Microbes will make oil extraction more efficient. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

Microbes will make oil extraction more efficient

15.08.2012

Scientists at Oregon State University have explored microbial technology that boosts the recovery of oil reservoirs and makes oil production greener. Researchers have taken a fresh look at an old but rarely used technique for improving the efficiency of oil production. This is a technology for increasing the recovery of oil reservoirs with the help of microorganisms. It was developed decades ago, but oilers lost interest in it because of the high cost, inconsistent results, and incomplete understanding of the process.

Extracting oil is not as easy as it seems. An oil gusher, familiar from video footage from oil drilling sites, shoots upward in a powerful jet for a short time. Then it is necessary to pump out the oil, and by pouring water into the well, which displaces the oil. Unfortunately, this method of extraction is extremely inefficient: from a third to a half of the oil remains in the field, and it cannot be pumped out. The technology for increasing the recovery of oil reservoirs with the help of special microorganisms involves the introduction of a solution with microbes into the well. The bacteria are fed cheap sugar, molasses, which is a by-product of sugar production.

The scientists analyzed this process in detail and showed how the bacteria close some pores and open others, allowing the oil to flow freely. Colonies of bacteria fill the pores in the rocks and weaken the adhesion of oil to the surface, like a detergent that washes away grease from a frying pan. This allows you to better "flush" the field with water and produce more oil than without the use of microorganisms. In addition, rocks are cleaned in this way, which is beneficial for the environment and can be used in oil-polluted areas.

The study shows that bacteria play the role of a surfactant, a kind of "soap" that washes away oil. This means that not only bacteria, which are difficult to grow and feed, but also artificial surfactants can be used to increase the efficiency of field development.

<< Back: Dangerous hydroelectric power station 16.08.2012

>> Forward: Lake in a glass of water 15.08.2012

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Microbes in a squirrel wheel 16.01.2007

Nanotechnologists are looking for suitable sources of driving force for nanomechanisms in the near future. Yuichi Hirasuka from the University of Tokyo has created a motor that runs bacteria.

The bacterial engine consists of two parts: an annular groove etched into silicon and a 20-micrometer-diameter star-shaped silicon dioxide wheel resting on it. Under each ray of the sprocket there is a barrier lowered into the groove. In a straight groove (visible at the bottom left), harmless Mycoplasma mobile bacteria are launched into this wheel, which are distinguished by their high crawling speed - almost two centimeters per hour (this is really very fast, since the length of the bacterium itself is one micron).

Moving along the annular groove, the bacteria push the shutters and turn the wheel at a speed of up to 2,5 revolutions per minute. You just need to feed them glucose.

True, the power of a bacterial motor is 10 thousand times less than an electric motor of this size would have. But scientists hope to increase it. But, since the bacteria multiply, the engine turned out to be self-repairing.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews