Scaling up effects on heavy oil-in-water emulsions prepared in mixing tanks

ABSTRACT

This article shows the scaling up effects on the phenomena of breaking and coalescence of oil-in-water emulsions made with vacuum residue (Rv), from the petroleum distillation plant of a Mexican refinery, and prepared in cylindrical mixing vessels agitated with propellers. Emulsions were made in 4″, 6″, and 15″ diameter tanks, with mixing propeller speed between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm. In the 4″ tank, the phenomenon of rupture is favored between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm. In the 6″ tank, rupture is favored between 1,800 and 2,500 rpm and coalescence above 2,500 rpm. In the 15″ tank, the phenomena of coalescence dominate.

KEYWORDS:

• mixing tanks
• oil in water emulsions
• petroleum
• scaling up
• vacuum residue

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) for the financial support of this project and Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) Tula Refinery for the vacuum residue supplied.