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A Comparative Study of Diesel Oil and Soybean Oil as Oil-Based Drilling Mud

A Comparative Study of Diesel Oil and Soybean Oil as Oil-Based Drilling Mud
Contributors
Kris Weigal
Omni Tech International, Ltd
Drilling Mud/Fluid
Summary
This study evaluates the performance of high oleic soybean oil (HOSO) as a sustainable alternative to diesel oil in oil-based drilling muds, with implications for both lubricant and biodiesel applications. The research compares the rheological, filtration, and thermal properties of drilling fluids formulated with HOSO versus conventional diesel oil.

Full citation: Agwu, O. E., Okon, A. N., & Udoh, F. D. (2015). A comparative study of diesel oil and soybean oil as oil‑based drilling mud. Journal of Petroleum Engineering, 2015, Article 828451. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/828451

Key Findings:
-Rheological Performance: HOSO-based muds exhibit Bingham plastic behavior with lower yield point and gel strength than diesel-based muds, indicating better pumpability and lower energy requirements.
-Filtration Properties: HOSO muds showed lower fluid loss and thinner, softer filter cakes—reducing the risk of stuck pipe incidents during drilling.
-Thermal Stability: HOSO has a significantly higher flash point (330°C vs. 70°C for diesel), making it safer for high-temperature drilling environments.
-Environmental Impact: HOSO is biodegradable, non-toxic, and renewable, offering a safer and more sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fluids.
-Economic Consideration: While historically more expensive, the cost of HOSO has become competitive with diesel, especially when factoring in environmental and safety benefits.

🌱 Relevance to Green Chemistry Educators: This paper is highly relevant for educators teaching green chemistry, sustainability, or environmental engineering:

1. Real-World Application of Green Chemistry Principles
-Use of renewable feedstocks: HOSO is derived from soybeans, a renewable agricultural product.
-Design for energy efficiency: Lower viscosity and gel strength reduce energy consumption during drilling.
-Safer chemicals: HOSO is non-toxic and has a high flash point, reducing fire and health hazards.

2. Interdisciplinary Teaching Tool
-Connects chemistry, environmental science, petroleum engineering, and industrial sustainability.
-Offers a case study for evaluating trade-offs in material selection (performance vs. environmental impact).

3. Supports NGSS and Sustainability Education
-Aligns with NGSS standards related to Earth and human activity, engineering design, and energy.
-Encourages systems thinking and life-cycle analysis in evaluating industrial processes.

4. Promotes Critical Thinking and Innovation
-Students can explore how bio-based materials can replace fossil-derived ones in high-performance applications.
-Encourages discussion on the role of green chemistry in industrial innovation and climate solutions.
Keyword Tags
Soy Chemistry
Renewable Feedstocks
Bio-Based Materials
Link to external
A Comparative Study of Diesel Oil and Soybean Oil as Oil-Based Drilling Mud
Learning Goals/Student Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
-Describe the physical and chemical properties of high oleic soybean oil and how they compare to conventional diesel oil.
-Explain the environmental and safety advantages of using biobased oils in industrial applications.
-Analyze experimental data related to viscosity, density, and filtration to evaluate the performance of different drilling fluids.
-Evaluate the trade-offs between performance, cost, and sustainability in selecting materials for engineering applications.
-Apply green chemistry principles to real-world industrial challenges, such as reducing toxicity and improving biodegradability.
-Design a basic experimental plan or model to test the effectiveness of a biobased fluid in a simulated application.
Object Type
Journal articles
Audience
Introductory Undergraduate
Upper/Advanced Undergraduate
Common pedagogies covered
Blended learning
Green Chemistry Principles
Less Hazardous Chemical Syntheses
Designing Safer Chemicals
Design for Energy Efficiency
Design for Degradation
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Affordable and Clean Energy
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Responsible Consumption and Production
Climate Action
Safety Precautions, Hazards, and Risk Assessment
Chemical Hazards
-n-Hexane used in Soxhlet extraction is flammable and neurotoxic and requires use in a fume hood with proper PPE.
-Diesel oil contains aromatic hydrocarbons and n-olefins, which are toxic and environmentally persistent.
-Caustic soda (NaOH) is corrosive and can cause chemical burns.

Thermal Hazards
-Heating during oil extraction (up to 60°C) and flash point testing (up to 330°C for soybean oil) poses burn and fire risks.

Pressure Hazards
-Filtration tests conducted at 100 psi require secure equipment setup to prevent rupture or leaks.

Environmental Hazards
-Diesel oil poses significant environmental risks in case of spills due to low biodegradability and high toxicity.
-Soybean oil is biodegradable and less toxic, reducing environmental impact.

Safety Precautions
--Use a fume hood when handling volatile solvents like n-hexane.
-Wear PPE: lab coat, gloves, goggles, and face shield when handling chemicals or operating pressurized equipment.
-Ensure proper ventilation during heating and solvent evaporation.
-Use secondary containment for oil and solvent storage to prevent spills.
-Follow waste disposal protocols for organic solvents and petroleum-based fluids.
-Conduct flash point testing in a controlled environment away from ignition sources.
NGSS Standards, if applicable
HS-PS1-3 – Structure and Properties of Matter
Standard: Plan and conduct an investigation to gather evidence to compare the structure of substances at the bulk scale.
Connection: Students can explore how the molecular structure of soybean oil affects its viscosity, flash point, and performance in drilling fluids compared to diesel.

HS-ESS3-4 – Earth and Human Activity
Standard: Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
Connection: The study compares soybean oil and diesel in terms of environmental impact, biodegradability, and safety—ideal for discussions on sustainable engineering.

HS-ETS1-3 – Engineering Design
Standard: Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs.
Connection: Students can assess the trade-offs between cost, performance, and environmental impact in selecting drilling fluid base oils.

HS-PS3-4 – Energy
Standard: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that the transfer of thermal energy can be affected by the nature of the matter.
Connection: The flash point and thermal stability of soybean oil vs. diesel offer a real-world context for thermal energy transfer and safety.

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Submitted by

Kris Weigal
Published on
Moderation state
Published
Collection
Soy Chemistry Literature