Droplets in the Ocean: Application of population balance models
Abstract:
Produced water, the largest waste stream in offshore oil production, often contains residual oil droplets despite treatment, which may introduce harmful production chemicals into marine environments upon discharge.
This poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and necessitates strict regulation, given that over 250 million barrels of produced water are discharged daily.
These chemicals may be toxic to marine organisms, affecting food chains and vulnerable species such as fish, seabirds, and coral reefs.
We have developed a population balance model that integrates both physical and chemical dynamics to predict the behavior of oil droplets in marine environments.
The model extends the Smoluchowski particle equation by incorporating processes such as buoyancy, diffusion (including both convective and Brownian motion), and droplet agglomeration Additionally, it includes a coalescence kernel that accounts for the influence of production chemicals, enhancing the model's ability to accurately simulate the complex interactions between oil droplets and chemicals.
This allows for a more realistic representation of droplet behavior compared to previous models. In the seminar, the development and application of this model will be explored, offering insights into its potential to improve water discharge management and reduce environmental impacts in offshore oil operations.