Enhanced Production of Bacterial Cellulose from Miscanthus as Sustainable Feedstock through Statistical Optimization of Culture Conditions

Biorefineries are attracting attention as an alternative to the petroleum industry to reduce carbon emissions and achieve sustainable development. In particular, because forests play an important role in potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero, alternatives to cellulose produced by plants are required. Bacterial cellulose (BC) can prevent deforestation and has a high potential for use as a biomaterial in various industries such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This study aimed to improve BC production from lignocellulose, a sustainable feedstock, and to optimize the culture conditions for Gluconacetobacter xylinus using Miscanthus hydrolysates as a medium. The productivity of BC was improved using statistical optimization of the major culture parameters which were as follows: temperature, 29 °C; initial pH, 5.1; and sodium alginate concentration, 0.09% (w/v). The predicted and actual values of BC production in the optimal conditions were 14.07 g/L and 14.88 g/L, respectively, confirming that our prediction model was statistically significant. Additionally, BC production using Miscanthus hydrolysates was 1.12-fold higher than in the control group (commercial glucose). Our result indicate that lignocellulose can be used in the BC production processes in the near future.

Fuzzy-Based Screening System for Determination of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Method in Reservoir

The petroleum industry is developing technology to increase oil recovery in reservoirs. One of the technologies used is Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). Selecting an EOR method for a specific reservoir condition is one of the most challenging tasks for a reservoir engineer. This study tries to build a fuzzy logic-based screening system to determine the EOR method. It created the system intending to be able to assist in selecting and determining the appropriate EOR method used in the field. There are nine input criteria used to screen the EOR criteria, namely: API Gravity, Oil Saturation, Formation Type, Net Thickness, Viscosity, Permeability, Temperature, Porosity, Depth criteria. The output criteria generated from the calculation of the EOR screening criteria are 14 outputs, namely: CO2 MF Miscible Flooding, CO2 IMMF Immiscible Flooding, HC MF Miscible Flooding, HC IMMF Immiscible Flooding, N2 MF Miscible Flooding, N2 IMMF Immiscible Flooding, WAG MF Miscible Flooding , HC+WAG IMMF Immiscible Flooding, Polymer, ASP, Combustion, Steam, Hot Water, Microbial. In this system, 512 rules are generated to produce 14 different outputs of the EOR method, with Mamdani's Fuzzy Inference reasoning. This fuzzy-based screening system has an accuracy rate of 80.95%, so this system is suitable to be used to assist reservoir engineers in determining the appropriate EOR method to be used according to the conditions in the reservoir. The sensitivity level of the system only reaches 53.1%, while the specificity level reaches 94%.

Numerical framework for unsteady bioconvection flow of third-grade nanofluid over a porous Riga surface with convective Nield approach

The ultra-high significances of thermal radiation, magnetic field and activation energy in thermal enhancement processes allow significant applications in chemical and mechanical engineering, modern technology and various thermal engineering eras. The improvement in energy resources and production became one of the major challenges for researchers and scientists for sustained development in industrial growths. Beside this, the bioconvection assessment in nanomaterials conveys prestigious applications in biotechnology like bio-sensors, enzymes, petroleum industry, bio-fuels and many more. In view of such renewable applications, present exploration discloses unsteady two-dimensional flow of third-grade nanomaterial accommodating gyrotactic microorganisms induced by unsteady stretched Riga sheet in porous medium. The formulated flow problem is further scrutinized by utilizing the chemical reaction, activation energy, thermal radiation and magnetic aspects. The convective Nield constraints are further subjected in the current investigation. Apposite transformations are used to condense the nonlinear developed problem into dimensionless ordinary form. The numerical solution of such similar flow problem is presented via shooting technique. The detailed graphical illustrations of the dimensionless temperature, nanoparticles concentration, velocity and motile microorganisms for physical significance of diverse relevant parameters are deliberated. Furthermore, numerical data of local Sherwood, Nusselt and motile density numbers is designated in tabular form. Study accentuated that velocity increases for higher modified Hartmann and material constants, while the effects of buoyancy ratio and bioconvected Rayleigh numbers are rather opposite. The temperature, microorganism and concentration distributions were enhanced for unsteady parameter. It is also acknowledged that the concentration distribution is enhanced for activating the energy number. Moreover, the microorganism distribution enhances for concentration difference and magneto-porous constants, while bioconvected Lewis and Peclet numbers show conflicting trend.

Integrating inspection management (IM) in piping system of petroleum industry in Iran

Purpose This paper aims to report on the findings from a research project, incorporated by Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum, investigating the integration of inspection management with analysis of document information. Design/methodology/approach A combination of group and individual interviews were undertaken with qualitative methods of analysis to develop an integrated process model. The model developed uses integrity management factors, which allows flexibility and the early integration of inspection management systems at a strategic level, although detailed planning is still required through the use of integrated management tools. The model combines information on responsibilities, tasks and policies, of personnel in the inspection management of the piping system with the oil and gas industry. Findings The six inspection activities recognized for the main practical model are, namely, identify pipeline situation; inspect and measure defects; inspection assessment; design inspection; implement inspection activities and measure and report inspection. Originality/value This research presented not only a process but also the framework and techniques to manage and improve management effectiveness and inspection efficiency in pipelines of the oil and gas industry. This study will be useful to researchers maintenance professionals and others concerned with inspection and maintenance management of facilities and equipment in the oil and gas industry.

Sustainable Materials Production for Oily Wastewater Treatment

The discharge of water from oil fields It has become one of the most significant environmental concerns associated with the oil sector. Hydrocarbon spills and crude oil fuel spills are a continual hazard to aquatic ecosystems. Inexpensive and sustainable sorbent materials are needed to mitigate the environmental damage of this pollution. To meet this need, this study features a low-density polysulfide polymer prepared by Sulfur and used cooking oils react directly. Since both sulfur and cooking oils are hydrophobic, the polymer is close to hydrocarbons such as crude oil and diesel fuel and can easily remove them from seawater. Oil can be recovered and polymer can be reused in oil spill treatment. Polysulfide is unique in that it is prepared from completely recycled waste. Sulfur is a by-product of the petroleum industry, and used cooking oil can also be used as a raw material. Therefore, waste sulfur from the petroleum industry is used to make effective anti-pollution adsorbents from the same sector According to the study’s findings, 98.55 percent of the oil was removed from the north.

Applications of Nanomaterials in the Oil and Gas Industry

The petroleum industry has been an ever-growing industry. New technologies are always being introduced to encompass the challenges that are encountered. Nanomaterials are being included in these technologies to improve the operation of different processes. Their distinctive physical and chemical characteristics encourage their use in different sectors such as the upstream, midstream, and downstream of the oil and gas industry. In this chapter, the nanomaterials that are utilized in the oil and gas industries are highlighted. Their implementation in various applications is also provided. These applications include hydrocarbon exploration, well drilling and completion, production operations, enhanced oil recovery mechanisms, transportation, and refining operations. There is also a discussion about existing problems and possibilities for future uses.

Recent Developments and Advancements in Graphene-Based Technologies for Oil Spill Cleanup and Oil–Water Separation Processes

The vast demand for petroleum industry products led to the increased production of oily wastewaters and has led to many possible separation technologies. In addition to production-related oily wastewater, direct oil spills are associated with detrimental effects on the local ecosystems. Accordingly, this review paper aims to tackle the oil spill cleanup issue as well as water separation by providing a wide range of graphene-based technologies. These include graphene-based membranes; graphene sponges; graphene-decorated meshes; graphene hydrogels; graphene aerogels; graphene foam; and graphene-coated cotton. Sponges and aerogels modified by graphene and reduced graphene oxide demonstrated effective oil water separation owing to their superhydrophobic/superoleophilic properties. In addition, oil particles are intercepted while allowing water molecules to penetrate the graphene-oxide-coated metal meshes and membranes thanks to their superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic properties. Finally, we offer future perspectives on oil water separation that are hindering the advancements of such technologies and their large-scale applications.