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Sulfur is a key element in most anionic surfactants. About 75% of sulfur currently is generated as a waste byproduct of petroleum refining, while most of the remainder is generated as a waste byproduct of natural gas refining. Assuming the world's fossil fuel use decreases in the future, what will happen with sulfur‐containing surfactants? Three possible alternatives are explored. First, alternate sources of sulfur could replace sulfur from fossil fuel. Second, surfactants that do not contain sulfur could replace those that contain sulfur. Third, other industries could replace sulfur in their products, while sulfur remains in surfactants. Each of these will be considered, and predictions will be made in terms of the likeliest outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic conversion of CO2 to valuable products is a promising way to reduce anthropogenic CO2 emission. Herein, a strategy for coupling conversion of CO2 and high‐carbon alkane to CO and gasoline is developed, which is a feasible choice for the combination of CO2 recycling and petroleum refining. The CO2 conversion reaches 2.6% under mild condition (270 °C), and the selectivity of gasoline in the cracking products exceeds 70 wt%. Additionally, the introduction of CO2 improves the selectivity of aromatic hydrocarbons and increases the octane number of gasoline. Mechanism studies indicate that synergistic effect between Brønsted acid centers and Ni sites on the Beta zeolite supported Ni (20 wt%) catalyst (20Ni/β) plays the key role in alkane cracking and CO2 reduction. Notably, 13CO2 isotopic experiments show that the hydrogen produced during the aromatization can be captured by CO2, inhibiting undesired hydrogen transfer pathways and enhanced the yield of aromatics, while CO2 is converted into valuable CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil is one of the main resources used by all countries in the world. The ever-growing demand for oil and oil products forces oil companies to increase production and refining. In order to increase net profit, oil producing companies are constantly upgrading equipment, improving oil production technologies, and preparing oil for further processing. When considering the elements of primary oil refining in difficult conditions, such as hard-to-reach or in remote locations, developers face strict limitations in energy resources and dimensions. Therefore, the use of traditional systems causes a number of difficulties, significantly reducing production efficiency. In this study, the authors solve the problem of improving the characteristics of the oil separation process. In their work, the authors analyzed the separation columns of primary oil distillation, identified the shortcomings of the technological process, and searched for technological solutions. Having identified the lack of technical solutions for monitoring the state of the temperature field of the separation column, the authors developed their own hardware–software complex for monitoring the separation column (RF patents No. 2020665473, No. 2021662752 were received). The complex was tested and successfully implemented into production. The study provides an assessment of the economic efficiency of implementation for a year and a forecast of the economic effect for 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes the catalytic cracking unit of a petrochemical industry as an example to explore the effects of blending hydrogenated tail oil on the distribution and quality of catalytic cracking products, and analyzes the reasons. The results showed that blending hydrogenated tail oil can significantly reduce the output of dry gas and oil slurry. Every increase of 1 ton of hydrogenated tail oil refining, the output of oil slurry decreases by 0.14 tons, dry gas decreases by 56 m³, and gasoline output increases by 0.26 tons. The blending of hydrogenated tail oil will reduce the aromatic hydrocarbon content in gasoline components, decrease the density of gasoline components, and lower the distillation temperature. As the blending amount of hydrogenated tail oil increases, the C3 content in the liquefied petroleum gas decreases and the C4 content increases . This is attributed to the fact that the blending of hydrogenated tail oil inhibits the deep reaction of catalytic cracking, reduces the generation of C3 and below components and deep cracking products such as slurry, and increases the yield of liquids above C4. As the blending amount of hydrogenated tail oil increases, C3 and C4 components become the boundary line for the impact of hydrogenated tail oil blending on the depth of catalytic cracking reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The petroleum fraction of crude oil is laden with notorious nitrogen compounds, whose removal facilitates fuel oil transport and enhances the longevity of hydrodesulfurization catalysts. Petroleum refining operation thus demands the adoption of unconventional techniques, such as coupled oxidative–extractive denitrogenation. Kinetic models can provide insights into the reaction mechanism and the design and performance of reactors. In this work, nine different kinetic models were developed by applying the Langmuir–Hinshelwood and Eley–Rideal approaches to various reaction pathways. The screening of the kinetic models was done based on the values of the rate law parameters and corresponding R2 and adjusted R2 values calculated through a multi-parametric, non-linear regression based on the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. Out of all the models, the Eley–Rideal model corresponding to the rate expression rs9 was found to be the best fit, reflecting that hydrogen peroxide remained in bulk while pyridine alone was adsorbed on the catalyst. The selection of suitable extractants for the extractive removal of oxidation products was made based on their extraction efficiency and partition coefficients. The ternary liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for the (acidulated water-pyridine-isooctane) and (acidulated water-pyridine N-oxide-isooctane) systems were plotted, and Othmer–Tobias, Hand, and Bachman correlations explained the consistency of the experimental LLE data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrocracking represents a complex and time-consuming chemical process that converts heavy oil fractions into various valuable products with low boiling points. It plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of products within the oil refining process. Consequently, the development of efficient surrogate models for simulating the hydrocracking process and identifying appropriate solutions for multi-objective oil refining is now an important area of research. In this study, a novel transferable preference learning-driven evolutionary algorithm is proposed to facilitate multi-objective decision analysis in the oil refining process. Specifically, our approach involves considering user preferences to divide the objective space into a region of interest (ROI) and other subspaces. We then utilize Kriging models to approximate the sub-problems within the ROI. In order to enhance the robustness and generalization capability of the Kriging models during the evolutionary process, we transfer the mutual information between the sub-problems in the ROI. To validate the effectiveness as well as efficiency of our proposed method, we undertake a series of experiments on both benchmarks and the oil refining process. The experimental results conclusively demonstrate the superiority of our approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum hydrocarbons and their derivatives constitute the leading group of environmental pollutants worldwide. In the present global scenario, petroleum and natural gas production, exploration, petroleum refining, and other anthropogenic activities produce huge amounts of hazardous petroleum wastes that accumulate in the terrestrial and marine environment. Due to their carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and mutagenic characteristics, petroleum pollutants pose severe risks to human health and exert ecotoxicological effects on the ecosystems. To mitigate petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) contamination, implementing "green technologies" for effective cleanup and restoration of an affected environment is considered as a pragmatic approach. This review provides a comprehensive outline of newly emerging bioremediation technologies, for instance; nanobioremediation, electrokinetic bioremediation, vermiremediation, multifunctional and sustainably implemented on-site applied biotechnologies such as; natural attenuation, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, bioventing, phytoremediation and multi-process hybrid technologies. Additionally, the scope of the effectiveness and limitations of individual technologies in treating the petroleum hydrocarbon polluted sites are also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to comprehend the effect of the various combinations of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (3,4‐DHPA) and its esters in varying molar ratios on retarding oxidation in bulk refined fish oil in the presence of 0.3% w/w water. All the esters and 3,4‐DHPA exhibited better performance than the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene. In the presence of trace water, the parent compound was found to have a synergistic effect with hexyl ester when used at a molar ratio of 2:1, respectively, exhibiting a higher percent reduction among all the esters and their combinations. The study also showed that the presence of extraneous water can significantly accelerate the oxidation (twofold) in a bulk fish oil system. This suggests that the microenvironment of the oil is altered when water is present and that association colloids play a key role in enhancing the rate of oxidation. Thus, while designing a competent mixture of antioxidants, the specific site of oxidation involved and the surface‐active components should be taken into consideration to efficiently retard oxidation. Practical Applications: Analyzing the impact of trace amounts of water on the efficiency of natural antioxidants, including 3,4‐DHPA and its lipophilic esters, helps to comprehend the required optimal antioxidant concentrations for such a dynamic bulk oil system. The study finds application in controlling oxidation in PUFA‐rich oils containing surface‐active minor components that can accelerate oxidation. The results of the study show that 3,4‐DHPA and its esters could be a potential replacement for the synthetic antioxidant BHT in all aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum refining has been, is still, and is expected to remain in the next decades the main source of energy required to drive transport for mankind. The demand for automotive and aviation fuels has urged refiners to search for ways to extract more light oil products per barrel of crude oil. The heavy oil conversion processes of ebullated bed vacuum residue hydrocracking (EBVRHC) and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) can assist refiners in their aim to produce more transportation fuels and feeds for petrochemistry from a ton of petroleum. However, a good understanding of the roles of feed quality and catalyst characteristics is needed to optimize the performance of both heavy oil conversion processes. Three knowledge discovery database techniques—intercriteria and regression analyses, and artificial neural networks—were used to evaluate the performance of commercial FCC and EBVRHC in processing 19 different heavy oils. Seven diverse FCC catalysts were assessed using a cascade and parallel fresh catalyst addition system in an EBVRHC unit. It was found that the vacuum residue conversion in the EBVRHC depended on feed reactivity, which, calculated on the basis of pilot plant tests, varied by 16.4%; the content of vacuum residue (VR) in the mixed EBVRHC unit feed (each 10% fluctuation in VR content leads to an alteration in VR conversion of 1.6%); the reaction temperature (a 1 °C deviation in reaction temperature is associated with a 0.8% shift in VR conversion); and the liquid hourly space velocity (0.01 h-1 change of LHSV leads to 0.85% conversion alteration). The vacuum gas oil conversion in the FCC unit was determined to correlate with feed crackability, which, calculated on the basis of pilot plant tests, varied by 8.2%, and the catalyst ΔCoke (each 0.03% ΔCoke increase reduces FCC conversion by 1%), which was unveiled to depend on FCC feed density and equilibrium FCC micro-activity. The developed correlations can be used to optimize the performance of FCC and EBVRHC units by selecting the appropriate feed slate and catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spent bleaching clay (SBC) is a hazardous waste produced by vegetable oil refining industries. SBC contains a residual oil (RO) with a lot of organic and inorganic impurities and its disposal leads to severe environmental consequences. In this study, SBC regeneration by extraction, acid modification and pyrolysis under various conditions and biodiesel production were studied. The GC-MS of the extracted RO shows that the fatty acid content is in conformity with crude oil and is appropriate for biodiesel production. FTIR was recorded in order to evaluate the main functional groups of fresh-, spent-, regenerated bleaching clay. The specific surface area (SSA) of fresh bleaching clay (FBC) (166.1 ± 1.7 m2/g) was lower than regenerated bleaching clay (RBC) one. The highest SSA (252.1 ± 1.7 m2/g) was revealed by pyrolysis at 550°C and activation with 10% sulfuric acid. Subsequent increase in the acid concentration and temperature of pyrolysis caused a decrease in the SSA. The heavy metals concentration in RBC was lower than the limits for activated bleaching clay in the National Food Safety Standard. Hence, RBC effectively copes with heavy metal removal. The peroxide, anisidine, acid values and oxidation stability of oil bleached with RBC are comparable to the FBC. Implications: The disposal of spent bleaching clay from vegetable oil refining industries has been recognized as a significant environmental issue. After adsorbing the impurities, spent bleaching clay becomes contaminated with a high concentration of organic and inorganic substances, including residual oils, fatty acids, phospholipids, and potentially toxic heavy metals. This makes spent bleaching clay a hazardous waste and improper disposal can lead to severe environmental consequences. Due to the potential environmental harm caused by spent bleaching clay disposal, it is crucial for vegetable oil refining industries to adopt proper waste management practices. Overall, the proper management and disposal of spent bleaching clay is essential to prevent environmental contamination and safeguard human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid tars, a waste unique to the oil processing industry, pose a significant toxicity risk. These by-products originate from refining certain petroleum fractions, such as oil and paraffin, and are commonly found in the waste streams of crude oil processing. In Romania, particularly in the post-war period, acid tars were predominantly managed through storage. Although advancements in catalytic processes have considerably reduced the generation of acid tars in the Romanian refining industry, an efficient treatment method is still required to address the existing acid tars lagoons. The present research refers to a case study carried out on a laboratory scale for the physico-chemical stabilization/encapsulation of acid tars from a lagoon belonging to a refinery in Prahova-Romania county. The experimental program aimed at formulating and applying optimal stabilization recipes for acid tar from the selected lagoon was conducted to reduce the total hydrocarbon and toxic metal content, in compliance with Order No. 95 of 12.02.2005 from Romanian legislation. The leaching data showed that the recipes that stabilize and encapsulate acid tar provide a good immobilization capacity for the five heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, total Cr, Ni) and As, while their releases are dependent on the pH- and varies with the total hydrocarbon content of the treated tar. The laboratory study carried out and presented in this work, as well as the results obtained after performing the leaching test, allow the extrapolation and application of this stabilization - encapsulation procedure on a macro-in situ scale and the remediation of the lagoon where the acid tar was stored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przegląd Elektrotechniczny is the property of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• Various derivatives of PAHs were found in air and soil from petrochemical facility. • Generation of NPAHs during petroleum smelting should be faster than halogenated PAHs. • Petrochemical workers in this facility faced potential high cancer risk for PAHs. • Non-targeted screening found additional toxic PAHs analogs in petrochemical area. This study investigated environmental distribution and human exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives in one Chinese petroleum refinery facility. It was found that, following with high concentrations of 16 EPA PAHs (∑Parent-PAHs) in smelting subarea of studied petroleum refinery facility, total derivatives of PAHs [named as XPAHs, including nitro PAHs (NPAHs), chlorinated PAHs (Cl-PAHs), and brominated PAHs (Br-PAHs)] in gas (mean= 1.57 × 104 ng/m3), total suspended particulate (TSP) (mean= 4.33 × 103 ng/m3) and soil (mean= 4.37 × 103 ng/g) in this subarea had 1.76–6.19 times higher levels than those from other subareas of this facility, surrounding residential areas and reference areas, indicating that petroleum refining processes would lead apparent derivation of PAHs. Especially, compared with those in residential and reference areas, gas samples in the petrochemical areas had higher ∑NPAH/∑PAHs (mean=2.18), but lower ∑Cl-PAH/∑PAHs (mean=1.43 × 10−1) and ∑Br-PAH/∑PAHs ratios (mean=7.49 × 10−2), indicating the richer nitrification of PAHs than chlorination during petrochemical process. The occupational exposure to PAHs and XPAHs in this petroleum refinery facility were 24–343 times higher than non-occupational exposure, and the ILCR (1.04 × 10−4) for petrochemical workers was considered to be potential high risk. Furthermore, one expanded high-resolution screening through GC Orbitrap/MS was performed for soils from petrochemical area, and another 35 PAHs were found, including alkyl-PAHs, phenyl-PAHs and other species, indicating that profiles and risks of PAHs analogs in petrochemical areas deserve further expanded investigation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable oils and fatty acid esters (FAEs) are commonly used in various industrial and commercial applications. However, the presence of contaminants in these oils can severely affect their functionality and suitability. Conventional refining techniques for vegetable oils typically involve degumming, neutralization, bleaching and deodorization. Meanwhile, refining of FAEs often utilize wet or dry washing processes. These are often resource-intensive, producing substantial waste products, causing neutral oil loss, and can also result in the loss of micronutrients. To address these challenges, researchers have explored the use of nano-adsorbents and electrostatic field (E-field) technologies as alternatives in purifying industrial dielectric oils by removing polar particles and contaminants. Nano-adsorbents demonstrated increased efficiency in removing polar contamination while minimizing neutral oil loss. However, removal of these spent adsorbents can be challenging due to their nano-size, and physicochemical properties. The use of these materials combined with E-field technologies offers a novel and sustainable solution for removing spent nano-adsorbents and contaminants. This review provides an overview of current traditional and novel refining technologies for vegetable oils and FAEs, including their associated limitations. Compared to conventional methods, E-field treatment offers several advantages, making it an attractive alternative to conventional approaches in food processing and oil refining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Cluster forms of rhenium sulfides have important practical applications as catalysts in oil refining and thus present high interest. However, only a limited number of rhenium sulfide clusters have been described previously. It is known that cluster formation actively occurs under conditions of laser desorption–ionization; nevertheless, detailed studies of rhenium sulfides under such conditions were apparently not conducted previously. Methods: A sample of natural rhenium sulfide, collected from the fumarolic field of Kudriavy volcano (Iturup island, Russia) in 2002, was investigated using the laser desorption–ionization mass spectrometry method. The formed rhenium sulfide clusters were registered by a time‐of‐flight detector and identified programmatically using the software developed in IPCE RAS. The identification involved a comparison of the distribution of isotopic peak intensities, observed in the resulting mass spectra, with the theoretical probabilities of occurrence of various isotopologues for hypothetical rhenium sulfide species. Results: Over 60 rhenium sulfide clusters of RexSy+ and RexSyOz− types containing up to 10 rhenium atoms were formed when a sample of natural rhenium sulfide was exposed to laser desorption–ionization conditions. Several isolated heterometallic ReXMoSY+ and ReXMoSYOZ− clusters containing up to eight rhenium atoms were additionally observed in the resulting mass spectra. The species with compositions, for which the electrically neutral analogs are known, apparently were the most stable rhenium sulfide clusters among the detected ones. Conclusions: The obtained data allowed summarizing the patterns of formation of rhenium sulfide clusters under conditions of laser desorption‐ionization. The ability of rhenium and sulfur to form cluster species containing from 7 to 10 atoms of rhenium was likely discovered for the first time. The majority of the rhenium sulfide clusters described in this study, notably RexSy+ ions containing over seven atoms of rhenium, were apparently not observed previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the optimal design of molecular distillation (MD) process for the treatment of a residue of the edible oils refining industry. This work focuses on optimizing the number of units and their size, performing the scheduling of the separation tasks assigned to each unit with the objective of treating a residue with the minimum number of process equipment at a specific size to process a certain annual production of ODD (Oil Deodorization Distillate). The MD is considering clean technology because only consumption electric energy and not generate highly polluting waste. The stream of ODD has a high organic contaminant load. This requires more than one distillation stage to obtain tocopherols as a product (four stage for this study case). Here, to evaluate the process with minimum number stage a first screening was done using the traditional model of constant size factors, but afterwards the best candidate alternative was optimized as regards to the flow rates to be recycled to previous stages. The objective is to add value to a residual stream of oil refining processes, resorting to MD technology, given that MD is a very expensive technology, and in this particular case where its size is small, limited by manufacturer. For all scheduling alternatives analyzed, the best economic performance yields a Profit of 381,360 $/yr with two MD equipment and optimizing the material balances and recycles. This process is with an assignment of tasks to units that yields one larger equipment to perform the first three separation stages, and a quite small equipment to perform the last separation stage. This process has even better economic performance than the same process without reflux recirculation optimization. The process with one unit yielded technically infallible results. The process with three units showed less favorable economic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One kind of light crude oil and one kind of heavy crude oil were selected respectively, blended in different ratios, and asphalt was prepared by atmospheric and vacuum distillation process. Research on the impact of crude oil blending ratio on the physical properties and rheological properties of asphalt, Fourier spectroscopic tests were performed and functional group indices of crude oil and asphalt were calculated, the study of crude oil refining asphalt in the process of the change of the functional group index, based on the gray relational analysis method to establish the correlation between the functional group index of asphalt and its road performance. The results show that, with the incorporation of light crude oil, the penetration and ductility of asphalt tend to increase, and the softening point, rotational viscosity, complex modulus and rutting factor tend to decrease; the relative content of aliphatic groups during the refining process decreases, and the relative content of =C--H on the benzene ring and sulfoxide group increases; the content of aromatic groups mainly determines the penetration and softening point, and aliphatic groups have a greater impact on the ductility, and =C--H on the benzene ring is related to the rotational viscosity, complex modulus and rutting factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave-assisted de-emulsification is attractive in the processes of petroleum production and refining. The main advantage of microwaves is their direct influence on the surfactant layer at the oil/water interface. Previously, an effective interfacial modification was demonstrated by pulsed microwave irradiation. However, the effect of the modification diminished during the off interval of the pulse irradiation. In this study, two-stage microwave irradiation with different powers and durations was applied as a method to maintain an interfacial effect. The power of the second stage was changed to optimise the modification. Quick modification was obtained by high-power irradiation followed by low-power irradiation. It was confirmed a sustained modification was maintained by a moderate power of the second irradiation. This observation indicates a re-adsorption or re-structure process after the first irradiation is suppressed by the second irradiation. The results open new opportunities to optimise microwave operation in oil/water systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adulteration of cold‐pressed avocado oil (AVO), a high‐value commodity, poses significant economic and health concerns. This study aimed to develop a method for identifying adulteration of cold‐pressed AVO with refined oil and its utilization to evaluate commercial AVO (cAVO) samples. Avocados from the United States and New Zealand at different stages of maturity were subjected to oven‐drying and microwave‐drying to produce authentic in‐house AVOs. Various parameters, including glycidyl ester (GE) and 3‐monochloropropanediol ester (3‐MCPDE) contents, fatty acid composition, phytosterol content, acid value, and pigment contents, were measured. In‐house AVOs exhibited trace amounts of 3‐MCPDE formation, and a threshold of 0.25 mg kg–1 for GEs and 3‐MCPDEs was established to differentiate samples adulterated with refined oil. However, no clear correlation between 3‐MCPDE concentrations and adulteration ratios was observed. Determination of chlorophyll and carotenoid contents enabled the identification of partial or complete adulteration. The acid value and phytosterol content did not provide sufficient distinctions for detecting adulteration. GE and 3‐MCPDE contents could effectively be used to discriminate cold‐pressed AVO blended with refined oil, providing a reliable method for detecting misrepresentation of cAVO products. Practical Applications: Measuring GEs and 3‐MCPDEs is crucial for identifying refined oil adulteration of cold‐pressed oils. The systematic discrimination methods and criteria developed in this study can be applied to different types of high‐value pressed oils in the future. Addressing this issue is essential for maintaining the authenticity and quality of cold‐pressed oils in the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A possibility of using aluminum hydroxide, a product of processing of the adsorbent that lost its sorption activity in purification of a polyethylene solution cyclohexane, was demonstrated in the synthesis of aluminum kaolin borate supports for hydrodesulfurization catalysis in oil refining. The influence of typical impurities V, Ti and Na in the composition of the spent adsorbent on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of supports and catalysts was determined. Alumina-kaolin-borate catalyst carriers with the Ti content of approx. 0.2% have been prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) of TiCl4 onto the granules. A positive effect of molecular layering with TiO2 has been revealed by temperature programmed reduction and oxidation in combination with hydrodesulphurization activity testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article considers the possibility of processing oil sludge, a waste product of oil refining, using an energy-efficient technology based on the thermal cracking process. This process takes place at a temperature of 460-470°C and a pressure of 0.11-0.14 MPa. The process produces 57-60 % fuel and 27-34 % oil fractions that can be used in the production of commercial oil products. The industrial implementation of this oil sludge processing technology allows to produce an additional amount of commercial oil products, as well as to solve the problem of accumulation of harmful waste from the oil refining industry, which has a negative impact on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the problems of optimizing the production process of stable gasoline based on models of the object, which is the target product of a primary oil refining installation, and proposes approaches to their effective solution. Currently, solving the problem of optimizing the main processes at a primary oil processing plant in the oil refining industry is one of the most pressing scientific and production problems, as it ensures the efficiency of further deep processing of the resulting petroleum products. In this regard, this study formulates a mathematical formulation of the problem of optimizing the production process of stable gasoline - the target product of the primary oil refining installation of the Atyrau Oil Refinery, characterized by uncertainty, and proposes a heuristic approach for its effective solution in a fuzzy environment. As a result of the research, mathematical models of complex objects characterized by ambiguity of some parameters, such as the stabilization column of a primary oil treatment plant, were developed, and on their basis a heuristic approach was developed that effectively optimizes the operation of the object in conditions of uncertainty. Models that determine the volumes of gasoline and gas from the stabilization column depending on the input operating parameters of the column are determined on the basis of experimental statistical data and the systematic application of the approach of sequential sequential connection of regressors and the least squares method. Fuzzy models that evaluate vaguely described quality indicators of stable gasoline are synthesized on the basis of expert assessment methods, fuzzy sets and modified methods of sequential inclusion of regressors, least squares. Based on the obtained models of the stabilization column, a heuristic algorithm has been developed for the effective optimization of the production process of stable gasoline under conditions of fuzzy conditions, based on a modification and combination of the principles of Pareto optimality and the ideal point for working in a fuzzy environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research topic related to investments in the processing sector of the oil and gas complex of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a hot topic, since this industry is one of the key sectors of the country’s economy and plays an important role in the country’s economic development. However, it needs modern technologies and new investments to improve its efficiency. Without constant investment and modernization of production, the industry may become less competitive and unable to fulfil its role in economic development. The purpose of this work is to study the current state of the oil and gas industry and identify the potential for attracting investment. The research employed various methods, including analytical, statistical, functional, system analysis, deduction, comparison, and synthesis methods. In the process of conducting the study, the current situation in the processing sector of the oil and gas industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan was analysed, including its structure, main players and existing investment projects. The market situation in the oil refining market in the Republic of Kazakhstan was studied and the prospects for this industry were assessed. The investment climate in the country and its attractiveness for investors, especially for investments in the processing sector of the oil and gas industry, have been studied. Promising projects in the processing sector of the oil and gas industry in Republic of Kazakhstan have been identified and include their cost, risks and potential profitability. The social and environmental impacts of investing in the Republic of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry have also been studied, including issues of employment, environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The practical value lies in the use of the identified results, solving issues related to investing in the processing sector of the oil and gas complex in order to bring this process to a new level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azerbaijan is a country rich in oil in all periods of its history. This is a country that is considered the home of ”black gold “, known as one of the leaders in oil extraction in the world, rich in material and spiritual resources, as well as having the oldest experience in the field of oil extraction. The article talks about the history of the creation and development of chemistry and petrochemical science in Azerbaijan in ancient times, as well as the process of oil extraction and processing as well as the interest of foreign oil companies in this field and investment for the development of the oil industry in Azerbaijan. In addition, the works of Russian scientists living in Azerbaijan in this field and the most important results of the fundamental research conducted by Azerbaijan scientists in the development of the oil industry are briefly presented. In the development of the catalytic cracking processes, which is one of the processes of the oil industry, the fundamental scientific research works oil Azerbaijani scientists and the Institute of Petrochemical Processes named Academician Y.H.Mammadaliyev, the ancient science temple of Azerbaijan, which carries out these works, are mentioned. Today, the oil industry of Azerbaijan is conquering higher peaks in terms of more efficient use of oil, our natural resource. For the sake of the bright tomorrow of our people [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degumming and bleaching are critical steps in the palm oil refining process, as they are the precursors to the qualities of refined, bleached, and deodorized palm oil. In practice, plant operators often face oil rejections in these processes and solve the problem by trial and error. Hence, a fuzzy expert system is developed to troubleshoot the degumming and bleaching process, for identifying failures and suggesting actions. However, developing the knowledge base and inference engine in the fuzzy expert system for troubleshooting the degumming and bleaching process is challenging because the data in the actual palm oil refining process are poorly documented and must be obtained from various sources, including field observation, document analysis, and interviews, and need to be analyzed using thematic analysis. The results from the thematic analysis were represented as input and output variables of the fuzzy expert system. The developed fuzzy expert system is tested and validated against different data sets and industrial data to identify faults and suggest necessary actions. To evaluate the robustness of the troubleshooting system, the membership functions of the fuzzy expert system are adjusted based on the distributed control system (DCS). The results show that the troubleshooting system can effectively diagnose potential faults and provide necessary actions and can serve as a useful guidance for failures in the degumming and bleaching process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

H 2 S is a toxic gas released during many industrial processes, especially oil and gas refining. Currently, H 2 S is converted to sulfur using Claus process, but it leads to loss of another valuable product, i.e., hydrogen, in the form of water. Thermal decomposition of H 2 S in a membrane reactor is a promising route for recovering both hydrogen as well as sulfur in an efficient manner. In the present work, the authors report H 2 S decomposition studies with packed-bed membrane reactor (PBMR) using in-house developed clay-alumina ceramic membrane. In order to have a comparative evaluation, these studies were conducted in packed bed reactor (PBR) as well as in single-tube PBMR at different operation parameters. In PBMR, conversion of ∼90% was obtained at 1573 K and 0.5 bar, whereas a conversion of ∼50% was obtained in PBR. CFD simulations for H 2 S decomposition using ceramic PBMR were carried out and validated using experimental results. 3D simulations for parametric optimisation of multi-tube PBMR were also carried out by extrapolation of validated model. This is for the first time, CFD studies on H 2 S decomposition and its validation using ceramic PBMR are being reported in this work. • Enhanced H 2 S decomposition (up to 90%) carried out using alumina membrane reactor. • A comparative evaluation of H 2 S decomposition made in PBR & PBMR. • CFD simulation studies carried out & parameters optimised for scale-up of PBMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The petrochemicals produced from refining oil have become a large part of human life, making oil a valuable and expensive commodity. As a non-renewable resource, extraction and transport efforts have intensified to keep up with the demand, increasing the occurrences of oil spills. Such accidents have devastating impacts on the environment, the health of organisms, and a country's economy like the Philippines, and thus, need to be resolved immediately. One way to deal with oil spills is through bioremediation but the process is still facing several challenges. For one, the toolbox for bioremediation is limited. About 79 genera of bacteria were observed to degrade oil but there are only a small number of bacterial species and/or strains that have been recognized as useful for bioremediation. Second is that most oil-degrading bacteria found have low oil degradation efficiencies. Another challenge is keeping the bacteria alive to carry out the process. Fortunately, progress has been made in solving these challenges. Researchers are now testing different consortia, including bacteria--bacteria, bacteria--fungi, bacteria--microalgae, that can complement each other such as biosurfactant-producing bacteria with different oil-degrading microorganisms or microalgae or fungi that enhance the growth of oil-degrading bacteria. A consortium like this improves the survivability of each microorganism and enhances the oil-degrading efficiency. Moreover, the search for additional oil-degrading and biosurfactant-producing bacteria and other microorganisms to add to the bioremediation toolbox has been improved with the emergence of high-throughput sequencing. Aside from microorganisms, seaweeds have shown potential for bioremediation. The seaweed Caulerpa prolifera has been demonstrated to degrade diesel up to a certain concentration with the help of the bacteria growing on its surface. Bioremediation has a long way to go, but recent developments have shown promise and it remains to be the cheapest, most environment-friendly, and most effective way of dealing with oil spills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the relentless pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, the petroleum industry faces the imperative challenge of mitigating sulfur emissions. This comprehensive review scrutinizes Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) as an extraordinary catalyst, pushing the boundaries of desulfurization performance in petroleum refining. The abstract begins by underscoring the urgent need for advanced desulfurization technologies, driven by stringent environmental mandates and escalating global energy demands. The spotlight then shifts to the unparalleled physicochemical attributes of TiO2, showcasing its inherent advantages such as exceptional surface area, stability, and photocatalytic process. A profound exploration of TiO2's catalytic mechanisms follows, unraveling its capacity to disintegrate stubborn sulfur–carbon bonds, thereby elevating desulfurization efficiency to unprecedented levels. This review meticulously dissects diverse forms of TiO2, ranging from nanoparticles to mesoporous structures, and provides a critical analysis of their respective strengths and limitations in catalyzing sulfur removal. Delving into operational nuances, this review examines the impact of temperature, pressure, and catalyst loading on TiO2 performance, offering crucial insights for optimizing desulfurization processes. The narrative then unfolds to explore cutting-edge developments in TiO2-based catalysts, encompassing ingenious modifications, composites, and hybrid materials designed to augment catalytic activity and selectivity. Anticipating the road ahead, this review contemplates the challenges and prospects of deploying TiO2 on an industrial scale, pointing toward avenues for future research and development. This abstract encapsulates a wealth of knowledge, serving as an indispensable resource for researchers, engineers, and policymakers navigating the dynamic landscape of sustainable petroleum refining. TiO2 emerges as a transformative force, propelling the industry toward cleaner, greener, and more efficient energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, transportation fuels such as diesel or gasoline are standardly produced from crude oil refining. These petroleum-based products are gradually replaced by more environmentally friendly sources, such as Fischer–Tropsch diesel fractions and other biofuels. The present work reports the distillation of Fischer–Tropsch (FTS) waxes and its use for fuel production by (i) blending the FTS wax diesel fraction with fossil diesel (7:93; 15:85; 30:70; and 50:50 wt.%) and (ii) blending the FTS wax heavy fraction (360–700 °C) with vacuum gas oil (10–50 wt.%) followed by hydrocracking at industrial operating conditions (T = 420 °C, WHSV = 0.5–1.0 h−1, P = 10.0 MPa). The obtained products in both cases were analysed and compared with standard EN590 for petroleum-diesel fuels. Overall, our results point to the suitability of the distillation of FTS waxes for renewable fuel production, either by straight blending of the diesel petroleum-based products or co-hydrocracking of the heavy fraction with vacuum gas oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrocarbon pollution has led to the destruction of farmlands and fishing settlements in the Niger Delta. In this study, DNA metabarcoding was used to investigate bacterial response during the remediation of an artisanal refining site. Total petroleum hydrocarbons reduced from 93,720 mg kg–1 on timepoint zero to 9,029.76 mg kg–1 on day 91. Bacterial species distribution significantly reduced during remediation. The most responsive phyla to the remediation approach were Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria. Pathways for hydrocarbon degradation were differentially abundant during remediation. Overall, nutrient addition and intermittent tillage improved bacterial energy yield and the degradation of hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the challenges associated with resource inefficiency, low extraction rates, environmental concerns, and high energy consumption in traditional fish oil production from dotted gizzard shad (Konosirus punctatus), a novel approach is needed. This study aimed to develop and evaluate two innovative methods for fish oil extraction and refinement, focusing on their effects on fish oil quality, fatty acid profile, and volatile compound composition throughout the respective processes. The findings of the study revealed that the ethanol-assisted enzymatic extraction method surpassed the conventional enzymatic approach in extraction efficiency, achieving an optimal extraction rate of 74.94% ± 0.45% under optimized process conditions. Moreover, the ethanol-NaOH one-step degumming and deacidification method proved effective in simultaneously removing phospholipids and free fatty acids. Under optimal conditions, a notable reduction in phospholipid content in dotted gizzard shad oil, from 6.80 ± 0.01 mg/g to 1.18 ± 0.01 mg/g, and a substantial decrease in acid value, from 3.31 mg/g to 0.31 mg/g, were observed. In summary, the study analyzed the physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, and volatile components of fish oil before and after refinement. The refining process was found to preserve the fatty acid composition while efficiently eliminating hydroperoxides and reducing unpleasant odors in the crude oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avocado oil stability at frying temperatures has been scarcely studied. In this work, the performance of virgin (VAO), minimally refined (MRAO) and refined (RAO) avocado oils was evaluated in deep-frying and thermoxidation experiments in comparison with sunflower (SO), high-oleic sunflower (HOSO), and virgin olive (VOO) oils. Polar compounds, polymers and tocopherols were determined. For all oils, no significant differences in polymers levels were found after 10h thermoxidation and 9 discontinuous deepfrying operation. The most stable oils were HOSO, VAO, VOO and MRAO, all showing less than 20% polar compounds after 9 frying operations. Besides the stability conferred by the predominant monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid), the better frying performance shown by these four oils was attributed to the high content of tocopherols and DMPS in HOSO, and the presence of protective minor compounds in virgin oils (VAO and VOO) and MRAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the efficiency of gas condensate heaters in the context of reducing the operating costs of combined-cycle gas installations. Gas condensate heaters are an innovative technological solution aimed at restoring the heat released during steam condensation. Based on the principles of returning part of the heat back to the system, their use contributes to a significant reduction in fuel consumption, which, in turn, leads to a reduction in operating costs. The work examines the mechanisms of operation of gas condensate heaters, their thermal characteristics, as well as their impact on the overall energy efficiency of combined-cycle gas installations. Using the example of the oil refining industry, the practical application of this technology for optimizing thermal processes is demonstrated. In conclusion, the importance of gas condensate heaters in the context of building environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient production systems is emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in this process lies in the fact that it has great value since low-octane components are used as raw materials - the n fraction. temperature – 62 °С and catalytic reforming raffinates. This raw material contains mainly pentane and hexane fractions. This raw material, as well as fractions С5 and С6 obtained from a gas fractionation unit (GFU), and a central gas fractionation unit (CGFU), are isomerized in a hydrogen environment in the presence of a catalyst. Hydrocarbons with a relatively high octane number are obtained. When isomerizing the pentane fraction, a product with a higher octane number is obtained. Isomerization of n-pentane is of interest not only for the oil refining industry, but also for the petrochemical industry, since isopentane can be converted by dehydrogenation into isoprene, a raw material for rubber. The article conducted a study on the selection of the optimal catalyst for the light gasoline fraction isomerization unit located at the Atyrau Oil Refinery. The catalytic activity of the catalyst samples was assessed in a laboratory flow-type installation. Determination of the mass fraction of С2 -С5 hydrocarbons in С5 hydrocarbon fractions (in raw materials and catalyst) was carried out by a method based on the separation of mixture components by gas-liquid chromatography. The components leaving the chromatographic column were detected using a thermal conductivity detector. The calculation of the mass fractions of components was carried out using the normalization method, taking into account correction factors. The minimum concentration of C2 -С5 hydrocarbons, determined by the method used, is 0.01-0.05% wt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste edible oils are an alternative source of high‐value natural compounds. Vitamin E can be recovered from palm oil refining residues by molecular distillation. However, the presence of other lipophilic molecules compromises the selective separation of vitamin E. Esterification of the free fatty acids can enhance the selective separation of vitamin E by molecular distillation, but the conditions for carrying out the reaction need to be investigated to simultaneously ensure the conversion of free fatty acids and the reduction of vitamin E losses. Thus, this study investigated the effect of the esterification of the industrial waste on the recovery of vitamin E by molecular distillation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and analysis for fats and oils preconized by the American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS) were used in the characterization of the industrial waste. Determination of the best condition to carry out the reaction was obtained by a central composite rotational design (CCRD) using the response surface methodology (RSM) and the desirability profile. The results showed that the best condition for the esterification was at 64°C, 213 min, 2 wt.% sulphuric acid, and a 10/1 methanol/free fatty acids molar ratio. This reaction condition achieved 97.9% conversion of free fatty acids and less than 3% of vitamin E loss. The esterification promoted concentration of vitamin E in the residue stream (145.4%) and reduction in the distillate stream (87.8%). Therefore, the obtained results presented a suitable route to obtaining vitamin E concentrate and adding value to an industrial residue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The object of the study is the process of treatment of sunflower phosphatide concentrate using sodium chloride solution. Hydration is a stage of oil refining. The waste of the process is a phosphatide concentrate, the disposal of which is dangerous to the environment. The concentrate contains valuable components – oil and phosphatides. An important task is to separate these components for effective use in various industries. The process of extracting oil from phosphatide concentrate by hydration in the presence of sodium chloride solution was investigated. The influence of the concentrate treatment conditions on the oil yield was determined. A sample of concentrate according to SOU 15.4-37-212:2004 (CAS 3436-44-0) was used: mass fraction of moisture and volatile substances – 2.8 %, mass fraction of phosphatides – 41.5 %. The concentrate was treated with sodium chloride solution with a concentration of (5–20) %. The hydration time was 25 min., the temperature was 45 °C, and the mass ratio of the sodium chloride solution to the concentrate was 1:1. Conditions for the concentrate treatment were determined: the concentration of sodium chloride solution was 15 %, settling time was 5 hours. At the same time, the yield of oil was 86.9 %. The parameters of the extracted oil were determined: acid value 2.8 mg KOH/g, peroxide value 3.2 ½ O mmol/kg, mass fraction of moisture and volatile substances 0.12 %. According to these indicators, the extracted oil corresponds to firstgrade unrefined unfrozen sunflower oil according to DSTU 4492. The mass fraction of phosphorus-containing substances in terms of stearooleolecithin was 1.7 %, which slightly exceeds the standard value. The research results make it possible to process hydration waste and obtain oil, which is a raw material for the products of many industries. This will help solve the problem of disposal of environmentally hazardous waste and improve the state of the environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foundry Degassing Units (FDU) are used for refining aluminum alloys. For an ideal refining process using an FDU unit, it is necessary to select several parameters, which are linked to each other. For a rotary impeller, we searched for several parameters, such as its optimal shape, speed in the liquid alloy, and distance from the bottom of the refining ladle, where the aforementioned parameters contribute to the overall wear and life of the rotor and, consequently, of the rotor shaft. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method can be used to determine the above-mentioned parameters. This paper describes the particular steps of preparation of rotor geometry for the subsequent setting up of the basic numerical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to optimize the processes of wetting fillers by varying the content of such additives as a surfactant and polymer in bitumen–mineral compositions in order to achieve optimal performance. The cosine of the contact angle was used as a criterion for assessing the adhesion of the bitumen binder to the surface of crushed stone. The effect of the additives' concentration on surface tension and adhesive efficiency in binary and ternary bitumen compositions was studied. The following chemicals were used as additives: the original product AS-1, industrial additive AMDOR-10, and used sealant AG-4I, a product based on polyisobutylene and petroleum oils. AS-1 was obtained from the oil refining waste in the laboratory of M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University. The ternary "bitumen–AG-4I–AS-1" composition provided a maximum decrease in the contact angle by 15.96° (gray crushed stone) and by 14.06° (red crushed stone) relative to original bitumen, providing better wettability of the mineral filler particles with the bitumen, and as a result, maximum adhesion between the bitumen and crushed stone. The optimal performance of the bitumen–mineral composition was recorded with the joint presence of additives in the bitumen: AS-1 at a level of 1.0 g/dm3 and AG-4I at a level of 1.0 g/dm3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous catalysts containing cobalt and molybdenum supported on mesoporous materials types SBA-15 and AlSBA-15 were synthesized for application in the HDS reactions of thiophene in the n-heptane stream. The materials were synthesized by the hydrothermal method using Pluronic P123 as a template. The calcined SBA-15 and AlSBA-15 supports were submitted to co-impregnation with solutions of cobalt nitrate and ammonium heptamolybdate, aiming for the production of 15% in mass of metal loading with an atomic ratio of [Co/(Co + Mo)] = 0.45. The obtained materials were dried and calcined to obtain the mesoporous catalysts in the forms of CoMo/SBA-15 and CoMo/AlSBA-15. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, TG/DTG, SEM, and nitrogen adsorption. From XRD analysis, it was verified that after the decomposition of the cobalt and molybdenum salts, MoO3, Co3O4, and CoMoO4 oxides were formed on the supports, being attributed to these chemical species, the activity for the HDS reactions. The catalytic activity of the obtained catalysts was evaluated in a continuously flowing tubular fixed-bed microreactor coupled on-line to a gas chromatograph, using an n-heptane stream containing 12,070 ppm of thiophene (ca. 5100 ppm of sulfur) as a model compound. The synthesized catalysts presented suitable activity for the HDS reaction, and the main obtained products were cis- and trans-2-butene, 1-butene, n-butane, and low amounts of isobutane. The presence of 1,3-butadiene and tetrahydrothiophene (THT) was not detected. A mechanism of the primary and secondary reactions and subsequent formation of the olefins and paraffins in the CoMo/SBA-15 and CoMo/AlSBA-15 mesoporous catalysts was proposed, considering steps of desulfurization, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, THT decyclization, and isomerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Manufacturing share in India's GDP has increased by about 16 percentage points between 2003 and 2018. • Dominant contribution to increased manufacturing GDP share is made by petroleum refining. • There has been a tremendous increase in the real value-added share of ICT equipment industry. • For assessing properly the performance of manufacturing, double-deflation of GDP is essential. Contrary to a widely held impression that the share of manufacturing in India's GDP has long stagnated, the paper claims that it has increased significantly. Measured at the prices of different goods and services prevailing in 2004-05, and deflation applied separately with input prices as well as output prices to account for differential input price trends, the GDP share of manufacturing has increased during the post-reform period from about 17 per cent in 1993-94 to about 32 per cent in 2018-19. The paper notes that the concept of real share in GDP relates to the volume effect and represents the change in the share of the volume of manufacturing activity out of the volume of all economic activities in the Indian economy. Some explanation is provided for the apparent stagnancy of the share of manufacturing in India's GDP at current prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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