Optimization of Esterification Reaction Conditions Through the Analysis of the Main Significant Variables

Biodiesel production from residual sources is gaining considerable attention nowadays. Consequently, many different studies with in-depth analysis concerning the influence of the transesterification reaction conditions are available in the literature. However, further evaluation of the esterification of fatty acids in the biodiesel industry is still needed. In this study, different parameters influencing the esterification reaction behavior using ethanol as the alcohol and lauric acid as the FFA are analyzed through factorial design and ANOVA methodologies to verify which ones are significant in the reaction. In total, four parameters were evaluated: temperature, catalyst concentration, ethanol/FFA ratio, and ethanol/water ratio. The temperature and ethanol/water ratio had a major influence on the reaction, as increasing these parameters greatly improved reaction conversion. It was also verified that using hydrous ethanol in the esterification reaction is possible in some conditions.

Effect of different filters on the extraction of norbixin from Bixa orellana for synthetic fiber dyeing and development of a post-dyeing process for removal of the unfixed dye

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of three types of filters for the extraction of the annatto dye from Bixa orellana for polyester dyeing. In addition, post-dyeing washing processes were proposed to improve the wash and rubbing fastness. In the extraction procedure the paper filter presented the highest yield (13.3%), followed by the polypropylene (11.4%), but there was no significant difference in the results for the exhaustion percentage (average of 87.4%) and K/S values (1.68 to 2.24). Results showed the polypropylene filter was the most suitable and can be reused. The post-dyeing washing processes with detergent improved the fastness increasing the color transfer score from 1.5 (large change) to 3 (small change). An acceptable color difference between the dyed fabric samples before and after washing was observed. Results indicate that the post-dyeing washing process improves the quality of dyed fabrics to levels acceptable for industrial application.

Decarbonization for Oil and Gas Value Chain: An Update Review

Apart from oil and natural gas conventional reservoirs scarcities, global warming is one of the environmental petroleum industry challenges in the short-medium-long term. This is related to the dramatic growth of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission in which carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the combustion of fossil fuels plays a significant role in atmosphere carbonization. Different technologies or systems for capturing CO2 are available such as pre-combustion systems, post-combustion systems, oxy-fuel combustion systems and capture from industrial process streams. However, decarbonization involves the removal of greenhouse gases emissions and storing them in geological formation or using them for other sectors of industries including oil production optimization. This process is known as carbon dioxide capture usage and storage (CCUS), a promising method to reduce CO2 emissions due to increasing energy demand and continued dependency on fossil fuel in the next decades while green energy is still under investigation or is not a mature option yet. Besides the CCUS method, emission reduction can also be achieved by improving energy efficiency or shifting to green energy. Therefore, Oil and gas (O&G) producers need to continue investigating the CCUS as an option that allows using fossil energy sources while the world is moving to transition to other green energies.

Synthesis of Biodiesel by Transesterification Reaction from Jatropha Curcas Lineu Oil Seed (“Mpuluka”) Collected in City of Uíge, Angola

In this work, it was made a study of biodiesel synthesis by transesterification reaction from Jatropha Curcas Lineu Oil (“Mpuluka”) with methanol in the presence of NaOH. First of all a seed treatment and a granulometric study were carried out and it was concluded that the oil content and yield obtained from the extraction do not depend on the particles size of the seed. The Jatropha Curcas oil was obtained by means of a Soxhlet extraction system, using n -hexane. The oil content obtained was 45,32% and its yield was 90,88%. The physicochemical properties analysis of the oil indicates a high acidity index. For this, the synthesis of biodiesel was carried out using two steps: pre-treatment of crude oil before transesterification reaction and the esterification of crude oil followed by transesterification. The best yield in biodiesel (≈60%) was obtained with the molar ratio (oil/alcohol):1/6. The biodiesel obtained falls within admissible limit values of the international quality standards defined by ASTM_D and EN / ISO. In this work, it was made a study of biodiesel synthesis by transesterification reaction from Jatropha Curcas Lineu Oil (“Mpuluka”) with methanol in the presence of NaOH. First of all a seed treatment and a granulometric study were carried out and it was concluded that the oil content and yield obtained from the extraction do not depend on the particles size of the seed. The Jatropha Curcas oil was obtained by means of a Soxhlet extraction system, using n -hexane. The oil content obtained was 45,32% and its yield was 90,88%. The physicochemical properties analysis of the oil indicates a high acidity index. For this, the synthesis of biodiesel was carried out using two steps: pre-treatment of crude oil before transesterification reaction and the esterification of crude oil followed by transesterification. The best yield in biodiesel (≈60%) was obtained with the molar ratio (oil/alcohol):1/6. The biodiesel obtained falls within admissible limit values of the international quality standards defined by ASTM_D and EN / ISO.

Assessment of the Reliability of Different Components of Fuel Measurement Systems Used in Angola

The present work aims to assess the reliability of the different fuel measurement systems used at SNLD filling stations. As objectives, it is intended to propose a methodology for selecting the types and models of pumps to be used and when to replace them. The assessment of the risks in the replacement of a pump and the impact on the environment will also be examined. Although the discussion on pumps is not new in Angola, there are no published records on this subject, particularly in the selection of types and models of systems to be used and when to replace, using the different scientific tools. For the analysis of these equipments and their reliability, weibull distribution, ANOVA analysis and computational tools of probability and statistics with excel were used. The analysis by these two methods made it possible to certify the results obtained. A benchmarking was carried out at the filling stations of SNLD, Pumangol and Sonangalp to compare the quality of some services. The results achieved were discussed during the internship held at Petrotec. As a result, the components that have the most impact on the maintenance system of the different pumps, the causes of the faults and their respective costs were identified. The most vulnerable components identified are errors in the display, heating in the engine and malfunction of electrovalves.