Stabilization and Destabilization of Crude Oil Emulsion

Haris Ramzan

Mechanical Engineer

Nazeer Hussain University

Type of Emulsions

O/W W/O

Water

Oil

Stabilization of emulsions

Surfactant

•Decreasing interfacial

Tension

•Formation of interfacial

film

Oil

Water

Interfacial film stabilization

Polymer•Adsorbing on oil

droplet surface

Oil

Water

Steric stabilization

Particles•Adsorbing on oil or

water droplet surface

Steric stabilization

Oil

water

Liquid crystalFormation on the interface

between oil and water

Oil

Water

Electric double layer stabilization

Ionic surfactant, polymer and solid particles

•Adsorbing on

oil droplet surface

Breaking of emulsions

Flocculation

Coalescence

Emulsion

Sedimentation (creaming)

Oil

Water

Liquid

Interfacial film

Breaking of the interfacial film is a key process of break of emulsions

Stabilization of crude emulsions

Asphaltene•Formation of interfacial film

•Particles adsorbed on the interface

•Increasing viscosity of crude oil

Resin•Formation of interfacial film

•Increasing viscosity of crude oil

Wax•Particles adsorbed on the interface

•Increasing viscosity of crude oil

Detabilization of crude emulsions

Heating•Decreasing viscosity of crude oil;

•Increasing density difference of

crude and water;

Addition of demulsifiers•Breaking of interfacial film

Applying of electric field•Breaking of interfacial film•Promote of coalescence of water droplets

Thanks