Application of Ultrasonic Waves on the Demulsification (Dehydration) of Crude Oil
نویسندگان
1 Ph.D. student, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
2 Assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
3 Assistant professor, Faculty of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, 5166616471, Iran
4 Associate professor, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
doi
20.1001.1/jgt.2025.2053635.1051چکیده
Demulsification (dehydration) of crude oil plays a crucial role in reducing oil contamination within the porous media of soil and rock structures and preventing corrosion of pipelines and surface facilities. Over the past two decades, the application of ultrasonic wave irradiation for demulsification and desalting of crude oil has gained increasing attention due to its significant environmental and economic advantages. However, a research gap exists regarding the comparison of conventional demulsification methods with ultrasonic treatment (UST). In this study, a comprehensive review was conducted to evaluate the effects of UST on crude oil demulsification. UST decreases the stability of water-in-oil emulsions, particularly when low-frequency waves are applied. Based on the findings, UST emerges as a promising method for both demulsification and desalting of crude oil. Based on the results, UST causes salt removal rates surpassing 90% and residual water content consistently under 0.3% vol., even for high-viscosity heavy crude feedstocks. When deployed in refinery pre-treatment systems, this technology enhances desalter efficacy while slashing chemical demulsifier consumption by 40–60%. The results highlight a dual benefit: robust operational performance under extreme conditions and a significant reduction in chemical dependency. The primary mechanisms of UST-driven demulsification are cavitation and wave-induced vibrations. These mechanisms alter the interfacial tension (IFT) between crude oil and water, reduce oil viscosity, increase pressure and temperature, and crack heavy crude oil components, especially asphaltene clusters. Combining UST with conventional demulsification methods can enhance performance. For instance, the simultaneous application of UST and nanotechnology presents a practical approach for efficient demulsification. Additionally, the synergistic effects of UST and chemical additives should be comprehensively investigated to identify optimal operational conditions. The results of this research provide insights for the oil industry to improve demulsification efficiency and reduce environmental contamination associated with crude oil.
