In Russia, a faster method has been introduced for identifying organochlorines that threaten oil-processing equipment. This development was reported by TASS, the Russian news agency, and it marks a significant shift in how industry technicians monitor contaminants in crude and refined oils.
Organochlorine compounds (OCs) represent a particularly hazardous class of oil pollutants. During processing, these substances can liberate hydrochloric acid, which aggressively corrodes costly equipment and disrupts refinery operations. To prevent such damage, the petroleum sector has long upheld strict limits on acceptable OC levels. Yet detecting these compounds typically required lengthy laboratory procedures, specialized conditions, and several days before results could guide action on the shop floor.
Researchers in Russia have devised a method that dramatically shortens this diagnostic timeline. The express procedure, developed by a scientific team at the Siberian Institute of Physics and Technology (SPTI) in collaboration with Tomsk State University, enables the presence of trace OC contaminants to be identified at concentrations as low as 6–10 parts per million in only minutes. The inventors attribute this speed to a novel class of semiconductor gas-sensitive sensors created at SPTI, which are described as unique on a global scale.
The new instrument is designed for on-site analysis directly at production facilities and can also be used during transportation of oil products. A working prototype has already been validated with real commercial oil samples, demonstrating its applicability across different stages of the oil supply chain.
Experts emphasize that the technology offers practical advantages beyond speed. By delivering rapid results on the facility floor, operators can make quicker decisions about process adjustments, containment measures, or product routing that minimizes corrosion risk and reduces potential downtime. The approach also holds promise for routine screening in logistics hubs, where timely information about contaminant levels can improve safety and efficiency. While the method is still undergoing broader validation, early tests indicate robust performance across a range of crude and refined oils.
As industry seeks to modernize quality control, this express method represents a tangible step toward real-time monitoring of hazardous contaminants. If adopted widely, it could complement existing laboratory workflows, lowering the cost and time associated with OC testing while maintaining rigorous safety and equipment protection standards. The advancing field of on-site sensing continues to draw attention from researchers and industry practitioners alike, who see potential for similar rapid assays to address other oilborne pollutants and process risks.
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