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At least 433 records · Page 24

Evaluation of Corrosion Susceptibility of Structural Steels in Biomass Derived Pyrolysis Oil

Biomass derived pyrolysis oil is a promising renewable energy source. Due to the variety of biomass feedstocks, the bio-oils could contain a wide range of organic constituents which would provide unique corrosive environments for structural materials. A preliminary work exposed different classes of steels and stainless steels to selected organic constituents of biomass pyrolysis oils and found that corrosion susceptibility, assessed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), was prominent in the steels with Cr lower than 11 wt.%. Although this result suggests stainless steels will resist corrosion by certain organic constituents, it may not be sufficient to predict the corrosion performance in real bio-oils. Therefore, this study attempted electrochemical measurements on Cr-alloyed steels and stainless steels directly exposed to a biomass derived pyrolysis oil. To overcome the low conductivity of bio-oils, a customized Luggin capillary was designed to minimize the ohmic path in bio-oils. The results of this work will be reported.

Jun, Jiheon↗

Technical and Economic Evaluation of the First Ever Polymer Flood Field Pilot to Enhance the Recovery of Heavy Oils on Alaska's North Slope via Machine Assisted History Matching

Polymer flooding has become globally established as a potential enhanced oil recovery method for heavy oils. To determine whether this technology may be useful in developing the substantial heavy oil resources on the Alaska North Slope, a polymer flood field pilot commenced at the Milne Point Unit in August 2018. This study seeks to evaluate the results of the field pilot on a technical and economic basis. A reservoir simulation model is constructed and calibrated to predict the oil recovery performance of the pilot through machine-assisted reservoir simulation techniques. To replicate the early water breakthrough observed during waterflooding, transmissibility contrasts are introduced into the simulation model, forcing viscous fingering effects. In the ensuing polymer flood, these transmissibility contrasts are reduced to replicate the restoration of injection conformance during polymer flooding. Transmissibility contrasts are later reinstated to replicate fracture overextension interpreted in one of the producing wells. The calibrated simulation models produced at each stage of the history matching process are used to forecast oil recovery. These forecasts are used as input for economic analysis, incremental to waterflooding expectations. The simulation forecasts indicate that polymer flooding significantly increases the heavy oil production for this field pilot compared to waterflooding alone, yielding attractive project economics. However, meaningful variations between simulation scenarios demonstrate that a simulation model is only valid for prediction if flow behavior in the reservoir remains consistent with that observed during the history matched period. Critically, this means that a simulation model calibrated for waterflooding may not fully capture the technical and economic benefits of an enhanced oil recovery process such as polymer flooding. Subsequently, the simulation model and economic model are used in conjunction to conduct a sensitivity analysis for polymer flood design parameters, from which recommendations are provided for both the continued operation of the current field pilot and future polymer flood designs. The results demonstrate that a higher polymer concentration can be injected due to the development of fractures in the reservoir. The throughput rate should remain high without exceeding operating constraints. A calculated point-forward polymer utilization parameter demonstrates the decreasing efficiency of the polymer flood at later times in the pattern life. Future projects will benefit from starting polymer injection earlier in the pattern life. A pattern with tighter horizontal well spacing will observe a greater incremental benefit from polymer flooding.

Keith, Cody↗

Electrochemical Corrosion Analysis of Stainless Steels in LALM Pyrolysis Bio-Oil with Organic Corrodents

Pyrolysis bio-oils are corrosive to low alloy steels, e.g., 2.25Cr-1Mo, 5Cr-1Mo, and 9Cr-1Mo grades. To identify the alloys with sufficient bio-oil compatibility, several commercial stainless steels were examined in bio-oil using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to semi quantitatively assess their corrosion resistance. Low-Ash Low-Moisture (LALM) bio-oil, produced from a forest residue feedstock by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO, was used as a test liquid for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. Three organic corrodents, formic acid, catechol, and lactobionic acid, were added into LALM bio-oil to produce test liquids with intentionally increased corrosivity. Corrosion reaction resistance, determined from the impedance data, was used to evaluate the corrosion compatibility of each stainless steel in LALM bio-oil and LALM bio-oil + organic corrodent(s). The results from corrosion reaction resistance indicated that the critical Cr content of stainless steels for corrosion resistance would be greater than 14 wt % if Ni and Mo contents are low but can be as low as 12–13 wt % with appreciable amounts of Ni and Mo.

Jun, Jiheon↗

Emulsified Oil Bio-Barrier to Remediate CEE in the Distal Portion of a Groundwater Plume - 20210

A non-time critical (NTC) removal action (RA) was designed at the Savannah River Site (SRS) to inject an emulsified oil mixture with a bioaugmentation culture to prevent trichloroethylene (TCE) discharging to surface water above maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). The emulsified oil mixture is expected to sequester the TCE and then be broken down into harmless compounds through microbial biodegradation. At 15 locations 8,290 L (2,190 gal) of oil mixture, buffer and chase water were injected into the subsurface creating two bio-barriers. At each location half of the oil mixture was injected, then 2 L (0.528 gal) of an enriched bioaugmentation culture was injected, and then the second half of the oil mixture was injected into the subsurface. Finally, at each location 151 L (40 gal) of buffer mixed with 575 L (200 gal) of dilution water was then injected followed by 1,135 L (300 gal) of chase water. SRS estimates this created two emulsified oil barriers totaling 73 m (240 ft) long, approximately 3 m (10 ft) high and 4.9 m (16 ft) wide in the subsurface. Similar emulsified oil barriers have been effective for 3 to 5 years, and SRS anticipates a similar longevity for these barriers. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Biofuels as Heavy Fuel Oil Substitutes in the Maritime Sector: Findings and Potential Pathways

The United States Department of Energy has commissioned four national laboratories to evaluate the feasibility of biofuels in the maritime sector. This effort is briefly described including the overall project goals, structure and aims. The large two-stroke crosshead engines used to power large merchant vessels were of particular interest since they can burn lower combustion quality fuels relative to four-stroke engines. This characteristic allows for consideration of pyrolysis oils and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) oils which are feedstock agnostic and, in the raw state, are more economical compared to distillate drop-in fuels. Pyrolysis and HTL oils are collectively known as bio-intermediates since they require additional processing for use in distillate fuel systems. The key limiting feature is that these bio-intermediate fuels will cause asphaltene precipitation when blended with heavy fuel oils (HFOs) such as very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) unless they are upgraded to remove water and oxygenates. Economics are the key driver at this point in time, and preliminary techno-economic analyses (TEAs) indicate that bio-intermediates have potentially lower cost relative to other biofuels such as biodiesel and renewable diesel. Additionally, life cycle analyses (LCAs) of feedstocks and pathways show the life cycle carbon reduction benefit relative to heavy fuel oils. In addition to TEA and LCA results, we also present on the technical feasibility of these fuels. These studies have focused on the properties of biofuel blends with VLSFO that are critical to the fuel systems of maritime vessels fueled with HFOs. These properties include the compatibility with fuel system metals, viscosity, and blend stability. Aging studies with blends of VLSFO with biodiesel, HTL, and pyrolysis oils are also presented. Future efforts being planned to conduct additional biofuel testing, including the use of biofuels as pilot fuels in zero carbon shipping options fueled with ammonia and methanol, ship-based demonstrations, and bioresource competition studies.

Kass, Michael↗

Using Ionic Liquid Additive to Enhance Lubricating Performance for Low-Viscosity Engine Oil

Energy efficient lubricants are essential for sustainable transportation, and the trend is to develop and implement lower viscosity lubricants with more effective additives. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been reported as candidate additives with superior friction and wear reducing capabilities. Unlike most literature relying on bench-scale testing of simple oil–IL blends, this study produced low-viscosity (SAE 0W-12) fully formulated engine oils using a phosphonium-organophosphate IL as an antiwear additive and evaluated them in both bench-scale tribological testing and full-scale fired engine dynamometer testing. The experimental formulation containing a combination of ZDDP and IL outperformed the formulations using either ZDDP or IL alone, as well as a commercial SAE 0W-20 engine oil in terms of mitigating boundary friction, wear, and contact fatigue-induced micropitting. Furthermore, racing engine dynamometer tests demonstrated 3–4 °C lower oil temperature, 4–5 ft-lbs higher horsepower output, and up to 9.9% better fuel economy for the IL-containing SAE 0W-12 experimental oil compared with selected commercial SAE 5W-30 and 0W-20 engine oils.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Coprocessing Corn Germ Meal for Oil Recovery and Ethanol Production: A Process Model for Lipid-Producing Energy Crops

Efforts to engineer high-productivity crops to accumulate oils in their vegetative tissue present the possibility of expanding biodiesel production. However, processing the new crops for lipid recovery and ethanol production from cell wall saccharides is challenging and expensive. In a previous study using corn germ meal as a model substrate, we reported that liquid hot water (LHW) pretreatment enriched the lipid concentration by 2.2 to 4.2 fold. This study investigated combining oil recovery with ethanol production by extracting oil following LHW and simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) of the biomass. Corn germ meal was again used to model the oil-bearing energy crops. Pretreated germ meal hydrolysate or solids (160 and 180 °C for 10 min) were fermented, and lipids were extracted from both the spent fermentation whole broth and fermentation solids, which were recovered by centrifugation and convective drying. Lipid contents in spent fermentation solids increased 3.7 to 5.7 fold compared to the beginning germ meal. The highest lipid yield achieved after fermentation was 36.0 mg lipid g−1 raw biomass; the maximum relative amount of triacylglycerol (TAG) was 50.9% of extracted oil. Although the fermentation step increased the lipid concentration of the recovered solids, it did not improve the lipid yields of pretreated biomass and detrimentally affected oil compositions by increasing the relative concentrations of free fatty acids.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Effect of Carboxylic Acids on Corrosion of Type 410 Stainless Steel in Pyrolysis Bio-Oil

Biomass-derived oils are renewable fuel sources and commodity products and are proposed to partially or entirely replace fossil fuels in sectors generally considered difficult to decarbonize such as aviation and maritime propulsion. Bio-oils contain a range of organic compounds with varying functional groups which can lead to polarity-driven phase separation and corrosion of containment materials during processing and storage. Polar compounds, such as organic acids and other oxygenates, are abundant in bio-oils and are considered corrosive to structural alloys, particularly to those with a low-Cr content. To study the corrosion effects of small carboxylic acids present in pyrolysis bio-oils, type 410 stainless steel (SS410) specimens were exposed in bio-oils with varying formic, acetic, propionic and hexanoic acid contents at 50 °C during 48 h exposures. The specific mass change data show a linear increase in mass loss with increasing formic acid concentration. Interestingly, a mild corrosion inhibition effect on the corrosion of SS410 specimens was observed with the addition of acetic, propionic and hexanoic acids in the bio-oil.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Quantitative Low-Field 19 F Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Carbonyl Groups in Pyrolysis Oils

Pyrolysis bio-oils, one of the products of lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis, have the potential to be widely used as fuels. The chemical composition of bio-oils is very complicated as they contain hundreds, if not thousands, of different, mostly oxygen-containing, compounds with a wide distribution of physical properties, chemical structures, and concentrations. Detailed knowledge of bio-oil composition is crucial for optimizing both the pyrolysis processes and for any subsequent upgrading into a more viable fuel resource. Here we report the successful use of low-field, or benchtop, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers in the analysis of pyrolysis oils. Pyrolysis oils from four different feedstocks were derivatized and analyzed using 19 F NMR techniques. The NMR results compare favorably with titrations for total carbonyl content. In addition, the benchtop NMR spectrometer proves able to reveal key spectral features, thus allowing the quantification of different carbonyl groups, such as aldehydes, ketones and quinones. Benchtop NMR spectrometers are typically compact, cheaper than their superconducting counterparts and do not require cryogens. Their use will make NMR analysis of pyrolysis oils easier and more accessible to a wide range of different potential users.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Characterization of Deactivated Bio-oil Hydrotreating Catalysts

Deactivation of bio-oil hydrotreating catalysts remains a significant challenge because of the poor quality of pyrolysis bio-oil input for hydrotreating and understanding their deactivation mode is critical to developing improved catalysts and processes. In this research, we developed an understanding of the deactivation of two-step bio-oil hydrotreating catalysts (sulfided Ru/C and sulfided CoMo/C) through detailed characterization of the catalysts using various complimentary analytical techniques. Severe fouling of both catalysts by carbonaceous species was the major form of deactivation, which is consistent with the significant loss of surface area and pore volume of both deactivated catalysts and the significant increase of the bulk density. Further analysis of the carbonaceous species by thermogravimetric analysis and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the carbonaceous species was formed by condensation reaction of active species such as sugars and sugar derivatives (aldehydes and ketones) in bio-oil feedstock during bio-oil hydrotreating under the conditions and catalysts used. Microscopy results did not show metal sintering of the Ru/C catalyst. However, X-ray diffraction indicated a probable transformation of the highly-active CoMoS phase in the sulfided CoMo/C catalyst to Co8S9 and MoS2 phase with low activity. Loss of the active site by transport of inorganic elements from the bio-oil and the reactor construction material onto the catalyst surface also might be a cause of deactivation as indicated by elemental analysis of spent catalysts.

bio-oil hydrotreating↗

Antiwear Properties of Binary Ashless Blend of Phosphonium Ionic Liquids and Borate Esters in Partially Formulated Oil (No Zn)

Here, interaction of ionic liquid (IL) and borate esters (SBs) as antiwear (AW) additives with steel surfaces in tribological contacts was examined using blends which contained no prior AW additives but all the other ingredients present in a fully formulated engine oil. In detail, low phosphorus oil blends were prepared by adding trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (P_DEHP) at 700ppm phosphorus and 2-methoxy-4,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborinane or trimethoxyboroxine at 200ppm boron treat rate to a partially formulated oil. The tribological properties of these novel ionic liquid (IL) additive and IL+SB additive mixtures were compared with those of zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) at equal phosphorus levels in the oil blends. Tribological experiments with a reciprocating cylinder on flat contact revealed that both P_DEHP and binary mixtures of P_DEHP+SB offer superior wear protection than ZDDP and the partially formulated oil without AW additives, expressed by a wear reduction of minimum 50%. X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) analysis revealed that tribologically formed films are primarily composed of calcium phosphate for oils with AW additives. The interaction of P_DEHP with SB results in additional boron oxide/boric acid and to some extent boron phosphate domains incorporated into the tribofilms.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Tropical intertidal microbiome response to the 2024 Marine Honour oil spill

Marine fuel oil (MFO) spills in tropical coastal environments are under-characterized despite increasing risk from maritime activities. Microbial and geochemical responses to the June 2024 Marine Honour MFO spill on Singapore's intertidal sediments were analyzed in real time over 185 days. Using metagenomics and hydrocarbon profiling, microbial community shifts and hydrocarbon degradation were quantified across visibly oiled (high-impact) and clean (low-impact) sites. Microbiomes at all sites adapted rapidly to the spill through increased diversity and abundance of genes encoding alkane and aromatic compound degradation, detoxification, and biosurfactant production. The dominant hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria differed markedly from those reported in other crude oil spills and in regions with different climates. Oil deposition intensity strongly influenced microbial succession and hydrocarbon-degrading gene profiles, and this reflected early toxicity constraints in heavily oiled areas. The persistence of hydrocarbon degradation genes beyond hydrocarbon detection in sediments suggested long-term functional priming may occur. The study provides novel genome-resolved insight into the microbial response to MFO pollution, advances understanding of marine environmental biodegradation, and provides urgently needed baseline data for oil spill response strategies in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Coastal pollution↗

Effect of autohydrolysis pretreatment on biomass structure and the resulting bio-oil from a pyrolysis process

Pyrolysis is a promising method for converting biomass to biofuels. However, some of pyrolysis oil's physiochemical properties still limit its commercial applications. Here, the autohydrolysis pretreatment at 175 ± 3 °C for 40 min was conducted to improve the resulting pine pyrolysis oil’s properties as a fuel. During autohydrolysis, deacetylation and decomposition of hemicellulose was observed by ion-exchange chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Additionally, the cleavage of lignin ether bonds was clearly determined by 13 C cross-polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Phosphitylation followed by 31 P NMR analysis of the heavy oils gave detailed structural information of the hydroxyl groups; the results revealed that autohydrolysis pretreatment led to a reduction of carboxyl acids in the heavy oils generated at all three pyrolysis temperatures (400, 500, and 600 °C). The 31 P NMR analysis also revealed that autohydrolysis pretreatment led to a reduction of condensed phenolic hydroxyl groups in the heavy oils produced at 600 °C. 1 H- 13 C heteronuclear single-quantum correlation (HSQC) NMR analysis showed that at a pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C, the pretreated pine produced lower methoxy group constituents. In both 31 P and HSQC NMR results indicated that autohydrolysis pretreatment increased levoglucosan yields in the bio-oils.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Altering wettability to recover more oil from tight formations

We describe here a method for chemically modifying fracturing fluids and overflushes to chemically increase oil recovery from tight formations. Oil wetting of tight formations is usually controlled by adhesion to illite, kerogen, or both; adhesion to carbonate minerals may also play a role. Oil-illite adhesion is sensitive to salinity, dissolved divalent cation content, and pH. We measure oil-rock adhesion with middle Bakken formation oil and core to verify a surface complexation model of reservoir wettability. The agreement between the model and experiments suggests that wettability trends in tight formations can be quantitatively predicted and that fracturing fluid and overflush compositions can be individually tailored to increase oil recovery.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗

Characterization of raw and burnt oil shale from Dotternhausen: Petrographical and mineralogical evolution with temperature

The Toarcian Posidonia shale from Dotternhausen, Germany, is quarried and burnt in a fluidized bed reactor to produce electricity. The combustion residue, namely burnt oil shale (BOS), is used in the adjacent cement work as an additive in blended cements. The starting material is a typical laminated oil shale with an organic matter content ranging from 6 to 18%. Mineral matter consists principally of quartz, feldspar, pyrite and clays. After calcination in the range, the resulting product, burnt oil shale, keeps the macroscopic layered texture however with different mineralogy (anhydrite, lime, iron oxides) and the formation of an amorphous phase. This one, studied under STEM, reveals a typical texture of incipient partial melting due to a long retention time (ca. 30 min) and quenching. An in-situ high temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) allowed studying precisely the mineralogical changes associated with the temperature increase. - Highlights: • We present oil shale/burnt oil shale characterization. • The Posidonia Shale is burnt in a fluidized bed. • Mineralogical evolution with temperature is complex. • The burnt oil shale is used in composite cements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A comprehensive state-of-technology review for upgrading bio-oil to renewable or blended hydrocarbon fuels

Bioenergy sources are being advanced as a meaningful environmental solution and a substitute for conventional energy sources. Bioenergy from biomass feedstocks currently comprises the largest portion of renewables in the United States. Thus, more effective process-level solutions can result in scaling-up biomass-derived energy production (e.g., biofuels). Pyrolysis, a thermochemical conversion technology, offers a commercially viable pathway to produce bio-oil from a wide range of biomass feedstocks (e.g., algae and terrestrial). Bio-oil requires further upgrading for producing final bio-products (e.g., transportation fuels and biochemicals). This article focuses on upgrading bio-oil to transportation fuels (liquid hydrocarbons), highlights the critical challenges of existing upgrading technologies, and identifies the potential research directions to meet the market needs. A comprehensive overview and classification of bio-oil upgrading pathways and their competencies are presented through both comparative and systematic literature reviews. It is concluded that the biofuel production cost is highly dependent on post-conversion pathways, particularly their hydrogenation and deoxygenation capacity. Thermochemical treatments are effective, but less cost-competitive due to the intensive process requirements (e.g., heat or pressure). Physicochemical treatments are less effective, however, they operate under mild process conditions and could be integrated with other treatments. Biochemical treatments are inadequate as a standalone process for upgrading bio-oil. It is further concluded that the electrochemical approach can be effective due to the retention of hydrogen from bio-oil water content during deoxygenation.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Proof-of-concept chemometric approach for environmental forensic sourcing of crude oil samples using SPME-GC-MS

Environmental exposure to crude oil through seepage and spillage poses risks to the immediate environment and the broader ecosystem as areas along the oil distribution path are affected by the influx of crude petroleum as well as the environmental, economic, and civil unrest that accompanies it. There is a large financial burden associated with the lost resources, including the cost of rehabilitation, and the affected sources of revenue for communities affected by oil spills. As such, it is crucial to determine the responsible parties. This work outlines an environmental forensics approach to determining the source of an un-weathered crude oil sample. The researchers employed solid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) to capture and analyze the gaseous components emitted by crude oil samples sourced from five locations. Samples were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation and 3D covariance analysis. Both chemometric approaches yielded optimal performance results with no misclassifications, true positive rate (TPR) = 100 % and false positive rate (FPR) = 0 %. The similarity metrics calculated by each test noted clear delineations between the values of same-source and differently sourced samples. The Spearman's rank correlation test and 3D covariance calculations both demonstrated the ability to correctly identify sample source origin in this dataset. Finally, the authors outline an approach to the future application of these tests and suggest their joint use in future crude oil sourcing endeavors.

3D covariance mapping↗

Quality improvement of pyrolysis oil from waste rubber by adding sawdust

Highlights: • Rubber-pyrolysis oil is difficult to be fuel due to high proportion of PAHs. • The efficiency of pyrolysis was increased as the percentage of sawdust increased. • The adding of sawdust improved pyrolysis oil quality by reducing the PAHs content. • Adding sawdust reduced nitrogen/sulfur in oil and was easier to convert to diesel. - Abstract: This work was aimed at improving the pyrolysis oil quality of waste rubber by adding larch sawdust. Using a 1 kg/h stainless pyrolysis reactor, the contents of sawdust in rubber were gradually increased from 0%, 50%, 100% and 200% (wt%) during the pyrolysis process. Using a thermo-gravimetric (TG) analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of evolving products (TG–FTIR), the weight loss characteristics of the heat under different mixtures of sawdust/rubber were observed. Using the pyrolysis–gas chromatography (GC)–mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS), the vapors from the pyrolysis processes were collected and the compositions of the vapors were examined. During the pyrolysis process, the recovery of the pyrolysis gas and its composition were measured in-situ at a reaction temperature of 450 °C and a retaining time of 1.2 s. The results indicated that the efficiency of pyrolysis was increased and the residual carbon was reduced as the percentage of sawdust increased. The adding of sawdust significantly improved the pyrolysis oil quality by reducing the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrogen and sulfur compounds contents, resulting in an improvement in the combustion efficiency of the pyrolysis oil.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗