https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/1320 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:59:21 GMT 2026-04-06T06:59:21Z https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/28312 CATALYTIC DECARBOXYLATION OF NAPHTHENIC ACIDS OVER PROTONIC ZEOLITE CATALYST: CASE STUDY AL-FULA CRUDE OIL Mohammedzain, Nihad Omer Hassan; Supervisor, - Nimir Osman Mohamed Elbashir; Co-Supervisor, Dhallia Mamoun Beshir Mohamed In this thesis, experiments were conducted to investigate using HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst to reduce the TAN of a typical acidic crude oil obtained from Al-Fula blocks in Western Sudan. A full factorial design of experiment (DOE) framework enabled a better understanding of the efficacy of the catalyst at three parametric levels (reaction temperature: 250, 270, and 300 oC; reaction time: 2, 3, and 4 hr; and oil: catalyst weight ratio: 20, 22, and 25 g/g). The results demonstrate that the HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst provides up to 99% removal of NAs via the decarboxylation route. Also, the removal efficiency increases with increased temperature and residence time. The crude oil's acidity decreased after treatment with the catalyst for 4 hrs from 6.5 mg KOH/g crude to 1.24, 0.39, and 0.17 mg KOH/g at 250, 270, and 300 oC, respectively. A sharp decrease of TAN was observed at the oil: catalyst mass ratio of 20 g/g at 250 oC, and almost complete conversion of acids was achieved after 4 hrs. Another experiment at 270 oC showed a converse relationship between the oil: catalyst ratio and acid removal, suggesting the activation of side reactions at higher temperatures catalyzed by excess acid. Finally, a Langmuir Hinshelwood (LH) kinetic model has been developed to rapidly predict the performance of the HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst for the decarboxylation reaction. This thesis represents a detailed techno-economic analysis of a typical commercial-scale catalytic decarboxylation process of naphthenic acids over HZSM-5 zeolite. The process has been simulated using ASPEN Plus. The simulation findings showed that the volume of the three fixed bed reactors in semi regenerative process was 628 m3, and the fluidized bed reactor was 2392 m3. The weight of the catalyst required by the three fixed bed reactors was 0.5, 2, and 1 kg, respectively. The weight of the catalyst required by the fluidized bed reactor was 18 kg.The outcome of the economic analysis of the two proposed commercial scale reactors of a decarboxylation process of a capacity of 11,000 bbl /day showed that the CAPEX, including the total equipment cost for the fluidized bed reactor plant and semi-regenerative process plant, was $ 44,319,362 and $ 4,447,919, respectively. The annual operating cost for the Fluidized bed plant and semi-regenerative process plant was $ 45,269,180 and $1,771,839, respectively. This study demonstrates that catalytic decarboxylation over HZSM-5 zeolite is economically feasible and promising for removing NAs using a semi-regenerative process. The insight obtained from this work can be used as a basis for more comprehensive future financial and risk modeling of the process. Thesis Sun, 12 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/28312 2023-02-12T00:00:00Z https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/26959 Dynamic Buckling of Steel Alloy (drilling shaft) Under Different Conditions of Work Using Shot and Laser Peening Surface Treatments Nakchbandi, Ahmed M-Rachid; Supervisor, -Ahmed AbdelazizIbrahimElrayah; Co-Supervisor, -Hussain J.M.Al-Alkawi; Co-Supervisor, -YousifAltahirAhmed Bagadi The calculations of buckling loads are of great importance for industry. This thesis presents the description of experiments carried out on two specimen (columns) types of buckling namely, long and intermediate columns. These specimens are made from 304 stainless steel alloy which is used in many industrial applications.32 specimens subjected to an increasing compressive load without shot peening (WSP) and with shot peening (SP). The main objectives of the research to study the loads of columns without corrosion in oil field as well as study and evaluate the effect of corrosion. These investigated through studying the buckling behavior of solid column with fixed-pinned condition and evaluation the effect of corrosion time on the dynamic buckling behavior. The study used Euler Formula foe long columns, Johnson Formula for intermediate and short columns and Perry-Robertson as well for the three columns types. In order to assess the critical failure an electrical Laser alarm was designed and built within the buckling test rig. At the instance when the specimen buckle reach to 1% of sample length, the electrical circuit operates immediately and the test rig stops. The buckling deflection is measured by digital dial gauge which is fixed on the side of test rig in contact within 0.7 of specimen length. The results were obtained experimentally without any heat treatment for both cases, (without the use of shot peening (WSP) and when using the shot Peening (SP)). The results of practical experiments were compared with the theoretical formulas of Perry-Robertson, Euler and Johnson where these theories showed an overestimate of the critical flexural loads required the introduction of safety factor 1.3 and 3, respectively, to bring the experimental and theoretical results into good agreement. The best improvement was achieved in the intermediate columns with a diameter of 10 mm and a thinness ratio of 112. Also Noticed the maximum reduction in overturning load was (28%) and (19.6%) for the long and medium columns respectivelycompared to the columns that have been eroded as a result of burial in the soil. Of the desired importance, the study found the possibility of extending the life of the304 stainlesssteelalloy used, which facilitates the operations inside the oil well and extends the life of the equipment used and also in a way that contributes to the economics of the various oil operations. Thesis Mon, 12 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/26959 2021-04-12T00:00:00Z https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/25336 Drilling Optimization Using Multiple Regression Approach and Numerical Simulation Mohamed, Shazly Sayed Ahmed Abdelmajed; Supervisor, -Ahmed Abdelaziz Ibrahim Elrayah In today's drilling industry, all considerations are involved to reduce drilling operation expenditure. Rate of penetration has significant effect on the overall drilling time. By other mean, driving ROP optimization and modeling using different approach and disciplines to be a viable solution for reducing drilling operations time. For this research study, an extensive literature survey on Bourgoyne and Young model conducted that showed data limitation especially bit wear component. Wearing of bit is the main constrain for multiple regression technique; thus new technique were innovated via bit wear distribution over drilled interval depends on formation fingerprint. Field data collected from three wells located in Blue Nile basin (Sudan) consisting drilling; geological and logging data have been used to validate new technique. Unknown coefficients have been determined via collected data; followed by correlations using Statistica-12.5 software via residuals. Then multiple regressions applied via Statistica-12.5 software showing acceptable values of nine unknown coefficients, hypothesis test of predicted coefficients shows over 95% confidence interval. Drilling rate predicted as a function of optimum weight on bit and rotation per minute using Bourgoyne and Young model; which showed saving 25% of drilling time. Out comes was verified through PayZone drilling simulator via simulate field measuring data and re-simulate predicted values. Result revealed the proficiency of predicted drilling rate values. The rate of penetration general equation constructed for each formation. Then graphs produced for each formation individually depends on bit type and operation conditions. The methodology and out comes presented in this research enable all researchers and employees in drilling industry to predict optimum penetration rates directly through produced graphs accurately during the well planning period for next wells to be drilled in Blue Nile Basin and other similar formations. This research offers new technique via distribution of drill bits dullness over drilled interval depends on formation fingerprint to overcome data limitation constrain. Together with conducted qualitative and quantitative analysis of the optimized results revealed high potentiality of new novelty through both operation and economic benefits on Drilling Engineering Operation Approach. Thesis Fri, 09 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/25336 2020-10-09T00:00:00Z https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/22915 Adsorption and Distribution Challenges of Commingled Cyclic Steam Injection - Sudanese Oil Fields Elbaloula, Husham Awadelssied Ali; Supervisor, -Tagwa Ahmed Musa Thermal Enhanced Oil Recovery (TEOR) is a family of tertiary processes defined as “any process in which heat is introduced intentionally into a subsurface accumulation of organic compounds for the purpose of recovering fuels through wells”. After hot water and heated gasses have been tried, the most common and effective vehicle used to inject heat is saturated steam. Most of commingle thermal wells has a problem in steam intensity distribution among the layers, which will lead to inconsistency in steam adsorption and some layers would adsorb more than double of the designed steam injected volume. This phenomenon will lead to low productivity and negatively impact the distribution of water cut in different layers. Steam adsorption and distribution represent one of the main challenges of heavy oil production from Sudanese oil fields. Very limited studies have been conducted in this field in Sudan oil fields, and this study is focused on addressing this challenge to maximize recovery factor for each well and each field. In this study the challenge facing Bentiu reservoir in Fula North East (FNE) and the Bamboo fields that are located in heavy oil zone with target of production around 85% of the total reserves will be highlighted. These fields are of shallow depth ranging between 520m and 1300m and rather low pressure gradient 1.09 psi/m, and with reservoir temperature around 44 Co and 65 Co respectively. The studies report our investigation on the benefits of steam adsorption to enhance the oil recovery focusing on the distribution of the steam inside the layers. Our ultimate goal is to design an optimum steam injection protocol that will maximize the recovery factor for these oil zones. The study covers analyzing and reviewing the actual steam intensity distribution among each layer in the two fields that are later compared with the designed ones. In a later stage, a pilot model has been designed using advanced thermal EOR Simulator to understand the effect of commingle injection and production (Steam adsorption and distribution) using data from single layer. The results showed that the production performance of the wells has been improved and the cumulative oil production increased almost five times compared to last cycle. Also the cycle duration has been extended for more than two years, and a new computer model has been developed to calculate and interpretate the surface steam injection parameters from boiler to wellbore and reservoir Parameters (Steam Injection Testing Interpretation (SITI). Thesis Tue, 09 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/22915 2019-04-09T00:00:00Z