RAPID: Self Assembly of Chemical Dispersant Systems in the Treatment of Deep Water Hydrocarbon Releases

[1043163]由越洋公司为英国石油公司运营的“深水地平线”钻井平台爆炸引起的马孔多石油泄漏，除非采取有效措施减轻对环境的影响，否则有可能成为最严重的环境灾难之一。最重要的是，有必要将石油分散到大范围的海洋水柱上，防止石油到达海岸，在那里它会积聚并造成长期的生态危害。拟议的研究解决了与制造油滴有关的问题，这些油滴可以有效地分散在海洋水柱中。分散剂功效包括以下要求:(1)分散剂必须应用在目标油足够剂量形成液滴(2)重要的是分散剂应用早期轻组件前石油蒸发(3)分散剂必须能够降低油水界面张力,小油滴可以创建可分散在水柱(4)最好的油滴长期保持分散足以被海洋生物降解。或者，如果油滴广泛分散，最好找到一种方法将油沉积到海底，在那里它们可以被生物降解。PIs建议开展的研究将涉及分散剂设计和功效评估的以下方面：(1)研究分散剂的组成变化及其对液滴微观结构和稳定性的影响；(2)油特性的组成变化对液滴凝固的影响，以了解与深水注入分散剂相关的低温和高压下是否会发生液滴凝固；(3)在高压下将甲烷引入系统通过压力和低温来确定乳化液液滴中是否存在天然气水合物(4)使用高度可生物降解的表面活性剂和生物表面活性剂来显著降低潜在的毒性(5)使用颗粒稳定的乳化液来逐渐沉淀碳氢化合物并使其进行生物降解。这项研究的影响将是广泛的，因为几个大选区正受到这次深水石油泄漏的影响。它们包括海湾地区渔民的生计，对湿地的生态影响，可能导致路易斯安那州海岸线周围不可持续的内陆侵蚀，以及对野生动物的威胁，可能破坏现行的生态系统。事实上，在这些极端的海底环境中进行石油钻探的未来可能会受到威胁。PIs计划，在确认研究结果的科学有效性后，尽快通过网络发布研究结果，让更广泛的科学界能够迅速利用。从长远来看（但在当前危机时刻显然影响较小），这项研究具有强大的科学基础，但重点是快速解决一个关键的国家问题，为研究生提供了理想的学习体验。他们计划通过晚间讲座，向当地社区、胶体现象班的学生、高中学生和教师介绍这项工作的结果，以及更广泛的问题和潜在的解决方案，以便他们对石油泄漏的不同方面有良好的了解。杜兰大学和URI大学都有强大的、精简的项目来追求这些途径。

1043163JohnThe Macondo Oil Spill caused by the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig operated by Transocean for British Petroleum, has the potential to rank amongst the most serious environmental catastrophes unless effective measures are taken to mitigate the consequences to the environment. Most importantly, it is necessary to disperse the oil over a wide range of the ocean water column and prevent the oil from reaching the shore where it can accumulate and create long term ecological hazards. The proposed research addresses the issues relating to creating oil droplets which can be effectively dispersed in the ocean water column. Requirements for dispersant efficacy include the following (1) The dispersant must be applied at the target oil at sufficient dosage to form droplets (2) It is important that the dispersant be applied early before the lighter components of the oil evaporate (3) The dispersant must be able to lower the oil-water interfacial tension sufficiently so that small oil droplets can be created which can be dispersed over the water column (4) It is preferable that the oil droplets remain dispersed long enough to be biodegraded by marine organisms. Alternatively, if the droplets are widely dispersed, it may be preferable to find a method to sediment the oil to the ocean floor where they can be biodegraded. The PIs propose to conduct research that will address the following aspects of dispersant design and efficacy evaluation (1) studies on the compositional variations of dispersants and their effects on droplet microstructure and stability (2) effects of compositional variations of oil characteristics to understand if droplet solidification can occur at the low temperatures and enhanced pressures relevant to deepwater injection of dispersants (3) introduction of methane into the system at high pressures and low temperatures to define the existence of gas hydrates in emulsion droplets (4) the implementation of highly biodegradable surfactants and biosurfactants to reduce toxicity potential significantly (5) the implementation of particle stabilized emulsions to gradually sediment the hydrocarbons and subject them to biodegradation.The impact of this research would be broad, as several large constituencies are being affected by this deepwater oil spill. They include livelihoods for the fishermen in the Gulf area, the ecological impact on the wetlands which may cause unsustainable inland erosion around the Louisiana coastline and a threat to wildlife that may undermine the prevailing ecosystem. And, indeed the future of oil drilling at these extreme undersea environments may be at stake. The PIs plan to disseminate the results of our research through on line postings as quickly as we can confirm their scientific validity, so that the broader scientific community can take advantage of them rapidly. Over the longer term (but clearly of less consequence at this moment of crisis), this research, which has a strong scientific underpinning but is focused on rapidly solving a critical national problem represents an ideal learning experience for graduate students. They plan to present the results of this work, as well as the broader problem and potential solutions to the local community through evening lectures, to students in our colloidal phenomena classes, and to high school students and teachers so that they are well-educated on the different aspects of oil spills. Both Tulane and URI have strong, streamlined programs at the universities for pursuing these avenues.