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Advances in ultrasonic treatment of oily sludge: mechanisms, industrial applications, and integration with combined treatment technologies

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Abstract

In the petroleum sector, the generation of oily sludge is an unavoidable byproduct, necessitating the development of efficient treatment strategies for both economic gain and the mitigation of negative environmental impacts. The intricate composition of oily sludge poses a formidable challenge, as existing treatment methodologies frequently fall short of achieving baseline disposal criteria. The processes of demulsification and dehydration are integral to diminishing the oil content and reclaiming valuable crude oil, thereby playing a critical role in the management of oily sludge. Among the myriad of treatment solutions, ultrasonic technology has emerged as a particularly effective physical method, celebrated for its diverse applications and lack of resultant secondary pollution. This comprehensive review delves into the underlying mechanisms and recent progress in the ultrasonic treatment of oily sludge, with a specific focus on its industrial implementations within China. Both isolated ultrasonic treatment and its combination with other technological approaches have proven successful in addressing oily sludge challenges. The adoption of industrial-scale systems that amalgamate ultrasound with multi-technological processes has shown marked enhancements in treatment efficacy. The fusion of ultrasonic technology with other cutting-edge methods holds considerable potential across a spectrum of applications. To fulfill the goals of resource recovery, reduction, and neutralization in oily sludge management, the industrial adoption and adept application of a variety of treatment technologies are imperative.

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Data Availability

This review article synthesizes a multitude of publicly published research and literature to provide a comprehensive overview of ultrasonic technology in the treatment of oily sludge. All studies and data cited in this document are from publicly accessible sources, including academic journals, conference papers, public databases, public patents, and other publicly accessible literature. Readers can access these materials through the reference list provided in the text. For any specific study or data point, interested readers should refer to the original publications for detailed information and specific data availability. No unpublished or non-publicly accessible data were used in this article.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant numbers [22106028] and [2023M730216]). The funding bodies had no role in the design of the study, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, or in writing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Wang Jian: led the conceptualization and design of the study, played a significant role in the methodology formulation, and was the primary contributor in writing the original draft. Lai Yujian: assisted in data curation and played a vital role in creating visual materials such as charts and tables for the manuscript. Also involved in the analysis and interpretation of data. Wang Xuemei: contributed to the investigation process, particularly in gathering and analyzing literature, and played a supportive role in data analysis. Ji Hongbing: acted as the supervising author, overseeing the project’s progression. Contributed significantly to the critical review, editing, and finalizing of the manuscript. Also served as the corresponding author, handling communication between the journal and the author team.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hongbing Ji.

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Ethics approval

This study, being a review article, did not involve any direct experimental work on human participants or animals. Therefore, formal ethical approval was not required. All the analysis was based on previously published studies, and all the procedures performed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Consent to participate

We, (Wang Jian, Lai Yujian, Wang Xuemei, Ji Hongbing), hereby solemnly declare our voluntary participation in this study. We have fully understood the purpose, procedures, potential benefits, and risks of the research, and have had the opportunity to have all related questions answered. We affirm that our participation is voluntary and acknowledge that we have the right to withdraw at any time without any adverse consequences.

Consent to publish

We, (Wang Jian, Lai Yujian, Wang Xuemei, Ji Hongbing), hereby indicate our agreement to publish the papers and results related to this study. We understand that once the paper is accepted for publication, it will become publicly accessible information. We agree to be responsible for the content we have contributed and confirm that the information provided is accurate and truthful. We agree to adhere to the ethics and standards of publication and commit to maintaining academic integrity throughout the publication process.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Responsible Editor: Guilherme Luiz Dotto

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Wang, J., Lai, Y., Wang, X. et al. Advances in ultrasonic treatment of oily sludge: mechanisms, industrial applications, and integration with combined treatment technologies. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 14466–14483 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32089-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32089-4

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