Influence of Interaction Between Heavy Oil Components and Petroleum Sulfonate on the Oil–Water Interfacial Tension

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to obtain the interaction between heavy oil components and petroleum sulfonate (NPS). In this article, the effects of pH, NaCl concentration, and NPS on the oil–water interfacial tension (IFT) of Gudao crude oil and its polar components were investigated. The results show that the NPS concentration corresponding to turning point of IFT is 0.001 g·mL−1. This is lower than the CMC of NPS (0.0015 g·mL−1) as there is a positive synergetic effect between NPS and the active substances of crude and its components, and the strength of their interaction depends on the interfacial activity of crude components. In simulated system of crude and polar components with 0.1 wt% NPS, at basic condition, the acidic substances in the polar components create naphthenates (the component whose acid number is higher creates more naphthenates), leading to lower IFT, so the interaction between heavy oil components and NPS is stronger in the basic condition. Proper concentration of NaCl in the stimulated systems improved the hydrophile-lipophile balance of emulsifier (NPS), accelerated the well-regulated adsorption of NPS in oil–water interface, and increased the interfacial activity of NPS, the interaction between heavy oil components and NPS was also enhanced.