Environmental impact assessment of preventive emulsion based on heavy oil residue on organic pollution of water

Introduction. Dusty surfaces insulation with preventive emulsions based on heavy oil residue (HOR) is a promising environmental technology in open-pit mining. To assess the environmental safety of these emulsions, it is required to assess the possible scale of organic pollutants emission into the technogenic leakage fluxes occurring due to the interaction of HOR insulation with precipitation. Research aim is to assess the scale of organic pollutants leaching occurring due to the interaction of HOR insulation with precipitation. Research methods. Laboratory modeling of HOR samples and water interaction and assessment of the scale of organic compounds (bitumen and oil products) discharge into the water environment. Results. Studies have shown that the addition of an insulating emulsion based on heavy oil residue leads to the creation of an organo-mineral mixture with hydrophobic properties, determining low solubility of hydrocarbons in water and posing no threat of excess organic pollution to the hydrosphere.

Production of High Purity Biosurfactants Using Heavy Oil Residues as Carbon Source

Typically, oil pollution cleanup procedures following first response actions include dispersion. Crude oil is biodegradable, and its bioavailability can be increased when dispersed into very fine droplets by means of chemical surfactants. Although their use is widely spread in many applications, the latter may prove toxic, depending on the extent of use. The use of biological means, such as bioremediation and biosurfactants, has emerged over the past years as a very promising ‘green’ alternative technology. Biosurfactants (BSs) are amphiphilic molecules produced by microorganisms during biodegradation, thus increasing the bioavailability of the organic pollutants. It is their biodegradability and low toxicity that render BSs as a very promising alternative to the synthetic ones. Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2 strain ability to produce BSs, without any impurities from the substrate, was investigated. The biosurfactant production was scaled up by means of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and a heavy oil residue substrate as the carbon source. The product is free from substrate impurities, and its efficiency is tested on oil bioremediation in the marine environment. The product’s dispersion efficiency was determined by the baffled flask test. The production method proposed can have a significant impact to the market, given the ever-increasing demand for ecologically friendly, reliable, commercially viable and economically competitive environmental cleanup techniques.

Catalytic processing of distillate fractions of a resin in the presence of finely dispersed catalysts

The article describes the catalytic cracking of heavy oil residue in the presence of a finely dispersed catalyst. It was determined that in the processing of high molecular weight hydrocarbons, catalysts are effective, which are uniformly distributed in the volume of raw materials and are introduced into the technological process in the form of small particles. Coke tar mainly consists of 27.00 wt.% asphaltenes, 60.00 wt.% of polyaromatic hydrocarbons that have been studied and identified as a potential source of raw materials to produce motor fuels in the future.

MELANGETM technology of the bitumen production in one-stage without oxidation

The innovative technology MELANGETM allows produce of the bitumen in one stage with the required properties, according to the technical request of the Customer, from the heavy oil residue basis on the use of physical and induced by them chemical processes. In this case, the main physical processes are heating and homogenization of various heavy residues upon heating, that is, mechanical mixing, almost to an ideal state, in parallel with the addition of a polymer capable of forming long spirals and chains in dispersed media. The experimental work was the basis for the trial production of bitumen according to the European standard BDS EN12591: 2009, which was successfully implemented using the MELANGETM technology at the LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas AD refinery (Burgas, Bulgaria). The heavy unreacted fluidized bed hydrocracking (VTB) residue of the Axens France H-oil process was used as feedstock. Based on the results of experimental work and the basis of confirmed data from the Customer, a patent of the Russian Federation No. 272118 " Method of producing road bitumen from a heavy residue" was issued. MELANGETM technology allows solving the problem of utilizing low-margin heavy oil residues, including unconverted residues from high conversion of oil residues, into high-margin products such as road bitumen and bituminous binders.

Increasing Performance of Smart Well Systems by Downhole Chemical Injection

There are many different types of smart well systems such as Inflow Control Valves, Inflow Control Devices and autonomous devices of various designs. The most common inflow system is blank pipe, producing through a screen and into the control valve at the connection sub. To control the functionalities one may use surface control lines, dropping balls or darts or simply let the valves react autonomously to changes downhole. These tools can be deteriorated by erosion, plugging of fines, plugging of of heavy oil residue or by scaling. Scaling is a complicated issue as it often builds up near critical parts of the tool, changing the flow pattern and affecting or offsetting the flow assurance. This paper will present a new concept in chemical well injection. It is proposed to connect a capillary tube through the entire completion string to inject chemicals to prevent scaling of critical tools before the oil enters the tool, thereby increasing the time the tool will function. A new downhole chemical injection valve is developed. It is located near the injection point to prevent U-tube pressure effects often associated with surface injection systems. This injection valve can also easily be adjusted downhole or shut off if required. The advent of water production often changes chemical injection requirements. The new system can accommodate any changes in chemical or flow rates. The system is fully mechanical and does not rely on electrical control cables. Flow regulation is performed through the capillary tube. The paper will describe the new downhole chemical injection system and its application to smart well technology.