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Title: Effects of surface-active demulsifiers on electrical conductivity of emulsions of water in crude oil

Journal Article · · Chem. Technol. Fuels Oils (Engl. Transl.); (United States)
OSTI ID:6727699

This article examines the effects of various emulsifiers on the electrical conductivity (EC) of emulsions of water in crude oil under conditions approaching the conditions prevailing in crude oil demulsification in electrocoalescing vessels. It is assumed that the EC of inverse hydrocarbon emulsions depends on the strength of the electric field. Beginning at a field strength of some hundreds of V/cm, the character of this relationship is determined mainly by the formation of conducting chains of water drops, which greatly increase the emulsion EC. It is determined that from the values of the EC measured in a low-strength field, it is impossible to judge the mechanism of electrical conduction of an emulsion in high-strength fields that are characteristic for the electrocoalescence process. Measurements were conducted at intermediate field strengths with average values E /SUB av/ of 2 and 6kV/cm, with a 50-Hz ac field, an emulsion flow velocity of 5.1 cm/sec, and an aqueous disperse phase content of 4%, using a coaxial cylindrical cell. The results from the measurements show that the presence of a demulsifier in the W/O emulsion affects its EC, with this effect depending to different degrees on the type of demulsifier, the concentration of demulsifier, and the field strength. It is established that the EC drops off with increasing demulsifier concentration in the emulsion.

Research Organization:
Kazan' State Pedagogical Inst.
OSTI ID:
6727699
Journal Information:
Chem. Technol. Fuels Oils (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Vol. 19:7; Other Information: Trans. from Khimiya i Tekhnologiya Topliv i Masel, Jul 1983
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English