Search Results (9)

Nickel foam filtration layers used in sand control screens for petroleum extraction often suffer from insufficient mechanical strength and poor corrosion resistance and wear resistance. In this work, a two-stage electroplating strategy using the same metal was employed to construct hierarchical nickel coatings on nickel foam substrates. The effects of key process parameters, including electroplating time, temperature, and pretreatment, on the microstructure, mechanical properties, electrochemical corrosion behavior, and tribological performance of the coatings were systematically investigated. Electroplating time was found to directly regulate grain size and coating uniformity, while electroplating temperature significantly influenced nickel deposition behavior and electrolyte stability. In addition, UV pretreatment markedly improved the brightness and homogeneity of the deposited layers. Under optimized conditions (UV pretreatment for 10 min, electroplating at 60 °C for 8 min), a dense and uniform nickel coating with a well-ordered crystalline structure was obtained, leading to significantly enhanced hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. This study presents a practical and highly reliable approach for fabricating high-performance nickel-based coatings on nickel foam filter layers. Anticipated for application in the oil extraction industry, this method is set to enhance the performance of foam metal sand control layers. Full article

This study aimed to develop bioactive toothpaste and compare its remineralization potential on initial enamel lesions with toothpaste containing other active agents. Sixty extracted human maxillary incisors were randomly assigned to six groups: Group EXP (Experimental toothpaste), Group SRP (Sensodyne Repair & Protect), Group ZAC (Zubio Active Carbon Whitening), Group GTM (GC Tooth Mousse), Group CSP (Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief), and Group ASS (Artificial saliva, control). Artificial caries were induced by immersion in a demineralization solution for three days. Specimens then underwent a seven-day pH-cycling protocol, during which toothpaste was applied twice daily for two minutes. Analyses were performed at baseline, post-demineralization, and post-remineralization using ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, and Vickers micro-hardness testing. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (version 27.0, IBM Corp., Chicago, IL, USA). All treatment groups, except the control, showed significant microhardness recovery after remineralization, with the highest increase in group CSP followed by group EXP (p < 0.05). Granular surface deposits were observed, most pronounced in groups SRP and GTM (p < 0.05). Calcium and phosphorus contents increased in all groups (p < 0.05), with calcium highest in group GTM and phosphorus in group EXP. The mineral-to-matrix ratio increased in all groups, and a statistically significant difference was identified between the experimental toothpaste (EXP) and the other toothpaste formulations (p < 0.05). It is hypothesized that pomegranate seed essential oil may exhibit a remineralizing effect due to its content of anthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and various polyphenolic compounds. Therefore, the development of a toothpaste with enhanced remineralization potential was targeted by incorporating pomegranate seed essential oil into the experimental formulation in addition to bioactive agents such as bioactive glass, hydroxyapatite, and casein phosphopeptide. Full article

Finishing coatings used in the wood-based composite industry play a key role in the final appearance of the finished product. However, the use of such coatings is not only for aesthetic purposes, but also to protect the product against surface damage and moisture or to minimize the emission of harmful substances. The latter is an extremely important factor in terms of safety for both the manufacturer and the user, which is why the emissivity test is one of the most important tests conducted in this case. Carbon-rich materials, such as those remaining from the extraction of birch bark, can fulfill the role of minimizing the emission of harmful substances. In this article, an attempt to create coatings in the form of a film by combining a biopolymer with suberinic acid residues (SARs) was made. Two types of biopolymers were used, polylactide (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL), in various polymer–SAR ratios. Suberinic acid as a residue is a raw material that can potentially contribute positively to the fixing of CO₂ from the atmosphere, which creates the possibility for further use. As part of this study, the obtained coatings were tested in terms of scratch resistance, relative hardness, cold liquids, total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), formaldehyde emission, surface absorption, etc. Differences between the polymers used and the effect of the SAR additive on selected surface properties were demonstrated. The addition of carbon-rich SAR significantly improves gas barrier properties of the PLA- and PCL-based surface finishing materials. The relative hardness and scratch resistance also increased with rising SAR content. However, the increasing content of SAR filler acts as a limiter in the depth of penetration of the deposited surface finishing materials onto the wood surface. It is possible to state that this innovative approach regarding (1) the utilization of biopolymers as a matrix, instead of conventional, crude oil-based resins, and (2) the incorporation of post-processed carbon-rich waste lignocellulosic materials to produce the surface finishing and/or protective films has been confirmed. Full article

The current alternative of using aromatic-based wax soak solvents has been found to be hazardous and imposes a high cost on field expenditures. These solvents are widely used in the oil and gas industry to soften up wax before the pigging process. However, their impacts on the environment are quite concerning. Plus, they also impose hazardous exposure and are found to be damaging to both plastic and rubber hoses. To replace the current alternative with other hydrocarbon-based wax soak solvents, ionic liquids were found to have the capability to increase the solvent power capabilities and the efficiency of wax soak solvent in dissolving heavy crude oil. To optimise the application of hydrocarbon solvents and ionic liquid in wax dissolution, the affinity of ionic liquids in three solvents was studied. The solvents were condensate, ethyl acetate, and xylene. It was found that from four types of ionic liquids tested, only BMIMCL and HMIMBr were miscible in all three of the solvents used. Dissolution of hard deposited paraffin wax in condensate, ethyl acetate and xylene was conducted using the spectral analysis method, and it was found that the dissolution of paraffin wax was greatest in ethyl acetate. However, enchantment on wax dissolution was also observed for gas condensate and xylene. The wax soaking time was also optimised, in which the dissolution of wax was found to reach a saturation level when the wax had been soaked for over 90 min in the solvents, especially for gas condensate. Further study on the effect of ionic liquid introduced alongside condensate, ethyl acetate and xylene, aiming to enhance the solvent power, was also conducted using the spectral analysis method. The introduction of ionic liquids to all hydrocarbon-based wax soak solvents used in this project was proven to significantly increase the UV-VIS absorbance of the extracted solvents after paraffin wax had been soaked for 30 min. Full article

This article presents research on the structural and mechanical properties of an innovative metal matrix composite (MMC) coating designed for use in conditions of intense metal-mineral abrasive wear. The layer, which is intended to protect the working surface of drilling tools used in the oil and natural gas extraction sector, was padded using the multi-run technique on a sheet made of AISI 4715 low-alloy structural steel by Laser Direct Metal Deposition (LDMD) using a high-power fiber laser (FL). An innovative cobalt alloy matrix powder with a ceramic reinforcement of crushed titanium carbide (TiC) and tungsten-coated synthetic polycrystalline diamond (PCD) was used as the surfacing material. The influence of the preheating temperature of the base material on the susceptibility to cracking and abrasive wear of the composite coating was assessed. The structural properties of the coating were characterized by using methods such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The mechanical properties of the hardfaced coating were assessed on the basis of the results of a metal-mineral abrasive wear resistance test, hardness measurement, and the observation of the abrasion area with a scanning laser microscope. The results of laboratory tests showed a slight dissolution of the tungsten coating protecting the synthetic PCD particles and the transfer of its components into the metallic matrix of the composite. Moreover, it was proved that an increase in the preheating temperature of the base material prior to welding has a positive effect on reducing the susceptibility of the coating to cracking, reducing the porosity of the metal deposit and increasing the resistance to abrasive wear. Full article

A multi-principal element FeMnNiAlC₁₀ bulk alloy was produced by vacuum arc melting. The same alloy was sintered as a thin film on a silicon substrate by ion beam sputter deposition. The bulk alloy has a multiphase structure the elements predominantly segregating into iron manganese carbides and nickel aluminium phases. The thin film is amorphous without detectable phase segregations. The absence of segregation is attributed to the film composition and deposition onto substrate at temperature below 400 K. The corrosion resistance of the thin film alloy was evaluated in 3.5% NaCl. The FeMnNiAlC₁₀ thin film alloy has better corrosion resistance than 304SS. The hardness of the thin film was approximately 7.2 ± 0.3 GPa and the reduced Young’s modulus was approximately 103 ± 4.6 GPa. FeMnNiAlC₁₀ thin film could be a good candidate for coating oil and gas extraction soft iron infrastructure. Full article

The present study is a mechanistic validation of ‘proof-of-technology’ for the effective topical delivery of chrysin nanoemulgel for localized, efficient treatment of melanoma-affected skin. Background: Currently available treatments for skin cancer are inefficient due to systemic side effects and poor transcutaneous permeation, thereby presenting a formidable challenge for the development of novel nanocarriers. Methods: We opted for a novel approach and formulated a nanocomplex system composed of hydrophobic chrysin dissolved in a lipid mix, which was further nanoemulsified in Pluronic^® F-127 gel to enhance physicochemical and biopharmaceutic characteristics. Chrysin, a flavone extracted from passion flowers, exhibits potential anti-cancer activities; however, it has limited applicability due to its poor solubility. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the best self-nanoemulsifying region by varying the compositions of oil, Caproyl^® 90 surfactant, Tween^® 80, and co-solvent Transcutol^® HP. Chrysin-loaded nanoemulsifying compositions were characterized for various physicochemical properties. Results: This thermodynamically stable, self-emulsifying drug delivery system showed a mean droplet size of 156.9 nm, polydispersity index of 0.26, and viscosity of 9100 cps after dispersion in gel. Mechanical characterization using Texture Analyzer exhibited that the gel had a hardness of 487 g and adhesiveness of 500 g. Ex vivo permeation through rat abdominal skin revealed significant improvement in percutaneous absorption measured as flux, the apparent permeability coefficient, the steady-state diffusion coefficient, and drug deposition. In vitro cytotoxicity on A375 and SK-MEL-2 cell lines showed a significantly improved therapeutic effect, thus ensuring reduction in dose. The safety of the product was established through biocompatibility testing on the L929 cell line. Conclusion: Aqueous, gel-based, topical, nanoemulsified chrysin is a promising technology approach for effective localized transcutaneous delivery that will help reduce the frequency and overall dose usage and ultimately improve the therapeutic index. Full article

This study presents a methodological approach to forecasting the efficiency of radial drilling technology under various geological and physical conditions. The approach is based upon the integration of mathematical statistical methods and building machine learning models to forecast the liquid production rate increment, as well as to forecast technological indexes using a hydrodynamic model. This paper reviewed the global practice of radial drilling and well intervention efficiency modeling. The efficiency of the technology in question was analyzed on the oil deposits of the Perm Territory. Mathematical statistical methods were used to determine the geological and technological parameters of the efficient technology use. Based on the determined parameters, machine learning models were built, allowing us to forecast the oil and liquid production rate. A script was developed to integrate machine learning methods into a hydrodynamic simulator. When the method was tested, the deviations in the difference between the actual and the forecast cumulative oil production did not exceed 10%, which proves the reliability of the method. At the same time, the hydrodynamic model allows for taking into account the mutual influence of oil wells, the dynamics of water cut, and reservoir pressure. Full article

This paper considers the issue of associated petroleum gas utilization during hydrocarbon production in remote petroleum fields. Due to the depletion of conventional oil and gas deposits around the globe, production shifts to hard-to-recover resources, such as heavy and high-viscosity oil that requires a greater amount of energy to be recovered. At the same time, large quantities of associated petroleum gas are extracted along with the oil. The gas can be utilized as a fuel for power generation. However, even the application of combined power modes (combined heat and power and combined cooling heat and power) cannot guarantee full utilization of the associated petroleum gas. Analysis of the electrical and heat loads’ graphs of several oil fields revealed that the generated thermal energy could not always be fully used. To improve the efficiency of the fuel’s energy potential conversion, an energy system with a binary power generation cycle was developed, consisting of two power installations—a main gas microturbine and an auxiliary steam turbine unit designed to power the technological objects in accordance with the enterprise’s power load charts. To provide for the most complete utilization of associated petroleum gas, a gas-to-liquid system is introduced, which converts the rest of the gas into synthetic liquid hydrocarbons that are used at the field. Processing of gas into various products also lowers the carbon footprint of the petroleum production. Application of an energy system with a binary power generation cycle makes it possible to achieve an electrical efficiency up to 55%, at the same time maintaining high efficiency of consumers’ energy supply during the year. The utilization of the associated petroleum gas in the developed system can reach 100%. Full article