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Assessment of Demulsification and Separation Technologies for Use in Offshore Oil Recovery Operations

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Assessment of Demulsification and Separation Technologies for Use in Offshore Oil Recovery Operations Assessment of Demulsification and Separation Technologies for Use in Offshore Oil Recovery Operations Report to Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement JUNE 2018 Photo: On-water fishing vessel training in Prince William Sound, Alaska (Roy Robertson, PWSRCAC) Elise DeCola, Alyssa Hall, and Mike Popovich Nuka Research and Planning Group, LLC Hans Petter Dahlslett, DNV-GL This study was funded by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., under Contract E17PS00129. DISCLAIMER This final report has been reviewed by the BSEE and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the BSEE, nor does mention of the trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. 10 Samoset Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 PO Box 175, Seldovia, AK 99663 [email protected] www.nukaresearch.com Assessment of Demulsification and Separation Technologies Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................. iii 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Scope ................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Background .......................................................................................................... 1 1.3.1 Separation and Demulsification to Support Offshore Oil Spill Recovery ....... 2 1.3.2 Technology Transfer from Other Industries ................................................... 2 2 Research Methods ...................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Literature Review .................................................................................................. 3 2.1.1 Initial Search .................................................................................................. 3 2.1.2 Categorization of Technologies ..................................................................... 3 2.1.3 Industrial Applications .................................................................................... 4 2.2 Subject Matter Expert Interviews .......................................................................... 5 2.3 Technology Assessment ...................................................................................... 6 2.4 Limitations and Assumptions ................................................................................ 6 3 Current State of Demulsification and Separation Technology .................................... 7 3.1 Offshore Oil Spill Recovery .................................................................................. 7 3.1.1 Emulsion and Oil-water Mixtures in Oil Recovery Operations ....................... 7 3.1.2 Demulsification and Separation Technologies ............................................... 8 3.1.3 Technologies in Use by U.S. and European Response Organizations and Agencies .................................................................................................................... 8 3.2 Other Industrial Applications ................................................................................. 9 3.2.1 Oil Production and Refining ........................................................................... 9 3.2.2 Shipping ......................................................................................................... 9 3.2.3 Food ............................................................................................................. 10 3.2.4 Wastewater Treatment ................................................................................. 10 4 Technology Review ................................................................................................... 10 4.1 Physical Separation ............................................................................................ 11 4.1.1 Overview and Trends ................................................................................... 11 4.1.2 Gravity .......................................................................................................... 11 4.1.3 Coalescing Surfaces .................................................................................... 12 4.1.4 Centrifuges ................................................................................................... 13 4.1.5 Agitation ....................................................................................................... 14 4.1.6 Other Technologies ...................................................................................... 14 4.1.7 Table of References ..................................................................................... 14 4.2 Nanotechnology .................................................................................................. 16 4.2.1 Overview and Trends ................................................................................... 16 4.2.2 Membranes .................................................................................................. 17 4.2.3 Particles ....................................................................................................... 18 4.2.4 Table of References ..................................................................................... 19 4.3 Chemical ............................................................................................................. 21 4.3.1 Overview and Trends ................................................................................... 21 4.3.2 Demulsifier Technologies ............................................................................. 21 4.3.3 Table of References ..................................................................................... 22 4.4 Additional Technologies ..................................................................................... 22 Nuka Research and Planning Group, LLC i Assessment of Demulsification and Separation Technologies 4.4.1 Overview and Trends ................................................................................... 22 4.4.2 Table of References ..................................................................................... 24 4.5 Multi Method Technologies ................................................................................. 24 4.5.1 Overview and Trends ................................................................................... 24 4.5.2 Physical and Chemical ................................................................................. 25 4.5.3 Physical and Nanotechnology ...................................................................... 25 4.5.4 Chemical and Nanotechnology .................................................................... 26 4.5.5 Other Combinations ..................................................................................... 26 4.5.6 Table of References ..................................................................................... 26 5 Assessment of Technologies .................................................................................... 28 5.1 Technology Assessment Factors ....................................................................... 28 5.1.1 Approach ...................................................................................................... 28 5.1.2 Maturity ........................................................................................................ 29 5.1.3 Cost .............................................................................................................. 30 5.1.4 Efficiency ...................................................................................................... 30 5.1.5 Previous Use in Oil Recovery ...................................................................... 30 5.1.6 In-Line Mechanical Recovery Potential ........................................................ 31 5.2 Technology Assessment .................................................................................... 31 5.2.1 Physical Separation ..................................................................................... 32 5.2.2 Nanotechnology ........................................................................................... 33 5.2.3 Chemical ...................................................................................................... 33 5.2.4 Multi Method Technologies .......................................................................... 33 5.2.5 Other ............................................................................................................ 34 6 Conclusion and Recommendations .......................................................................... 34 6.1 State of Demulsification Technology and Research ........................................... 34 6.2 Enhancing Separation and Demulsification to Increase Response Capacity ..... 34 6.2.1 Operational Factors ..................................................................................... 35 6.2.2 Performance Elements ................................................................................ 35 6.2.3 Practical Considerations .............................................................................
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