which has wells arranged in a classic SLD pattern (i.e. the best-performing conventional THAI process) and against each other. The THAI arrangements A02-A04, however, assume a horizontal air injection well, which currently is not used in field practice but may be developed in the future. In field practice, THAI is applied in a line drive configuration starting up-dip and going down on the structure whilst taking advantage of the contribution provided by the drainage due to gravity; the expansion is made one way only (by drilling new patterns in one direction only). For this reason, the classic SLD pattern refers to the case where the dip of the reservoir is significant (>2-3 degrees). However, when the dip of the reservoir is not significant (“flat” reservoirs) there is a possibility to expand the process in both opposing directions. This is the case dealt with in this work. All configurations A01-A05 assume expansion of the THAI commercial operation in both directions. Selection criteria have been developed and used to determine the two best performing processes. For example, in terms of long-term stability, safety, and efficiency of the combustion process, a process named model A01 is the best, as it achieved 99.8% oxygen utilization when compared with any other model. It also achieves oil recovery, due to two years of combustion only, of 30.78% OOIP, which is greater than that in the base case model. Overall, based on the weighted selection criteria, which are developed from the deepest analyses of the quantitative 1-dimensional time-dependent parameters and from thorough analyses of the qualitative 2-dimensional profiles of temperature, the combustion zone in the form of oxygen mole fraction, and the oil-flow dynamics inside the reservoir in the form of oil saturation, then model A01 is the best and is followed by model A03. The overall performance of each of these two novel methods outweighs that of the conventional THAI process. However, model A03 uses a horizontal well for injection, which is not current field practice. Therefore, future developmental work should concentrate on the novel method A01 for upgrading and recovery of heavy oils and bitumen, especially since this is low-carbon, efficient, wastewater-free, and provides upgrading inside the reservoir and hence it has a low surface footprint.

Characterization of the Dominant Stages at Which Gas Flaring Is Introduced: Impacts and Policy Options to Ameliorate Them

Information on associated gas flaring in the Niger Delta is analyzed to characterize the various stages in the lifecycle of an oil exploration and production facility through which gas flaring is introduced into an area, leading to ecological, health, and economic impacts, and possible policies and implementation strategies for the reduction of the flared gas are offered. Gas flaring is currently occurring at a rate of 5318 million m3 per year in the Niger Delta region. The impacts of gas flaring on the ecological, human, and economic systems include poor air quality, acid rain, and soil degradation. Other impacts include decreased crop yield, increased incidences of respiratory diseases amongst inhabitants in the area, and losses of billions of USD yearly in economic costs. Three dominant stages in the introduction of gas flaring are characterized in this study, using the concept of the management of the invasion of non-native species into an ecosystem and it is determined that the cheapest method of minimizing gas flaring is to incorporate mitigation measures during the design stage of the oil exploration/production facility, rather than after flaring has commenced, as is the common emphasis. During the early periods of oil production, gas flaring is largely localized, and the gas utilization measures can still be implemented to good effect. However, once the facility is established, gas flaring becomes pervasive, stretching kilometers beyond the flare points. Current policies like the imposition of flare-out years on the oil producers have helped, but they have been insufficient as the intensity of gas flaring in the region continues at double the average global levels. Working with relevant stakeholders, a realistic flare-out deadline should be agreed upon, clear and specific gas flaring legislation should be drawn up that includes measures to mitigate gas flaring for each proposed oil facility, and proper data collection and management services would enable the implementation of the policies to be based on robust evidence. These policies would shift the costs of gas flaring away from the inhabitants of the region back to the operators of the facilities that are the sources of the flares.

Investigation of Oil Well Blowouts Triggered by Wastewater Injection in the Permian Basin, USA

AbstractAged hydrocarbon wells, if proper care is not ensured, can crack, get corroded, and leak subsurface fluids. Permian Basin in Texas, home to thousands of such wells, has seen numerous blowouts and wastewater leaks. Our study employs surface deformation derived from satellite observations, and injection well records to investigate these events. The results reveal an over‐pressurized wastewater aquifer producing a surface uplift of 20 cm/yr, likely due to wastewater being injected tens of kilometers away. Focusing on a January 2022 blowout resulting in 3 cm subsidence in 2 weeks, our geophysical model suggests aquifer over‐pressurization as the cause. With an excess pressure of over 3 MPa in the aquifer, several more such blowouts are possible in the near future. This research highlights the urgent need to better understand the impact of subsurface fluid injection and calls for prompt action to mitigate the environmental effects of oil and gas production.

Research on Trade Risk and Preventive Measures of Domestic Anti-wear Hydraulic Oil Products

With the acceleration of global economic integration, the international trade activities of domestic anti-wear hydraulic oil products continue to increase, and the trade risks of chemical products such as anti-wear hydraulic oil products brought by export are also highlighted. In order to prevent the trade risk of domestic anti-wear hydraulic oil products, this paper puts forward some strategies, such as strengthening market research, implementing diversified market strategy, strengthening communication with international partners and establishing trade risk early warning mechanism, to solve the problems of unstable market demand, price fluctuation, trade barriers and policy risk faced by the trade of domestic anti-wear hydraulic oil products. In order to provide a useful reference for ensuring the stability and sustainable development of China's anti-wear hydraulic oil industry and further enhancing national economic security.

Bioactive Compounds in the Oils of the Autochthonous Slovenian Olive Varieties ‘Buga’, ‘Črnica’ and ‘Drobnica’

The adaptation of autochthonous olive varieties to local soil and climatic conditions can lead to a unique chemical composition and characteristics of olive oils that may differ from the generally accepted quality standards set out in the International Olive Oil Council strategy documents and EU regulations. Therefore, the fatty acid composition, biophenol, tocopherol, sterol and triterpenic dialcohol content and composition of the autochthonous Slovenian olive varieties ‘Buga’, ‘Črnica’ and ‘Drobnica’ were studied for a three-year period with the aim of valorising the characteristics of the three olive varieties. Standardised and accredited analytical methods in accordance with SIST EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 were applied. The results of the investigation showed that the highest average amount of oleic acid (75.75%) was found in the oils of the ‘Črnica’ variety, followed by the ‘Drobnica’ (72.06%) and the ‘Buga’ (68.73%). All three varieties are a good source of total biophenols (‘Buga’ 616 mg/kg, ‘Drobnica’ 569 mg/kg and ‘Črnica’ 427 mg/kg) and α-tocopherol (‘Buga’ 378 mg/kg, ‘Drobnica’ 279 mg/kg, and ‘Črnica’ 243 mg/kg). ‘Buga’ and ‘Drobnica’ are characterised by high amounts of total sterols, 2468 mg/kg and 2391 mg/kg, respectively, while ‘Črnica’ oils, in comparison, showed a lower average value of total sterols (1351 mg/kg). Due to their exceptional chemical composition, ‘Buga’, ‘Črnica’ and ‘Drobnica’ show great potential for the further cultivation and valorisation of traditional olive oil production in the region, thus contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and local traditions. The quality parameters of olive oil from the autochthonous Slovenian olive varieties ‘Buga’, ‘Črnica’ and ‘Drobnica’ also fulfil the limits for extra virgin olive oil according to the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2104, despite local climatic influences. However, accelerated growth due to climatic changes affecting early harvest can lead to them falling outside these limits, which was observed in particular for the ‘Buga’ variety in terms of the linoleic acid content. This study emphasises the importance of timing the harvest to achieve optimum maturity and meet EU quality standards, taking into account the genetic makeup of the varieties and their response to the current climatic conditions.

The Impact of Financial Efficiency and Renewable Energy Consumption on CO2 Emission Reduction in GCC Economies: A Panel Data Quantile Regression Approach

As prominent oil producers, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have played a significant role in the global energy market. However, as the world’s attention increasingly shifts towards environmental sustainability, understanding the implications of the GCC’s economic activities on CO2 emissions becomes indispensable. This research paper investigates the relationship between specific economic indicators and their impact on CO2 emissions in the GCC from 2001 to 2021. This study employs quantile regression, a robust statistical method that estimates the conditional quantiles of a response variable given a set of predictor variables. The findings reveal several essential insights: Financial institution efficiency is significant and negative at a 1% level at the lower (10th, −83,537.3) and higher quantiles (90th, −549,002.3). The relationship between the GDP per capita and CO2 emissions varies across quantiles, highlighting the complexity of the growth–environment nexus. Total patents exhibit a positive and significant relationship with emissions, underscoring the importance of directing innovation towards environmentally sustainable solutions. Renewable energy consumption displays a nuanced relationship with CO2 emissions, with a more substantial negative impact observed at higher consumption levels. This underscores the potential of renewable energy to mitigate emissions when integrated at scale. This study’s outcomes hold crucial policy implications for GCC countries as they seek to align economic growth with environmental sustainability. The findings emphasize the importance of fostering financial institution efficiency, promoting green innovation, and expanding renewable energy sources to reduce emissions.

STUDY REGARDING THE QUALITATIVE AND YIELD CARACHTERS VARIABILITY FOR SOME WHITE MUSTARD GENOTYPES

The purpose of this study was to obtain knowledge about the variability of the quantitative and qualitative traits for 9 genotypes of different genetic origin white mustard. This study was carried out for three years in the pedoclimatic conditions of the Agricultural Research and Development Station Lovrin. Ten parameters were taken into study, namely: silique length, number of branches/plant, number of grains/silique, number of silique/plant, number of seeds/plant, hectoliter weight, TSW, oil production and content. In order to determine the correlation coefficient, the data of the experiment were processed in Past 4 - statistical analysis software. The graphical representations were created in Microsoft Office Excel software.

Characteristics of the vegetable oil debate in social-media and its implications for sustainability

The global production and consumption of vegetable oils have sparked wide-ranging and often emotive discussions on sustainable development, especially on social media. Here we analyze over 20 million tweets related to vegetable oils to explore the key factors shaping public opinion. Coconut, olive, and palm oils dominate social media discourse not proportionally to their global production. Olive and palm oil discussions remarkably correlate with Twitter’s (now X) growth, while coconut shows more bursts of activity. Discussions around coconut and olive oils primarily focus on health, beauty, and food, while palm oil draws attention to pressing environmental concerns. Virality is related to environmental issues and negative connotations. In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, this study highlights the multifaceted nature of the vegetable oil debate and its disconnection from scientific discussions. Our research sheds light on the power of social media in shaping public perception, providing insights into sustainable development strategies.

CFD and RSM Assist in Reducing the LPG Consumption of Burners for Agarwood Oil Production in Thailand

ABSTRACT This research aimed to optimize LPG consumption in Thai commercial burners used in agarwood oil production, specifically focusing on the KB-10, S-10, and EB-10 burners. Enhancing burner efficiency is crucial due to rising energy costs and environmental concerns. A dual approach using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was employed in order to achieve the best burner. Central Composite Design (CCD) within the RSM framework determined the optimal swirl and inclination angles combinations. Modified burners with variant combination angles, as suggested by RSM, were numerically investigated. CFD simulations with Ansys Fluent, utilizing the k-ε turbulence and discrete ordinates (DO) radiation models, provided detailed insights into the combustion and heat transfer processes of those modified burners. The modified burners, SB10–1, SS10–3, and SEB10–7, demonstrated significant improvements. Laboratory and field tests indicated energy savings of 16.15%, 23.74%, and 20.75%, respectively. Statistical analysis confirmed these savings with p-values < .05. The 95% confidence intervals for LPG savings were 31.31 ± 0.8%, 33.42 ± 0.7%, and 31.84 ± 0.6%, corresponding to payback periods of approximately 2.99, 4.21, and 8.95 months. Additionally, CO and NOx emissions were kept below 350 ppm and 100 ppm, respectively. The novelty of this study lies in the combined use of RSM and CFD to optimize burner performance, leading to significant energy savings and emission reductions. These findings highlight the potential of these methods for burner optimization, offering both economic and environmental benefits. This research underscores the importance of integrating advanced modeling techniques to achieve sustainable and cost-effective industrial processes.

Dynamics of oil–CO2–water three-phase under the nanopore confinement effect: Implications for CO2 enhanced shale oil recovery and carbon storage

The widespread nanopores, diverse minerals, and varying water saturation in shale reservoirs complicate the mechanism analysis and performance prediction of CO2 enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) and CO2 storage (CS) in hydrated nanopores. Therefore, molecular dynamics methods were used to simulate the process of CO2 replacing shale oil in hydrated nanopores of inorganic, organic and composite minerals. Importantly, the effects of mineral type, temperature, pressure and water content on CO2-EOR and CS performances in hydrated nanopores were analyzed, and the CO2-EOR mechanisms of dissolution, extraction, viscosity reduction, miscibility and competitive adsorption were revealed. The results show that water in illite, kerogen, and composite nanopores are distributed in the forms of water films, water clusters (films), and water columns, respectively. The replacement efficiency of shale oil in three types of nanopores is improved with increased water content but reduced in kerogen nanopores under high water content. Water is not conducive to the diffusion and viscosity reduction of oil in nanopores, but the miscibility and competitive adsorption of CO2 and oil are improved. The replacement efficiency is positively correlated with temperature and pressure. The increasing temperature promotes diffusion and viscosity reduction of oil and competitive adsorption between CO2 and oil in hydrated nanopores, and increasing pressure promotes miscibility and competitive adsorption. Water columns in kerogen and composite nanopores reduce the CS performance, while thin water films in illite nanopores improve it. Moreover, an excellent CS rate can be achieved at high temperatures and pressures, but the high temperature is not conducive to CS stability. This study provides a theoretical basis for CO2 injection to improve oil production and carbon storage performance in hydrated shale reservoirs and contributes to the optimization of CO2 injection schemes.

Studying microbial triglyceride production from corn stover saccharides unveils insights into the galactose metabolism of Ustilago maydis

The global demand for plant oil has reached unprecedented levels and is relevant in all industrial sectors. Driven by the growing awareness for environmental issues of traditional plant oils and the need for eco-friendly alternatives, microbial oil emerges as a promising product with significant potential. Harnessing the capabilities of oleaginous microorganisms is an innovative approach for achieving sustainable oil production. To increase economic feasibility, it is crucial to explore feedstocks such as agricultural waste streams as renewable resource for microbial bioprocesses. The fungal model Ustilago maydis is one promising organism in the field of microbial triglyceride production. It has the ability to metabolize a wide variety of carbon sources for cell growth and accumulates high amounts of triglycerides intracellularly. In this study we asked whether this large variety of usable carbon sources can also be utilized for triglyceride production, using corn stover saccharides as a showcase.Our experiments revealed metabolization of the major saccharide building blocks present in corn stover, demonstrating the remarkable potential of U. maydis. The microorganism exhibited the capacity to synthesize triglycerides using the saccharides glucose, fructose, sucrose, xylose, arabinose, and galactose as carbon source. Notably, while galactose has been formerly considered as toxic to U. maydis, we found that the fungus can metabolize this saccharide, albeit with an extended lag phase of around 100 hours. We identified two distinct methods to significantly reduce or even prevent this lag phase, challenging previous assumptions and expanding the understanding of U. maydis metabolism.Our findings suggest that the two tested methods can prevent long lag phases on feedstocks with high galactose content and that U. maydis can produce microbial triglycerides very efficiently on many different carbon sources. Looking forward, exploring the metabolic capabilities of U. maydis on additional polymeric components of corn stover and beyond holds promise for innovative applications, marking a significant step toward environmentally sustainable bioprocessing technologies.

The changing mix of fossil fuels used and the related evolution of CO2 emissions

To limit global climate change, ultimately it will be necessary to minimize the use of all fossil fuels for energy. Because the rate of CO2 emissions per unit of primary energy varies among the fossil fuels, it is useful to focus first on reducing the use of coal, the fuel with the most CO2 per unit of energy used. Although multiple factors are involved in the choice of which fuel will be used for a given purpose, data on CO2 emissions show that over the last 25 years there has been an evolution in the fraction of emissions away from coal and toward natural gas. That is, although total emissions have continued to increase globally, the fraction attributable to coal has been decreasing in many places. This is true for the global sum of emissions, for Annex I countries, and for all regions except Asia Pacific. The fraction of emissions from oil products has varied largely with growth in the contribution of petroleum transportation fuels. Focus on decreasing the sum of all fossil fuels is needed, especially among the major energy users in the Asia Pacific region, but progress in the decreasing relative use of coal is promising.

Visualizing flow dynamics and restart of Carbopol gel solutions in tube and parallel-plates geometries with wall slip.

The present study examines the impact of slip in Carbopol solutions during the restart flow in pipelines utilizing in situ visualization techniques. Rheological tests were conducted using smooth and hatched parallel plate geometries to obtain the rheological characteristics of the solutions. The behavior of the solutions in the creep tests is compared with those in the experimental unit. Three flow regimes were identified through rheological and experimental setup tests: non-flow, slip, and yielded. The slip regime allowed the establishment of a slip static yield stress value, indicating significant deformation states, and a restart pressure decrease of about 61% when compared to the static yield stress. The flow dynamics under the wall slip effect is captured by velocity profiles, velocity contour maps and velocity gradient. Transient correlations of the scaling law type were determined, with wall slip in proportion to the velocity gradient and wall shear stress. Additionally, the concentration of viscoplastic material in the solution increased the scaling law index. This research seeks to provide valuable findings by quantifying the effects of apparent wall slip through in situ measurements. Such insights are crucial for designing and managing pipeline transport systems that handle yield stress fluids, applicable across various industries including cosmetics, food processing, and the production of waxy oils.

Source differentiation of BTEX compounds in groundwater contaminated due to refinery activities

This study aims to identify sources of groundwater contamination in a refinery area using integrated compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA), oil fingerprinting techniques, hydrogeological data, and distillation analysis. The investigations focused on determination of the origin of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), and aliphatic hydrocarbons as well. Groundwater and floating oil samples were collected from extraction wells for analysis. Results indicate presence of active leaks in both the northern and southern zones. In the northern zone, toluene was found to primarily originate from oil products like aviation turbine kerosene (ATK or aviation fuel), kerosene, regular gasoline, and diesel fuel. Additionally, stable isotope ratios of carbon and hydrogen for ethylbenzene, o-xylene (ortho xylene) and p-xylene (para xylene) in zone A suggested the pollution originated from gasoline within the northern zone. The origin of super gasoline (with higher octane) identified in southern zone using δ13C and δ2H values of toluene in the floating oil and groundwater samples. Further, biodegradation of toluene likely occurred in southern zone according to δ13C and δ2H. The findings underscore the critical importance of integrating CSIA and fingerprinting techniques to effectively address the challenges of source identification and relying solely on each method independently is insufficient. Accordingly, comparing the GC-MS results of floating oil samples with ATK and jet fuel (JP4) standards can be effectively utilized for source differentiation. However, this method showed no practical application to distinguish different types of diesel or gasoline. The accuracy and reliability of source identification of BTEX compounds may significantly improve when hydrogeological data incorporates with stable isotopes analysis. Additionally, the results of this study will elevate the procedures for fuel-related contaminants source identification of the polluted groundwater that is crucial to develop effective remediation strategies.

Exploring fatty acid composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant properties in oils of newly developed sesame mutant lines in Morocco

AbstractSesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is renowned for its significance as a global oilseed crop, valued for its high oil content and nutritional properties. This study aimed to explore the fatty acid composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant attributes of sesame mutant oils, examining their potential applications in food industry. Nine M4 mutants, along with their parents, were grown in two contrasting environments (Taoujdate and Afourare) to investigate their seed oil, phenolic and flavonoid contents, the balance between omega‐6, omega‐9, and omega‐3 fatty acids, iodine value, and susceptibility to oxidation. Genotype and environment main effects as well as their interaction had a significant effect on the majority of the parameters studied. The mutant “US2‐1” stands out with a distinctive fatty acid profile, featuring the highest saturated fatty acids, ω‐6/ω‐9 ratio, and omega‐3 content, in addition to its high total flavonoid content and remarkable oxidative stability. “ML2‐10,” “US1‐2,” “US2‐6,” and “US2‐7” exhibit high oil content, coupled with substantial levels of phenols and flavonoids, rendering them excellent candidates for culinary and industrial applications where oxidative stability is important. “ML2‐68,” “ML2‐72,” “US06,” “US1‐DL,” and “US1‐3” offer versatile options with their moderate oil content and fatty acid profiles that resist oxidation. This research highlights the potential for breeding sesame mutants tailored to specific applications, contributing to both enhanced oil production and improved nutritional value. The insights gained here pave the way for the development of sesame varieties with superior nutritional and functional attributes, thereby promoting the sustainable production and consumption of sesame oil.

A Comprehensive Approach to Biodiesel Blend Selection Using GRA-TOPSIS: A Case Study of Waste Cooking Oils in Egypt

The transition to sustainable energy sources is critical for addressing global environmental challenges. In 2017, Egypt produced about 500,000 tons of waste cooking oil from various sources including food industries, restaurants and hotels. Sadly, 90% of households choose to dispose of their used cooking oil by pouring it down the drain or into their village’s sewers instead of using proper disposal methods. The process involves converting waste cooking oil (WCO) into biodiesel.This study introduces a multi-criteria decision-making approach to identify the optimal biodiesel blend from waste cooking oils in Egypt. By leveraging the grey relational analysis (GRA) combined with the technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS), we evaluate eight biodiesel blends (diesel, B5, B10, B20, B30, B50, B75, B100) against various performance metrics, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, particulate matter, engine power, fuel consumption, engine noise, and exhaust gas temperature. The experimental analysis used a single-cylinder, constant-speed, direct-injection eight cylinder diesel engine under varying load conditions. Our methodology involved feature engineering and model building to enhance predictive accuracy. The results demonstrated significant improvements in monitoring accuracy, with diesel, B5, and B20 emerging as the top-performing blends. Notably, the B5 blend showed the best overall performance, balancing efficiency and emissions. This study highlights the potential of integrating advanced AI-driven decision-making frameworks into biodiesel blend selection, promoting cleaner energy solutions and optimizing engine performance. Our findings underscore the substantial benefits of waste cooking oils for biodiesel production, contributing to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.