A new CUSUM control chart under uncertainty with applications in petroleum and meteorology.

In these last few decades, control charts have received a growing interest because of the important role they play by improving the quality of the products and services in industrial and non-industrial environments. Most of the existing control charts are based on the assumption of certainty and accuracy. However, in real-life applications, such as weather forecasting and stock prices, operators are not always certain about the accuracy of an observed data. To efficiently monitor such processes, this paper proposes a new cumulative sum (CUSUM) [Formula: see text] chart under the assumption of uncertainty using the neutrosophic statistic (NS). The performance of the new chart is investigated in terms of the neutrosophic run length properties using the Monte Carlo simulations approach. The efficiency of the proposed neutrosophic CUSUM (NCUSUM) [Formula: see text] chart is also compared to the one of the classical CUSUM [Formula: see text] chart. It is observed that the NCUSUM [Formula: see text] chart has very interesting properties compared to the classical CUSUM [Formula: see text] chart. The application and implementation of the NCUSUM [Formula: see text] chart are provided using simulated, petroleum and meteorological data.

Does California's Low Carbon Fuel Standards reduce carbon dioxide emissions?

The Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS) represents a new policy approach designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by applying standards to all stages of motor fuel production. We use the synthetic control and difference-in-differences econometric methods, and Lasso machine learning to analyze the effect of the LCFS on emissions in California's transportation sector. The three different techniques provide robust evidence that the LCFS reduced carbon dioxide emissions in California's transportation sector by around 10%. Furthermore, our calculations show that improved air quality, due to the application of the LCFS, may have benefited California in the magnitude of hundreds of millions of dollars through an increase in worker's productivity.

Costs and benefits of low-sulphur fuel standard for Baltic Sea shipping.

The maximum allowable fuel sulphur content for shipping in the Baltic Sea dropped from 1%S to 0.1%S in 1 January 2015. We provide a cost-benefit analysis of the sulphur reduction policy in the Baltic Sea Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA). We calculated the abatement costs based on shipowners' optimal decision-making in choosing between low-sulphur fuel and a sulphur scrubber, and the benefits were modelled through a high-resolution impact pathway analysis, which took into account the formation and dispersion of the emissions, and considered the positive health impacts resulting from lowered ambient PM2.5 concentrations. Our basic result indicates that for the Baltic Sea only, the latest sulphur regulation is not cost-effective. The expected annual cost is roughly €465 M and benefit 2200 saved Disability Adjusted Life-Years (DALYs) or monetized €105 M. Based on our sensitivity analysis, the benefits yet have a potential to exceed the costs. The analysis neither takes into account the acidifying impact of sulphur nor the impact North Sea shipping has on the cost-benefit ratio. Lastly, a similar approach is found highly recommendable to study the implications of the upcoming Tier III NOx standard for shipping.

Oil Adulteration Identification by Hyperspectral Imaging Using QHM and ICA.

To investigate the feasibility of identification of qualified and adulterated oil product using hyperspectral imaging(HIS) technique, a novel feature set based on quantized histogram matrix (QHM) and feature selection method using improved kernel independent component analysis (iKICA) is proposed for HSI. We use UV and Halogen excitations in this study. Region of interest(ROI) of hyperspectral images of 256 oil samples from four varieties are obtained within the spectral region of 400-720nm. Radiation indexes extracted from each ROI are used as feature vectors. These indexes are individual band radiation index (RI), difference of consecutive spectral band radiation index (DRI), ratio of consecutive spectral band radiation index (RRI) and normalized DRI (NDRI). Another set of features called quantized histogram matrix (QHM) are extracted by applying quantization on the image histogram from these features. Based on these feature sets, improved kernel independent component analysis (iKICA) is used to select significant features. For comparison, algorithms such as plus L reduce R (plusLrR), Fisher, multidimensional scaling (MDS), independent component analysis (ICA), and principle component analysis (PCA) are also used to select the most significant wavelengths or features. Support vector machine (SVM) is used as the classifier. Experimental results show that the proposed methods are able to obtain robust and better classification performance with fewer number of spectral bands and simplify the design of computer vision systems.

Magnetic composites based on metallic nickel and molybdenum carbide: a potential material for pollutants removal.

New magnetic composites based on metallic nickel and molybdenum carbide, Ni/Mo(2)C, have been produced via catalytic chemical vapor deposition from ethanol. Scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies suggest that the CVD process occurs in a single step. This process involves the reduction of NiMo oxides at different temperatures (700, 800 and 900°C) with catalytic deposition of carbon from ethanol producing molybdenum carbide on Ni surface. In the absence of molybdenum the formation of Ni/C was observed. The magnetic molybdenum carbide was successfully used as pollutants removal by adsorption of sulfur and nitrogen compounds from liquid fuels and model dyes such as methylene blue and indigo carmine. The dibenzothiofene adsorption process over Ni/Mo(2)C reached approximately 20 mg g(-1), notably higher than other materials described in the literature and also removed almost all methylene blue dye. The great advantage of these carbide composites is that they may be easily recovered magnetically and reused.

Yearly measurements of blood lead in Swedish children since 1978: the declining trend continues in the petrol-lead-free period 1995-2007.

BACKGROUND: We have measured blood lead concentrations (B-Pb) in Swedish children, yearly since 1978. As reported previously, a substantial decrease of B-Pb was found for the period 1978-1994 (2440 children measured), as an effect of gradual reduction of lead in petrol. In another report focusing on the petrol-lead-free period 1995-2001, we noted that B-Pb seemed to stabilize at an average level close to 20 microg/L. OBJECTIVE: We here analyze data from the extended petrol-lead-free period 1995-2007. METHODS: B-Pb was measured in 1268 children, aged 7-11 years, from the municipalities of Landskrona and Trelleborg in southern Sweden, yielding 1407 measurements on B-Pb (since 139 children were measured in two different calendar years). RESULTS: We observed statistically significant decreases of the average concentrations during the recent years. The average B-Pb reduction rate was close to 5%/yr in the petrol-lead-free period 1995-2007; a similar reduction rate was estimated for the period with gradual reduction of lead in petrol, 1978-1994. The most recent geometric mean of B-Pb was 13.1 (range, 6.9-29.1)microg/L in Trelleborg (sample year 2005) and 13.2 (5.7-58.5)microg/L in Landskrona (2007). A declining B-Pb time trend was observed during the recent years among children who lived in near smelter, urban, and rural residential areas, respectively. B-Pb was influenced by the variables sex (boys had higher B-Pb), parents' smoking habits (children with one or both parents smoking had higher B-Pb), and potentially lead-exposing hobbies (for example, shooting air guns). CONCLUSION: Children's B-Pb levels can continue to decline markedly more than a decade after lead in petrol has been phased out in a country.

Risk assessment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology petroleum crude oil standard water accommodated fraction: further application of a copepod-based, full life-cycle bioassay.

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) petroleum crude oil was used to generate NIST water-accommodated hydrocarbon fractions (WAFs) for standardized assessment of crude oil effects on the copepod Amphiascus tenuiremis. Effects were assessed using a 96-well microplate, full life-cycle test. Briefly, nauplii (age, 24 h) were reared individually to adults (n > or =120 nauplii/treatment) in microplate wells containing 200 microl of treatment solution (seawater control [0%] or 10, 30, 50, or 100% NIST-WAF). Nauplii were monitored through development to adulthood, and mature virgin male:female pairs mated in wells containing original treatments (<30 d). A second bioassay using 0, 10, 30, and 50% WAFs (n > or =60 nauplii/treatment) was conducted to assess the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light on naupliar endpoints (<16 d). In the first experiment, nauplius-to-copepodite survival in exposures to 100% WAF was 27% +/- 6% lower than in controls (92% +/- 1%), but copepodite-to-adult survival was greater than 90% across all treatments. Analysis of development curves showed that nauplii in the 10% WAF developed into copepodites 25% faster, whereas nauplii in the 50 and 100% WAFs developed 17% slower, than controls. Copepodite development into male and female copepods was significantly delayed (2 and 4 d, respectively) in the 100% WAF compared to controls. Although none of the WAF exposures had significant effects on fertilization success or total viable production (p > 0.05), embryo hatching in the 100% WAF was significantly less (70.0% +/- 21.2%) than that in controls (87.0% +/- 19.4%). Results from the UV bioassay showed that relatively short exposures (<14 d) to 30 and 50% WAFs in the presence of UV light caused negative effects on copepod survival and development. Naupliar-stage survival and developmental endpoints were the most sensitive indicators of exposure to the NIST crude oil WAF

Assessment of new vehicles emissions certification standards in the metropolitan area of Mexico City.

Light duty gasoline vehicles account for most of CO hydrocarbons and NOx emissions at the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City (MAMC). In order to ameliorate air pollution from the beginning of 2001, Tier 1 emission standards became mandatory for all new model year sold in the country. Car manufacturers in Mexico do not guarantee the performance of their exhaust emissions systems for a given mileage. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the Tier 1 vehicles will stand the certification values for at least 162000 km with the regular fuel available at the MAMC. Mileage accumulation and deterioration show that certified carbon monoxide emissions will stand for the useful life of the vehicles but in the case of non-methane hydrocarbons will be shorter by 40%, and nitrogen oxides emissions above the standard will be reached at one third of the accumulated kilometers. The effect of gasoline sulfur content, on the current in use Tier 1 vehicles of the MAMC and the impact on the emissions inventory in year 2010 showed that 31000 extra tons of NOx could be added to the inventory caused by the failure of the vehicles to control this pollutant at the useful life of vehicles.

Preparation of in-house reference soil sample containing high levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials from the oil industry.

An in-house reference soil sample containing high levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials collected from contaminated areas in the Syrian oilfields has been prepared as a part of the quality assurance program in AECS. Homogeneity of the sample has been examined using three methods, viz. particle size distribution of the sample matrix, total alpha/beta counting and gamma spectrometry. In conjunction with Dixon and Grubb tests as statistical tools, ten random samples from the original sample were used for this investigation. Reference values for the three radium isotopes (224Ra, 226Ra, 228Ra) were determined using gamma spectrometry equipped with HPGe detectors having high relative efficiencies of 80%, while the reference value of 210Pb in the sample was determined using radiochemical separation and counting of its daughter 210Po by alpha spectrometry. ANOVA analysis was used to estimate the uncertainties due to measurement and inhomogeneity of the sample; uncertainty due to inhomogeneity was found to be around 2.6 times the measurement uncertainty.

Phylogenetic characterization of a corrosive consortium isolated from a sour gas pipeline.

Biocorrosion is a common problem in oil and gas industry facilities. Characterization of the microbial populations responsible for biocorrosion and the interactions between different microorganisms with metallic surfaces is required in order to implement efficient monitoring and control strategies. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis was used to separate PCR products and sequence analysis revealed the bacterial composition of a consortium obtained from a sour gas pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico. Only one species of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was detected in this consortium. The rest of the population consisted of enteric bacteria with different characteristics and metabolic capabilities potentially related to biocorrosion. Therefore, several types of bacteria may be involved in biocorrosion arising from natural biofilms that develop in industrial facilities. The low abundance of the detected SRB was evidenced by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). In addition, the localized corrosion of pipeline steel in the presence of the consortium was clearly observed by ESEM after removing the adhered bacteria.

Hydrocarbons and the evolution of human culture.

Most of the progress in human culture has required the exploitation of energy resources. About 100 years ago, the major source of energy shifted from recent solar to fossil hydrocarbons, including liquid and gaseous petroleum. Technology has generally led to a greater use of hydrocarbon fuels for most human activities, making civilization vulnerable to decreases in supply. At this time our knowledge is not sufficient for us to choose between the different estimates of, for example, resources of conventional oil.

Analysis of aromatic sulfur compounds in gas oils using GC with sulfur chemiluminescence detection and high-resolution MS.

The analysis of alkylbenzothiophenes (alkyl-BT) and alkyl-dibenzothiophenes (alkyl-DBT) in light cycle oil (LCO) and straight run (SR) gas oils is described. A detailed identification and quantitative analysis of alkyl-BT and alkyl-DBT present in LCO gas oils was carried out using GC-SCD. For the SR gas oils, the simultaneous presence of thiophenic and nonthiophenic compounds does not allow for a selective analysis of thiophenic compounds by GC-SCD. A new method using gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) is proposed to selectively detect and quantify the alkyl-BT and alkyl-DBT in SR gas oils. The development of the method and comparison of results between GC-SCD and GC-HRMS are presented.

Estimate of mercury emissions to the atmosphere from petroleum.

An estimate of the contribution of mercury to the atmospheric environment from petroleum processed in the United States is constructed from recent data. The estimate is based on a mass balance approach for mercury in crude oil, in refined products, and in waste streams (air, water, solid waste) from refineries. Although there are insufficient data at present to have a high degree of confidence in the mean amount and range of mercury concentrations in crude oil or in refined products, the framework of the estimate should assist direction for the acquisition of additional data. On the basis of selected data that put the estimated mean concentration of total mercury in crude oil close to 10 ppb, it is calculated that the total amount of mercury in U.S. petroleum processed yearly is slightly over 8000 kg/yr. Of this amount, approximately 6000 kg/yr is estimated to be emitted to the atmosphere from combustion of liquid hydrocarbon fuels, which represents about 10% of the U.S. yearly emission rate of atmospheric mercury from coal combustion. The material balance predicts that the amount of mercury in air emissions from all U.S. refineries is on the order of 1500 kg/yr based on the assumption that fugitive mercury emissions from refineries are negligible. Atmospheric emissions of mercury from fuel oil burned in the United States are estimated in the U.S. EPA Mercury Report to Congress to be approximately 10000 kg/yr, and this estimate may be in error on the high side by a factor of 3-10. If the mean amounts of mercury in U.S. distillate and residual fuel oils are in the range of 5-15 ppb, as suggested by more recent data, then U.S. fuel oil combustion should contribute no more that about 1000-3000 kg/yr (emission ratio = 1) of mercury to the atmospheric burden.

Biodesulfurization and the upgrading of petroleum distillates.

Biotechnology offers an alternative way to process fossil fuels. There have been several important advances in the elucidation of the mechanisms of biodesulfurization and the development of a biocatalytic desulfurization process. These include a detailed analysis of the rate and extent of desulfurization of real target molecules in a diesel matrix, the directed evolution of rate- and extent-limiting enzymes for better performance and the expression of the genes in alternative hosts. Process innovations include new reactor designs, separations and recovery strategies and the production of value-added byproducts during desulfurization.

Levantamento de riscos na Refinaria Henrique Lage - PETROBRAS / Risks survey in the Refinaria Henrique Lage - PETROBRAS

Relatório resultante do levantamento elaborado para atender a solicitaçäo do Sindicato dos Petroleiros (SINDIPETRO) e da Câmara Municipal de Säo José dos Campos, através de análise de riscos na Refinaria Henrique Lage da PETROBRAS, e das açöes voltadas à prevençäo de acidentes do trabalho e doenças ocupacionais desenvolvidas pela empresa. Foram realizadas 26 visitas, de 06/12/90 a 06/07/92, para levantamento de dados. Apresenta informaçöes gerais sobre a empresa e dados específicos a cada Area Técnica, como descriçäo dos processos, fluxogramas e avaliaçöes ambientais já realizadas

[Contribution of petroleum-processing plants to the total level of atmospheric air pollution]. / Vyiavlenie vklada predpriiatiipo dobyche i pererabotke nefti v obshchii uroven' zagriazneniia atmosfernogo vozdukha.

On the basis of results of field studies the means to reveal the contribution of oil extracting and processing enterprises (the main components of discharges are similar to the common prevalent impurities in the air of residential areas) into the total level of ambient air pollution has been developed. The method takes into account the relationship between average annual concentrations of oil hydrocarbons and carbon oxide.