Temple Nwoburuigwe Chikwe

The concentrations of trace metals in crude oil samples obtained from eight producing fields from Niger Delta Nigeria were analyzed using a 700 model Perkin Elmer Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results showed the following ranges for the trace metals, Cu (0.01- 0.04 mg/kg); Fe (0.05 – 5.90 mg/kg); Ni (0.09 – 0.72 mg/kg); V (0.008 – 1.05 mg/kg). Pb and Zn were < 0.01 mg/kg. Trace metal ratios such as V/Ni; V/Fe and V/V + Ni were used to unravel the genetic correlation among the oils. Results showed that all the crude samples except sample from Nembe South-2 have a V/N ratio < 1 indicating the organic material that produced the petroleum source rock. A cross plot of V/Ni revealed two genetic families for the crude oils, derived from a terrestrial and marine origin. This was confirmed by the Ternary plot of V, Ni and Fe which discriminated the crude oils from the producing fields into two distinct groups. The V/(Ni+V) of < 0.5 shows that most of crude oil were deposited in an oxic environment. A cross-plot of V/(Ni+V) and V/Fe showed a weak correlation which suggests that it cannot be used as a substitute for the V/Ni ratio in determining the origin and depositional environment of crude oil samples. Therefore, in-depth knowledge of the concentration of trace metals especially vanadium and nickel within an environment during oil exploration is very essential in developing new oil locations.

The concentrations of trace metals in crude oil samples obtained from eight producing fields from Niger Delta Nigeria were analyzed using a 700 model Perkin Elmer Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results showed the following ranges for the trace metals, Cu (0.01- 0.04 mg/kg); Fe (0.05 – 5.90 mg/kg); Ni (0.09 – 0.72 mg/kg); V (0.008 – 1.05 mg/kg). Pb and Zn were < 0.01 mg/kg. Trace metal ratios such as V/Ni; V/Fe and V/V + Ni were used to unravel the genetic correlation among the oils. Results showed that all the crude samples except sample from Nembe South-2 have a V/N ratio < 1 indicating the organic material that produced the petroleum source rock. A cross plot of V/Ni revealed two genetic families for the crude oils, derived from a terrestrial and marine origin. This was confirmed by the Ternary plot of V, Ni and Fe which discriminated the crude oils from the producing fields into two distinct groups. The V/(Ni+V) of < 0.5 shows that most of crude oil were deposited ...

Seven combustible mixtures of condensate / kerosene were evaluated with the aim to delimit the extent at which the adulteration of kerosene (HHK) with condensate samples from two different sources becomes hazardous for domestic use. Results of the quality assurance test (low flash point, high flame height, high flame width, low smoke point) show that 3-100 % v/v of condensate in the adulterated blends are undesirable for domestic purposes. Condensate-adulterated kerosene has been tagged the ‘killer product’ because of the high degree of burns associated with its explosion.

Seven combustible mixtures of condensate / gasoline were evaluated with the aim to  delimit the extent at which the adulteration of premium motor spirit (PMS) with condensate samples from two different sources affect the quality assurance parameters of PMS as well as becomes hazardous to spark ignited automotive engines. Results of the quality assurance test (low research octane number (58-85), high boiling point (initial boiling point (42 0 C – 50 0 C), final boiling point (220 0 C – 250 0 C), ranges of atmospheric distillation, high specific gravity (0.7739- 0.7648) (low API gravity), low reid vapor pressure (0.34 – 0.44 Kg/cm 2 )) show that 15 – 100 % (v/v) of condensate in the adulterated blends are undesirable for spark ignited engines.  Blending condensates in gasoline, could cause increase in hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and Nitrogen oxide emissions and significantly increase the level of air toxins.  The source of condensate does not have a significant difference on their e...

Aquatic contaminated sites due to oil spillage were simulated using five crude oil samples (Usan crude, Ogbele condensate, Ogbele crude, Abo crude and Kokori crude oil) in a water body at constant volume and temperature. The Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) of the five contaminated sites were determined before and after remediation using Gas Chromatographic analyses. The TPH of the five contaminated samples before remediation were: 977, 817, 1029, 1131, 1209 mg/L respectively. Powdery oyster and clam shells of different particle sizes (60 µm, 30 µm and 10 µm) were used as adsorbents to remediate each of these contaminated samples through bioremediation. The same percentage reduction of TPH were obtained for four samples(contaminated with Usan crude, Ogbele condensate, Ogbele crude, Abo crude)after remediation with 10 µm powdery oyster shell (POS) and 10 µm powdery clam shell (PCS) respectively; The values obtained were: 99.9 %, 99.88 %, 99.90 % and 99.90 % respectively, thereby lea...

Seven combustible mixtures of condensate / diesel were evaluated with the aim to delimit the extent at which the adulteration of automotive gas oil (AGO) with condensate samples from two different sources becomes harzardous to Diesel engines. Results of the quality assurance test (low CN (cetane number), low boiling point (IBP (initial boiling point), FBP (final boiling point), TR (total recovery)) ranges of atmospheric distillation, high cloud point) show that 4 – 100 % (v/v) of condensate in the adulterated blends are undesirable for diesel engines. Blending condensates in diesel, results in black diesel smoke from inadequate air / fuel mixing in the cylinder with locally over-rich zones, higher fuel injection rates, dirty injectors and injection nozzle tip wear resulting from over use can lead to locally over-rich zones in the combustion chamber.

Quality assurance parameters of untreated and treated samples of a crude oil blend in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria were analyzed with SVM 3000 densitometer, Normalab cloud / pour point test Cabinet, hydrometer and Rotanta 460R petroleum centrifuge using standard methods (American standard for testing and materials). Crude oil samples were treated with chemicals using pour point depressant, wax inhibitor and demulsifier at different concentrations of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ppm respectively with the gross production of the crude as the reference fluid. Results obtained for the treated crude; cloud point (22.0000 - 9.0000 0 C), pour point (-12.0000 - 11.0000 0 C), specific gravity (0.8222 - 0.8500), API gravity (34.9700 – 40.60000), density (821.8000 – 850.0000 Kg/m 3 ), kinematic viscosity (1.0870 – 4.0000 cSt), wax recovered (5.0000-20.0000 Kg), (BSW cloud point (23.0000 0 C), pour point (11.0000 0 C), specific gravity (0.8537), API gravity (34.2500 0), density (853.7000 Kg/m 3 ), ...

Five combustible mixtures of automotive gas oil and dual purpose kerosene were obtained from a retail outlet and blended into different automotive gas oil (AGO) and dual purpose kerosene (DPK) proportions (85:15, 75: 25, 50:50, 25:75 & 15:85% (v/v)). Samples were analyzed using densitometer, hydrometer, karl fischer titrator, pour and cloud point tester based on American Standard for Testing and Materials (ASTM) with the aim of delimiting the degree to which adulteration affects the quality of the pure sample, impact on the environment as well as the effects on compression ignition engines. Results obtained from the analyses of the blended ratios show the following parameters in the ranges; density (0.858–0.827g/cm3); specific gravity@60 0F (0.859–0.828), kinematic viscosity (4.800–1.200 cSt), cloud point (7.000–2.000 oC), pour point (-15.000 – < -34.000 oC) and moisture content (500.000–1200.000 ppm). Results of the analyses showed that 85 % dual purpose kerosene in the blended ...

Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB)–modified and unmodified calcium bentonite were both used for the competitive adsorption of aromatics (xylene, ethylbenzene and toluene) and petroleum products (gasoline, dual purpose kerosene and diesel) from their aqueous solution. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and expansion tests (adsorption capacity and Foster swelling) measurement were performed in order to evaluate the performance of the adsorbents. The Foster swelling index and adsorption capacity of the DTAB modified calcium bentonite in the organic solvents follow the trend: xylene > ethylbenzene > toluene > gasoline > dual purpose kerosene (DPK) > diesel > water. However, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent in diesel outweighed the adsorption capacity in DPK at high concentration of DTAB indicating that diesel has higher affinity for high DTAB concentration than DPK. The percentage removal of the solvent is directly proportional to the concentration of DTAB used in...

Crude oil obtained from different locations in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria was analyzed by Infrared Absorption Spectrometric technique using Nicolet IS5 Fourier Transform spectrometer to identify the functional groups and compounds in the samples. Results obtained revealed that the amount of surface active components in the crude was in following trend, sample E > sample A > sample C > sample D > sample B, while the level of biodegradability follows the trend; sample E > sample B > sample A > sample C > sample D. Results show that Sample E has the highest amount of surface active components as well as the highest level of biodegradability. Sample B has the least amount of surface active components, while sample D has the least level of biodegradability. The presence of functional groups such as amines, sulfates, isocyanates, hydroxyl, halo compounds, thiols and nitro compounds in the crude increases the surface active properties of the crude due to their ...

The quantity of sand from five oil wells A, B, C, D, and E were determined by Sieving process. 20 Liters of crude oil from each of the wells were separated into five 5-liter poly cans with each poly can containing 4 liters of crude samples, 1-liter petroleum ether and 1 ml demulsifier. Crude oil samples from each well were sieved with a 70-mesh size (106 μm size) sieve to recover sand particles. This process was carried out for each of the wells for eight (8) consecutive days and wells were allowed a period of rest for three (3) months. The process was then repeated for another eight (8) consecutive days. Results obtained after sixteen (16) days of analyses show that the quantity of sand produced from each of these wells follow the trend E > C > A > B > D. Results obtained for the % increase in sand produced from wells A, B, C, D, and E were; 9.434, 12.180, 20.440, 20.000 and 20.000 % respectively. Results obtained from the extrapolated sand produced from wells A, B, C, ...