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

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造成的Macondo漏油事件有可能成为最严重的环境灾难之一，除非采取有效措施减轻对环境的影响。最重要的是，必须将石油分散在大范围的海洋水柱上，防止石油到达海岸，在那里积累并造成长期的生态危害。拟议的研究涉及制造可有效分散在海洋水柱中的油滴的问题。分散剂功效的要求包括：(1)分散剂必须以足够的剂量应用于目标油以形成液滴(2)重要的是在油中较轻的组分蒸发之前及早应用分散剂(3)分散剂必须能够充分降低油-水界面张力，以便能够形成可以分散在水柱上的小油滴(4)最好是油滴保持足够长的分散时间以供海洋生物生物降解。或者，如果液滴分散得很广，可能更好的方法是找到一种方法，将石油沉淀到海底，在那里它们可以被生物降解。PIS建议开展以下方面的研究：分散剂设计和效果评估(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)油液特性的组成变化的影响，以了解液滴在与深水注入分散剂相关的低温和增压时是否会发生凝固(3)在高压和低温下向系统中引入甲烷，以确定乳液滴中是否存在气体水合物(4)实施高度可生物降解的表面活性剂和生物表面活性剂，以显著降低毒性潜力(5)实施颗粒稳定化乳状液，以逐渐沉积乳化液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起深水漏油事件的影响。这些问题包括海湾地区渔民的生计、对湿地的生态影响，这可能导致路易斯安那州海岸线周围不可持续的内陆侵蚀，以及可能破坏现有生态系统的对野生动物的威胁。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岌岌可危。PIS计划在我们能够确认其科学有效性的情况下，尽快通过在线张贴来传播我们的研究结果，以便更广泛的科学界能够迅速利用它们。从长远来看(但在这个危机时刻显然影响较小)，这项研究有强大的科学基础，但专注于迅速解决一个关键的国家问题，对研究生来说是一种理想的学习体验。他们计划通过晚间讲座向当地社区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，并在我们的胶体现象课程中向学生以及高中学生和教师介绍，以便他们在石油泄漏的不同方面得到良好的教育。杜兰和尤里在大学里都有强大的、精简的课程来追求这些途径。

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.