Treating Water In Crude Oil Emulsion Using Silica Modified By Cationic Surfactant

Low cost, environmentally friendly and highly efficient novel SiO۲@surfactant was synthesized and applied to treat water in oil emulsion. It was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of standing time and optimal demulsifier dosage were systematically investigated. Interfacial tension before and after the addition of demulsifiers was deeply discussed and possible demulsification mechanism was researched. ۱۰۰% water separation was gained after ۵۵ minutes by adding interfacially active SiO۲@surfactant ۲۰% to w/o emulsion. This paper provides beneficial information about demulsification mechanism for oil separation industry and suggests a promising nontoxic and cost-effective demulsifier for the separation of water from crude oil

Keywords:

water in oil emulsion , demulsification , silica (SiO۲) , surfactant