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gwangi
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this oil leak in the Gulf has got me wondering about a few things. There are a lot of questions being asked and the only answers seem vague and uninformed. I'm new here so bear with me as I learn the etiquette.
My primary question is why is this oil staying near the bottom when its STP density is less than water? I know that unlike water the long chain hydrocarbon molecules are subject to compression, so I assume that the low temperature and high pressure have a definite affect, but does anyone have any actual numbers? How dense is crude at +10 F and 5000 feet down? What is the temp of the oil itself as it exits the pipe?
additionally: under what natural conditions does its specific gravity (is that the correct use of the term?) become less than water and the stuff begin to rise to the surface?
thanks in advance for any information you can provide
My primary question is why is this oil staying near the bottom when its STP density is less than water? I know that unlike water the long chain hydrocarbon molecules are subject to compression, so I assume that the low temperature and high pressure have a definite affect, but does anyone have any actual numbers? How dense is crude at +10 F and 5000 feet down? What is the temp of the oil itself as it exits the pipe?
additionally: under what natural conditions does its specific gravity (is that the correct use of the term?) become less than water and the stuff begin to rise to the surface?
thanks in advance for any information you can provide
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