Journal
ENERGY & FUELS
Volume 31, Issue 11, Pages 12010-12020Publisher
AMER CHEMICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.7b02437
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- Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad
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This article thoroughly evaluates the performance of a synthesized surfactant as, an emulsifier for the preparation of an Indian heavy crude oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion to enhance its ability to flow through offshore pipelines. The physicochemical characteristics, wax content, wax appearance temperature, FT-IR spectrum, and high-temperature gas chromatogram of the heavy crude oil were analyzed first. High-frequency (26 kHz) ultrasonic waves were utilized to disperse heavy crude oil in water. Further evaluation included studies of the pour point, rheology, stability, droplet size distribution, and zeta potential of the prepared emulsions. The pour point and viscosity of the crude oil decreased drastically after preparation of the emulsion with water. Most of the prepared emulsions had a pour point of less than 3 degrees C. In order to minimize the amount of surfactant required, the effects of aqueous-phase salinity and pH on the emulsion properties were also studied. Although an increase in water salinity showed no significant positive effect on emulsion properties, an increase in water pH helped in achieving better flow ability as well as stability of the emulsions. These results suggest that a synthesized surfactant may be used to prepare stable o/w emulsions and transport them through offshore pipelines efficiently.
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