Petroleum Compatibility

Fischer-Tropsch (FT) processes can operate at either low-temperature (LTFT), 190-260 °C, or high-temperature (HTFT), 300-350 With iron catalysts, HTFT processes are used for the production of petroleum-compatible alkanes and low molecular weight alkenes, while low-temperature (LTFT) processes are typically used to generate longer-chain hydrocarbons that can be refined into diesel and waxes. ... 

Petroleum (qv) products dominate lubricant production with a 98% share of the market for lubricating oils and greases. While lower cost leads to first consideration of these petroleum lubricants, production of various synthetic lubricants covered later has been expanding to take advantage of special properties such as stability at extreme temperatures, chemical inertness, fire resistance, low toxicity, and environmental compatibility. 

Poly(alkylene glycol)s have a number of characteristics that make them desirable as lubricants. Compared to petroleum lubricants, they have lower pour points, a higher viscosity index, and a wider range of solubilities including water, compatibility with elastomers, less tendency to form tar and sludge, and lower vapor pressure (35). 

Rubbers. Plasticizers have been used in mbber processing and formulations for many years (8), although phthaHc and adipic esters have found Htde use since cheaper alternatives, eg, heavy petroleum oils, coal tars, and other predominandy hydrocarbon products, are available for many types of mbber. Esters, eg, DOA, DOP, and DOS, can be used with latex mbber to produce large reductions in T. It has been noted (9) that the more polar elastomers such as nitrile mbber and chloroprene are insufficiendy compatible with hydrocarbons and requite a more specialized type of plasticizer, eg, a phthalate or adipate ester. Approximately 50% of nitrile mbber used in Western Europe is plasticized at 10—15 phr (a total of 5000—6000 t/yr), and 25% of chloroprene at ca 10 phr (ca 2000 t/yr) is plasticized. Usage in other elastomers is very low although may increase due to toxicological concerns over polynuclear aromatic compounds (9). 

Pipelines. The feasibility of pipeline transportation depends on the availability of very large quantities of compatible materials between locations with sufficient storage facilities. Thus, pipeline transportation is predominantly, but not exclusively, limited to the movement of hydrocarbons, many of which are raw materials in the production of petrochemicals. Although proprietary pipelines (qv), generally of short distances, ate not unusual, commercial petroleum pipelines are considered to be common carriers available to serve all customers who can tender sufficient quantities of acceptable liquids for transportation between terminals. 

Ethylene Propylene (EP, EPDM) is an o-ring rubber compound that is compatible with most water-based chemicals. It is good with caustic soda, detergents, water treatment chemicals, steam, and wastewater and with food processes like milk, beer, and soups. EP rubber compound is petroleum based and for this reason it should never come into contact with petroleum based chemicals. 

Acyclic C5. The C5 petroleum feed stream consists mainly of isoprene which is used to produce rubber. In a separate stream the linear C5 diolefin, piperylene (trans and cis), is isolated. Piperylene is the primary monomer in what are commonly termed simply C5 resins. Small amounts of other monomers such as isoprene and methyl-2-butene are also present. The latter serves as a chain terminator added to control molecular weight. Polymerization is cationic using Friedel-Crafts chemistry. Because most of the monomers are diolefins, residual backbone unsaturation is present, which can lead to some crosslinking and cyclization. Primarily, however, these are linear acyclic materials. Acyclic C5 resins are sometimes referred to as synthetic polyterpenes , because of their similar polarity. However, the cyclic structures within polyterpenes provide them with better solvency power and thus a broader range of compatibility than acyclic C5s. 

Temporary corrosion preventives are products designed for the short-term protection of metal surfaces. They are easily removable, if necessary, by petroleum solvents or by other means such as wiping or alkaline stripping. Some products for use in internal machine parts are miscible and compatible with the eventual service lubricant, and do not, therefore, need to be removed. 

Nitrile rubbers, including fiber-reinforced varieties, are used both as radial shaft-seal materials and as molded packing for reciprocating shafts. They have excellent resistance to a considerable range of chemicals, with the exception of strong acids and alkalis, and are at the same time compatible with petroleum-based lubricants. Their working temperature range is from —1°C to 107°C (30°F to 225°F) continuously and up to 150°C (302°F) intermittently. When used on hard shafts with a surface finish of, at most, 0.00038 mm root mean square (RMS), they have an excellent resistance to abrasion. 

It is highly recommended that both the efficacy and physicochemical compatibility of the preservation system in the candidate formulation are evaluated using recognised test protocols such as those published by the Institute of Petroleum and ASTM. 

U.S. EPA has shown that 90% of process water can be recycled to the front end of the system for slurry preparation, and the rest must be treated on site or transported to an off-site facility.80 During the aerobic process, some contaminated air may be formed and emitted from the reactor. Depending on the air characteristics, a compatible air pollution control device may be used, such as activated carbon. Slurry biodegradation has been shown to be successful in treating soils contaminated with soluble organics, PAHs, and petroleum waste. The process has been most effective with contaminant concentrations ranging from 2500 mg/kg to 250,000 mg/kg. 

Paralleling the corrosion problem is one involving compatibility of any well fluid with nonmetallic materials used in well completion apparatus. All injection wells and many producing wells are equipped with packers to isolate the casing annulus from the high temperature, pressure, and salinity characteristic of the petroleum reservoir environment. Conventional packers, as well as other well tools, utilize elastomeric materials to mechanically seal appropriate locations. 

High viscosity paraffinic oils are the preferred petroleum plasticisers for HR, due to their compatibility and high viscosity index. 

Little petroleum oil is used in plasticisation of NBR compounds, but generally the aromatic grades are the most compatible. 

Pentachlorophenol is readily soluble in most organic solvents, oils, and highly aromatic and olefinic petroleum hydrocarbons — a property that makes it compatible for inclusion in many pesticide formulations (Table 23.1 Figure 23.1). Purified PCP, however, is practically insoluble in water therefore, the readily water-soluble sodium pentachlorophen-ate salt is substituted in many industrial applications (Table 23.1) (Bevenue and Beckman 1967 USPHS 1994). 

There has been a recent revival in interest in the use of ethanol-diesel fuel blends (E-diesel) in heavy-duty vehicles as a means to reduce petroleum dependency, increase renewable fuels use, and reduce vehicle emissions [27]. E-diesel blends containing 10-15% ethanol could be prepared via the use of additives. However, several fuel properties that are essential to the proper operation of a diesel engine are affected by the addition of ethanol to diesel fuel - in particular, blend stability, viscosity and lubricity, energy content and cetane number (increasing concentrations of ethanol in diesel lower the cetane number proportionately) [28]. Materials compatibility and corrosiveness are also important factors that need to be considered. 

A high-performance liquid chromatography system can be used to measure concentrations of target semi- and nonvolatile petroleum constituents. The system only requires that the sample be dissolved in a solvent compatible with those used in the separation. The detector most often used in petroleum environmental analysis is the fluorescence detector. These detectors are particularly sensitive to aromatic molecules, especially PAHs. An ultraviolet detector may be used to measure compounds that do not fluoresce. 

The solvent system used here consisted of cyclohexane and 5% ethanol. This mobile phase will dissolve many petroleum fractions, produce a stable base line, and is compatible under ambient laboratory conditions with many common liquid chromatographic detectors. The system was operated at 10 C above the critical temperature of cyclohexane (280°C). 

Buna-N This nitrile rubber material has been used extensively in automatic transmissions. It is compatible with most petroleum products, can be formed into a variety of shapes, and is economical. It is useful at temperatures ranging from -40°F to 230°F (-40°C to 110°C). It has excellent resistance to swelling and softening at higher temperatures. 

Neoprene Neoprene, an elastomer, is compatible with most petroleum products and is used in the manufacture of seals and gaskets. However, above temperatures of 150°F (66°C), neoprene becomes unstable and less useful. 

The petroleum industry has taken the position that oil and gas production can and will be compatible with a high level of public health and environmental protection. The treating facilities at Jay are designed to achieve this goal, particularly regarding the emission of sulfur compounds into the atmosphere. 

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