The Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, also known as NIOC-RIPI, often shortened to RIPI (Persian: پژوهشگاه صنعت نفت) is a governmental research institute founded in 1959 in Tehran, Iran and is affiliated with National Iranian Oil Company.The institute is a major research institute in Iran and is the largest of its kind in the Middle East. RIPI has become a major technology provider for Iran's petroleum industry. In 2002, it developed a technology that converts heavy crude oil into the more desirable, a new generation of GTL technology.
LaNi1-xCoxO3 (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5) perovskite-type oxides were synthesized and evaluated as three-way catalysts (TWCs) for the simultaneous removal of CO, C3H6, and NO from automotive exhaust. TPR results revealed a progressive decrease in reduction temperatures upon cobalt incorporation, attributed to enhanced hydrogen spillover and improved oxygen mobility. FESEM and BET analyses showed pseudo-spherical morphologies with increased macroporosity but reduced surface areas and particle aggregation upon cobalt doping. XPS demonstrated enrichment of chemisorbed oxygen (O-ad) and higher Ni3+/Ni2+ ratios with increasing cobalt content, correlating with enhanced redox properties. Optical characterization revealed band-gap narrowing from 2.40 eV (LaNiO3) to 2.31 eV (LaNi0.5Co0.5O3), favoring electron transfer. Catalytic activity tests demonstrated significant improvements in CO and C3H6 oxidation after cobalt substitution, with T-50 for CO oxidation decreasing from 185 degrees C (LaNiO3) to 164.6 degrees C (LaNi0.5Co0.5O3), and T-90 from 228.1 degrees C (LaNiO3) to 207.5 degrees C (LaNi0.5Co0.5O3). Similarly, T-50 for C3H6 conversion reached 266.8 degrees C and T-90 at 312.1 degrees C for LaNi0.5Co0.5O3, compared to 307.1 degrees C and 335.0 degrees C for pristine LaNiO3. Although NO conversion peaked at similar to 90% around 275 degrees C for LaNiO3, it decreased upon Co substitution due to equilibrium constraints. These findings demonstrate that cobalt incorporation enhances reducibility, lattice oxygen mobility, and surface oxygen reactivity, thereby promoting CO and hydrocarbon oxidation under TWC conditions.
The development of stable nanofluids (NFs) for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) relies on optimizing interactions between reservoir rocks and fluids. In this manuscript, a new hydrophilic nanocomposite (NC) of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and polydopamine was synthesized. The novelty of this work lies in the unique multicomponent design that leverages the synergistic action of polydopamine properties and CTAB surfactant functionality, creating a stable agent with dual functionality for superior EOR performance. The NCs structural and morphological properties were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Interfacial behaviour was quantified via contact angle (CA), and interfacial tension (IFT), and core flooding measurements. The results showed that a 70 ppm NC concentration achieved optimal performance, identified through a systematic experimental design. At this concentration, the NF exhibited a strongly negative zeta potential of approximately -50 mV, confirming excellent colloidal stability. It reduced the oil-water IFT from 22 to 1.98 mN/m and altered the contact angle on aged carbonate plates from 155 degrees (oil-wet) to 19 degrees (strongly water-wet). Core flooding tests showed a significant 35% increase in oil recovery over the low-salinity water flood baseline, recovering an additional 26% of the original oil in place (OOIP). Stability testing was also performed through zeta potential analysis. The NCs stability and dual functionality wettability alteration and IFT reduction are attributed to polydopamine properties and cetyltrimethylammonium bromides surfactant action at the oil/water interface. These results underscore the NCs potential as a scalable solution for nano-EOR, with broader applications in subsurface energy.
This study develops an integrated project delivery framework that combines Building Information Modeling (BIM) with Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) to improve the performance of large-scale oil pipeline construction projects. A mixed-method research design was employed, including a systematic literature review, expert consultation, model formulation, and validation through two real pipeline projects located in Tehran and Isfahan. The study identified and applied key performance indicators related to schedule efficiency, cost performance, productivity, coordination effectiveness, and rework reduction. The proposed BIM–IPD model was initially validated using the completed Tehran project, where its predicted outcomes closely aligned with actual project data and demonstrated noticeable advantages over traditional delivery methods. The model was subsequently applied to the ongoing Isfahan project to evaluate the added value of early BIM–IPD adoption. The results indicated significant improvements in planning accuracy, reduced schedule duration, enhanced productivity, and lower levels of cost deviation and rework. These findings consistently highlight the operational and economic benefits of adopting a structured, collaborative, and data-driven delivery approach. Overall, the research confirms that the BIM–IPD framework provides a more reliable basis for decision-making and offers measurable performance improvements for future pipeline construction projects.
Porosity estimation is a critical challenge in carbonate reservoir characterization due to complex pore systems and heterogeneity. This study compares core-derived and log-calculated porosity measurements in a carbonate reservoir in Southwest Iran at depths of 3250–3750 m, addressing industry challenges of data reliability and cost efficiency. While core analysis yields direct porosity measurements, its high cost and limited spatial coverage necessitate reliable log-based alternatives. The research utilized neutron, density, and acoustic logs to calculate porosity through established petrophysical relationships, comparing results with core data from 648 samples. Two innovative zoning approaches were developed: depth- and lithology-based zoning identified five distinct reservoir intervals, while porosity-based zoning classified the reservoir into three quality classes. Results show strong agreement between methods; log-derived mean porosity of 15 % closely matches the core measurement average of 12 %. Neutron-density logs effectively capture total porosity, while acoustic logs indicate primary porosity, enabling secondary porosity quantification. A key achievement is the implementation of Geolog software's deterministic and probabilistic methods to minimize interpretation subjectivity, reducing reliance on extensive coring while maintaining accuracy. The depth-based zoning approach identified high-quality reservoir intervals between 3450 and 3550 m with porosity exceeding 20 %. This work advances previous studies by offering: (1) a validated protocol for log-core integration in heterogeneous carbonates, (2) quantitative assessment of secondary porosity, and (3) practical zoning methodologies for reservoir quality prediction. Future research should focus on machine learning (ML) applications to enhance porosity prediction models and integrate advanced logging tools for improved fracture porosity characterization.
This work examines how the size of nickel particles impacts CH4 reforming with CO2 over Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts aimed at syngas production. A set of catalysts containing Ni loadings from 5 to 20 wt% (with particle sizes between 3.5 and 10.5 nm) was prepared and tested at CO2/CH4 = 1, GHSV = 60 L/(gcat·h), 700–800°C, and 1 bar. Increasing the Ni loading enhanced CH4 conversion from 38.6% (Ni5, 700°C) to 70.2% (Ni20, 800°C) and CO2 conversion from 45.4% to 85.6%. However, turnover frequency (TOF) decreased from 1.23 to 0.90 s-1 by increasing the Ni particle size, which indicates a structure-sensitive reaction. The H2/CO ratio stayed under one (0.899–0.919) because of the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction, while coke formation increased from 0.037 to 0.083 μmol/(gcat·min). The experimental data were well captured by a size-dependent kinetic model derived from the Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) mechanism, achieving a mean absolute relative residual under 3%. The size-independent activation energy (Eₐ∞) for CH4 reforming with CO2 was determined as 86.1 kJ/mol. These results highlight the role of Ni particle size in regulating the activity, selectivity, and carbon deposition behavior in the CO2 reforming of CH4.
