Span 80 effect on the solvent extraction for heavy oil recovery

Abstract

In this study, we used the Span 80 to enhance solvent extraction process, and we explored the mechanism. The results indicated different solvents would obtain different oil recovery, and toluene showed the optimal oil recovery, and the n-heptane showed the lowest oil recovery. The complex solvents could improve oil recovery. Toluene could make the heavy oil show the lowest viscosity (89.6 Pa.S), and n-heptane make the heavy oil show the highest viscosity (176.3 Pa.S). Complex solvents could decrease the heavy oil viscosities. The higher C/H was, the higher heavy oil recovery was, and when the asphaltene and resins content increase, the C/H would increase. The C/H showed the highest value (9.09, by toluene) and the lowest value (8.15). In this study, Span 80 could increase heavy oil C/H ratio, decrease heavy oil viscosity. Span 80 could make the sands surface more hydrophilic, and then the solvent loss would decrease. The oil recovery was high after 10 times recycle use.