Analysis of Diethylene Glycol and Decylamine as Demulsifiers for Treatment of Water-In-Oil Emulsions: Case Study of the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Crude oil is made up of different hydrocarbon compounds. At different depths in the same reservoir, the properties of the crude oil differ from one another. During production of crude oil, emulsion is usually formed due interaction of water with emulsifying agents such as wax, as phaltenes, resins etc. present in crude oil. Water in oil emulsion (w/o) poses serious problems during production and pipeline transportation of crude oil. To separate water from crude oil, demulsifier is required. This research work seeks to evaluate two chemical demulsifiers (diethylene glycol and decylamine) on crude oil sample from the Niger Delta to ascertain the most effective in water separation. Demulsifier concentration used were 80% and 20% water. Water-in- oil emulsion was formulated in the ratio of 360ml:40ml of crude oil and distilled water respectively in the laboratory. The demulsification process was carried out at a temperature of 158 O F. Demulsifier doses of 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2mls were carried out at centrifugal speed of 300rpm, 600rpm, 900 rpm and separation time (10, 20, 40, 60,100, 150 sec). Volumes of water separated were recorded and water separation efficiencies were calculated. Results have shown that faster rate of water separation and performance efficiency can be achieved when diethylene glycol is used as demulsifier on crude oil from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.