Abstract
The effect of additives on asphaltene interfacial films and emulsion stability was analyzed through the change in film properties. Surface pressure isotherms were measured at 23°C for model interfaces between aqueous surfactant solutions and asphaltenes dissolved in toluene and heptane-toluene mixtures. Compressibility, crumpling film ratio and surface pressure were determined from the surface pressure isotherms. The stability of water-in-oil emulsions was determined for the same systems based on the proportion of unresolved emulsified water after repeated treatment involving heating at 60°C and centrifugation. Experimental variables included concentration of asphaltenes (5 and 10 kg/m(3)), concentration and type of surfactant (Aerosol OT, nonylphenol ethoxylates, polypropylene oxide block-copolymer, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acids, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid-polymer blend, diisopropyl naphthalene sulfonic acid, and sodium naphthenate) and aging time (from 10 min to 4 h). Additives were found to have two opposing effects on film properties and emulsion stability: (1) decreasing or eliminating the crumpling ratio which destabilized emulsions and (2) decreasing interfacial tension which enhanced emulsion stability. A stability parameter was defined to include both the crumpling ratio and interfacial tension and provided a consistent correlation for the percent residual emulsified water.
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