The behavior of interfacial film thinning in oil-in-water emulsion from the produced water from ASP flooding

Abstract

ABSTRACT In order to improve the separation of the produced water from ASP (Alkali/Surfactant/Polymer) with high-phase stability and high emulsification and viscosity, the behavior of oil/water (O/W) interfacialfilm thinning in oil-in-water emulsion was investigated with an image digital treatment system. A new method combining high-speed dynamic imaging analysis technology and single-droplet method was developed to evaluate the rate of film thinning, the constant of rupturing rate, and the kinetic energy in the processing of rupture of the interfacial film. The effects of oil-displacing agents, such as alkali, surfactant, and polymer on the properties of the O/W interfacial film thinning in oil-in-water emulsion was studied. The results show that the surfactant should modify significantly the stability O/W interfacial film, followed by polymer and alkaline. The rate of film thinning decreases to 0.00512 mm/s, while the constant of rupturing rate is 0.00182 s−1 with a 700 mg/L of surfactant concentration.