How apples are fueling Kazakhstan’s energy sector
Kazakhstani researchers have found an innovative, eco-friendly approach to combat corrosion in oil production equipment using apple pectin. While still in the research phase and pending practical trials, this new method could substantially enhance the economic efficiency and environmental sustainability of Kazakhstan’s oil industry.
Given the sector’s role as a key contributor to the national GDP and budget, this breakthrough holds significant potential. Environmental risks such as oil spills remain a serious yet infrequent concern.
These risks are heightened at fields like Kashagan in the northern Caspian Sea, known for oil with high sulfur content.
Compounds such as mercaptans and hydrogen sulfide, found across various hydrocarbon resources — including oil, liquefied and natural gas — are not only toxic but also highly corrosive. Their presence accelerates equipment and pipeline corrosion, which in turn raises the risk of leaks and spills into soil and water, posing serious environmental hazards. This new pectin-based solution could offer a much-needed safeguard for equipment, helping reduce these risks.
Researchers from the East Kazakhstan Technical University, in collaboration with the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (BFU), have pioneered an innovative apple-based coating to protect oil pipelines from corrosion. Their study revealed that copper-silver microparticles can interact effectively with L-cysteine — a sulfur compound that simulates corrosive agents found in oil. These microparticles not only neutralize sulfur compounds but also shield metal surfaces from corrosive environments. Apple pectin plays a critical role as a stabilizer, ensuring the uniform distribution of microparticles and enhancing their stability on metal surfaces for maximum anti-corrosive effect.
By testing various cysteine concentrations and pH levels, the researchers identified optimal conditions for efficient copper-sulfur binding.
This advancement suggests that bimetallic nanostructures modified with pectin provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional anti-corrosion methods. Natural pectin, derived from plant sources, offers an eco-friendly alternative in anti-corrosion coatings by reducing toxic substances, as it is biodegradable and safe for ecosystems.
The bimetallic nanostructures used — comprising noble and base metals — provide exceptional electrical and mechanical properties, making them highly effective in anti-corrosion applications.
According to Askar Ismailov, an oil and gas industry expert, pectin’s use in corrosion protection could substantially lower pipeline costs.
«In the future, pipeline requirements can be adjusted, allowing for cheaper pipelines and faster production times, which will, in turn, reduce operational expenses,» Ismailov explained. «Even if the cost of pectin is comparable to that of sulfur-resistant pipes, it’s economically advantageous, as pipes will be cheaper and last longer. This makes pectin a promising solution for the oil industry.»
Regarding the practical application of this innovative apple-based solution, Ismailov notes two key considerations.
«First, we need to await the completion of pilot testing, although its timing remains uncertain. Secondly, many oil companies have already invested in existing pipeline infrastructure, making them unlikely to replace equipment anytime soon. Mass adoption could be feasible only in five to six years, provided that pectin proves both efficient and economically advantageous,» he concluded.
