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Revealing Bilgewater Emulsion Formation and Breaking by In Situ Multiplexed Chemical Imaging


EMSL Project ID
50569

Abstract

Bilgewater, an oil and grease mixture with water, may affect many aquatic species. Thus development of methods and techniques to treat (i.e., increase OWS availability, reduce cost) or to mitigate the formation and undesired consequences of shipboard emulsions are urgently needed. This research aims to investigate the fundamental physicochemical processes in the formation, stabilization, and breaking of shipboard relevant emulsions. Understanding shipboard emulsions at evolving interfaces is a key scientific challenge. The underpinning hypothesis is that surface chemical changes at the l-l interface are critical for mass and charge transfer leading to emulsion formation, stabilization, and worsening. Using unique in situ chemical imaging capabilities developed at PNNL, we will answer the following questions to validate the following questions: 1) How do ionic, nonionic, and solid emulsifiers affect emulsion stabilization in ship bilgewater conditions? and 2) How does microbial activity affect emulsion formation, stabilization, and breaking? A unique vacuum compatible microreactor, System for Analysis at the Liquid Vacuum Interface (SALVI), will be used to achieve multiscale imaging and obtain a more fundamental understanding of these physiochemical multiphase processes.

Project Details

Start Date
2018-10-08
End Date
2019-09-30
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Xiao-Ying Yu
Institution
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Team Members

Jiyoung Son
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Yanjie Shen
Institution
Ocean University of China

Rachel Komorek
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Jennifer Yao
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Related Publications

Shen Y., J. Yao, J. Son, Z. Zhu, and X. Yu. 2020. "Liquid ToF-SIMS revealing the oil, water, and surfactant interface evolution." Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 22, no. 21:11771-11782. PNNL-SA-147881. doi:10.1039/D0CP00528B
Shen Y., Y. Fu, J. Yao, D.B. Lao, S.K. Nune, Z. Zhu, and D.J. Heldebrant, et al. 2020. "Revealing the structural evolution of green rust synthesized in ionic liquids by in situ molecular imaging." Advanced Materials Interfaces. PNNL-SA-151430. doi:10.1002/admi.202000452
Wei W., A.E. Plymale, Z. Zhu, X. Ma, F. Liu, and X. Yu. 2020. "In Vivo Molecular Insights into Syntrophic Geobacter Aggregates." Analytical Chemistry 92, no. 15:10402-10411. PNNL-SA-151938. doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00653