Breaking water-in-oil emulsion of Northern Iraq’s crude oil using commercial polymers and surfactants

Abstract

Water (W) and oil (O) normally mix during production and while passing through valves and pumps to form a persistent water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion, which is a serious restriction in oil production and transporting and refining processes. The objective of this work is to treat emulsions of two crude oil samples labeled KD1 and DGH2 using commercial polymers and surfactants which are also known as demulsifiers. Hydrophile–lipophile balance (HLB) in the demulsifier structure has demonstrated a great effect on breaking W/O emulsion. Emulsion breakers with low HLB value showed better reduction in the dynamic IFT, high diffusivity at the W/O interface, and accelerated coalescence of water droplets. Concomitantly, high emulsion temperatures were found to reduce the interfacial film viscosity and accelerate water droplets coalescence. A maximum water separation efficiency (WSE) of 97% was achieved in the case of KD1 and 88% for DGH2, and using a (1:1) polymer blend demulsifier further increased WSE to 99% after 100 min.

Preparation of Modified Kaolin Nanoparticle Demulsifier and Its Demulsification Performance for Crude Oil-in-Water Emulsion

“…These findings indicate that a certain amount of metal ions in the emulsion can enhance the DE, and the influence of high valence salt ions is more significant. It was mainly because adding salt ions to emulsion can weaken the influence of the electric double layer and reduce the stability of the emulsion …”

“…It was mainly because adding salt ions to emulsion can weaken the influence of the electric double layer and reduce the stability of the emulsion. 45…”

Extraction of iron-containing catalyst from chlororganic wastes generated by ethylene chlorination

“…For emulsions of oil with water, mainly non-ionic type demulsifiers are used, the flow rate of which is 5-150 g/t of oil or a trapped product [23][24][25][26].…”

“…For example, in [26] it was found that for the separation of water (salinity 3.5 g/dm 3 ) from oil emulsions of the "water in oil" type with a water concentration of 30 % vol. It was optimal to use a mixture (1:1) of polyethylene glycol grade PG62 (M=1500, HLB=0.443) and polypropylene glycol grade PG35 (M=2700, HLB=0.248).…”

Effect of Composition and Interfacial Tension on the Rheology and Morphology of Heavy Oil-In-Water Emulsions

“…The formation of multiple emulsions (e.g.,, W/O/W) can create a challenge at the technological stage of the W/O emulsion separation . Breakage of the formed emulsions is the main goal of many research studies. − …”