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Separating emulsions: Difference between revisions
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Separating a crude-oil/water emulsion into its bulk phases of oil and water usually involves three basic steps: | Separating a crude-oil/water emulsion into its bulk phases of oil and water usually involves three basic steps: | ||
=== | ===Destabilization=== | ||
(Coagulation). Counteracting the stabilizing effect of the emulsifier destabilizes an emulsion. To increase the probability of coalescence of dispersed water droplets on contact, the tough skin or film surrounding the dispersed water droplets must be weakened and broken. This usually is accomplished by adding heat and/or a properly selected, interfacially active chemical compound to the emulsion. (This primarily is the task of the chemical treatment program.) | (Coagulation). Counteracting the stabilizing effect of the emulsifier destabilizes an emulsion. To increase the probability of coalescence of dispersed water droplets on contact, the tough skin or film surrounding the dispersed water droplets must be weakened and broken. This usually is accomplished by adding heat and/or a properly selected, interfacially active chemical compound to the emulsion. (This primarily is the task of the chemical treatment program.) | ||
=== Coalescence === | ===Coalescence=== | ||
(Flocculation). After the films that encase the dispersed droplets have been broken or sufficiently weakened, the droplets must coalesce into drops that are large enough to settle out of the continuous phase of oil. The rate of contact of dispersed water droplets needs to be high, but without creating high shear forces. This usually is accomplished by mechanically inducing collisions between drops or by subjecting the destabilized emulsion to an electrostatic field. | (Flocculation). After the films that encase the dispersed droplets have been broken or sufficiently weakened, the droplets must coalesce into drops that are large enough to settle out of the continuous phase of oil. The rate of contact of dispersed water droplets needs to be high, but without creating high shear forces. This usually is accomplished by mechanically inducing collisions between drops or by subjecting the destabilized emulsion to an electrostatic field. | ||
=== Gravity Separation === | ===Gravity Separation=== | ||
(Sedimentation). Next, there must be a quiet period of settling to allow the coalesced drops to settle out of the oil by gravity. This requires a sufficient residence time and a favorable flow pattern in a tank or vessel that will allow the coalesced drops of water to separate from the oil. | (Sedimentation). Next, there must be a quiet period of settling to allow the coalesced drops to settle out of the oil by gravity. This requires a sufficient residence time and a favorable flow pattern in a tank or vessel that will allow the coalesced drops of water to separate from the oil. | ||
== References == | ==References== | ||
Use this section for citation of items referenced in the text to show your sources. [The sources should be available to the reader, i.e., not an internal company document.] | Use this section for citation of items referenced in the text to show your sources. [The sources should be available to the reader, i.e., not an internal company document.] | ||
== Noteworthy papers in OnePetro == | ==Noteworthy papers in OnePetro== | ||
Use this section to list papers in OnePetro that a reader who wants to learn more should definitely read | Use this section to list papers in OnePetro that a reader who wants to learn more should definitely read | ||
== External links == | ==External links== | ||
Use this section to provide links to relevant material on websites other than PetroWiki and OnePetro | Use this section to provide links to relevant material on websites other than PetroWiki and OnePetro | ||
== See also == | ==See also== | ||
[[Emulsion_treating_subsystems|Emulsion treating subsystems]] | [[Emulsion_treating_subsystems|Emulsion treating subsystems]] | ||
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==Category== | ==Category== | ||
[[Category:4.1.2 Separation and treating]] [[Category:NR]] | [[Category:4.1.2 Separation and treating]] | ||
[[Category:NR]] |
Revision as of 17:32, 21 October 2021
Separating a crude-oil/water emulsion into its bulk phases of oil and water usually involves three basic steps:
Destabilization
(Coagulation). Counteracting the stabilizing effect of the emulsifier destabilizes an emulsion. To increase the probability of coalescence of dispersed water droplets on contact, the tough skin or film surrounding the dispersed water droplets must be weakened and broken. This usually is accomplished by adding heat and/or a properly selected, interfacially active chemical compound to the emulsion. (This primarily is the task of the chemical treatment program.)
Coalescence
(Flocculation). After the films that encase the dispersed droplets have been broken or sufficiently weakened, the droplets must coalesce into drops that are large enough to settle out of the continuous phase of oil. The rate of contact of dispersed water droplets needs to be high, but without creating high shear forces. This usually is accomplished by mechanically inducing collisions between drops or by subjecting the destabilized emulsion to an electrostatic field.
Gravity Separation
(Sedimentation). Next, there must be a quiet period of settling to allow the coalesced drops to settle out of the oil by gravity. This requires a sufficient residence time and a favorable flow pattern in a tank or vessel that will allow the coalesced drops of water to separate from the oil.
References
Use this section for citation of items referenced in the text to show your sources. [The sources should be available to the reader, i.e., not an internal company document.]
Noteworthy papers in OnePetro
Use this section to list papers in OnePetro that a reader who wants to learn more should definitely read
External links
Use this section to provide links to relevant material on websites other than PetroWiki and OnePetro
See also
Sampling and analyzing emulsions