Experimental Investigation and Optimization of Stability-Controlling Parameters in Heavy Crude Oil-in-Water Emulsions
نویسندگان
1 Chemical Engineering Department, University of Science and Technology of Mazandaran, Behshahr, I.R. IRAN
2 Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, I.R. IRAN
3 Chemical Engineering Department, University of Science and Technology of Mazandaran, Behshahr, I.R. IRAN
4 Chemical Engineering Department, University of Science and Technology of Mazandaran, Behshahr, I.R. IRAN
5 Chemical Engineering Department, University of Science and Technology of Mazandaran, Behshahr, I.R. IRAN
doi
10.30492/ijcce.2025.2072265.7309چکیده
Heavy crude oils exhibit poor flowability and stability during transportation due to high viscosity and strong interfacial films. This study evaluates oil-in-water emulsification as a strategy to improve handling and pipeline transport. A systematic experimental program using a One-Factor-at-a-Time (OFAT) design quantified the effects of oil fraction, mixing speed/time, temperature, pH, salinity, and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) dosage on emulsion formation, stability, viscosity, and surfactant recovery. Emulsions remained stable up to ~60% oil fraction, beyond which phase inversion occurred. Optimum stability was obtained at 6000 rpm, 25 min, 25 °C, near-neutral pH, and 2 wt% SDS. Salinity progressively enhanced emulsion stability across the tested range (0–40,000 ppm), although 0 ppm was selected as the practical operating condition due to field constraints such as corrosion and scaling. Heating at 75 °C accelerated demulsification and enabled ~77% surfactant recovery. The findings offer practical guidelines for applying O/W emulsions in the field to improve heavy-oil transportation.
