Experimental of alternative demulsifier formulation from corn oil in overcoming water–oil emulsion

Abstract

An emulsion is one of the problems that often occur in oil production activities. Emulsions happen when water is produced with oil. The presence of emulsions in crude oil makes it difficult for crude oil to be processed and the quality of the oil does not become good because it causes water to be contained in crude oil. An effort to overcome is to use a demulsifier. This study aims to test the demulsifier from corn oil. It will be processed with the saponification process to become a demulsifier. KOH and glycerin are used as additives in the saponification process. The substances found in corn oil are palmitic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, and oleic acid. In the demulsification process used three various demulsifiers. There are commercial demulsifier (DK), green demulsifier 1 (DG1), green demulsifier 2 (DG2). Green demulsifier 1 and green demulsifier 2 are demulsifiers mixture by corn oil process, whereas the commercial demulsifier is chemical used to in the field. Demulsifier derived from corn oil are expected to have the ability to separate water from oil better than commercial demulsifiers. Demulsifier testing is done using the bottle test method. The test was carried out for 180 min and carried out observations every 30 min. The bottle test method was carried out using a water bath. Demulsifiers made from natural ingredients have better abilities than commercial demulsifiers. The best test results by the green demulsifier at 80 °C with a concentration of 5 ml separated 39 ml of water. While the commercial demulsifier with a concentration of 5 ml separates 32 ml of water. So demulsifier made from corn oil is more effective in separating water than commercial demulsifiers.