Chemical demulsification techniques in oil refineries: A review

Abstract

During oil production and pipeline transmission, water–oil emulsions form due to pressure and shear forcesWhen water or brine droplets are continually spread across crude oil, water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions form. Other emulsions, such as those produced of crude oil droplets suspended in brine or water (O/W), are uncommon. When crude oil is removed from a reservoir, it is contaminated with sediments and water, among other impurities. Natural emulsifiers include resins, asphaltenes, waxes, crude particles, and carboxylic acids. At the water–oil interface, some of these components may clump together, generating a stable film surrounding the droplets, by preventing water droplets from clumping, this film aids in the formation of a stable w/o emulsion. Water and crude oil production could raise a number of concerns. This could include the cost of pumping or transporting water via tanker or pipeline, as well as manufacturing facility corrosion. Chemical demulsification is the process of destabilizing the shielding interfacial layers with chemicals, resulting in a quicker emulsion breakdown rate. As a cost-effective and effective method of dewatering crude oil emulsions, chemical additives are frequently used.