Bio‐based mixed CO2‐switchable surfactant for reducing viscosity of heavy oil

Abstract

AbstractCO2‐switchable surfactants have significant viscosity‐reducing abilities, but their applicability is limited by the complexity of their manufacture. In this work, a simple mix of CO2‐switchable bio‐based surfactants N‐lauroylsarcosine (LS) and glucosamine (GA) was used to reduce viscosity of heavy crude oil. Surface tensiometer was used to investigate the surface activity of LS/GA, revealing the potential for viscosity reduction. By alternating sparging of CO2 and N2, the switchability of LS/GA was examined and proved. It reveals that LS/GA significantly reduces the viscosity of heavy oil by emulsification, but the formed emulsion can be quickly destabilized by introduction of CO2. The results of this study reveal that CO2‐switchable bio‐based surfactants with viscosity‐reducing capabilities for heavy crude oil may be produced by simple mixing, paving the way for reversible emulsification of heavy crude oil utilizing CO2‐switchable bio‐based surfactant.