Destruction of a Water-in-Oil Emulsion under Combined Action of a Low-Frequency Acoustic Field and a Demulsifier

Destruction of a Water-in-Oil Emulsion under Combined Action of a Low-Frequency Acoustic Field and a Demulsifier

Asphaltenes

Demulsification

Emulsions

Emulsification

Resins

Molecules

Acoustic fields

Spectroscopic analysis

Abstract: The effect from the combined action of a low-frequency acoustic field, a demulsifier (DE), and the temperature factor on the stability of the water-in-oil emulsions formed by crude oils differing in the contents of resins, asphaltenes, and paraffin hydrocarbons was examined. It was shown that the DE acts on the emulsions more effectively after acoustic treatment which accelerates the process of coalescence and separation of free aqueous phase. Preliminary exposure of the emulsion to the physical field facilitates migration of the DE molecules towards the interfacial film and causes loosening of the protective shells around the water droplets, thereby leading to formation of new disperse structures via redistribution of the oil components. An IR-spectroscopic analysis showed that the resin molecules in the emulsion are more susceptible to the acoustic field exposure than the asphaltene molecules, which causes a change in their structural-group composition. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] 2022, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.

2022

Loskutova, Yu. V.

Yudina, N.V.

journalArticle

9655441

10.1134/S0965544122020220