Articles tagged with Petroleum
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.
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.
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.
The new biofuel can be used undiluted in modern diesel engines or mixed with petroleum diesel, fulfilling EU and US requirements. It has improved properties compared to traditional biodiesel, which vaporizes at higher temperatures and forms deposits on engine components.
The University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering has received a $425,000 NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) grant to support a 10-week summer research program for undergraduates in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. The program will provide students with hands-on research experience, stipend, and financial as...
Researchers at MIT have created a system that can manipulate the movement of water on a surface using visible light. The technology has potential applications in fields such as microfluidic diagnostic devices and oil-water separation, where it could enable more efficient and controlled separation of fluids.
A new coating system developed at MIT can effectively prevent the buildup of hydrates in oil and gas pipelines, which can slow or block flow. The system creates a barrier film between water and the pipe wall, keeping hydrates away.
A prototype device has been developed to remove asphaltenes from crude oil, addressing costly pipeline blockages. The device uses electrokinetics to attract and remove the solidified molecules, improving flow rates and reducing pressure requirements.
Researchers developed a novel method using Terahertz spectroscopy and 3D-printing technology to measure water content in crude oil with high accuracy. The technique can be used to continuously monitor moisture content and is suitable for applications even during high-water-bearing periods.
A $14-million research collaboration aims to improve understanding of how oil and gas flows in naturally fractured reservoirs, crucial for maximizing production and sustainability. The partnership will apply new technologies, including 3-D printing, to study geomechanical processes impacting fluid flow.
A recent study by Louisiana State University's Parichehr Saranjampour found that dibenzothiophene, a chemical class of PAHs not on the EPA's list, undergoes evaporation and oxidation at rates faster than previously thought. This discovery has implications for oil spill cleanup and exposure to toxic pollutants.
A Northwestern University study found that applying petroleum jelly to high-risk newborns can prevent eczema, a costly skin disorder. The cost benefit of prophylactic moisturization was $353 per quality-adjusted life year, making it an affordable option.
This study compares the rheological properties, oil-water interfacial tensions, and emulsion stability of Xinjiang crude oil and two common model oils. The results show that white mineral oil and crude oil are pseudo plastic fluids, while silicon oil is a Newtonian fluid.
A recent review found that over-the-counter head lice treatments have declined in effectiveness, likely due to widespread use leading to pyrethroid resistance. Prescription products such as malathion and spinosad are safer alternatives with proven efficacy.
A recent study challenges the assumption that biofuels are carbon neutral, finding a net increase in CO2 emissions from their use in the US. The research suggests that crop-based biofuels like corn ethanol and biodiesel offer only modest reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Research reveals that brief exposures to low concentrations of crude oil can cause deadly deformities in developing haddock. The study found that haddock eggs are particularly vulnerable to oil compounds, leading to extreme craniofacial deformities and compromising their survival.
Researchers from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology used mass spectrometry to identify components in an ancient bitumen sample from a 5th century BCE amphora. The analysis revealed a prolonged period of biodegradation due to bacterial activity, leading to increased oxygen content in the sample.
A research group has made progress in obtaining bio-oils and raw materials from biomass using its patented reactor. Artificial neural networks are being used to calculate the gross calorific value of biomass, which is essential for designing and improving biomass pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion systems.
Earthquakes triggered by human activity have been widespread throughout Texas since the 1920s, according to a new review of evidence. Oil and gas operations are the primary cause, but specific techniques have varied over time.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a novel way to produce plastic from CO2 and plant waste, which could significantly reduce greenhouse emissions. The new technology converts fructose-free biomass into polyethylene furandicarboxylate (PEF), a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
New photocatalysts transform lignin into valuable aromatic compounds, reducing environmental burden. Laboratory studies show up to 90% selectivity in reactions, enabling industrial-scale processing.
Researchers at Kazan University have developed catalysts that speed up heavy oil extraction under the conditions of in-situ combustion. The study, published in Energy and Fuels, shows promise for increasing efficiency in extracting heavy oil from Russia's vast reserves.
Studies have shown that oxygen levels in the deep ocean were at least 4% of modern concentrations 1.4 billion years ago, indicating that animals could exist and evolve with this amount of oxygen. Despite this, animals did not appear on Earth until about 600 million years ago.
A new study found that global energy demand has an adverse impact on freshwater resources in less developed nations. The research highlights the need to consider the full range of consequences of the world's demand for energy when designing policies.
A new palladium-based catalyst has been developed to efficiently convert thiols, the source of strong-smelling mercaptans, into stable and useful vinyl thioethers. The catalyst enables the atom-economic synthesis of these monomers with high yield and selectivity.
Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and the University of Alabama have successfully synthesized two complex chemical substances from wood-based starting materials. The new xylochemical synthesis demonstrates a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to manufacturing everyday products.
Analysis reveals that public charging infrastructure is not needed everywhere, with homes, workplaces, and 'hot spots' sufficient for adoption. Drivers tend to favor a few public stations when away from home, with workplace charging enabling significant electric range extension.
A Franco-Swiss research team has proposed a new explanation for the starting mechanism of the MTO process. They found that alumina, present in zeolites, can transform methanol into ethylene and other hydrocarbons, which can then be converted into carbenium ions. This discovery sheds light on how the MTO process begins.
Research shows low-level oil exposure leads to later heart defects, weaker swimming, and reduced survival in Alaskan fish populations. Subtle changes in heart formation have delayed but important consequences for first-year survival, determining the long-term abundance of wild fish populations.
New research from the University of Adelaide suggests that a major mud volcano disaster in Indonesia was triggered by a drilling accident rather than an earthquake. The study used physical data collected before and after the disaster to disprove existing earthquake-triggering models.
A recent study by Concordia University researchers found that the US Department of Defense overspends on fuel costs by $1-9 billion annually, with a volatile crude oil market exacerbating the issue. Improving planning and budgeting practices could help mitigate these risks, according to the study.
Researchers discovered soy lecithin can break down oil into small droplets that bacteria can degrade, reducing toxicity. The natural surfactant outperformed commercial dispersants in lab tests.
A new paper from Rice University's Baker Institute finds Saudi Arabia is reshaping itself as a supplier of refined petroleum products. The country's increasing domestic demand for crude oil poses geopolitical challenges to its traditional role as the world's 'swing supplier' of oil.
A molecule from plants and trees, lignin, could be used to create asphalt and sealant mixtures that are more environmentally friendly and durable. Lignin, a renewable resource found in trees, has been integrated into bitumen to improve its performance and reduce the amount of non-renewable oil needed.
Researchers found evidence of repeated climate fluctuations 1.4 billion years ago, reflecting changes in wind patterns and ocean circulations driven by orbital forcing of climate change. The study sheds light on how past climate changes have affected Earth geologically and biologically.
Scientists at China University of Petroleum and Liaoning University of Technology studied mosquito legs to understand their unique adaptation to float on water. They found that the tarsus's buoyant horizontal contact with the surface generates an upward force twenty times the insect's body weight.
A recent study found that earthquake activity near injection wells in the Williston Basin is scarce compared to Texas, where similar activities have been linked to increased seismicity. The study's authors attribute this difference to regional variations in geology and injection practices.
A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota discovered potential materials that could improve ethanol and petroleum production, reducing multi-step processes and costs. The study identified all-silica zeolites with superior performance for separating ethanol from water and upgrading petroleum compounds into higher-value products.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a new process to convert lignin, a biomass waste product, into simple chemicals. The innovation could replace petroleum-based fuels and chemicals with biorenewable materials.
Researchers have developed a process that uses flash pyrolysis to produce fuels and raw materials from biomass and waste, including plastics and tires. The process produces bio-oil with a high energy density and can be used to replace petroleum-based products.
The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) has received the William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to AGI. The award acknowledges AAPG's significant contributions to AGI's Education and Outreach, Geoscience Policy, and Environmental programs.
Researchers from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology published experimental data on jet fuel combustion, defining induction periods for various temperatures, pressures, and blending ratios. The study focuses on kerosene, a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, and aims to validate kinetic models for its burning.
Researchers developed a novel process to convert rice, parsley and vegetable waste into biodegradable plastic films with promising traits. The bioplastics have the potential to replace non-degrading polymers and provide a more environmentally friendly option for replacing synthetic plastics.
A new study led by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that Deepwater Horizon crude oil exposure harms mahi-mahi swimming capabilities, affecting survival and foraging abilities. The study revealed a 22-37% decrease in swimming velocity among juvenile fish exposed to oil.
A NOAA-led study shows that crude oil from the Deepwater Horizon disaster disrupts heart development in bluefin and yellowfin tunas. The study found that exposure to crude oil slows heartbeat or causes an uncoordinated rhythm, leading to heart failure in these fish.
A new study has found that exposure to crude oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill can cause serious defects in heart development and function of fish embryos. The research highlights the potential impacts on commercially important pelagic fish populations in the Gulf of Mexico.
Scientists at Brigham Young University discovered a new way to convert natural gas into upgraded liquid alcohol fuel, reducing dependence on petroleum. The breakthrough uses ordinary metals like thallium and lead to trigger the conversion process at lower temperatures.
Crude oil interferes with fish heart cells, causing slowed heart rate, reduced cardiac contractility, and irregular heartbeats. The study reveals that oil blocks potassium channels, increasing the time to restart the heart on every beat, ultimately slowing the heartbeat.
A University of Houston researcher is working on developing plant-based plastics that can match the strength, flexibility, and durability of petroleum-based polymers. The goal is to create biodegradable materials with better mechanical properties and a reduced environmental impact.
New Geosphere papers examine volcanic zones, the Sierra Nevada, and Utah's Confusion Range. The study on the Confusion Range may provide new opportunities for petroleum exploration in the region.
Geoscience students mostly found employment in Texas, California, and Oklahoma, with varying salary levels depending on degree level and industry. Annual salaries ranged from $30,000 to over $120,000.
Researchers developed terahertz time-domain spectroscopy to analyze kerogen maturity stages. By applying this non-destructive method, they found relationships between kerogen optical constants and maturity stages, enabling the detection of oil-generating stages.
Researchers have discovered health defects in Gulf killifish embryos exposed to sediments from oiled locations, including heart defects and delayed hatching. The findings may predict longer-term impacts on killifish populations and highlight the potential risks for other species sharing similar habitats.
A collaborative study between NREL and ANL identifies strategies to reduce petroleum use and greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector by 80% by 2050. The study reveals opportunities for energy efficiency improvements, increased use of electricity and hydrogen, and expanded biofuels.
A Marshall University professor has secured a three-year, $65,000 grant to conduct petroleum research with the assistance of seven undergraduate students. The project aims to study the decomposition of specific molecules when heated in an oxygen-free environment, shedding light on biofuels and combustion mechanisms.
Michigan Engineering researchers have made a breakthrough in biofuel production by developing a quick cook method that turns algae into biocrude. The new method achieves an unprecedented 65 percent conversion rate, outperforming previous results after just one minute of heating.
Researchers found that high concentrations of crude oil combined with dispersant can harm beneficial microbial communities in the human digestive tract. However, low concentrations typically found in Gulf shellfish had no discernible impact.
A superabsorbent material can recover up to 5 gallons of crude oil per pound and is strong enough for collection and transportation. The material transforms an oil spill into a soft gel that can be converted back into refined oil, providing a cost-effective solution to reduce environmental impacts.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new technique to improve oil recovery and environmental cleanup using microbial enhanced oil recovery. The technology, which involves injecting microbes into wells to increase oil production, could make a comeback in the oil industry due to its potential for increased productivity.