Effect of polar head surfactants on the demulsification of crude oil

ABSTRACT

Surfactants can act as demulsifiers to neutralize the stabilizing effect of natural emulsifiers in crude oil. Here, the effect of polar head group of surfactants with identical hydrophobic chain C₁₂ (SLES, SLS, C₁₂E₂₃, BKC, C₁₂E₇) on the demulsification of crude oil emulsion and its effect on water separation rate were studied at different temperature. The activation energy for destabilization was calculated. The results indicate that the rate of water separation increases with temperature and surfactant concentration. The emulsion destabilising activation energy decreases as the concentration of the surfactant increases. The Interfacial Tension (IFT) study showed that when the reduction in IFT was the highest, the water separation rate and efficiency achieved was the highest.

KEYWORDS:

• demulsification
• crude oil emulsion
• separation rate
• energy of destabilization

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to acknowledge ONGC Uran India for providing crude oil sample and Galaxy surfactants for providing surfactants sample.