Characterization of Chemical Demulsification of Oil in Water Emulsion: Comparison Between a Kinetics Model and Laboratory Experiments

Abstract

In this study, kinetics of chemical demulsification of emulsion was studied. A series of experiments have been carried out with different demulsifiers and effect of temperature and demulsifier concentration on the destabilization process was examined. In the destabilization process, the separation efficiency of emulsion was determined by flocculation and coalescence rate constants measurement. When different dimulsifires were compared, the more coalescence and flocculation rate constants were obtained, the more efficient was demulsification. It was observed, as temperature increased, destabilization and coalescence behavior increased. Also, it was observed that an optimal demulsifier concentration exited to obtain a maximum coalescence rate constant.

Keywords:

• emulsion
• chemical demulsification
• kinetics model
• coalescence rate constant
• flocculation rate constant