Destruction of Static $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ CO 2 -Flooded Crude Oil Foams by Ultrasonic Vibration

Abstract

Destruction of crude oil foams is a key step in efficient crude oil separation, accurate measurement and safe delivery (especially of gas-flooded crude oil, such as $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ flooding crude oil). In this study, a patented experimental ultrasonic de-foaming device was used. Using $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ -flooded crude oil from the Jilin Oilfield of China, the influence of ultrasonic frequency, ultrasonic power and initial oil pressure and temperature on the destruction of crude oil foams was examined. Ultrasound was shown to accelerate de-foaming of $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ -flooded crude oil foams. Under the experimental conditions, as the ultrasonic power increased, oil de-foaming time decreased, and 400 W was determined to be an optimum power for rapid and complete de-foaming. Within an ultrasonic frequency range of 20–80 kHz, 40 kHz was determined to be an optimal de-foaming frequency that minimized de-foaming time. As the initial crude oil pressure and temperature increased, the de-foaming time of $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ -flooded crude oil foams decreased.