Synthesis of a Novel Environmentally Friendly and Interfacially Active CNTs/SiO₂ Demulsifier for W/O Crude Oil Emulsion Separation

Abstract

In the current study, novel environmentally friendly and interfacially active carbon nanotubes/SiO 2 nanomaterials (CNTs/SiO 2 ) for emulsified crude oil separation were prepared via grafting nano-SiO 2 on the surface of oxidized carbon nanotubes (Ox-CNTs). The structure of the as-prepared CNTs/SiO 2 was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV−visible absorption spectra, Raman spectra, X-ray diffraction spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Besides, three-phase contact angles (θ) were employed to evaluate the wettability of CNTs/SiO 2 . Also, it was found that the θ value of CNTs/SiO 2 was about 90°. The nanomaterials with interfacial activity can spontaneously assemble at the oil−water interface, thus improving the droplet coalescence in the emulsion. Afterward, the demulsification performance was evaluated in crude-oil emulsions using the bottle test, which demonstrated that the demulsification efficiency demulsification efficiency could reach 87.40%. Also, the water phase was clear, while the optimum concentration and sedimentation time were 500 ppm and 30 min, respectively. Furthermore, the possible demulsification mechanism was evaluated by an optical microscope. The findings in this work might provide a novel environmentally friendly and interfacially active nanomaterial as a crude oil demulsifier.

Treatment of Oily Wastewater Using a Hyperbranched Poly (amido amine) Demulsifier with 1,4‐Phenylene Diamine as Central Core

“…The weight loss of the sample in the 30–200 °C range was 7.44 % and is ascribed to the large amounts of amino groups in the molecular structure of the PPDA demulsifier . The amino group is a hydrophilic group that will combine with the water molecules in the air . In the heating process, the water molecules attached to the amine groups will be broken up, resulting in a weight loss due to the evaporation of water.…”

Review on Application of Nanotechnology for Asphaltene Adsorption, Crude Oil Demulsification, and Produced Water Treatment

“…It was reported that the distribution of nanomaterials at the interfaces has improved the coalescence of water droplets, which quickly and effectively separated water from crude oil emulsions. 134…”

“…Figure 9. Effect of different concentrations and sedimentation times of CNTs/SiO 2 on demulsification efficiency 134. …”

Synthesis and Research of Highly Efficient Polyether Demulsifier

“…Therefore, demulsification and removal of water from crude oil are of great significance. At present, demulsification methods include centrifugation, microwave and heat treatment, membrane separation, flocculation, chemical demulsification, biological technology, and so on [8–14] . At present, chemical demulsification is the most commonly used demulsification method [15–17] .…”

“…At present, demulsification methods include centrifugation, microwave and heat treatment, membrane separation, flocculation, chemical demulsification, biological technology, and so on. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] At present, chemical demulsification is the most commonly used demulsification method. [15][16][17] The chemical demulsifier is a kind of surfactant.…”