Effects of Polyether Surfactants on Dynamic Interfacial Tension of Betaine Solutions against Crude Oil

The dynamic interfacial tension (IFT) of betaine and betaine/polyether‐nonionic surfactant‐mixed systems against hydrocarbons, kerosene, and crude oil–water was studied using a spinning‐drop tensiometer. The influence of average molecular weight of polyether‐nonionic surfactants on IFT of mixed solutions was investigated. On the basis of the experimental results, one can find that it is difficult to reach the ultralow IFT value for betaine solution against hydrocarbon and kerosene because of the mismatch between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups. After purification, kerosene still contains a small amount of carboxyl groups, which can exert a synergistic effect on surfactants resulting in a lower IFT. The IFT of betaine and mixtures against Daqing crude oil can reach an ultralow value because of the mixed adsorption of surfactant and petroleum soap molecules. For mixed solutions, with the increasing concentration of added polyether, the decrease of petroleum soaps at the oil–water interface results in the destruction of synergistic effects.