Innovations in mercury monitoring in oil storage tanks

Samuel Charlie from Aramco recently presented groundbreaking findings on mercury monitoring in oil storage tanks.

Mercury in the oil industry: a persistent challenge

Mercury contamination is a significant concern in the oil industry. This is primarily due to its impact on equipment and environmental health.

As a byproduct of fossil fuel processing, mercury poses risks during natural gas liquefaction, where it corrodes aluminum heat exchangers, leading to product losses.

In oil refining, mercury amalgamates with noble metals, deactivating catalysts and disrupting production.

Study overview

The research focused on mercury distribution within oil storage tanks.

Typically, oil is stabilized for 24 hours in storage tanks before being shipped to customers

Standard oil assays collect samples from the bottom, middle, and top of the tank, but the distribution of mercury across these layers had not been thoroughly studied.

Charlie’s team analyzed samples from two oil grades with differing sulfur content.

They collected samples from the tank inlet and various layers using 40 mL septum-capped vials to prevent mercury loss.

Samples were homogenized and analyzed with atomic fluorescence spectrometry, calibrated with certified mercury standards.

Key findings

The study revealed that mercury levels varied significantly across tank layers:

1. Higher mercury at the bottom: most mercury accumulated at the bottom of the tanks, likely due to interactions with residual water
2. Decreasing mercury upward: mercury concentrations decreased from the middle to the top of the tank
3. Cross-contamination issues: variations in mercury levels between batches highlighted the potential for cross-contamination in mixed oil grades.

Implications for mercury monitoring

These findings emphasize the need for thorough sampling protocols to ensure representative mercury analysis.

Charlie recommended mixing oil samples from different layers before laboratory analysis to capture accurate mercury content.

The research also highlighted the importance of addressing sulfur-rich oil grades in future studies, as these may have higher mercury levels.

Advancing environmental monitoring

Charlie’s work represents a step forward in understanding mercury behavior in oil storage tanks.

By refining sampling and analysis methods, the industry can better manage mercury contamination, reducing risks to both operations and the environment.

For professionals monitoring environmental contaminants, this study underscores the importance of robust, innovative approaches to mercury analysis.

Explore the full presentation and video for a deeper dive into this critical research below.

Want to hear more?

Why not watch some of our other mercury presentations:

• Investigating mercury's ocean-atmosphere exchange: a global perspective
• Determination of mercury and other trace elements in hair and its application in human biomonitoring studies
• WATCH: Mercury exposure in fish from protected and non-protected tropical reservoirs in Zimbabwe.