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[Performance of demulsification by Rhodococcus sp. PR-1]
Ting Ma1, Feng-lai Liang, Yan-wei Xi
1College of Environment Sciences and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China. tingma@nankai.edu.cn
Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue
|August 23, 2006
Summary
A novel bacterium, Rhodococcus sp. PR-1, effectively breaks down oil-in-water emulsions using its hydrophobic cell surfaces. This biological demulsification method shows promise for treating oil field wastewater.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
Context:
- Oil field wastewater often contains stable emulsions that are difficult to treat.
- Chemical demulsifiers can be effective but may pose environmental risks.
- Biological solutions offer a potentially sustainable alternative for emulsion treatment.
Purpose:
- To isolate and characterize a microbial strain with high demulsification capability.
- To investigate the mechanism behind the bacterium's demulsifying activity.
- To evaluate the efficiency of microbial demulsification compared to chemical methods.
Summary:
- Rhodococcus sp. PR-1, isolated from oil field sewage, completely demulsified a model kerosene-water emulsion within 8 hours at 55°C.
- Its demulsifying ability, superior to the chemical demulsifier DGF-01, is attributed to hydrophobic microbial cell surfaces rich in mycolic acids (C27-C54).
- Demulsification followed a linear relationship with time, and activity was unaffected by freezing-thawing or autoclaving, but inhibited by ultrasonic treatment and organic solvents.
Impact:
- This study provides a foundation for applying microbial demulsification in the oil industry.
- It highlights Rhodococcus sp. PR-1 as a promising agent for treating crude oil emulsions in produced water.
- The findings support the development of eco-friendly biotechnologies for oilfield wastewater management.
