The impact of Oligo-miocene basaltic intrusions on the petroleum system in Gulf of Suez rift basin, Egypt: new insights into tikhermal maturity and reservoir quality

In recent years, the petroleum industry has prioritized the exploration of new and unconventional petroleum reservoirs. As a result, this study assessed the significance of basaltic intrusions from two key aspects: their impact on the thermal maturity of pre-rift source rocks and their potentiality as reservoirs. The present study attempts to integrate surface field investigations of basaltic dykes in Wadi Nukhul and Wadi Matulla as surface analogs with petroleum system modeling of pre-rift source rocks containing subsurface basaltic intrusions in the Abu Rudeis-Sidri field. Therefore, the fracture networks were observed in Wadi Nukhul and Wadi Matulla, suggesting that both the basaltic dykes and host rocks have interconnected fractures, which is critical for a high-quality reservoir of the dykes and efficient oil expulsion. As a result, the analysis of burial history, temperature, maturity, generation, transformation ratio, and expelled oil quantity revealed a significantly high value for basaltic intrusions. Moreover, the Abu Rudeis-Sidri field had a good petroleum system with thermally mature source rocks by basaltic intrusions. Furthermore, the fractured basaltic intrusions presented a high-quality oil reservoir well-sealed by the thick Rudeis Formation. Oil production has doubled since the discovery of this reservoir. This study introduces a novel approach to understanding the distribution pattern of basaltic intrusions in subsurface and surface analogs, which can serve as a model for exploring new potential unconventional basaltic reservoirs in the Gulf of Suez rift basin

Insight into the effects of H2SO4 and HNO3 acidification processes on the properties of coal as an enhanced adsorbent for ciprofloxacin residuals: Steric and energetic studies

A sub-bituminous natural coal sample (R.C) was treated with sulfuric acid (S.C) and nitric acid (N.C) as modified products and enhanced adsorbents for obtaining ciprofloxacin (CFX) antibiotic residuals from water. The characterization studied demonstrates enhancement in the surface area and the incorporation of new active oxygenated, sulfur-bearing, and nitrogen-bearing chemical groups into the structure of coal samples. This was reflected in the adsorption capacities that were enhanced from 164.08 mg/g (R.C) to 489.2 mg/g and 518.5 mg/g for N.C and S.C, respectively. The impact of the acid modification processes was evaluated based on the energetic and steric properties of their adsorption systems considering the parameters of the advanced monolayer equilibrium model with one energy site. The determined occupied active sites’ density of R.C (46.32–61.44 mg/g), N.C (168.7–364.9 mg/g), and S.C (159.2–249.9 mg/g) reflects an increase in the quantities of active centers after the acid treatment processes, especially with HNO3. The higher efficiencies of the active sites of S.C to adsorb more CFX molecules (n = 2.08–2.31) than N.C (n = 1.41–2.16) illustrate its higher adsorption capacity. The energetic investigation [adsorption (˂40 kJ/mol) and Gaussian (˂8 kJ/mol) energies] suggested adsorption of CFX by N.C and S.C mainly by physical processes such as van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, dipole bonding, and π–π interactions. Moreover, the determined thermodynamic functions including entropy, internal energy, and free enthalpy reflect the spontaneous and endothermic uptake of CFX on the surfaces of N.C and S.C

Systematic Evaluation for the Impact of the Geological Conditions on the Adsorption Affinities of Calcite as an Adsorbent of Zn2+ Ions from Aqueous Solutions: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

Three samples of calcite (calcite crystal (CA), calcite of limestone (L.CA), and metamorphosed calcite (marble) (M.CA)) were assessed as adsorbents of Zn (II) to consider the impact of the different geological conditions. The three samples exhibit remarkable changes in their Zn (II) retention capacities (Qsat = 384.6 mg/g (CA), 274.5 mg/g (L.CA), and 512.6 mg/g (M.CA)). The retention systems of the three calcite samples were described on the basis of the suggested statistical physics-based equilibrium studies as well as the traditional kinetic and isotherm models. However, the M.CA samples exhibited the best retention capacity, the steric properties reflecting a higher active site density of CA (Nm (Zn) = 113.46 mg/g) than both M.CA (Nm (Zn) = 82.8 mg/g) and L.CA (Nm (Zn) = 52.4 mg/g) at 323 K. This was assigned to the controlling effect of the sequestered numbers of Zn (II) per site on the surfaces of the calcite phase (n(Zn) = 3.39 (CA), 5.24 (L.CA), and 6.19 (M.CA)) in addition to the higher surface area and ion exchange of the metamorphosed and deformed M.CA. The previous n(Zn) values suggested the retention of Zn (II) by a multi-ionic mechanism in a vertical orientation. The Gaussian energies (8 to 16 KJ/mol) and retention energies (˂40 KJ/mol) of Zn (II) by CA and L.CA suggested complex physical and weak chemical mechanisms involving ion exchange, hydrogen bonding, dipole bonding forces, electrostatic attractions, and van der Waals forces. The thermodynamic properties were illustrated on the basis of the internal energy, free enthalpy, and entropy functions, which validate the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the Zn (II) retention system by the three calcite samples

Photocatalytic degradation and photo-Fenton oxidation of Congo red dye pollutants in water using natural chromite—response surface optimization

Abstract Refined natural Fe-chromite was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, reflected polarized microscope, XRF and UV spectrophotometer. Photocatalytic degradation and photo-Fenton oxidation of Congo red dye by Fe-chromite was investigated using 1 mL H2O2. The degradation of dye was studied as a function of illumination time, chromite mass, initial dye concentration, and pH. Fe-chromite acts as binary oxide system from chromium oxide and ferrous oxide. Thus, it exhibits photocatalytic properties under UV illumination and photo-Fenton oxidation after addition of H2O2. The degradation in the presence of H2O2 reached the equilibrium stage after 8 h (59.4%) but in the absence of H2O2 continued to 12 h (54.6%). Photocatalytic degradation results fitted well with zero, first order and second order kinetic model but it represented by second order rather than by the other models. While the photo-Fenton oxidation show medium fitting with the second order kinetic model only. The values of kinetic rate constants for the photo-Fenton oxidation were greater than those for the photocatalytic degradation. Thus, degradation of Congo red dye using chromite as catalyst is more efficient by photo-Fenton oxidation. Based on the response surface analysis, the predicted optimal conditions for maximum removal of Congo red dye by photocatalytic degradation (100%) were 12 mg/l, 0.14 g, 3, and 11 h for dye concentration, chromite mass, pH, and illumination time, respectively. Moreover, the optimum condition for photo-Fenton oxidation of dye (100%) is 13.5 mg/l, 0.10 g, 4, and 10 h, respectively

Enhanced oxidation of antibiotic residuals (Levofloxacin) using a green composite of ZnO@polyaniline/bentonite (Zn@PA/BE) as multifunctional photocatalyst under visible light

© 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Green nanocomposite of ZnO supported into polyaniline/bentonite hybrid structure (Zn@/PA/BE) was synthesised and characterised and assessed as a multifunctional photocatalyst of 1.86 eV as bandgap energy. The Zn@/PA/BE catalyst was applied in the oxidation of the levofloxacin (LV) residuals in water in the presence of visible light. The recognised oxidation results demonstrate significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity by using the polyaniline/bentonite composite as a carrier for ZnO catalyst. Using the Zn@/PA/BE at 0.5 g/L as dosage resulted in complete oxidation for 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/L after illumination intervals of 25, 40, 60, 70, and 85 min, respectively. This was confirmed by the significant declination in the TOC content of the treated sample (10 mg/L) until the complete removal after 45 min reflecting the complete degradation and mineralisation. The formed secondary organic compounds during the incomplete oxidation reactions were identified. The intermediate compounds suggested oxidation pathways of carboxylation/de-carboxylation, hydroxylation, de-methylation, de-piperazinylation, and defluorination mechanisms. The hydroxyl radicals were detected as the most effective oxidising species during the reactions based on the active trapping tests and probe molecule investigation. The recyclability experiments reflected the significant stability and reusability of Zn@/PA/BE as a photocatalyst during the oxidation of LV molecules.N

Enhanced decontamination of Levofloxacin residuals from water using recycled glass based a green zinc oxide/mesoporous silica nanocomposite; adsorption and advanced oxidation studies

Glass solid wastes were recycled in the synthesis of green zinc oxide/mesoporous silica (MCM-41) composite with significant surface area (661 m(2)/g) and bandgap energy (2.43 eV). It was assessed as a potential adsorbent and photocatalyst for Levofloxacin. The Levofloxacin adsorption reaction is of First-order kinetic (R-2 = 0.99) and Langmuir isotherm properties (R-2 > 0.95). A monolayer model with two energy sites was applied for more details about the adsorption process (R-2 = 0.999). Considering the steric parameters, the adsorbed Levofloxacin molecules (n) are higher than 1 on both sites (n1 (2.6-5.15) and n2 (2.99-3.18)). This suggested vertical adsorption of several Levofloxacin molecules per site by a multimolecular mechanism. The active site densities of zinc oxide as the first site (Nm1) and saturation capacity (Qsat1) increased with temperature up to 45 & nbsp;C (Nm1 = 17.8 mg/g and Qsat1 = 57.49 mg/g). The reverse occurred for the second sites (MCM-41) and the best values were reported at 25 & nbsp;C (Nm2 = 23.35 mg/g and Qsat2 = 69.8 mg/g). The adsorption energy (-8.16 to-25.9 kJ/mol) and thermodynamic functions declare physical Levofloxacin uptake mechanisms of spontaneous and exothermic properties. G.Zn/MCM as photocatalyst (0.5 g/L) achieved 100% oxidation of Levofloxacin (50 mg/L) and 100% mineralization after 160 min and 240 min, respectively.N

Enhanced Retention of Cd(II) by Exfoliated Bentonite and Its Methoxy Form: Steric and Energetic Studies

Synergistic studies were conducted to evaluate the retention potentiality of exfoliating bentonite (EXBEN) as well as its methanol hybridization derivative (Mth/EXBEN) toward Cd(II) ions to be able to verify the effects of the transformation processes. The adsorption characteristics were established by considering the steric and energetic aspects of the implemented advanced equilibrium simulation, specifically the monolayer model with a single energy level. Throughout the full saturation states, the adsorption characteristics of Cd(II) increased substantially to 363.7 mg/g following the methanol hybridized treatment in comparison to EXBEN (293.2 mg/g) as well as raw bentonite (BEN) (187.3 mg/g). The steric analysis indicated a significant rise in the levels of the active sites following the exfoliation procedure [retention site density (Nm) = 162.96 mg/g] and the chemical modification with methanol [retention site density (Nm) = 157.1 mg/g]. These findings clarify the improvement in the potential of Mth/EXBEN to eliminate Cd(II). Furthermore, each open site of Mth/EXBEN has the capacity to bind approximately three ions of Cd(II) in a vertically aligned manner. The energetic investigations, encompassing the Gaussian energy (less than 8 kJ/mol) plus the adsorption energy (less than 40 kJ/mol), provide evidence of the physical sequestration of Cd(II). This process may involve the collaborative impacts of dipole binding forces (ranging from 2 to 29 kJ/mol) and hydrogen binding (less than 30 kJ/mol). The measurable thermodynamic functions, particularly entropy, internal energy, and free enthalpy, corroborate the exothermic and spontaneous nature of Cd(II) retention by Mth/EXBEN, as opposed to those by EXBEN and BE