Microfluidic Study of Oil Droplet Stability in Produced Water with Combinations of Production Chemicals

Aliti, Liridon; Shapiro, Alexander; Andersen, Simon Ivar

doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c03294

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 67 publications

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“…It has been hypothesized that this is because certain PCs, in particular, biocides and H 2 S scavengers containing glycol derivatives, act as cosolvents and thus facilitate dissolution of oil‐associated toxic compounds (Bento & Campos, 2020; Henderson et al, 1999; Tornambè et al, 2012). Recently, an increased oil droplet stability by PCs has been proven experimentally by microfluidics, leading to increased OiW and reporting of synergistic effects by combinations of PCs (Aliti et al, 2022). In PW, the solubility of low‐molecular‐weight aromatics (Henderson et al, 1999), for example, BTEX and PAHs (Tornambè et al, 2012), is believed to be altered by the presence of these PCs.…”

Section: Hazard Assessment Of Pw In the Rbamentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical review of the OSPAR risk‐based approach for offshore‐produced water discharges

Nielsen

Baun

Andersen

et al. 2022

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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The management of produced water (PW) discharges from offshore oil and gas installations in the North Atlantic is under the auspices of OSPAR (Oslo/Paris convention for Protection of the Marine Environment of the North‐East Atlantic). In 2010, OSPAR introduced the risk‐based approach (RBA) for PW management. The RBA includes a hazard assessment estimating PW ecotoxicity using two approaches: whole‐effluent toxicity (WET) and substance‐based (SB). Set against the framework of the WET and SB approach, we conducted a literature review on the magnitude and cause of PW ecotoxicity, respectively, and on the challenges of estimating these. A large variability in the reported magnitude of PW WET was found, with EC50 or LC50 values ranging from <1% to >100%, and a median of 11% (n = 301). Across the literature, metals, hydrocarbons, and production chemicals were identified as causing ecotoxicity. However, this review reveals how knowledge gaps on PW composition and high sample and species dependency of PW ecotoxicity make clear identification and generalization difficult. It also highlights how limitations regarding the availability and reliability of ecotoxicity data result in large uncertainties in the subsequent risk estimates, which is not adequately reflected in the RBA output (e.g., environmental impact factors). Thus, it is recommended to increase the focus on improving ecotoxicity data quality before further use in the RBA, and that WET should play a more pronounced role in the testing strategy. To increase the reliability of the SB approach, more attention should be paid to the actual composition of PW. Bioassay‐directed chemical analysis, combining outcomes of WET and SB in toxicity identification evaluations, may hold the key to identifying drivers of ecotoxicity in PW. Finally, an uncertainty appraisal must be an integrated part of all reporting of risk estimates in the RBA, to avoid mitigation actions based on uncertainties rather than reliable ecotoxicity estimations. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;00:1–16. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

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Section: Hazard Assessment Of Pw In the Rbamentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical review of the OSPAR risk‐based approach for offshore‐produced water discharges

Nielsen

Baun

Andersen

et al. 2022

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Sensors for detection of production chemicals and oil in produced water

Pasqualeti,

Shimizu,

de Oliveira

et al. 2023

TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry

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Improving Oil-In-Water Treatment by Optimization of Production Chemicals

Aliti,

Andersen

2024

All Days

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The removal of oil droplets from water heavily depends on the ability for these to coalesce into larger drops to overcome size limitation of equipment such as centrifuges, hydrocyclones, gas flotation etc. The composition of PW is a mixture of oily compounds, inorganics from the formation and production chemicals. Chemicals have a significant impact on the stabilization of oil droplets but variations in salinity also plays a role. The repulsion of droplets has detrimental effect on the treatment. In this paper we aim to quantify this in order to develop optimization tools. Methods, Procedures, Process: The quantification of droplet coalescence and impact of chemistry is obtained through specially designed microfluidic chips. Droplets are recorded using high speed cameras. Using image analysis coalescence efficiency is quantified. Partitioning of chemicals between water and oil which is affected by both salinity and oil type and measured by capillary electrophoresis. This is analyzed using capillary electrophoresis. Real PW samples and chemicals are obtained from offshore Denmark. Coalescence events are recorded while varying oil type and also diluting the PW to understand which constituents lead to stability of drops and hence potential adverse effects in water treatment. Results, Observations, Conclusions: The fundamental Bancroft´s rule describes that the component favorable dissolved in one phase will stabilize droplets in this continuous phase. Hence compounds primarily soluble in water stabilize oil droplets in the water treatment system, and can lead to poor water quality - potentially having an adverse effect on sizing of equipment. Accordingly specifically water-in-oil (WiO) emulsion breakers can have a detrimental effect when overdosed, as more is not better. When different water streams are commingled before treatment there might be potential cases where one stream despite its apparent low content of oil-in-water (OiW) can stabilize droplets in another stream. We present data based on microfluidics and analysis of partitioning coefficients using a variety of real PWs and production chemicals from O&G production in the Danish North Sea. This clearly indicates that the main issue is related to water constituents, but that oily polar components have a large impact as well on stability. The qualitative information is linked to quantification using the hydrophilic Lipophilic Deviation theory which can then be used to optimize potential scenarios of synergistic and antagonistic effects of chemicals and PW constituents on water quality. Discussion will also aim understanding mixing rules for quantification in multicomponents mixtures based on surface chemical insight. Novel/Additive Information: We apply both novel microfluidics and novel analytical techniques for production chemical partitioning measurements.

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Microfluidic Study of Oil Droplet Stability in Produced Water with Combinations of Production Chemicals

Cited by 3 publications

References 67 publications

Critical review of the OSPAR risk‐based approach for offshore‐produced water discharges

Critical review of the OSPAR risk‐based approach for offshore‐produced water discharges

Sensors for detection of production chemicals and oil in produced water

Improving Oil-In-Water Treatment by Optimization of Production Chemicals

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