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The accurate determination of C0-C3 alkylphenol concentrations in crude oils

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Barry Bennett, Kimberley Noke, Bernard Bowler, Professor Stephen Larter

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Abstract

Accurate determination of the concentrations of volatile and semi-volatile phenols in oils is required to reliably quantify the solute levels that are likely to be loaded into oilfield production waters following partition redistribution. We show, from a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of a North Sea crude oil, that significantly different concentration data for several C-0-C-3 alkylphenols may be obtained, depending upon whether the response of the fragmentation ion or the molecular ion is used, and whether the data are corrected for the relative response factor (RRF) of individual phenols. We also show how a comparison of concentration data for individual phenols obtained both with and without RRF correction can enable the recognition of co-elution. The accurate quantification of phenols in oils can be used to predict more effectively the requirement for production water-treatment facilities and can provide more reliable inventories of these toxic compounds discharged into the environment. The oil-water partition coefficient of p-cresol increases in crude oils with increasing nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen-containing (NSO)-compounds. The occurrence of high phenols concentrations and relatively low NSO contents in some condensates may present particular problems in water treatment and disposal.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Bennett B, Noke KJ, Bowler BFJ, Larter SR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry

Year: 2007

Volume: 87

Issue: 5

Pages: 307-320

ISSN (print): 0306-7319

ISSN (electronic): 1029-0397

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.

URL: .http:/dx.doi.org/10.1080/03067310601151936

DOI: 10.1080/03067310601151936


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