The effect of nanoparticles on oil sludge biodegradation by Chromohalobacter sp. isolated from the Bahregan area in the Persian Gulf

In this study, sampling was performed from oil-sludge-contaminated site from Bahregan area in the Persian Gulf of Iran. Alkane-degrading bacteria from oil sludge were isolated by chemotaxis in hydroxylase gene. Thus, Chromohalobacter strain was selected as useful strain for the biodegradation of oil sludge. The biodegradation of oil sludge by Chromohalobacter in the absence and presence of nanoparticles in light and dark conditions was investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. Results of analysis showed that although Chromohalobacter is capable of the biodegradation of oil sludge, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with this bacterium increase the biodegradation in a short time.     

Transition metal oxide nanoparticles as surfaces for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of asphaltenes

We report the first use of NiO, Fe₃O₄, TiO₂, and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles as surfaces for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) mass spectrometry of asphaltenes. Higher signal-to-noise ratios (S/Ns) for asphaltene species were observed using NiO and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for SALDI as compared to LDI, where both surfaces consistently provided 2- to 3-fold improved S/Ns. The new SALDI detection method showed reliable adsorption data measuring supernatant solutions after 24 hour asphaltene adsorption on NiO, Fe₃O₄, and Co₃O_4. These results indicated that NiO has a higher adsorption affinity than Fe₃O₄ and Co₃O₄ for asphaltene molecules, corroborating reported asphaltene adsorption on metal oxide nanoparticles.     

Factors influencing the aggregation behavior of residual associative polymer in produced oily fluids

The influence of emulsified oil, suspended solids, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, cationic water clarifier and sulfate-reducing (SR) bacteria on the aggregation behavior of residual hydrophobic modified polyacrylamide in treated oily wastewater from polymer flooding was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The result of I₁/I₃ showed that the polarity of hydrophobic microdomains increased, whereas the size of the hydrophobic microdomains may be decreased, where the value of I₁/I₃ represents the ratio of the intensity of peak I₁ (374.0 nm) to that of peak I₃ (385.0 nm) of the vibration fine structure of pyrene monomer emission in residual polymer solution. The results of the ratio of I₁ at 48 h to I₁ at 0 h (I_1,48h/I_1,0h) indicated that oil and cationic water clarifier could inhibit the aggregation to some extent, while Fe₂₊ and suspended solids were helpful for aggregation, and Fe₃₊ and SR bacteria had no significant influence on the aggregation of polymer.     

Promotion effect of biosurfactant on heavy-oil biodegradation

Biosurfactants have received considerable attention in the field of heavy-oil remediation processes. Heavy oil was used to isolate biosurfactant-producing and oil-degrading bacteria. According to 16S rRNA, the isolated bacteria was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the produced biosurfactant was 100 mg/L. Biosurfactant could greatly improve the properties of heavy oil and significantly improve the biodegradation. The viscosity reduction rate was from 24 to 47% over the temperature range of 30–90°C. Biodegradation rates of saturated hydrocarbon (C₁₃–C₃₃) were from 21 to 85%. The biodegradation accelerating rate of biosurfactant for different aromatic hydrocarbon series was 9.89%, 9.60%, 29.71%, 16.75%, and 10.04%. These findings demonstrate that the produced biosurfactant could be useful in environmental remediation processes.     

Nanoenergetic Composite of Mesoporous Iron Oxide and Aluminum Nanoparticles

Ordered mesoporous Fe₂O₃ was synthesized using cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) and polyethylene glycol octadecyl ether (Brij 76) surfactant templates. The gel time was monitored as a function of the concentration ratio of precursor to the surfactant. As-prepared FeOOH gels were extracted in ethanol to remove the surfactant and calcined at 200–400°C for 6 h so that α-Fe₂O₃ is produced. The FTIR spectra of these gels reveal complete removal of surfactant and water impurities and the presence of Fe-O vibrations. TEM images show ordering of mesopores in the gels prepared using surfactant templating and no ordering of the pores in the gels prepared without surfactant. The gels after calcinations were mixed with aluminum nanoparticles to prepare nanoenergetic composites. The burn rate of the nanocomposites containing ordered mesoporous Fe₂O₃ mixed with Al nanoparticles was compared with the one containing Fe₂O₃ with no ordering of mesopores and Al nanoparticles.     

Rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes in food by biofunctionalized magnetic nanoparticle based on nuclear magnetic resonance

In order to ensure the safety of food, particularly ready-to-eat (RTE) food, a sensitive and rapid method for the detection of foodborne pathogenic bacteria is always in high demand. An accurate and reliable detection method for Listeria monocytogenes has been developed based on the aggregation of biofunctionalized magnetic nanoparticles induced by specific binding between L. monocytogenes and antibody-modified nanoparticles, which results in the change of the transverse relaxation time (T2) of surrounding water protons of nanoparticles detected by nuclear magnetic resonance. The detection limit of this method is 3 MPN (using the most-probable-number (MPN) assay) and the functionalized Fe/Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles exhibit a high specificity with the existence of other interfering bacteria. Furthermore, this detection method is successfully applied to detect L. monocytogenes in milk powder and lettuce. This method could be a useful tool for sensitive and rapid detection of foodborne pathogenic bacteria.     

Recovery of Asphaltenic Oil During Nano Fluid Injection

SiO₂, NiO, and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles are used for absorb asphaltene and prevent their precipitation. For the experiment, water and nanoparticle featured water are injected into micromodel that contained the synthetic oil. The synthetic oil includes asphaltenic components and n-heptane, and volume percentage of each one differs in every experiment. The results show that when n-heptane volume percentage is higher, asphaltene aggregation is more when water is injected. Although, during nanoparticle featured water injection when there is higher n-heptane volume percentages, asphaltene are absorbed on nanoparticle surfaces, which prevents precipitation. Also, it was obtained that SiO₂ is the most efficient nanoparticle for this purpose that leads to the maximum recovery.     

Study the adsorption properties of magnetite nanoparticles in the presence of different synthesized surfactants for heavy metal ions removal

Co-precipitation method is used to prepare magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) which stabilized by two nonionic and one cationic surfactant. ¹H NMR used to confirm the chemical structure of the synthesized surfactants. The prepared magnetite nanoparticles characterized by size distribution (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and magnetic properties (magnetic susceptibility analysis). X-ray diffraction (XRD) illustrated a cubic crystalline structure of the prepared magnetite nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images showed that the magnetite nanoparticles had uniformly dispersed. The adsorption efficiency of the prepared nanoparticles toward lead, zinc, and cadmium, metal ions was estimated by using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). There are several factors controlling the uptake enhancement studies of the synthesized nanoparticles such as the pH of the metal ion solutions and adsorbent doses.     

Prevention of Spontaneous Combustion of Sulfur-Containing Oil Tanks

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide in oil tanks can react with the corrosion products from inner walls (Fe₂ O₃, Fe₃ O₄, and Fe(OH)₃) to form ferrous sulfide. When the reaction is exothermic, it results in spontaneous combustion of ferrous sulfide and fires in oil tanks. In this paper, the effects of air flow rate; existence of water, oil, and monocrystal sulfur; and particle sizes of ferrous sulfide on the spontaneous combustion of ferrous sulfide are discussed and the measures to prevent the spontaneous combustion of ferrous sulfide are brought forward.     

SZ36-1油田注聚井和聚驱受益油井堵塞物的组成及成因对比分析

随着注聚开发的进行,SZ36-1油田的部分受益油井中出现了含聚堵塞物,导致了产能下降。采用多种表征手段对比分析了注聚井和受益油井堵塞物的组成,发现在所采集到的样品中,受益油井堵塞物以无机垢为主,无机垢/有机垢质量比为4.0～5.5,远大于注聚井的0.25～0.75,受益油井和注聚井中无机垢分别主要为Fe_2O_3和CaCO_3,有机垢则均为部分水解聚丙烯酰胺。对比分析了注聚井和受益井中无机垢和有机垢的成因,重点分析了受益油井堵塞物的成因:在受益油井的近井地带,酸化作业后的残酸含有大量Fe~(3+),与聚合物驱替液相遇后,液体pH值上升,形成Fe(OH)_3沉淀,氧化后即形成Fe_2O_3无机垢;驱替液中降解后的聚合物在酸性条件下会选择性地与Fe~(3+)通过配位作用,形成水不溶的聚合物交联物,即形成有机垢。分析结果可为注聚井和注聚受益油井的针对性解堵以及预防注聚受益油井堵塞提供依据。     

Geochemical studies of the Silurian oil reservoir in the Well Shun-9 prospect area, Tarim Basin, NW China

Commercial oil flow has been obtained from the sandstone reservoir of the Lower Silurian Kelpintag Formation in the Well Shun-9 prospect area.In the present studies,10 Silurian oil and oil sand samples from six wells in the area were analyzed for their molecular and carbon isotopic compositions,oil alteration（biodegradation）,oil source rock correlation and oil reservoir filling direction.All the Silurian oils and oil sands are characterized by low Pr/Ph and C21/C23 tricyclic terpane（〈1.0） ratios,＂V＂-pattern C27-C29 steranes distribution,low C28-sterane and triaromatic dinosterane abundances and light δ13C values,which can be correlated well with the carbonate source rock of the O3 l Lianglitage Formation.Different oil biodegradation levels have also been confirmed for the different oils/oil sands intervals.With the S1k2 seal,oils and oil sands from the S1k1 interval of the Kelpintag Formation have only suffered light biodegradation as confirmed by the presence of ＂UCM＂ and absence of 25-norhopanes,whereas the S1k3-1 oil sands were heavily biodegraded（proved by the presence of 25-norhopanes） due to the lack of the S1k2 seal,which suggests a significant role of the S1k2 seal in the protection of the Silurian oil reservoir.Based on the Ts/（Ts＋Tm） and 4-/1-MDBT ratios as reservoir filling tracers,a general oil filling direction from NW to SE has been also estimated for the Silurian oil reservoir in the Well Shun-9 prospect area.     

植物油基润滑油添加剂的制备及其摩擦学性能

采用菜籽油与亚磷酸二正丁酯为原料通过自由基加成反应制备了环境友好植物油基润滑油添加剂(PRO)。利用四球试验与SRV微动摩擦磨损试验对比了PRO与磷酸三甲酚酯(TCP)在饱和多元醇酯基础油(3970)中的减摩、抗磨以及极压性能。结果表明,PRO在不同的载荷、浓度、温度等条件下的摩擦学性能均明显优于TCP。PRO优异的摩擦学特性主要得益于其在摩擦过程与金属表面发生摩擦化学反应,生成含有Fe2O3,Fe3O4,FeP与FePO4的边界润滑薄膜,从而起到极压、抗磨的作用。     

The application of nanofluids for recovery of asphaltenic oil

In the recent years, requirement of suitable enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique as a more proficient technology becomes significant because of increasing demand for energy. Nanofluids have great potential in order to improve oil recovery. In our study, the effect of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and MgO nanoparticles on oil recovery was investigated by using core flooding apparatus. Zeta potential and particle size distribution measurements were carried out to investigate the stability of nano particles and results showed SiO₂ has more stability than other ones. Interfacial tension and contact angle measurements between nanofluids and crude oil used to demonstrate that how nanoparticles enhance oil recovery. Experimental data reveals that SiO₂ nanoparticles introduce as the greatest agent among these nanoparticles for enhanced oil recovery. Lowest damage for SiO₂ nanofluids was observed and also it was observed that the concentration and injection rate have straight effects on permeability reductions.     

Innovative reuse of drinking water sludge for the treatment of petroleum produced water to enhance oil recovery

Using treated petroleum produced water (PPW) as injected water, for enhancing oil recovery, is important in petroleum industry. The process of water reuse is a cost-effective method. On the contrary, injection of inadequately treated water could induce scale formation. In the present study oil-free petroleum produced water (PPW) was treated to obtain water without scale tendency by using the water treatment sludge (WTS) produced from the Drinking Water Treatment Plants (DWTP). The WTS is usually accumulated in the DWTP as solid useless solid wastes. The characterization of the washed and dried WTS was investigated extensively by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDAX), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Surface area analyzer. It was found that the average particle size of WTS is 47.34 nm. The main constituents of the WTS are MgO, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, CaO, and Fe₂O₃. This WTS was reused for the treatment of oil-free PPW, where the chemical and physical characteristics of PPW before and after treatment were determined. The present study showed that the optimum WTS dose was 3 g/l at which the salinity, alkalinity, TDS, conductivity, hardness, cations and anions of the PPW were significantly decreased. The overall results revealed that by decreasing the cations and anions of PPW, the later has no any tendency to form scale. Therefore, the treated PPW could be used again to enhance oil recovery without any concern of scale formation, water-saving, as well as protecting the environment from the discharge of such polluted water.     

Effect of Microbial Count of P. aeruginosa on Biodegradation of Crude Oil Contaminated Water

Abstract

The effect of microbial count of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria amended with 20 g of nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium (NPK) fertilizer (15:15:15) on the biodegradation of crude oil-contaminated water was studied. Four samples, S ₁, S ₂, S ₃, and S ₄, with equal crude oil pollution load were inoculated with, 1 × 10⁵ cfu, 2 × 10⁵ cfu, 4 × 10⁵ cfu and 8 × 10⁵ cfu of P. aeruginosa respectively, and 20 g of NPK (15:15:15) fertilizer. The control sample, Sc, had only 8 × 10⁵ cfu P. aeruginosa and no fertilizer.

Parameters such as oil and grease content, pH, BOD, COD, and turbidity were monitored over a nine-week period. At the end of the biodegradation period, a high percentage of oil and grease content was removed. The value reduced from 185.0 to 41.50 mg/L, 24.6 mg/L, 20.5 mg/L, 13.2 mg/L, 10.9 mg/L for S _c , S ₁, S ₂, S ₃, and S ₄ respectively. There was also a drop in BOD, COD, turbidity, and pH of the samples under consideration. The S ₄ sample had the highest reduction in both BOD and COD values. The initial value dropped from 82.0 to 27.5 mg/L and 158.4 to 64.8 mg/L for the BOD and COD, respectively. These values obtained fall within the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) limits. The oil and grease content for S ₄ sample was also reduced from 185 mg/L to 9.95 mg/L, while the pH value for this same sample, S ₄, was 6.60 after the nine-week period of investigation.     

车用废润滑油中酸性组分的高分辨质谱分析

车用新鲜及废润滑油样品的傅里叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)表明,两者中均存在羧基及羟基官能团,即存在酸性组分。利用具有超高分辨率的负离子电喷雾-傅里叶变换离子回旋共振质谱仪(negative-ion ESI FT-ICR MS)分析了车用新鲜及废润滑油中酸性化合物的组成及分布。结果表明,从新鲜润滑油中鉴定出的酸性化合物主要为O3、O1及O2类,而从废润滑油中鉴定出的酸性化合物则主要为O3、O2、O4及O1类。经对比分析可知,新鲜润滑油中的酸性化合物在废润滑油中均存在,其种类及所占比例基本未发生变化,但绝对含量不同;废润滑油中新产生的O3、O2及O1类酸性化合物种类较多,但其所占比例较小;车用新鲜与废润滑油中酸性组分的显著差异在于后者中产生了前者所没有的O4类化合物,且所占比例较大。     

Fabrication of CoNiMo/γ-Al2O3 from waste aluminum foil to convert waste lube oil to hydrotreated oil

Because of the heavy metal content and other toxic chemicals, used lubricating oil remains one of the most serious environmental concerns. The target of this work is the synthesis of γ-Al₂O₃ from waste aluminum foil and re-refining waste lubricating oils using solvent extraction pursued by hydrotreatment. The trimetallic CoNiMo/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was prepared via a co-impregnation method. The support and tri-metallic supported alumina are characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, HRTEM, and EDX. The catalyst was evaluated in the hydrotreating of extracted waste lubricating oils. The results confirmed that the solvent to oil ratio of 3 gave the higher performance with the highest percent of sludge elimination at room temperature. Hydrotreating of extracted lube oil was investigated to determine the effect of variables such as temperature, pressure, liquid hour space velocity, and hydrogen to oil feed ratio. The results indicated that the optimum conditions are (temperature 400 °C, Pressure 60 bar, 0.75 h⁻¹ LHSV). The results showed improvement of the hydrotreated waste lubricating oils properties by decreasing the refractive index from 1.480 to 1.460, the total acid number decreased from 8.164 to 0. 459, the Viscosity Index increase from 78 to 129, and the Sulfur content decreased from 6752 ppm to 543 ppm.     

Magnetic hybridized Fe3O4/HKUST-1 composite modified with graphite oxide to remove thiophene from model fuels

Abstract

To improve the desulfurization adsorption performance of the magnetic hybrid material Fe₃O₄/HKUST-1, an innovative adsorbent Fe₃O₄/GO/HKUST-1 was synthesized. The desulfurization performance of Fe₃O₄/GO/HKUST-1 increased 24%, and the adsorption capacity increased to 38.21?mg/g because of a higher surface area and higher porosity than the parent materials. Moreover, the desulfurization capacity of Fe₃O₄/GO/HKUST-1 decreased 10% after five adsorption desorption cycles. Therefore, excellent adsorption properties and reusability make Fe₃O₄/GO/HKUST-1 attractive in the field of fuel desulfurization.     

Study on the Deep Oxidative Desulfurization of Oil

Desulfurization efficiencies were studied in this article using H₂O₂, H₂O₂-CH₃COOOH, Fe²⁺-H₂O₂-CH₃COOOH, and KMnO₄-CH₃COOOH as oxidants. The experimental result indicated that the desulfurization rate was higher than 88.2% when the volume content of oxidant to oil was 9% at 40°C for 30 min when KMnO₄-CH₃COOOH was used as the oxidant.     

Coking behavior and kinetics study of a catalytic in-situ combustion process for heavy oil

Coke formation is one of the key factors that determine the success and the economy of an ISC project. The isoconversional method is employed to study kinetics of heavy oil low temperature oxidation and pyrolysis where coke is formed based on a set of experimental data. The activation energies of low temperature oxidation and pyrolysis are lowered by 9.741?kJ/mol and 17.030?kJ/mol upon adding α · Fe₂O₃ catalyst, respectively. More coke is produced with increasing temperature, extended reaction time and the increasing fraction of O₂. The coke amount can be reduced by adding α · Fe₂O₃ catalyst.