Science and industry working together for greener oil extraction
Research shows that it is possible to combine the effectiveness of industrial oil additives with environmental responsibility
How can the high effectiveness of industrial oil additives be combined with environmental responsibility? This question is addressed in the research of Dr Sabina Wilkanowicz, conducted at the interface of science and industry. The author, affiliated with the Płock Branch of the Warsaw University of Technology, and the company Pachemtech, has developed and tested environmentally-friendly additives for crude oil extraction that not only effectively separate oil-water emulsions but also reduce corrosion and meet environmental requirements for particularly sensitive areas such as marine waters.
The research focused on a new generation of biodegradable demulsifiers, substances that help separate water from crude oil. This is a key process in the oil industry, as stable emulsions hinder the transport of raw material, increase energy consumption and accelerate corrosion of installations.
“I wanted a solution that would be both technologically effective and safer for the environment,” says the author of the study. “Today, industry needs not only efficiency but also innovation aligned with the principles of sustainable development.”
The combination of several functions in a single additive is one of the key advantages of the developed solution. The tested formulations not only supported phase separation in oil-water systems but also reduced chemical corrosion of steel by a factor of 2.5 to 3, while in the case of microbiological corrosion the reduction exceeded 90 percent in bacterial systems. This translates into potentially lower chemical consumption, simpler process logistics and reduced operating costs of installations.
“The most interesting aspect for me was that we were able to look at the problem more broadly than from the perspective of a single parameter,” says Dr Sabina Wilkanowicz. “It was not only about breaking emulsions but about creating a multifunctional solution that genuinely responds to the needs of modern industry.”
The application dimension of this research is equally important. The developed additives were designed for use in particularly sensitive environments, including protected marine areas.
“These studies show that innovation does not have to mean a compromise between effectiveness and environmental responsibility,” our researcher concludes. “This is exactly the kind of solution in which I see the future of cooperation between science and industry.”
The project is also a strong example of effective cooperation between the academic community and industry. The article “Eco‑additives for the crude oil extraction industry in protected marine areas” shows that innovation can emerge where scientific knowledge meets implementation experience and market needs. The author herself represents both the Warsaw University of Technology and the company Pachemtech, and the research was linked to a project on innovative demulsifiers and corrosion inhibitors co‑funded by the National Centre for Research and Development (“Innovative demulsifiers and corrosion inhibitors improving the energy efficiency of crude oil, natural gas and gasoline, and reducing water and wastewater pollution in the refinery and extraction industries”, implemented under Measure 1.1: R&D Projects of Enterprises of the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014–2020, Agreement No. POIR.01.01.01‑00‑0377/17).