Technology
The Principle is Based on Symbiosis between Bacteria & Fungi
Innovation and Patent:
1. We ‘fuse’ capable bacteria and fungi together to give them properties they don’t possess individually,
2. We place both in an environment where they are not normally found,
3. We control the complete process until we achieve the desired outcome.
Why It Works
Bio-cracking provides the energy to stay alive and multiply:
Given the right conditions, both bacteria and fungi grow exponentially, i.e. the next generation has double the size of the predecessor.
Energy balance: − YcatΔGcat − YanΔGan − ΔGdiss = 0
with Y… growth yield | ΔG… Gibbs free energy | cat… catabolism | an… anabolism | diss… disassociation.
How It Works
Exponential microbial & eukaryotic growth is key to fast treatment!
Given the right conditions, both bacteria and fungi grow exponentially, i.e. the next generation has double the size of the predecessor.
The Technology
Imagine an average molecule of C₇₀H₁₄₂ to illustrate mechanism
A reaction like this would greatly reduce viscosity
C₇₀H₁₄₂ + H₂ → 2 C₃₅H₇₂
This requires two steps:
1. Disassociation of C-C bonds
2. Closing the open C-bonds with hydrogen atoms
None of this happens by just mixing the above constituents!
Our technology performs 1. and 2. by microbial cracking of the C-C bonds utilizing high H/C ratio substrates—fast, cost efficient, with low energy needs, low GHG emissions, and highly scalable!
How much hydrogen for one metric ton of C₇₀H₁₄₂
C₇₀H₁₄₂ + H₂ → 2 C₃₅H₇₂
The molar mass of C₇₀H₁₄₂ is approximately:
M₍C₇₀H₁₄₂₎ = (70 × 12) + (142 × 1) = 982 g/mol
Moles of C₇₀H₁₄₂ = 1,000,000 g / 982 g/mol ≈ 1018.33 mol
The molar mass of hydrogen (H₂) is approximately 2 g/mol
1 mol of each constituent is required to balance equation
→ Mass of H₂ = 1018.33 mol × 2 g/mol = 2036.66 g = 2.04 kg
Substrate hydrogen carbon ratio (H/C ratio) should be > 2.2
Good hydrogen sources are CH₄ through C₁₀H₂₂ or, even better, elemental hydrogen.
High Viscosity Causes Low Mobility
Long chain hydrocarbons
Main factors for hydrocarbon viscosity:
1.Total mixture composition
2. Hydrocarbon composition
3. Temperature, Pressure
4. Dissolved gases
Viscosity over density is highly non-linear in heavy hydrocarbon mixtures.
High viscosity means low mobility.
Common ways to improve hydrocarbon mobility at the surface:
1. Total mixture composition: by emulsification (water)
2. Hydrocarbon composition: by diluents
3. Temperature, pressure: by heating (temperature only)
4. Dissolved gases: N/A (dissolved gases are typically lost)
All of the above approaches are expensive, have undesired side effects, or are technically not feasible.
Composition Determines Viscosity
Canadian Diluted Bitumen
- Alkanes fraction is dominant (>98%)
- 75% of mass fraction is C30+
Expensive Diluent (NG Condensates) and thermal insulation to keep temperature around 60C are used to create and maintain mobility.
Dynamic viscosity before and after treatment:
Viscosity was reduced by 91%. Tested per ASTM standards.
Visuals
Oil Tanker Sludge
Treated With 15% Agent
Lab analysis results
All Constituents and Product Analyzed (Dilbit Feedstock)
Carbon distribution analysis performed with GC-FID per ASTM standards.
Application
Well Pad
Many other applications…
- In-reservoir mobilization and upgrading,
- In-reservoir H₂S suppression,
- Waste hydrocarbon mobilization and upgrading,
- Contaminated sand cleaning, …
Application:
Crude Oil Tanker Sludge
Many other applications…
- Upgrading of refinery residues and tail ends,
- H₂S suppression midstream and downstream,
- Slop oil processing,
- Oil tank cleaning,
- Dilbit upgrading…
Commercialization way forward
- A pilot plant to demonstrate the technology and gather information needed to upscale by order of magnitudes
- ISO tank container based with a capacity of about 200bbl per day (readily available, mobile, cost efficient, modular)
- Conversion of heavy hydrocarbons to medium/light crude
- Construction and commissioning time: 6 months
Buy feedstock at ≈ 15 USD/bbl, sell at crude market price
Thereafter the plant generates about USD 120,000/month in profit and more process streams will be added
- Funding asked: USD 3 million, ROI 18 months
This conceptual layout can be scaled up to tens of thousand metric tons per day.
OPEX is very low as the agent reactor(s) are located on site.
Patented Technology
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Iran, Iraq and many more..
Were we are
Overview of Patent Application and Patent Grants
