https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/1207 2026-04-06T06:06:22Z https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/28312 Title: CATALYTIC DECARBOXYLATION OF NAPHTHENIC ACIDS OVER PROTONIC ZEOLITE CATALYST: CASE STUDY AL-FULA CRUDE OIL Authors: Mohammedzain, Nihad Omer Hassan; Supervisor, - Nimir Osman Mohamed Elbashir; Co-Supervisor, Dhallia Mamoun Beshir Mohamed Abstract: 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. Description: Thesis 2023-02-12T00:00:00Z https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/27043 Title: Experimental Investigation of Using Steam Flooding in Fula North East Reservoir – Sudan Authors: Ahmed, Mustafa Mohammed Mustafa Mohammed; Supervisor, -Elradi Abbas Mohamed Nour Abstract: Thermal recovery methods and especially steam flooding have long been considered as the most effective methods to extract heavy oil reservoirs. These highly viscous hydrocarbon deposits are proven to constitute a huge proportion of total world oil reserves. Large volumes of heavy oil in Fula North East Oilfield SUDAN have a high viscosity (2019 centipoise at reservoir temperature 43°C) are located in heterogeneous porous media containing high permeable wormholes or non-permeable shale barriers. The main objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using Steam Flooding in Fula North East (FNE) - Sudan. FNE reservoirs are high porosity (30%), permeability (1000-3500 mD), and unconsolidated in nature. the fluid properties include a viscous crude range from 15 to 17.7 API. The corresponding viscosity is 2019 cp at reservoir conditions (Temperature 43C and Reservoir Pressure 571 Psi). The research-based on physical simulation to scale of a Steam flood using one core sample from well#FNE-135 to represent the reservoir, steam core flood experiments were conducted By (STEAMFLOOD 700) station in Petroleum Labs, Research and Studies (PLRS), to study the efficiency of Steam flood in order to decrease the viscosity and improve oil recovery. The core sample was aged with crude oil at 43°C for 21 days to conduct the best conditions before the experimental. The experimental of steam flooding in core scale showed that the oil viscosity decreasing from 2019 cp at reservoir temperature 43° C to 1.5cp due the steam injection, which the mobility ratio was improved, furthermore, the residual oil saturation reducing from 80.1% by water flooding to 53.8% by steam injection, as well, the recovery factor RF increasing by steam flooding from 8.6% to 30.1%, moreover, the displacement sweep efficiency ED improved from 9% by cold production to 38% by steam flooding, also the experiment showed clear incremental in formation volume factor due to effect of the steam injection compared to cold production. Description: Thesis 2021-04-20T00:00:00Z https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/26959 Title: Dynamic Buckling of Steel Alloy (drilling shaft) Under Different Conditions of Work Using Shot and Laser Peening Surface Treatments Authors: Nakchbandi, Ahmed M-Rachid; Supervisor, -Ahmed AbdelazizIbrahimElrayah; Co-Supervisor, -Hussain J.M.Al-Alkawi; Co-Supervisor, -YousifAltahirAhmed Bagadi Abstract: 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. Description: Thesis 2021-04-12T00:00:00Z https://repository.sustech.edu/handle/123456789/26881 Title: Borehole Image Log Analysis for Sedimentary Environment and Fractures Identification in Jake East Field Authors: Said, Reela Mubark Salim; Supervisor, -Abbas Musa Yagoub Abstract: The borehole imaging technology has great advantages to provide more information for subsurface formations for exploration wells in Sudan. The electrical image log tool Stimu Taneous Resistivity Imager (STAR) used in this case study for an exploration well in Jake East oil field. The electrical image log tool (STAR) includes 144 electrodes which measure the formation microresistivity and the log is displayed as an image of the borehole. Necessary preparations including log data processing and corrections on the (STAR) log Checked the data quality of log record before image log before started the data processing and interpretation. All corrections are used to enhance the log quality, locate the image data in the correct depth position and match the image log with the conventional logs. According to image log result well section has been divided into four different sections in Abu Gabra formation, for the interpretation used special petrohysical software (Cif Log Geomatrix) .Image log interpretation is carried out in the information about different types of fractures developed. In this study the electrical image logs and conventional logs together with mud logging datawere studied. The purpose of this work is to interpreted the reservoir sedimentary environment .lithofacies and fractures analysis. In addition a quantitative analysis of sedimentary features like bedding, faults and fracture dip angle and azimuths were studied. This is an integrated study combined independent Image Log interpretation data for single well with others logs to accurate analysis for the reservoir in Abu Gabra Formation. The result is used for identification of the sedimentary bedding features, depositional settings andstructural elements in the image log. Plenty of geologic features detected 753 Cross beddings, 241 Bed boundaries, 541 Laminasand few Erosional layers. The statistics of sedimentary geological features in the STAR showed very rich laminas and cross beddings developed in the logged interval, which indicate the sedimentary facies of the logged interval.The dip magnitudes and dip azimuths reflect the structure features or sedimentary environment. Lithofacies and possible depositional environment have been interpreted first based on the mud logging samples description from master logs combined with conventiallogs. The depositional environments, from Abu Gabra 3, Abu Gabra 2e, Abu Gabra 2d to Abu Gabra1 group, indicated by lithofacies, sedimentary structure and bedding on the GR curveand the image, were probably shallow lacustrine to delta facies. Finally different types of natural fractures were detected in case study well in Jake East area around 3 conductive fractures and 35 discontinuous conductive fractures interpreted with highdip angle in Abu Gabra Formation. Description: Thesis 2020-12-12T00:00:00Z