Untreated Oil Research Articles

Isolation, Screening, and Identification of Potential Cellulolytic and Xylanolytic Producers for Biodegradation of Untreated Oil Palm Trunk and Its Application in Saccharification of Lemongrass Leaves

This study presents the isolation and screening of fungi with excellent ability to degrade untreated oil palm trunk (OPT) in a solid-state fermentation system (SSF). Qualitative assay of cellulases and xylanase indicates notable secretion of both enzymes by 12 fungal strains from a laboratory collection and 5 strains isolated from a contaminated wooden board. High production of these enzymes was subsequently quantified in OPT in SSF. Aspergillus fumigates SK1 isolated from cow dung gives the highest xylanolytic activity (648.448 U g−1), generally high cellulolytic activities (CMCase: 48.006, FPase: 6.860, beta-glucosidase: 16.328 U g−1) and moderate lignin peroxidase activity (4.820 U/g), and highest xylanolytic activity. The xylanase encoding gene of Aspergillus fumigates SK1 was screened using polymerase chain reaction by a pair of degenerate primers. Through multiple alignment of the SK1 strain's xylanase nucleotide sequences with other published xylanases, it was confirmed that the gene belonged to the xylanase glycoside hydrolase family 11 (GH11) with a protein size of 24.49 kD. Saccharification of lemongrass leaves using crude cellulases and xylanase gives the maximum reducing sugars production of 6.84 g/L with glucose as the major end product and traces of phenylpropanic compounds (vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid).

Thermo-mechanical and morphological properties of short natural fiber reinforced poly (lactic acid) biocomposite: Effect of fiber treatment

Untreated oil palm empty fruit bunch (REFB), alkali treated EFB (AEFB), ultrasound treated EFB (UEFB) and simultaneous ultrasound-alkali treated EFB (UAEFB) short fibers were incorporated in poly(lactic acid) (PLA) for fabricating bio-composites. The REFB fiber-PLA (REPC) and treated EFB (TEFB) fiber-PLA (TEPC) composites were prepared and characterized. Glass transition temperature, crystal melting temperature, decomposition temperature, melt flow index, density and mechanical properties (tensile strength, tensile modulus and impact strength) of TEPC are found to be higher than those of REPC. The observed crystallization temperature of TEPC is lower than that of REPC. Among all samples, TEPC prepared from UAEFB fiber shows better performances than other samples fabricated by REFB and AEFB fibers. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and XRD analyses well support all the observed results.

Partial Discharge and Conduction Current Signature Analysis for the Assessment of Transformer Oil Behavior under Accelerated Stress Condition

2 Abstract: Performance and serviceable life of oil filled transformers are primarily governed by the behavior of insulating oil. Such transformers, during operation, may experience several stress evolving operating conditions. Deterioration in the performance of oil filled transformers are directly associated with the degradation of oil during the course of operation with different loading conditions. Further, the oil characteristics undergo appreciable variations since the chemical compositions in the oil are subjected to variations. Partial Discharges (PD) in insulating oil is one of the proven indices which exhibit the changing characteristics of oil. PD activity in oil insulating medium is influenced by several factors that are invariably directly correlated to the physics and chemistry of the insulant. The proposed article focuses on assessing the PD activity in different transformer oil insulations under different applied voltages. Further, the investigations also confined towards the correlation of PD phenomenon with Conduction Current (CC) through insulating oil. Various categories of iso-paraffin base and naphthenic base transformer oil have been taken into consideration which include new untreated oil, thermally degraded oil, oil degraded with transient signals and mixture of oil with solid dielectric materials. Detailed analysis based on experimental studies reveals that the dynamics of PD activity in degraded oil display unique discharge signatures when compared with new untreated oil. Also, it is evident that the PD activity is enhanced with the oil which contains a mixture of solid dielectric materials and with thermally degraded oil. Further, simultaneous measurement of conduction current and partial discharge activity in oil depicts that the dynamics of oil degradation is well observable in conduction current wave and correlation of both signatures yields better results interms of understanding the changes in oil behavior with time.

Demulsification Efficiency of Some New Stearate Esters of Ethoxylated and Propoxylated 1,8-Diamino-Octane for Water in Crude Oil Emulsions

In this work, eight demulsifiers were prepared from 1,8-diamino-octane (DAO). The DAO was ethoxylated or propoxylated up to 100 ethylene or propylene oxide units respectively. These alkoxylated products were esterified to mono, di, tri, and tetra stearate. The chemical structure was confirmed by FTIR and nitrogen content. The surface active parameters of these surfactants were investigated on the basis of the surface tension measurements at 25°C and 60°C. These surfactants were tested as emulsion breakers (demulsifiers) against waxy crude oil emulsion (Water content (BSW) = 18%). From the obtained data, it was found that the prepared materials have surface active properties let them act as good demulsifiers. The maximum demulsification efficiency (100%) was obtained by DAOE100-1 at 400 ppm[30 min], the mixture of (DAOE100-1 + DAOP100-2) in ratio [3:1] at 400 ppm and (DAOE100-2 + DAOP100-1) in ratio [1:3] at 400 ppm at temperature 60°C the time taken for complete water separation was 15 and 9 minutes. for these mixtures, respectively. The flow properties of the emulsion with and without the demulsifier were investigated. The obtained results showed that the demulsifiers used enhance the dynamic viscosity and yield value (τB). The viscosity was reduced from 10.5 for the untreated crude oil to 3.58 for the treated crude oil at concentration 100 ppm and a temperature of 60°C, meanwhile the τB was reduced from 0.054 for crude oil to 0.013 for the treated sample at the same condition.

Torrefaction of residues and by-products from sunflower chain

The high heterogeneity of some residual biomasses makes rather difficult their energy use and standardisation is a key aspect for these fuel products. Torrefaction is an interesting process used to improve the quality of ligno-cellulosic biomasses and to achieve standardisation. In the present study torrefaction has been employed on residues and by-products deriving from sunflower production chain, in particular sunflower stalks and oil press cake. The thermal behaviour of materials has been studied at first by thermo-gravimetric analysis in order to identify torrefaction temperatures range. Different residence time and torrefaction temperatures have been employed in a bench top torrefaction reactor afterwards. Analyses of raw and torrefied materials have been carried out to assess the influence of the process. As a consequence of torrefaction, the carbon and ash contents increase while the volatilisation range is reduced making the material more stable and standardised. Mass yield, energy yield and energy densification reach values of about 60 %, 80 % and 1.33 for sunflower stalks and 64 %, 85 % and 1.33 for sunflower oil press cake respectively. As highlighted by results, torrefaction is more interesting for sunflower stalks than oil cake and husks because of the different starting characteristics. Untreated oil cake and husks already show a good high heating value and the eventual torrefaction should be mild. On the contrary for sunflower stalks the process is more useful and could be more severe.

Production of cellulases and xylanase by Aspergillus fumigatus SK1 using untreated oil palm trunk through solid state fermentation

Direct utilization of untreated oil palm trunk (OPT) for cellulases and xylanase production by Aspergillus fumigatus SK1 was conducted under solid-state fermentation (SSF). The highest activities of extracellular cellulases and xylanases were produced at 80% moisture level, initial pH 5.0, 1×108 spore/g (inoculum) with 125μm of OPT as sole carbon source. The cellulases and xylanase activities obtained were 54.27, 3.36, 4.54 and 418.70U/g substrates for endoglucanase (CMCase), exoglucanase (FPase), β-glucosidase and xylanase respectively. The crude cellulases and xylanase required acidic condition to retain their optimum activities (pH 4.0). Crude cellulases and xylanase were more stable at 40°C compared to their optimum activities conditions (60°C for FPase and 70°C for CMCase, β-glucosidase and xylanase). SDS-PAGE and zymogram analysis showed that Aspergillus fumigatus SK1 could secrete cellulases (endoglucanase, exoglucanase and β-glucosidase), xylanase and protease. Enzymatic degradation of alkaline treated OPT with concentrated crude cellulases and xylanases resulted in producing polyoses.

Screening Microbial Surface Active Compound Produced by Bacteria Isolated from Various Waste Streams

Microbial surface active compounds (SACs) have been studied for bioremediation of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) contaminated sites where SACs reduce the surface tension and therefore improve the bioavailability of NAPLs. Hence, this study evaluates presence of microbial SACs in culture medium by detecting the surface activity of potential SAC-producing bacteria. Twenty-five strains isolated from various waste streams in Malaysia were screened for SAC production by preliminary screening tests, namely using drop collapse, oil spreading and microplate tests. Strains were further checked using complementary screening by measuring the surface tension. Four strains (P-UT4, P-UT5, P-UT6 and P-UT8) isolated from untreated palm oil mill effluent (POME) exhibited high surface active properties when tested through preliminary screening tests. These strains were also capable of reducing surface tension of water (72 mNm-1) to below 40 mNm-1 and thus were identified as potential SAC-producing bacteria.

Direct catalytic upgrading of biomass pyrolysis vapors by a dual function Ru/TiO2 catalyst

The results of catalytic treatment of vapors exiting a g/min pyrolysis unit before product condensation to the liquid phase using a Ru/TiO2 catalyst for oak and switchgrass pyrolysis are reported. The pyrolysis is conducted at 500°C and the catalysis at 400°C at atmospheric pressure with a hydrogen partial pressure of 0.58 atm. It is found that the catalytic treatment provides significant conversion of light oxygenates to larger, less oxygenated, molecules and, simultaneously, bio‐oil phenolics are also converted to less oxygenated phenolics with methoxy methyl groups transferred to the ring. The activity of the catalyst gradually diminished with increasing biomass fed to the system. Untreated pyrolysis oil forms a single liquid phase with some tarry material, consistent with the literature, whereas the treated liquid product forms separate oil and aqueous phases, the latter of which is about 80% water. The oil from the treated vapors has a lower initial viscosity with only a small increase upon accelerated aging compared to the untreated product oil, which has a dramatic increase in viscosity after aging. This is indicative of poor oil stability for untreated oil that is further confirmed by large increases in molecular weight, while the treated oil has a small increase in molecular weight after accelerated aging. In an effort to understand compatibility with refinery streams, the solubility of the oils in tetralin was examined. The untreated oil was found to have very limited solubility in tetralin, whereas the treated oil phase was completely soluble except for a small aqueous phase that appeared. There are a number of challenges in developing a high yield process for pyrolysis based conversion of biomass to transportation fuels. The Ru/TiO2 catalyst used here shows promise for conducting multiple types of favorable reactions in the presence of the full spectrum of primary pyrolysis products that creates significant product stability under mild conditions. This could lead to higher liquid yields of stable, refinery compatible, product oil. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2275–2285, 2013

Effects of oil exposure and dispersant use upon environmental adaptation performance and fitness in the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax

The worldwide increasing recourse to chemical dispersants to deal with oil spills in marine coastal ecosystems is a controversial issue. Yet, there exists no adequate methodology that can provide reliable predictions of how oil and dispersant-treated oil can affect relevant organism or population-level performance. The primary objective of the present study was to examine and compare the effects of exposure to untreated oil (weathered Arabian light crude oil), chemically dispersed oil (Finasol, TOTAL-Fluides) or dispersant alone, upon the ability of fish for environmental adaptation. To reach that goal, we implemented high-throughput, non-lethal challenge tests to estimate individual hypoxia and heat tolerance as surrogate measures of their capacity to face natural contingencies. Experimental populations were then transferred into semi-natural tidal ponds and correlates of individuals’ fitness (growth and survival) were monitored over a period of 6 months. In accordance with our stated objectives, the contamination conditions tested corresponded to those observed under an oil slick drifting in shallow waters. Our results revealed that the response of control fish to both challenges was variable among individuals and temporally stable (repeatable) over a 2-month period. Exposure to chemical dispersant did not affect the repeatability of fish performance. However, exposure to oil or to a mixture of oil plus dispersant affected the repeatability of individuals’ responses to the experimental challenge tests. At population level, no difference between contamination treatments was observed in the distribution of individual responses to the hypoxia and temperature challenge tests. Moreover, no correlation between hypoxia tolerance and heat tolerance was noticed. During the field experiment, hypoxia tolerance and heat tolerance were found to be determinants of survivorship. Moreover, experimental groups exposed to oil or to dispersant-treated oil displayed significantly lower survival than control or dispersant-exposed groups. Finally, from the four experimental populations tested, the one exposed to chemically dispersed oil presented the lowest growth rate.

Influence of Microwave Treatment of Rapeseed on Minor Components Content and Oxidative Stability of Oil

Rapeseeds were adjusted to moisture contents of 9, 11, 13, and 15 % and treated with microwaves under 800 W for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 min at a frequency of 2,450 MHz and oil was extracted with a press to investigate possibility of enhancing oil extraction yield by press, minor component content, and oxidative stability of the pressed oil. The results indicated that microwave pretreatment of rapeseed could increase the oil extraction yield, and both microwave time and initial moisture content of rapeseed had significant effects on the oil extraction yield (p 0.05). Phytosterol and polyphenol contents increased with increasing microwave time and with decreasing initial moisture content of rapeseeds (p < 0.001). An F test revealed there were significant interactions between the effects of microwave time and initial moisture content on both polyphenol content and oil extraction yield. The oxidative stability of oil were improved with increasing microwave time and decreasing initial moisture content (p < 0.001), and there were significant positive correlations with total polyphenol and phytosterol contents. Therefore, it is advisable to treat rapeseeds with low initial moisture content by microwaves prior to oil extraction by press because it results in a relatively good oil extraction yield by cold press, with a high amount of phenolic, tocopherol, and phytosterol. Microwave pretreatment had a positive effect on oxidative oil stability in comparison to the untreated oil.

Sequence analysis and gene expression of putative oil palm chitinase and chitinase-like proteins in response to colonization of Ganoderma boninense and Trichoderma harzianum

Chitinases are glycosyl hydrolases that cleave the β-1,4-glycosidic linkages between N-acetylglucosamine residues in chitin which is a major component of fungal cell wall. Plant chitinases hydrolyze fungal chitin to chitin oligosaccharides that serve as elicitors of plant defense system against fungal pathogens. However, plants synthesize many chitinase isozymes and some of them are not pathogenesis-related. In this study, three full-length cDNA sequences encoding a putative chitinase (EgChit3-1) and two chitinase-like proteins (EgChit1-1 and EgChit5-1) have been cloned from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The abundance of these transcripts in the roots and leaves of oil palm seedlings treated with Ganoderma boninense (a fungal pathogen) or Trichoderma harzianum (an avirulent symbiont), and a combination of both fungi at 3, 6 and 12 weeks post infection were profiled by real time quantitative reverse-transcription (qRT)-PCR. Our findings showed that the gene expression of EgChit3-1 increased significantly in the roots of oil palm seedlings treated with either G. boninense or T. harzianum and a combination of both; whereas the gene expression of EgChit1-1 in the treated roots of oil palm seedlings was not significantly higher compared to those of the untreated oil palm roots. The gene expression of EgChit5-1 was only higher in the roots of oil palm seedlings treated with T. harzianum compared to those of the untreated oil palm roots. In addition, the gene expression of EgChit1-1 and EgChit3-1 showed a significantly higher gene expression in the leaf samples of oil palm seedlings treated with either G. boninense or T. harzianum.

Effect of dispersed crude oil exposure upon the aerobic metabolic scope in juvenile golden grey mullet (Lizaaurata)

This study evaluated the toxicity of dispersant application which is, in nearshore area, a controversial response technique to oil spill. Through an experimental approach with juveniles of Liza aurata, the toxicity of five exposure conditions was evaluated: (i) a chemically dispersed oil simulating dispersant application; (ii) a single dispersant as an internal control of chemically dispersed oil; (iii) a mechanically dispersed oil simulating natural dispersion of oil; (iv) a water soluble fraction of oil simulating an undispersed and untreated oil slick and (v) uncontaminated seawater as a control exposure condition. The relative concentration of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) biliary metabolites showed that the incorporation of these toxic compounds was increased if the oil was dispersed, whether mechanically or chemically. However, toxicity was not observed at the organism level since the aerobic metabolic scope and the critical swimming speed of exposed fish were not impaired.

Modification of Aminosilicone Oil with Long Side-Chain and its Application on Fabric Finishing

In the current work, aminopropyl silicone oil was prepared by condensation reaction followed by chemical modification with high reactive carbon-17 mono-isocyanate. The stability of the emulsion of modified silicone oil was found to be excellent as compared with the untreated silicone oil. The modified silicone oil afforded better yellowing resistance, softness and laundry endurance, with stiffness change only 6.94% and handle retention rate 88.89% after ten launderings.

Analysis methods of sulfide and sulfoxide compounds in mineral insulating oil for diagnosis on electrostatic charging of power transformers

Analysis methods of sulfide and sulfoxide compounds in mineral insulating oil are developed to diagnose an electrostatic charging of a power transformer due to oil circulation. When sulfonium ions are generated from sulfide compounds via sulfoxide compounds, they tend to increase an electrostatic charging tendency (ECT) in the oil, which causes the electrostatic charging of a power transformer. Selective analysis methods for sulfide and sulfoxide compounds are developed by combining solid extractions with a gas chromatography because it is difficult to detect sulfonium ions directly. Sulfide compounds are selectively extracted from oils by palladium chloride-impregnated silica gel while sulfoxide compounds are extracted by silica gels. The effect of sulfide on the dielectric dissipation factor (DDF), which relates to an ECT, of commercial oil is investigated by removing sulfide compounds with palladium chloride-impregnated silica gel. The DDF of untreated oil increases at the beginning of heating with air while changes in the DDF are minimal for treated oils.

Enhanced Biogas Production from Palm Oil Mill Effluent Supplemented with Untreated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Biomass with a Change in the Microbial Community

The biogas and biomethane production in a 50 litre closed stirred tank anaerobic bioreactor treating palm oil mill effluent (POME) supplemented with oil palm biomass in the form of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) under mesophilic condition was evaluated. With OPEFB supplementation, the biogas and biomethane generation increased by 63% and 52%, respectively. During this process, we found changes in the OPEFB morphology and microbial community through microbiota analysis using 16S rRNA gene clone library method, after OPEFB was added, suggesting that the increased biogas and biomethane production would be due to enhanced lignocellulosic biomass degradation.

Cloning of transcripts encoding chitinases from Elaeis guineensis Jacq. and their expression profiles in response to fungal infections

We have cloned three cDNAs encoding chitinases from oil palm, EgCHI1, EgCHI2, and EgCHI3. The abundance of transcripts encoding all three chitinases was relatively higher in oil palm root tissues treated with either Ganoderma boninense or Trichoderma harzianum singly compared to that of untreated oil palm root tissues at 5 week post inoculation (wpi). The expression of EgCHI1 and EgCHI2 was also up-regulated in oil palm roots treated with a combination of G. boninense and T. harzianum at 2, 5 and 8 wpi. The up-regulation of chitinases understudied was likely a universal response of host plant to fungal attack.

Eco-friendly utilization of parabolic concentrating solar cooker for extraction of cashew nut shell oil and household cooking

India is the largest producer, processor, exporter, and second largest consumer of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) in the world. India processed about 11,80,000 million tonnes of raw cashew seeds. The large quantity of cashew shell is unutilized due to the expensive method of oil extraction and liberation of acidic flumes during direct combustion. The parabolic concentrating solar cooker (sk-14) was evaluated for cooking and generation of heat for cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) extraction. The CNSL extractor was developed and evaluated for thermal profile and CNSL recovery. The no-load temperature of 320 °C was reached inside the extractor. The average oil recovery was reported to be 55–70%. The physical properties (specific gravity, viscosity, proximate analysis, pH, iodine value, and calorific value) of solar-heated untreated oil was evaluated and compared with standard properties as per IS840-1964. The de-oiled cashew shell waste was evaluated for fuel properties using the ASTM D-3173-3175 method.

Fractionation and characterization of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) as treated by supercritical water

In order to investigate the potential for efficient utilization of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), supercritical water treatment (at 380°C and 100 MPa for 8 s) was applied to fractionate extractives-free samples into water-soluble portion and water-insoluble portion. The water-insoluble portion was further fractionated into methanol-soluble portion and methanol-insoluble residue. Samples were prepared from various parts of oil palm, i.e., trunks, fronds, mesocarp fibers, shells, empty fruit bunches, and kernel cake. These fractionated products were then characterized analytically. The water-soluble and methanol-soluble portions were determined to be mainly composed of carbohydrate-derived products and lignin-derived products, respectively. The methanol-insoluble residue was mainly composed of lignin (more than 84 wt%) and the phenolic hydroxyl contents determined by the aminolysis method was higher than for untreated oil palm samples. In addition, an alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation analysis indicated that the methanol-insoluble residue contained fewer oxidation products than untreated samples did. These findings imply that the water-soluble portion could be utilized for organic acid production, whereas the methanol-soluble portion and the insoluble residue could be used for the production of phenolic chemicals.

Metabolic responses produced by crude versus dispersed oil in Chinook salmon pre-smolts via NMR-based metabolomics

Crude oil spills from tankers remain a serious threat along coastal California. Resource managers require information on the acute toxicity of treated and untreated oil, and their sublethal effects on wildlife. This investigation compared the toxic actions of the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) and the chemically-enhanced WAF (CEWAF; Corexit 9500) of Prudhoe Bay crude oil in pre-smolt Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics. Metabolite profiles from muscle samples, after 96 h exposures, were measured using 1D 1H NMR and compared via principal component analysis. It was determined that both WAF and CEWAF produced similar profiles in which amino acids, lactate and ATP comprised the highest intensity signals. Overall, metabolic substrates and growth measurements did not show residual effects of short-term exposure on long-term development. In conclusion, the 96 h LC 50s indicate dispersant application significantly decreased hydrocarbon potency and identified metabolites may be bio-indicators of hydrocarbon stress from hydrocarbon exposure.

Quality of Biodiesel Prepared from Phorbol Ester Extracted Jatropha curcas Oil

AbstractJatropha curcas seeds are rich in oil (28–32%), which can be converted to high quality biodiesel. The oil is non‐edible due to the presence of toxic compounds, namely, phorbol esters (PEs). PEs have a number of agricultural/medicinal/pharmaceutical applications and hence their recovery generates a value added co‐product towards the biodiesel production chain. This study aims to assess the effects of PE extraction on quality of both the residual oil and the biodiesel production from it. Two Approaches (1, use of an Ultra‐turrax; and 2, use of a magnetic stirrer) were used with an effective treatment time of 2 and 5 min, resulting in 80 and 78% extraction of PEs, respectively. The phosphorus content was reduced by 70.2 and 75.8%, free fatty acids by 55.3 and 55.6%, and the fatty acid composition did not change in the residual oils. The peroxide value increased from 2.69 (untreated oil) to 3.01 and 3.49 mequiv O2/kg in the residual oils following Approach 1 and Approach 2, respectively. The biodiesel prepared from both residual oils met European (EN 14214:2008) and American biodiesel standard (ASTM D6751‐09) specifications. Oxidative stability indices for both the biodiesels were well within the permitted limit. It is concluded that PEs could be isolated in active forms for various applications by either of the two methods with a high yield and the residual oil can be processed to produce high quality biodiesel.