Demulsification of Asphaltenes and Resins Stabilized Emulsions via the Freeze/Thaw Method

The role or asphaltenes and resins in stabilizing water-in-crude oil emulsions was investigated by measuring the boundary tension, the zeta potential of the dispersive drops, and the dehydrating ratio of the model emulsions, which were demulsified via the freeze/thaw method. The model emulsion was prepared with dodecane and deionized water, and the water concentration was 30 v/v%. Three thawing types were used in the demulsifying experiments: air (room temperature), a 40 degrees C water bath, and microwave irradiation. The dehydrating ratio is improved significantly with microwave irradiation, and it can be more than 90 v/v% for the emulsion used in this experiment.