Development of Innovative Energy Recovery and Waste Remediation Approaches for Effective Petroleum Sludge Treatment

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A large volume of oily sludge can be generated from the petroleum industry during its crude oil exploration, production, transportation, storage, and refining processes. Due to its hazardous nature and the increasing quantity being generated around the world, the effective treatment of petroleum sludge has attracted widespread attention. Most of the conventional technologies for sludge disposal are inadequate to meet stringent environmental regulations due to their low efficiency, long treatment time, and secondary pollution in removing contaminants. As a result, there is a pressing need from industry and governments for the development of enhanced, innovative, and cost-effective approaches for petroleum sludge treatment. This research is designed to help develop a sustainable waste management strategy for the petroleum industry through energy recovery and waste minimization. It consists of a number of research tasks: (a) to advance the research and development of optimal energy recovery from oil refinery sludge using different approaches and their combinations, including ultrasonic irradiation, freeze/thaw treatment, and pyrolysis; (b) to discover new microbial strains with high petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) degradation ability, and to produce promising bio-surfactants for the enhanced bioremediation of petroleum sludge, and (c) to develop innovative approaches for the immobilization of heavy metals contained in petroleum sludge and drill cuttings using co-pyrolysis with wood waste biomass. The research allows for a systematic consideration of factors and complexities that affect petroleum sludge treatment. A number of environmentally friendly technologies will be developed for improving the current costly and inefficient petroleum waste management practices in Canada, and will greatly contribute to improved health in the communities that are impacted by petroleum sludge disposal. This research will also help to attract and train a number of talented students, who will be capable of addressing Canada's future environmental challenges.