SODIUM LIGNIN SULFONATE TO STABILIZE HEAVY CRUDE OIL-IN-WATER EMULSIONS FOR PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION

ABSTRACT

The efficiency of sodium lignin sulfonate (SLS) as an anionic surfactant derived from waste wood pulping industry in stabilizing an Egyptian heavy crude oil (Geisum)-in-water emulsions for pipeline transportation has been investigated. The stability and rheology of the emulsions stabilized by SLS or with a nonionic surfactant nonyl phenol diethylenetriamine formaldehyde ethoxylate (NDFE) individually or in a mixture have been studied. It has been found that the dynamic shear viscosity of the crude oil decreases substantially when it is emulsified with water in the form of an oil-in-water type of emulsion. The stability of the oil-in-water emulsion increases as the surfactant concentration increases. Potable water and saline water containing different molar concentrations of NaCI have been used to study the effect of aqueous phase salinity on the stability and viscosity of the emulsion. Surfactant dissolved in saline water has been utilized to find out the possibility of injecting the surfactant into a well bore to effect emulsification in the pump or tubing for enhancing the production of heavy crude oils as oil-in-water emulsion. The study revealed that, the viscosity of the emulsion containing potable water is always less than that containing saline water and the viscosity increases as the salt content increased.     

STABILITY AND RHEOLOGY OF HEAVY CRUDE OIL-IN-WATER EMULSION STABILIZED BY AN ANIONIC- NONIONIC SURFACTANT MIXTURE

The stability and rheology of an Egyptian Heavy crude oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by an anionic (TDS) and a nonionic (NPE) surfactants individually or in a mixture have been studied. The study reveals that, the viscosity of the crude oil decreases when it is emulsified with water in the form of an oil-in-water type of emulsion. The stability of the oil-in-water emulsion increases as the surfactant concentration and speed of mixing of the emulsion increases. Fresh water and synthetic formation water have been used to study the effect of aqueous phase salinity on the stability and viscosity of the emulsion. Surfactant dissolved in synthetic formation water has been utilized to find out the possibility of injecting the surfactant into a well bore to effect emulsification in the pump or tubing for enhancing the production of heavy crude oils as oil-in-water emulsion. The study revealed that, the viscosity of the emulsion containing fresh water is always less than that containing formation water, these findings have been correlated with the crude oil/water interracial tension (IFT) measurements The decreased IFT value results in a decrease in the average particle size of the dispersed crude oil leading     

STABILITY AND RHEOLOGY OF HEAVY CRUDE OIL-IN-WATER EMULSION STABILIZED BY AN ANIONIC- NONIONIC SURFACTANT MIXTURE

ABSTRACT

The stability and rheology of an Egyptian Heavy crude oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by an anionic (TDS) and a nonionic (NPE) surfactants individually or in a mixture have been studied. The study reveals that, the viscosity of the crude oil decreases when it is emulsified with water in the form of an oil-in-water type of emulsion. The stability of the oil-in-water emulsion increases as the surfactant concentration and speed of mixing of the emulsion increases. Fresh water and synthetic formation water have been used to study the effect of aqueous phase salinity on the stability and viscosity of the emulsion. Surfactant dissolved in synthetic formation water has been utilized to find out the possibility of injecting the surfactant into a well bore to effect emulsification in the pump or tubing for enhancing the production of heavy crude oils as oil-in-water emulsion. The study revealed that, the viscosity of the emulsion containing fresh water is always less than that containing formation water, these findings have been correlated with the crude oil/water interracial tension (IFT) measurements The decreased IFT value results in a decrease in the average particle size of the dispersed crude oil leading     

RHEOLOGY, PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION, AND ASPHALTENE DEPOSITION OF VISCOUS ASPHALTIC CRUDE OIL-IN-WATER EMULSIONS FOR PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION

The rheology of an asphaltic heavy crude oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by an anionic (RN) and a nonionic (TEP) surfactants individually or in a mixture has been studied. The investigated crude oil has a non-Newtonian, time dependent, shear thickening, rheopectic behavior with a relatively high yield stress. The relatively high yield stress of this crude oil is attributed to the presence of a relatively high asphaltene and resins content. The viscosity ofhe crude oil decreases when it is emulsified with synthetic formation water in the form of an oil-in-water type of emulsion using a nonionic or an anionic surfactant. It has been found that, the maximum oil content required for forming an oil-in-water emulsion of acceptable viscosity is the 60% oil-containing emulsion. However, the 70% oil-containing emulsion is not an oil-in-water type of emulsion but it is rather a complicated mixture of oil-in-water-in-oil type of emulsion. The presence of the anionic and the nonionic surfactants together has a synergistic effect in decreasing the total surfactant concentration required to stabilize the emulsion and to form low viscosity emulsion. It has been emphasized that the nonionic surfactant has a positive contribution in forming emulsions with low viscosity. Meanwhile, the anionic surfactant contributes in stabilizing the emulsion at lower concentrations. Flocculation point measurements showed that the added surfactants caused no sign of asphaltene deposition. This implies that it is safe to use the investigated surfactants in forming oil-in-water emulsion for viscous asphaltic crude oils without any fear of asphaltene deposition.     

RHEOLOGY,PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION,AND ASPHALTENE DEPOSITION OF VISCOUS ASPHALTIC CRUDE OIL-IN-WATER EMULSIONS FOR PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION

The rheology of an asphaltic heavy crude oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by an anionic (RN) and a nonionic (TEP) surfactants individually or in a mixture has been studied. The investigated crude oil has a non-Newtonian, time dependent, shear thickening, rheopectic behavior with a relatively high yield stress. The relatively high yield stress of this crude oil is attributed to the presence of a relatively high asphaltene and resins content. The viscosity ofhe crude oil decreases when it is emulsified with synthetic formation water in the form of an oil-in-water type of emulsion using a nonionic or an anionic surfactant. It has been found that, the maximum oil content required for forming an oil-in-water emulsion of acceptable viscosity is the 60% oil-containing emulsion. However, the 70% oil-containing emulsion is not an oil-in-water type of emulsion but it is rather a complicated mixture of oil-in-water-in-oil type of emulsion. The presence of the anionic and the nonionic surfactants together has a synergistic effect in decreasing the total surfactant concentration required to stabilize the emulsion and to form low viscosity emulsion. It has been emphasized that the nonionic surfactant has a positive contribution in forming emulsions with low viscosity. Meanwhile, the anionic surfactant contributes in stabilizing the emulsion at lower concentrations. Flocculation point measurements showed that the added surfactants caused no sign of asphaltene deposition. This implies that it is safe to use the investigated surfactants in forming oil-in-water emulsion for viscous asphaltic crude oils without any fear of asphaltene deposition.     

Emulsification of Indian heavy crude oil using a novel surfactant for pipeline transportation

The most economical way to overcome flow assurance problems associated with transportation of heavy crude oil through offshore pipelines is by emulsifying it with water in the presence of a suitable surfactant.In this research,a novel surfactant,tri-triethanolamine monosunflower ester,was synthesized in the laboratory by extracting fatty acids present in sunflower(Helianthus annuus)oil.Synthesized surfactant was used to prepare oil-in-water emulsions of a heavy crude oil from the western oil field of India.After emulsification,a dramatic decrease in pour point as well as viscosity was observed.All the prepared emulsions were found to be flowing even at 1°C.The emulsion developed with 60%oil content and 2wt%surfactant showed a decrease in viscosity of 96%.The stability of the emulsion was investigated at different temperatures,and it was found to be highly stable.The effectiveness of surfactant in emulsifying the heavy oil in water was investigated by measuring the equilibrium interfacial tension(IFT)between the crude oil(diluted)and the aqueous phase along with zeta potential of emulsions.2wt%surfactant decreased IFT by almost nine times that of no surfactant.These results suggested that the synthesized surfactant may be used to prepare a stable oil-in-water emulsion for its transportation through offshore pipelines efficiently.     

Experimental investigation of the effects of various parameters on viscosity reduction of heavy crude by oil–water emulsion

The effects of water content, shear rate, temperature, and solid particle concentration on viscosity reduction(VR) caused by forming stable emulsions were investigated using Omani heavy crude oil. The viscosity of the crude oil was initially measured with respect to shear rates at different temperatures from 20 to 70 C. The crude oil exhibited a shear thinning behavior at all the temperatures. The strongest shear thinning was observed at 20 C. A non-ionic water soluble surfactant(Triton X-100) was used to form and stabilize crude oil emulsions. The emulsification process has significantly reduced the crude oil viscosity. The degree of VR was found to increase with an increase in water content and reach its maximum value at 50 % water content.The phase inversion from oil-in-water emulsion to water-inoil emulsion occurred at 30 % water content. The results indicated that the VR was inversely proportional to temperature and concentration of silica nanoparticles. For water-in-oil emulsions, VR increased with shear rate and eventually reached a plateau at a shear rate of around350 s-1. This was attributed to the thinning behavior of the continuous phase. The VR of oil-in-water emulsions remained almost constant as the shear rate increased due to the Newtonian behavior of water, the continuous phase.     

Viscosity of Concentrated Emulsions: Relative Effect of Granulometry and Multiphase Morphology

Abstract

High viscosity and high density make heavy and extra heavy crude oils very difficult to produce. They cannot be pumped in their natural state and advanced technologies are required. Formation of oil-in-water emulsions is one of them. A typical emulsion contains 65% of dispersed phase and has a viscosity lower than 500 mPa.s. Current research is aimed at increasing the crude oil content at reduced costs with still good stability and low viscosity. Consequently, an experimental study was dedicated to the relationship between the structure and the rheological properties of heavy oil emulsions. Particular attention was paid to process parameters employed to prepare emulsions. Depending on the shear device, various emulsions have been obtained, either simple or multiple, monodisperse or bimodal. The resulting viscosity is discussed. It is particularly low when the emulsion is either coarse and unimodal or fine and simple. The highest viscosity is obtained when the emulsion is fine and multiple. The experimental results confirm that both composition variables and process parameters have to be taken into account to minimize viscosity of heavy oil emulsions.     

VISCOSITY OF WATER-OIL EMULSIONS WITH ADDED NANO-SIZE PARTICLES

The viscosity of emulsion and suspensions in the presence of two types of nano-size particles that, have different affinity for oil, have been investigated. It has been found out that both oil-solid suspensions and oil-water-solid mixtures behave as pseudoplastic fluids at all studied solid concentrations. The viscosity of emulsion-solid mixtures does not seem to get affected by water concentration, yet it is a function of solid concentration.

The ability of solids to act as emulsifying agents has also been investigated. It has been established that neither of the two types of solids used is capable of stabilizing water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsions in the absence of surfactants. At low concentrations of solids and in the presence of an oil-soluble surfactant, both oil-wet and water-wet solids, however, are capable of stabilizing water-in-oil emulsions. In the presence of water-soluble surfactant, only water-wet solids are capable of stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions.     

Influence of surfactants used in surfactant-polymer flooding on the stability of Gudong crude oil emulsion

The influences of an anionic-nonionic composite surfactant and petroleum sulfonate, used in surfactant-polymer flooding in Shengli Gudong oilfield, East China, on the interfacial properties of Gudong crude model oil and synthetic formation water was studied by measuring interfacial tension, interfacial viscoelasticity and Zeta potential. The influence of the surfactants on the stability of Gudong water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions was evaluated by separating water from the W/O emulsion and residual oil in the aqueous phase of the O/W emulsion respectively. The results showed that the two kinds of surfactants, namely anionic-nonionic composite surfactant and petroleum sulfonate, are both able to decrease the interfacial tension between the oil phase and the aqueous phase and increase the surface potential of the oil droplets dispersed in the O/W emulsion, which can enhance the stability of the W/O and O/W crude oil emulsions. Compared with petroleum sulfonate, the anionic-nonionic composite surfactant is more interfacially active and able to enhance the strength of the interfacial film between oil and water, hence enhance the stability of the W/O and O/W emulsions more effectively.     

HRV-2稠油降粘剂的研制与评价

HRV-2是一种专用于稠油的新型降粘剂,适用于不含水或低含水稠油的掺水降粘,它既能与稠油中的有机酸反应形成稳定的水包油乳状液,起到降粘作用,又对原油脱水没有不利的影响。本文通过室内评价试验和现场使用效果分析,说明该剂对后续工艺没有影响,是一种值得推广应用的降粘剂。     

#br# 两性表面活性剂/聚合物对稠油水包油型乳状液分水率和降黏率的影响

为了有效地在常温条件下输送稠油,系统分析了表面活性剂和聚合物的类型及其含量对稠油水包 油（O/W）型乳状液分水率和降黏率的影响规律及作用机理。实验结果表明：由质量分数为10%的两性 表面活性剂CAB 35制备的稠油O/W型乳状液稳定性较好,3 h内的分水率为100%,降黏率超过98%;随 着CAB 35质量分数的增加,乳状液分水率先急剧降低后趋近于稳定,降黏率减小、但均在96%以上。为 了进一步提高乳状液的稳定性,分别向CAB 35溶液中加入非离子聚丙烯酰胺PAM、阴离子聚丙烯酰胺 HPAM、阳离子聚丙烯酰胺CPAM和两性离子聚丙烯酰胺ACPAM。结果显示：当两性表面活性剂的质量分数 较低时,加入聚合物后,乳状液的分水率明显降低,且4种聚合物对乳状液分水率的影响程度由高到低 依次为ACPAM、CPAM、HPAM、PAM,降黏率均超过96%;随着HPAM含量的增加,乳状液的分水率减小,降 黏率降低。     

Influence of polymers on the stability of Gudao crude oil emulsions

The influence of different types and concentrations of polymers on the stability of Gudao crude oil emulsion was investigated by measuring the volume of water separated from the emulsions and the interfacial shear viscosity of the oil/water interfacial film. Experimental results indicate that the simulated water-in-oil emulsion with 40 mg/L of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide （HPAM） 3530S could be easily broken by adding demulsifier C and was readily separated into two layers. However, HPAM AX-74H and hydrophobically associating water-soluble polymer （HAP） could stabilize the crude oil emulsion. With increasing concentration of AX-74H and HAP, crude oil emulsions became more stable. Water droplets were loosely packed in the water-in model oil emulsion containing HPAM 3530S, but water droplets were smaller and more closely packed in the emulsion containing AX-74H or HAP. The polymers could be adsorbed on the oil/water interface, thereby increasing the strength of the interracial film and enhancing the emulsion stability.     

模拟二元复合驱采出液稳定性影响因素研究

二元复合驱是中高渗透油藏提高采收率的主要技术之一。为了研究聚表二元驱对乳状液稳定性的影响,选取含聚表水与模拟油组成油水界面体系,测试了油水界面张力、界面剪切黏度等参数,并结合乳状液静置脱水效果,分析聚表二元驱对油水采出液稳定性的作用机理。采用含聚合物和表面活性剂的水相与模拟油配制成模拟油采出液,用于测试不同聚合物及表面活性剂浓度对界面张力的影响。界面张力结果表明:聚表二元驱成分能够显著增大油水乳状液的稳定性,但聚合物与表面活性剂在界面活性上存在明显差异;界面剪切黏度的影响因素主要为聚合物;静置脱水实验表明,影响油水乳状液稳定性的主要因素为表面活性剂。这与过去的观点存在矛盾,即认为界面剪切黏度是影响乳状液稳定性的关键。因此本研究认为存在其他因素影响乳状液稳定性。     

Stability of oil-in-water emulsions by SDS compound

Abstract

Surfactants are often required to reduce emulsion viscosity and heavy-oil flow resistance in pipelines, thereby forming a stable oil-in-water emulsion under shear stress. This study aimed to quantitatively discuss and analyze the stability of oil-in-water emulsions and characterize them through the initial viscosity change rate K. The value of K was obtained based on the oil-rich-phase viscosity curves of oil-in-water emulsions comprising sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), heavy oil, and water at different time points. Results showed that a smaller K corresponded to a more stable emulsion according to analysis of the effect of the compound system on emulsion stability and the synergistic mechanism. We then combined with 1-pentanol and octyldecyl glucoside (APG0810) with SDS. Results showed that the K values of the emulsions decreased from 19.457 to 6.284, and 19.457 to 5.834, respectively, after mixing 6% 1-pentanol and 0.4% APG, respectively, with 0.14% SDS. Then, 0.14% SDS was compared with 1.2% a mass fraction of each of the three additives to form a compound system, and the K values were found to follow the trend K_{1-pentanol/SDS} > K_APG/SDS. Thus, the stability of APG/SDS oil-in-water emulsion was better than that of 1-pentanol/SDS emulsion.     

Optimization of separation of oil from oil-in-water emulsion by demulsification using different demulsifiers

Separation of oil from oil-in-water emulsion is a major challenge in petroleum industries during the producing and refining process. The authors investigated characterization of oil-in-water emulsion and subsequently separation of oil from emulsion using different chemical dimulsifiers. The effect of settling time, pH, temperature, and demulsifier dosage on oil separation efficiency has been studied. It was observed that as time, temperature, and chemical dosage increased oil separation efficiency increased. Droplet size distribution of emulsions illustrated that the demulsifier could lead to the breakup of crude oil-in-water emulsions by flocculation and coalescence. More than 98% oil separations were observed with some demulsifiers under optimum operating conditions.     

Characterization of ternary compound viscosity reducer system on viscosity of viscous crude oil

Based on the theory that viscous crude oil can form stable two-phase oil-water interfacial molecular membrane with surfactant, the oil-water interfacial activity and viscosity reduction of oil-water interface of viscous crude oil were studied for the ternary compound system, including anionic surfactant alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS), weak alkali Na₂CO₃ and four different kinds of nonionic surfactant emulsifying silicon oil (LKR-1023), lauryl diethanolamide (LDEA), isomeric alcohol ethoxylates (E-1306), and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (T-80). Results showed when lipophilic or hydrophilic nonionic surfactants were used separately in the same compound system. The viscosity of viscous crude oil could be reduced, but the viscosity reduction efficacy was not desirable. However, using LKR-1023, E-1306, and T-80 as nonionic surfactant with mass fraction 1.0%, the viscosity reduction rate of viscous crude oil reaches 98.92%, 98.29%, and 96.87%, respectively. With 1.4% of LDEA, the viscosity reduction rate of viscous crude oil can reach 98.89%. Through all different kinds of the nonionic surfactant tested, oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion under LDEA ternary compound system has been proved to be the most stable with no phase inversion. Therefore, it is promising to improve the viscosity reduction of the super viscous crude oil by selecting the proper surfactant and dosage.     

Modeling of flow of oil-in-water emulsions through porous media

Formation and flow of emulsions in porous media are common in all enhanced oil recovery techniques.In most cases,oil-in-water(O/W) emulsions are formed in porous media due to oil-water interaction.Even now,detailed flow mechanisms of emulsions through porous media are not well understood.In this study,variation of rate of flow of O/W emulsions with pressure drop was studied experimentally,and rheological parameters were calculated.The pressure drop increases with an increase in oil concentration in the O/W emulsion due to high viscosity.The effective viscosity of the emulsion was calculated from the derived model and expressed as a function of shear rate while flowing through porous media.Flow of O/W emulsions of different concentrations was evaluated in sand packs of different sand sizes.Emulsions were characterized by analyzing their stability,rheological properties,and temperature effects on rheological properties.     

委内瑞拉稠油水包油乳化降黏的研究

以委内瑞拉稠油为研究对象,采用不同类型表面活性剂制备委内瑞拉稠油水包油(O/W)体系,以体系的表观黏度为主要评价手段,考察了不同类型表面活性剂形成的稠油O/W体系的初始乳化性能;考察了表面活性剂含量、体系中油与水体积比(简称油水比)及搅拌转速对体系乳化性能的影响。实验结果表明,阴离子和非离子表面活性剂对体系界面黏性及乳化性能产生较大影响;在非离子表面活性剂质量分数0.08%、油水比7:3、搅拌转速3500～5000 r/min的条件下得到的体系的初始表观黏度较低,且初始乳化性能最佳。     

新疆油田复合驱过程中的乳状液类型转变

为分析新疆油田部分采油井二元复合驱油中出现高黏度(3000 m Pa·s)油包水型乳状液现象的原因,室内模拟化学驱中表面活性剂/聚合物二元复合体系与原油的乳化过程,研究了矿化度、油水比、表面活性剂浓度和地层水稀释对乳状液类型的影响,建立了在岩心驱油过程中乳状液的转变模型。研究结果表明,当矿化度较低(100 mg/L Na Cl)时,乳状液主要为水包油型;随着矿化度的增大,水包油型乳状液的稳定性变差,当矿化度达到10 g/L时,乳状液开始向油包水型转变。油水比为1∶9和3∶7时,乳状液主要为水包油型;当油水比为5∶5、表面活性剂加量为500 mg/L时,乳状液为油包水型。随着地层水稀释比例的增加,乳状液由水包油型向油包水型转变。室内岩心驱油实验结果表明,随着二元体系的注入与推进,矿化度升高,表面活性剂浓度降低,油水比变大,导致乳状液产生了由水包油型向油包水型的转化。