Abdel-Mohsen Onsy Mohamed

Effect of salinity and temperature on water cut determination in oil reservoirs

In this study, system stability and water cut were evaluated via IR analysis and physicochemical properties of the tested mixture. Samples were prepared with different water cuts at a specified salinity and tested by IR. Different cations were also used in the water portion of the mixture to evaluate its effect of interaction and stability. In addition, the effect of water cut, temperature, salinity and cation type, and composition on specific gravity, API gravity, kinematic and dynamic viscosities and surface tension were investigated. The studied water content range was from 0 to 0.8 while temperature from 20 to 100 °C. Salinity effect up to 40,000 ppm was also evaluated. For each mixed ion solution, equivalent sodium concentrations and mixture resistivity were calculated. Relationships between water cut, major functional groups and mixture physicochemical properties were developed. Therefore, for a known property, water cut could be predicted.

Development of a novel electro-dialysis based technique for lead removal from silty clay polluted soil

In this study, a novel electro-dialysis based technique has been developed and used to treat a silty clay soil polluted by lead. The effect of chemical reagents, i.e. tap water at pH 4 (reagent 1) and sodium acetate at pH 5 (reagent 2), on enhancing electro-dialysis extraction of lead from the tested soil was examined. Specimens were prepared by mixing soil with 1000 ppm of lead and were compacted in the dialysate at predetermined dry density and moisture content. Then, specimens were subjected to a predetermined level of current. In the dialysate compartment, anions and cations were removed by charge transport in opposite directions to the anodic and cathodic cells. Meanwhile, in the anodic and cathodic cells, ion concentrations were increased. Thus, concentrated electrolyte streams were produced in alternating cells and cleaned soils were obtained in the dialysate. Both soil pH and lead concentrations were uniformly distributed within the compacted soil specimen during testing. Total lead removal of 80 and 92% was obtained for reagents 1 and 2, respectively. The high removal efficiency was attributed to the separation of electrode reactions from the soil and inclusion of ion selective membranes (ISM), which restrict the movement of counter charged species.

Development of a methodology for evaluating subsurface concentrations of pollutants using electrical polarization technique

The study involves the introduction of an electrical polarization technique to in situ analysis of subsurface pollutants by measuring and analyzing the variation of soil-pollutant dielectric properties as a function of concentration of the pollutant in the soil. The developed system was modeled using transmission line theory, and the electrical parameters were optimized using the electrical circuit simulation software (Circuit Maker™) and the experimental results. Also, a methodology was developed to evaluate soil pore fluid concentrations via the use of two important electrical properties for the medium, which are resistance and capacitance.

Solidification of cement kiln dust using sulfur binder.

The present study aims to offer a new methodology for consuming two industrial wastes; sulfur, from petroleum and natural gas industries, and cement kiln dust (CKD), from Portland cement industries, in construction industry. Sulfur solidified cement kiln dust material (SSCKDM) was manufactured by mixing molten sulfur, treated sulfur, CKD and sand at a controlled temperature in excess of 120°C. The hot mixture was subsequently cast and shaped into the desired mold and was then allowed to solidify at a specified cooling rate. Solidified materials were immersed for time periods up to 28 days in distilled water at different temperatures of 25 and 60°C, sea water, and acidic and basic universal buffer solutions of pH4 and pH9, respectively. Solidified material performance as function of time and type of aqueous solution exposed to was evaluated in view of compressive strength variations and leachability of metal and heavy metal ions. The results indicated that the solidified articles exhibit homogenous and compact internal microstructure with excellent mechanical properties. However, it showed durability problem upon exposure to aqueous solution environments due to the initial chemical composition of the CKD, whose leached test showed release of relatively high amounts of sulfates and alkali metals. Durability of SSCKDM articles in relation to strength reduction and crack formations control was improved by addition of glass fiber while, the use of anti-leaching agent such as anhydrous sodium sulfide resulted in reduction of leached heavy metals without any measurable decrease in leached amounts of alkali metals and anions from the solidified matrix. Furthermore, based on leachability index method of calculation, potential chemical mobility of metal and heavy metal ions from the solidified matrix was characterized as medium.

Evaluation of Water Content and Ionic Concentrations of Soils via Frequency Domain Analysis of TDR Waveform

This study addresses the development of a method for evaluating the water content and ionic concentrations of subsurface polluted soils by analyzing the TDR waveforms in the frequency domain. Soil specimens were prepared with different water contents and NaCl concentrations. A known electrical pulse with multiple harmonics was generated and induced through soil specimens. Reflected signals were then analyzed in the frequency domain and represented in terms of the magnitude and phase shift. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed for various magnitudes and phase shifts, which are dependent on water content and concentrations. Regression equations were obtained; hence, for a known reflected amplitude and phase shift, water content and ionic concentrations could be determined.

Impact of Soil Magnetic Properties on Moisture Content Prediction Using TDR

It is generally assumed that soil relative magnetic permeability is one for the prediction of soil moisture content using time domain reflectrometry (TDR) technique. However, the presence of iron and iron-bearing minerals may result in significant losses due to ferromagnetic relaxation processes. As the magnetic permeability is a multiplier in the electromagnetic wave propagation equation, ignoring it can result in significant errors of estimating travel time, propagation velocity, and dielectric permittivity of the soil medium. Attributing the velocity, attenuation, and frequency dependence to electrical properties alone will also result in incorrect estimation of soil moisture content when magnetic properties are different from free space. Therefore, this study is aimed at evaluating the extent of soil magnetic properties variations. The results are discussed in view of their impact on the prediction of soil moisture. The results demonstrated that ignoring soil magnetic effect due to iron and iron-bearing minerals causes significant errors in calculating wave propagation parameters. Calculated errors are 21.88, 3.38, 3.16, and 3.42 % for propagation constant, wave velocity, wavelength, and intrinsic impedance, respectively. This in turn highlights the importance of including the magnetic effect of the soil in the wave propagation calculations applied in the TDR data analysis methodologies. In addition, the calculated apparent dielectric constant is less than the actual one by 7.172 % leading to reduction in the predicted moisture content by about 3.64 % in soils using TDR techniques. However, since soil moisture content is a fundamental property in predicting the pollutant migration in soils, then predicted pollutant migration front will be underestimated.

Treatment of collapsible soils using sulfur cement

Abstract The strength and stability of collapsible soils can present problems during construction. To overcome these problems, sulfur cement as a treatment method was developed and evaluated in view of its microstructure, mineralogical composition, physical, thermal, mechanical, hydraulic, and chemical properties. The treated soil was prepared from modified sulfur, sulfur, fly ash, and soil aggregates. Specimens were treated in air, water, and saline solutions at different temperatures, ranging from room temperature to 60°C, and time, ranging from 28 days to one year. After treatment, specimens were tested for their compressive strength. The results indicated that the strength of the treated soil is about three times higher than that stabilized by normal Portland cement. The results of hydraulic conductivity of the treated soils are ranged between 1.46 × 10-13 and 7.66 × 10-11 m/s making it a good candidate for its potential use as stabilizing agent in arid lands. Leachability of sulfur and metal ions from the solidified material was below the norms stated by various environmental agencies. The treated soil offers many advantages as an alternative construction material particularly in situations that require a fast solidification in places of extremely cold, hot climates or corrosion conditions.

Electrical Properties of Soils

This chapter discusses the electric and electromagnetic methods that are used to evaluate the electrical properties of soils. Electric techniques exploit the flow of a steady-state current in the subsurface, while electromagnetic methods rely on the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction and the wave character of the electromagnetic field.

Treatment of concrete wash wastewater from ready-mix concrete operations

Wash wastewater generated from ready-mix concrete (RMC) drums poses major environmental problems due to its high alkalinity and elevated heavy metal contents that need to be removed prior to dispos...

Stability and Safety of Engineered Barrier Systems for Waste Containment

Abstract The current chapter analyzes different engineered measures that are put in place in landfills to safeguard the environment and the population health from release of wastes. The functions and types of covering systems are initially presented. Subsequently, the basic components of the covering systems are discussed providing details about the physical, chemical, and environmental parameters that need to be attended in different climatic and geologic conditions. The engineered barriers in the mining waste industry are further presented together with the dry, water, and organic barrier concepts that are employed for various wastes. The different types of lining systems are analyzed with emphasis on the design and construction requirements, and the properties and potential problems of clay liners, owing to the widespread use of clay as a landfill barrier. Newer types of liners, such as soil-cement and sulfur-polymer cement and concrete are detailed in terms of their capacity to absorb and retain certain chemicals from the environment, as well as their behavior under harsh conditions. Finally, the flexible membrane liners are expounded in terms of their type and performance, and the chapter concludes by presenting the control and monitoring requirements of landfills in the United States and the European Union.