Fast and Efficient Oil

About

Background: Stanford researchers at the Zare Lab have demonstrated a fast, convenient and efficient method for heavy oil degradation using untreated TiO2 powder as a catalyst in charged microdroplets under ambient conditions. The degradation reaction occurs on the timescale of milliseconds or less and requires very little sample preparation. This new approach improves upon the conventional method that need to be conducted in high temperature and pressure conditions, and takes hours or days for degradation. In addition to oil upgrading in the petrochemical industry, this method can also be applied to environmental remediation, such as the accidental discharge of oils into water resources. Stage of Research:  Demonstrated method both in model systems and real samples Designing larger scale prototype device for oil upgrading Applications: Improved process for crude oil upgrading in Petrochemical industry Environmental remediation of water resources Advantages: Fast - the timescale of degradation is on milliseconds or even shorter Convenient – can be conducted under ambient conditions Efficient – requires very little sample preparation required Low-cost Broad applicability in oil refining Novel approach - Uses TiO2 as the nanoparticle to degrade oil. Can also potentially use WO3 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles