Assessing the impact of rust on the quality of crude oil from the geo-samples store, Entebbe Uganda

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of rust contamination, primarily composed of Iron oxides, on the quality of crude oil samples stored in steel containers. It focused on viscosity and API gravity alterations. The objectives included identifying and quantifying rust in the crude oil samples, determining the API gravity, and measuring the viscosity of the crude oil samples. Crude oil samples A and B were each collected from the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU). Inorganic residues of the crude oil samples were extracted and analyzed using UV-visible spectrophotometry. The results showed higher concentrations of Fe³⁺ in crude oil sample A (4.4 ppm), indicating significant rust contamination, which was linked to an exceptionally high API gravity of 62.2 °API and a low viscosity of 2.9802 cP. In contrast, crude oil sample B had lower Fe³⁺ levels (3.6ppm), an API gravity of 30 °API, and a viscosity of 7.2039 cP, aligning with typical Ugandan crude oil characteristics. The study concluded that rust contamination significantly alters crude oil properties, likely due to the catalytic cracking of heavier hydrocarbons, emphasizing the need for corrosion-resistant materials and regular maintenance in storage facilities to maintain oil quality.