PREVENTION OF BIODEGRADATION

Biodegradation of Hydrocarbons in Untreated Produced Water (From Oil Fields in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria) Using Indigenous Bacterial Cultures

Publisher / Conference Name
Scholarlink Research Institute
Author(s)
Oria-Usifo E.E.
Akhere E. L.
Ndubuisi C. N.
Abstract / Summary
Produced water is the largest volume of by-product generated during oil and gas recovery operations. Its contact with crude oil during extraction, results to the presence of high hydrocarbon content in it. Improper disposal of this produced water to the environment could cause hazardous effects. The objectives of this research are; to determine the mix bacteria population present in the produced water sample, to characterize, identify and isolate the hydrocarbon degrading bacteria found in the sample, and to cultivate a pure bacteria culture to degrade the hydrocarbon content of the sample. Five (5) hydrocarbon degrading bacteria such as: E. Coli, Micrococus Letus, Staphylococcus Aureus, Basillus Substilis and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa were identified in the mix bacteria population, the hydrocarbon degrading bacteria with the highest population (which is Staphylococcus Aureus) was used for the pure bacteria culture using oil agar medium method. After its cultivation, a concentration of cell per ml was used as a bio-stimulant to degrade the hydrocarbons in the sample. The initial total petroleum hydrocarbon content calculated in the sample was 125.513mg/l, after its incubation period of 15 days using the pure bacteria culture, the value of the hydrocarbon contents was then calculated and found to be 84.527mg/l. Thus, the hydrocarbon content removal efficiency in the sample of 425ml volume was calculated to be 32.655%. It is therefore recommended that for more efficient result, a mix hydrocarbon degrading bacteria culture of the listed hydrocarbon degrading bacteria should be used to carry out the experiment, which can produce 98% biodegradation according to the other researchers. In conclusion, the finding provides knowledge of hydrocarbon degradation bacteria present in the sample.
Year of Publication
2022
Publication Type
Journal Article
Keyword(s)
Produced Water
PREVENTION OF BIODEGRADATION
Hydrocarbon Content
Pure Bacteria Culture

PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL AND PREVENTION OF BIODEGRADATION USING NEEM (Azadirachta Indica) AND AFRICAN BASIL (Ocimum Gratissimum) LEAF EXTRACTS

Submitted by Williams on
Author(s)
ODIVWRI OGHENEMARO DAISY
Faculty
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
Department
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Year of Publication
2025
Keyword
PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL
PREVENTION OF BIODEGRADATION
LEAF EXTRACTS
upload
Oghenemaro_Odivwri_Project_0.pdf
Publication Type
Undergraduate Project
Abstract
The global shift toward sustainable energy has intensified interest in biodiesel as an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. This study investigates the production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO) using calcined heterogeneous catalysts derived from waste materials, including pumpkin pods and turkey bones, and its subsequent preservation using natural extracts from Azadirachta indica (neem) and Ocimum gratissimum (African basil). Transesterification was carried out in a pilot-scale reactor at 60 °C for 75 minutes. Characterization of the WCO prior to transesterification showed an acid value of 2.41 mg KOH/g and a free fatty acid (FFA) content of 1.21%, indicating moderate degradation from repeated frying. Post-treatment analysis revealed a slight increase in acid value to 3.07 mg KOH/g, while other parameters, including saponification value (251.83 mg KOH/g), density (0.8948 g/cm³), and viscosity (9.50 mPa·s), remained within acceptable ranges for biodiesel feedstock. The produced biodiesel met key ASTM D6751 specifications, with a density of 0.87 g/cm³, acid value of 0.34 mg KOH/g, viscosity of 4.62 mm²/s, and a flash point of 220 °C, confirming its suitability for use as a fuel or in blends. GC-MS analysis revealed a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) composition dominated by methyl oleate (48.68%) and methyl palmitate (37.48%). FTIR spectroscopy further confirmed successful transesterification through the presence of a characteristic ester carbonyl absorption peak at 1742.81 cm⁻¹. Stability studies conducted over six weeks showed that the combined treatment of neem and basil extracts (30 ml) resulted in the lowest final acid value of 0.78 mg KOH/g, indicating improved oxidative stability. This study demonstrates that waste cooking oil is a viable and cost-effective feedstock for biodiesel production. Furthermore, the use of locally sourced plant extracts as natural stabilizers offers a sustainable and biodegradable approach to enhancing biodiesel storage stability, supporting the advancement of renewable energy technologies in Nigeria.
Supervisor(s)
K.O. Obahiagbon
co-supervisor
NIL
Subscribe to PREVENTION OF BIODEGRADATION