Study the influence of sodium dodecyl sulfate on emulsification of heavy and waxy crude oils to improve their flow ability in low temperature conditions

Abstract

Transportation of heavy and waxy crude oils through pipelines is a problem in many regions of the world where low temperatures are observed usually in offshore conditions due to wax and asphaltene precipitation. Transporting them as oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsion through pipelines is one of the feasible flow assurance solutions. In this research work, O/W emulsions using anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate are prepared for two Indian crude oil samples having significant asphaltene and wax deposition potential and effect of emulsification on the flow properties of these crude oils are thoroughly analyzed. It is found that the prepared emulsions have very stable phase volume composition up to 50 days at ambient conditions, and they are thermally stable in the temperature range 20–45°C. Emulsions of heavy crude oil are found to be relatively more stable than that of waxy crude with time and temperatures. Fifty percent (v/v) is the observed optimized oil content in the prepared o/w emulsions for both the crude oils at optimum surfactant concentration that is critical micelle concentration (CMC). The prepared emulsions have viscosities as low as 0.01 Pa s and pour point as low as less than 0°C, ensuring easy flow at low temperatures, suited for pipeline transportation at subsea conditions. Interfacial tension and surface tension values of waxy crude‐water system and its o/w emulsions respectively are higher than that of heavy crude‐water system and its O/W emulsions, which indicate difficulty in waxy crude oil transportation compared with heavy crude oil.

Investigation into the Flow Assurance of Waxy Crude Oil by Application of Graphene-Based Novel Nanocomposite Pour Point Depressants

“…4,12,16−18 The amount of saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes (SARA) present in the crude oil were determined using a column chromatography method as per the experimental procedures outlined by Deka et al and others. 4,12,18,19 The WAT of the crude oil was calculated from rheology according to the deviation observed in the Arrhenius relation between the viscosity of the crude oil sample and temperature. 12,20 Further characterization details of crude oil are mentioned in the Supporting Information (section 1).…”

“…The rheological tests of untreated crude oil were performed using a Bohlin Gemini II rheometer (Malvern Instruments, UK) at temperatures of 10, 20, 30, and 40 °C. The wax content of the crude oil was determined with the method Modified Universal Oil Products (UOP) 46-64 using solvents n -pentane and acetone, where hexane was used as a washing solvent. ,,− The amount of saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes (SARA) present in the crude oil were determined using a column chromatography method as per the experimental procedures outlined by Deka et al and others. ,,, The WAT of the crude oil was calculated from rheology according to the deviation observed in the Arrhenius relation between the viscosity of the crude oil sample and temperature. , Further characterization details of crude oil are mentioned in the Supporting Information (section 1).…”

Sustainable Separation of Paraffin Wax by Span 80 Combined with Switchable Water

“…12 Thus, paraffin wax can be emulsified to form an emulsion system by surfactants, significantly reducing fluid viscosity, which is conducive to pipeline transportation. 13 Moreover, surfactants can reduce the adsorption of paraffin wax by converting the wettability of pipeline walls from oilwetting to water-wetting, 14 promoting paraffin wax removal. Although the paraffin wax is effectively removed by surfactants, the separation of emulsified paraffin wax is difficult, generating emulsified wastewater.…”

“…For paraffin wax removal by surfactants, surfactants can be used to disperse paraffin wax by adsorbing onto the wax particles, preventing the aggregation of wax crystals . Thus, paraffin wax can be emulsified to form an emulsion system by surfactants, significantly reducing fluid viscosity, which is conducive to pipeline transportation . Moreover, surfactants can reduce the adsorption of paraffin wax by converting the wettability of pipeline walls from oil-wetting to water-wetting, promoting paraffin wax removal.…”

Agentes emulsificantes aplicados à estabilização de emulsões o/a com intuito de melhorar o transporte de óleos pesados através das tubulações: Um estudo bibliométrico

“…Considerando a depleção destas reservas, bem como as previsões de que o suprimento de energia nas próximas décadas ainda será baseado em petróleo, pesquisas científicas têm sido direcionadas para o desenvolvimento de rotas eficientes de recuperação e transporte de óleos não convencionais, tais como: pesado, extrapesado e betume (Gu, Li & Yu, 2016). Por definição, o petróleo pesado é todo óleo cru que possui densidade igual ou inferior a 20 ºAPI, enquanto o petróleo extrapesado é aquele que apresenta densidade menor ou igual a 10 ºAPI (Sharma et al, 2018). A considerável atenção dada pela comunidade científica e pela indústria do petróleo à exploração de óleos não convencionais está pautada em previsões que apontam que, em breve, os óleos pesados vão ocupar o lugar de destaque no cenário energético mundial, substituindo óleos convencionais e tornando-se a principal fonte de energia fóssil (Sun et al, 2016).…”