Biodegradation of heavy oil by fungal extracellular enzymes from Aspergillus spp. shows potential to enhance oil recovery. Issue 5 (11th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Junhui; Gao, Hui; Lai, Hangxian; Hu, Shibin; Xue, Quanhong
• Is Part Of: AIChE journal. Volume 67:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-02-11
• Subjects: biogas production -- enzymatic degradation -- fungal enzyme preparation -- heavy oil recovery -- oil viscosity; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; 660.28
• DOI: 10.1002/aic.17222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-1541

Abstract

Abstract: Microbial enhanced oil recovery makes a substantial contribution to the recovery of heavy oils; however, most methods use bacteria, with less attention paid to the potential of fungi. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of fungal extracellular enzymes in biotransformation of heavy oil fractions into light compounds. Two Aspergillus isolates ( A. terreus and A. nidulans ) with the ability to biodegrade heavy oil were isolated from bitumen. The extracellular enzymes from these Aspergillus isolates exhibited dehydrogenase and catechol 2, 3‐dioxygenase activities. The biodegradation of heavy oil was coupled with abundant production of gases, mainly CO2 and H2 . Gas chromatography analysis revealed a redistribution of n ‐alkanes in heavy oil after treatment with crude enzyme extracts, which resulted in an increase in individual n ‐alkanes. The viscosity of heavy oil was decreased considerably by enzymatic degradation. These results demonstrate the potential of fungal extracellular enzymes from Aspergillus spp. for applications in enhanced heavy oil recovery.