Articles tagged with Petroleum
Researchers at MIT have developed a way to create lightweight fibers out of petroleum residue, offering advantages over traditional carbon fiber materials. The new process uses heavy waste material left over from refining, reducing production costs and enabling the creation of load-bearing applications.
A Kyoto University study reveals that four major oil corporations make unsubstantial commitments to cleaner energy. Despite increased public relations efforts, these companies persistently rely on fossil fuels and show no strong evidence of a shift towards non-fossil fuel energy.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich have developed a new neutron-based method to detect clogs in underwater pipelines non-destructively. This approach uses prompt gamma neutron activation analysis to measure hydrogen concentration, allowing for the detection of blockages and hydrate formation.
A new study demonstrates the importance of supply-side enhancements to increase clean fuel consumption in sub-Saharan Africa. Supply-side interventions such as shortening distances to retail points and improving access to multi-burner stoves are found to be crucial for accelerating growth of the clean cooking market.
A new study by University of Pittsburgh researchers links econometric models with production profitability to predict the impact of demand shocks on carbon intensity. Small shocks are predicted to displace heavy crudes with higher carbon intensity, but the relation may be counterintuitive.
A new Stanford-led study suggests that decreasing oil demand leads to larger-than-expected carbon reductions, as the impact varies depending on market factors. The research takes into account the global oil market's structure, including perfect competition, oligopoly, and cartel scenarios, to estimate climate benefits.
Researchers have developed bimetallic catalysts that enhance oil upgrading, decreasing heavy hydrocarbons and increasing light hydrocarbons. The test results showed positive influence on petroleum quality, transportation efficiency, and environmental impact.
Researchers at Lancaster University have developed a new method to generate renewable biofuel additives from organic waste using nuclear radiation. This process could help increase the proportion of petrol with renewable content from 5% to 20% by 2030, reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change.
A global inventory reveals oil refineries emitted 1.3Gt CO2 in 2018, with potential emissions of 16.5Gt by 2030 if no mitigation strategies are adopted. Researchers recommend improving refinery efficiency and upgrading technologies to reduce emissions.
Dicrateria rotunda is found to synthesize saturated hydrocarbons with carbon numbers ranging from 10 to 38, categorizing them as petrol, diesel oils, and fuel oils. The ability to produce these hydrocarbons is common to the entire Dicrateria genus.
Experts from Kazan Federal University and partners have tested novel gel particles to improve oil recovery in high-temperature and mineralized reservoirs. The new technique showed a significant increase in recovery, up to 100 thousand tons, and proved the efficiency of reagents under harsh conditions.
Researcher Dr. Igor Ivanishin is investigating the impact of varying calcium contents on dolomite and calcite mineral stability, which can lead to improved well stimulation operations. His findings suggest that injected acids may unevenly dissolve rock in carbonate reservoirs, leaving some areas untouched.
Researchers find immense biohydrocarbon cycle in ocean, with marine cyanobacteria producing pentadecane at rates of 300-600 million metric tons per year. The cycle plays a crucial role in the ocean's response to oil spills and could potentially prime the ocean for cleanup.
Dr. Eric Beckman, a renowned engineer at the University of Pittsburgh, has been recognized as an NAI Fellow for his groundbreaking research in molecular design, biomedical polymers, and sustainability. His work aims to create new knowledge that benefits human health and the environment.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology developed a new method for recovering heavy oil, achieving 55% recovery compared to 35-33% with alkaline water or regular water. The method uses a viscoelastic material to improve sweep efficiency.
Standard Oil's grip on the Scandinavian oil market weakened due to competing companies, leading to a court decision in the USA that dissolved the company into 34 smaller entities. Despite this, Standard Oil's successors remained significant players in Scandinavia until the 1930s.
A group of Skoltech scientists created machine learning algorithms that can predict oil viscosity based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data. This method has the potential to revolutionize the way oil is processed and understood.
Researchers at UCSB have developed a low-energy, one-pot catalytic method to upcycle polyethylene plastic into high-value alkylaromatic molecules. This process creates valuable molecules from waste plastic, making recycling more practical and environmentally beneficial.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have developed technology to separate gas using renewable furanic-based polymers, reducing capital costs by a factor of 10 and increasing hydrogen recovery by 20%. The breakthrough could be a boon to companies refining oil and producing hydrogen fuel cells, replacing traditional gas-separation te...
Scientists discovered that mixing petroleum coke particles with quartz sand simplifies the study of combustion kinetics in the presence of catalysts. This innovation could help reduce combustion temperatures and make petroleum coke more usable in the industry.
Scientists analyze state-of-the-arts in rational design of hierarchical micro-/mesoporous structures to alleviate diffusion resistance and improve catalyst efficiency. Well-designed hierarchically porous structure ensures rapid diffusion and desorption of products, avoiding deactivation.
A new method using Vis-NIR spectroscopy reduces the cost and time required to analyze soil samples, allowing for faster restoration of ecosystems. The technology enables scientists to estimate concentration levels in impacted soil quickly and easily.
A study by FSU researchers found that asphalt binder leaches thousands of potentially toxic compounds into the environment when exposed to sunlight and water. The team used high-resolution mass spectrometers to identify over 15,000 different carbon-containing molecules in the water.
A new 3D-printed membrane designed by Pitt ChemE professor Lei Li has the potential to efficiently separate oil and water. The membrane's unique surface topography and pore size will enable effective separation of oil-water emulsions, converting oily wastewater into purified water.
The nickel-based catalyst precursor proved effective for in-situ conversion of asphaltenes, reducing the content of resins and asphaltenes. The catalyst also reduced viscosity by destroying carbon-heteroatom bonds and interacting with aromatic rings.
Researchers used machine learning algorithms to accurately predict rock thermal conductivity from well-logging data, outperforming traditional methods. This breakthrough can enhance geothermal investigations and basin modeling, leading to more efficient oil production.
Scientists have found life bubbling up from deep beneath the ocean floor along with petroleum fluids, diversifying microbial communities and impacting carbon cycling. The study reveals a two-way street between sedimentation and microbial exchange, offering insights into the vast subsurface realm.
Scientists at Rice University found that low-salinity brine can create emulsion droplets in crude oil, enhancing oil recovery. The research also revealed the wettability of rock determines how easily it releases oil.
An interdisciplinary team from KU Leuven has mapped out the technological and economic viability of replacing petroleum with wood in the chemical industry. The research suggests that a biorefinery using wood can produce chemicals with lower CO2 emissions, making it a more sustainable alternative.
A new polyamide family has been developed from a biogenic residue, offering improved performance and lower costs compared to traditional crude oil-based materials. The synthesis process is scalable and can be conducted in one reaction container, increasing sustainability.
Thermolysis helps rid petroleum of viscous components by analyzing composition and mechanisms of catalytic activity during in-situ refining of heavy oils. The technique aims to improve efficiency and selectiveness in reactions with destruction of asphalt-resin compounds, reducing oil viscosity.
Researchers at KAUST found that under certain conditions, bubbles or droplets suspended in liquid can bounce off each other due to interface mobility, leading to slower coalescence and unexpected behavior.
Researchers at KRICT developed a bio-polycarbonate that surpasses petroleum-based polycarbonate in terms of strength, transparency, and UV-resistance. The material exhibits exceptional performance due to the synergistic interplay between isosorbide and nanocellulose.
Researchers at Kazan University's In-Situ Combustion Lab have studied the combustion behavior of aromatic compounds and their impact on heavy oil extraction. The study found that certain aromatic compounds can promote high-temperature oxidation and inhibit low-temperature oxidation, leading to more efficient extraction methods.
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering has developed a new method to separate ethylene from ethane gas, which is abundant in natural gas. The technique uses isolated copper atoms that olefins like ethylene can bond to strongly, potentially saving energy and reducing costs.
The university will provide two-year scholarships to high-achieving, low-income students pursuing Master of Science degrees in six engineering departments. The program aims to eliminate barriers and build bridges to professional careers through industry internships and research focused on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Researchers at USF have developed a biologically-based technique to transform greenhouse gases into usable chemical compounds, reducing dependence on petroleum and lowering carbon footprint. The method utilizes human enzymes to convert specific one-carbon materials into complex compounds used in various products.
An international team has discovered a previously undescribed Jurassic volcanic landscape in central Australia, revealing around 100 ancient volcanoes and magma chambers. The research uses advanced subsurface imaging techniques to identify the volcanic craters and lava flows, challenging previous understanding of Earth's past processes.
Scientists at the University of Warwick developed a new method, OCULAR, that assigns a record-breaking 244,779 molecular compositions within a single sample of petroleum. The technique combines experimental and data processing techniques to characterise complex samples, enabling analysis across various fields.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University developed a novel method for storing methane by accelerating hydrate formation under high pressure and low temperature. This process is more environmentally friendly, safer, and cheaper than traditional liquefied gas technology, making it an attractive solution for the petroleum industry.
Researchers found that by making the right choices in modeling, temperature gradients can accurately predict pressure and composition changes without assumptions. The study developed an equation to express pressure gradient, which revealed special cases where residual entropy affects pressure gradients.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison develop engineered microbe that can efficiently convert lignin from woody plants into a valuable aromatic compound. This conversion potential transforms the use of wood waste and unlocks a new industry for producing bioplastics.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have developed a new process to create polymers from sulfur, which could lead to more sustainable plastics. The discovery, published in Nature Communications, uses a catalytic process that reduces reaction times and temperatures, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that exposure to crude oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill significantly impaired olfactory function in Atlantic stingrays. The research suggests that this could have detrimental effects on fitness and survival, as well as lead to premature death.
Research explores effects of crude oil on native salmon populations, finding exposure causes toxic changes in hearts, brains, and performance abilities. Crude oil also leads to long-term consequences including mortality and brain damage.
Researchers explore using nanoparticles as tiny scouts to map connectivity between wells, optimize injection schemes, and identify oil-rich spots. Nanomaterials also show promise in keeping surfactants from sticking to rocks and magnetically separating oil microdroplets.
The study reveals differences in oxidation behavior between crude oil and its SARA fractions, with saturated hydrocarbons oxidizing well under low temperatures. Asphaltenes emit more heat under higher temperatures, highlighting the direct link between SARA fraction ratios and oxidation behavior.
Researchers have developed a new process to manufacture acrylonitrile, the precursor to carbon fiber, from renewable biomass. The bio-based process produces less heat and toxic byproducts than traditional methods.
Human emissions of vanadium have spiked since the start of the 21st century due to heavy oil use, surpassing natural sources combined. The health risks of airborne vanadium particles are not well documented but may impair respiratory functions and exacerbate conditions like asthma.
The study found that human activities release significant amounts of vanadium into the environment, primarily through fossil fuel extraction and combustion. The annual global flux of vanadium is dominated by anthropogenic processes, with emissions to the atmosphere estimated to exceed natural emissions by up to 1.7.
The new center aims to restore temperature regimes in sedimentary basins using geochronology and thermochronology. This approach is expected to be effective and economical for companies searching for petroleum.
The researchers synthesized new ionic and nonionic surfactants that can efficiently collect petroleum on water surfaces. The compounds have been identified as having high surface activity, allowing them to localize thin oil films and limit their distribution.
Researchers at Rice University have developed microfluidic devices to study the interaction between asphaltene and dispersants, revealing that smaller particles are more likely to stick together. The study found that dispersants can break down deposits by increasing repulsion between aggregates, creating softer asphaltenes.
Researchers from University of Houston have begun a $1.4 million project to demonstrate using captured carbon dioxide to enhance oil recovery in an Indian field. The partnership aims to reduce the country's carbon footprint and increase domestic oil production.
Srinivas Rangarajan, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Lehigh University, received a research grant from the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund to investigate olefin production. The study aims to develop more energy-efficient catalysts for producing olefins directly from shale gas.
A team of researchers at Kazan Federal University is exploring the mechanism of how microorganisms form and develop in response to petroleum contamination. They aim to understand whether hydrocarbon-oxidizing community structure depends on soil properties, and how new technologies for soil decontamination may arise from this research.
New research reveals OPEC's impact on global oil production, driving up costs by $160 billion. This has led to the development of complex, expensive technologies, such as fracking, outside OPEC countries.
University of Delaware researchers develop a one-step technology to extract sugars from wood chips and other organic waste, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals and high processing costs. The innovative method results in a 95% theoretical yield of sugars and enables the economical production of feed streams for bioproducts.
A new study found that deep-sea dispersant injection improved air quality for responders at the Deepwater Horizon disaster site. The subsea injection may have broken up petroleum into smaller droplets, reducing volatile toxic compounds in the air and allowing responders to work longer without respirators.
Subsea dispersant injection during the Deepwater Horizon disaster mitigated environmental damage by reducing volatile organic compound emissions in the atmosphere. This led to a decrease in human health risks for response workers and accelerated the response effort.