Diverse sustainable materials for the treatment of petroleum sludge and remediation of contaminated sites : a review

Activities in the petroleum industry unavoidably generates huge amount of petroleum sludge that contain hazardous constituents. Numerous treatment techniques are proven to reduce toxicity, sludge volume, and extract petroleum products. Their efficiency is determined by the sludge properties. These treatment technologies can lessen the hazardous elements in sludge and alleviate their negative environmental and human health impacts. However, only a few, can strike a compromise between meeting strict environmental regulations and consuming notable quantity of water, energy, and chemicals. Now, there are no waste-free and cost-effective technologies available for petroleum sludge treatment. Therefore, this review was designed to highlight the several waste, plants, and other materials that have been utilized during petroleum sludge or petroleum contaminated site treatment for resource recovery and to ensure environmental safety. The application of various additives to remediate petroleum sludge contaminated areas has been proven to be a practical and environmentally beneficial alternative. The review found that reusing remediated soils for bioremediation activity on soil contaminated with oil sludge was efficient. The review further revealed that phytoremediation by sowing plants in the soil can remarkably boost microorganism's growth and TPH elimination rate. Also, in planted treatments using Zea mays L., Secale cereale L., Festuca arundinacea, Onobrychis viciifolia, Vertiver zizanioide, Cajanus cajan, Medicago sativa, Lolium perenne, Ttrifolium pratense etc. the most probable number were significantly higher than in unplanted treatments. It was also discovered that there is a commercial potential for the use of plants as sources of biosurfactant for use in accelerated TPHs degradation. Biosurfactant supplementation in the phytoremediation of metals and petroleum hydrocarbons co-contaminated soil was effective. The review suggests the use of composite materials for petroleum sludge treatment

Circular economy potential and contributions of petroleum industry sludge utilization to environmental sustainability through engineered processes - a review

The petroleum industry activities unavoidably generate a large quantity of sludge named Petroleum industry sludge (PIS). The generation rate has been increasing because of the ascending energy demand. It is a potential energy resource. PIS has been shown to contain hazardous constituents that may have negative consequences on the environment and public health. Thus, the treatment and disposal of this waste is a global issue. Numerous treatment methods have been demonstrated to reduce sludge volume and toxicity and recover petroleum components. The sludge qualities affect how effective they are. These treatment strategies can reduce the toxic substances in sludge and reduce their detrimental effects on human health and the environment. However, because of the sludge's tenacious character, only a few technologies can meet strict environmental laws while using a sizable amount of water, electricity, and chemicals. PIS treatment methods that are both waste-free and cost-effective are currently unavailable. In terms of environmental engineering significance, this study adopted the systematic review to discuss the waste to resource potential applications of PIS for reusability in sustainable construction, wastewater treatment applications, and gas generation. PIS application ineffective microorganism biofertilizer production, levan production, rubber tires manufacturing, metal catalysts synthesis, carbon–clay composites for use in sensors and electronic devices were also discussed. That is not enough, this review also found that the adoption of the circular economy that represents a new direction to create value and prosperity by elongating product lifespan and moving the waste from the end of the supply chain to the outset is very important. Thus, the circular economy potential of PIS to achieve self-cycle operation through the concept of “wastes-treat-wastes” in the petroleum industry was extensively discussed