Chemical demulsification of petroleum emulsions using oil-soluable demulsifiers

Journal Article · Thu Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1991 · Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie00050a014· OSTI ID:6038190

Krawczyk, M A; Wasan, D T; Shetty, C S ^[1]

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1. Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Illinois Inst. of Technology, Chicago, IL (US)

This paper investigates the factors affecting the coalescence and interfacial behavior of water- in-crude-oil emulsions in the presence of oil-soluble demulsifiers. The emulsion-breaking characteristics and interfacial properties of East Texas Crude and a model system were compared. The variation of interfacial tension with demulsifier concentration for the model system was ascertained by measuring the interfacial tensions between the oil and water phase. Interfacial activity, adsorption kinetics, and partitioning were shown to be the most important parameters governing demulsifier performance. A conceptual model of drop-drop coalescence process in demulsification was presented which indicates that the interfacial activity of the demulsifier must be high enough to suppress the interfacial tension gradient. This accelerates the rate of film drainage, thus promoting coalescence.

• OSTI ID: 6038190
• Journal Information: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States), Journal Name: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States) Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 30:2; ISSN 0888-5885; ISSN IECRE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400* -- Petroleum-- Processing
023000 -- Petroleum-- Properties & Composition
ADDITIVES
ADSORPTION
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
COLLOIDS
DEMULSIFICATION
DEMULSIFIERS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISPERSIONS
EMULSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION VI
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
KINETICS
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
REACTION KINETICS
SORPTION
TEXAS
USA
VISCOSITY