Emulsion Samples Research Articles

Effects of Different Types of Starches on Katjang Goat Meat Emulsion Characteristics

Katjang goat meat has the potential to be used for emulsified meat product production but the suitable starch type to be applied as the filler is unknown. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of various starches on the quality characteristic of Katjang goat meat emulsion. Katjang goat meat emulsion was prepared by incorporating various starches viz., tapioca starch (TS), sago starch (SS), and wheat starch (WS), as filler by replacing lean meat. The developed emulsion samples were evaluated for physiochemical, proximate, colour, texture, and gel strength. The addition of TS into meat emulsion results in the most stable emulsion as exhibited by the lowest total expressible fluid (%TEF), expressible fat (%EFAT), and cooking loss. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference for the pH, water holding capacity (WHC), texture profile analysis (TPA), and colour values of all the samples. The incorporation of SS in the formulation decreased (p<0.05) the shear force and work of shearing. In conclusion, the incorporation of TS was found optimum to formulate goat meat emulsion with better quality characteristics.

Hybrid meat products: the physicochemical and microstructural properties of beef meat emulsion produced with jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) flesh and bamboo (Bambusa polymorpha) shoot as meat substitutes

SummaryHybrid meat products are a beneficial approach to incorporating plant proteins into conventional meat formulations, taking into account current market trends that emphasise the partial decrease in animal protein content. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of using different percentages of beef meat (BM), jackfruit flesh (JF) and bamboo shoot (BS) as a meat substitute in beef meat emulsion. Emulsion with 100% BM (Control), (A) 50% JF + 50% BM, (B) 50% BS + 50% BM, (C) 50% BM + 25% JF + 25% BS, (D) 100% JF and (E) 100% BS were developed. Six formulations of meat emulsion samples were prepared and analysed in terms of physicochemical and microstructure properties. The substitution of JF and BS in meat emulsion resulted in more stable emulsion stability. The WHC and pH values showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) between samples. The samples with different percentages of JF and BS had significantly increased (P < 0.05) the moisture content and the crude fibre content, however, it significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the crude protein content. No significant difference (P > 0.05) in ash and fat content for the formulated meat emulsions from the control. One hundred per cent BS showed higher lightness (L*), yellowness (b*) and lower redness (a*) values significantly (P < 0.05) compared to the control. One hundred per cent JF and 100% BS depicted significant differences (P < 0.05) for the textural properties and gel strength compared to the control. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided evidence for the microstructure that the higher the percentages of plant‐based ingredients, the smaller the cavities. Overall, the incorporation of 50% BM + 25% JF + 25% BS could produce the best‐suited meat substitution product.

Synergy between solvents and acoustic energy destabilizes SAGD emulsions

Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) bitumen production generates highly stable emulsions that are difficult to break due to their high viscosity and unique bitumen properties, typically requiring both demulsifiers and heat. This study introduces a novel approach to the demulsification of a SAGD emulsion from a Canadian oil field by demonstrating the synergistic effects of combining solvents with ultrasound energy at room temperature. Fourteen solvents were tested, both alone and in combination with ultrasound. Individually, the solvents and short-duration ultrasound achieved minimal demulsification (<10%). However, all fourteen solvents tested in combination with ultrasound demonstrated significant demulsification of the SAGD emulsion sample. The most successful solvents (80–100% demulsification) were mutually soluble solvents, followed by solvents with limited solubility in both phases. Conversely, solvents highly soluble in one phase but not in the other performed poorly, emphasizing the importance of balanced solubility. The findings highlight the significant synergy between ultrasound energy and all tested solvents —particularly mutually soluble solvents used for the first time for demulsification. The synergistic effect between two independent strategies, i.e., ultrasound and solvent addition without using heat, in demulsification processes paves the way for innovative, energy-efficient demulsification techniques in the oil industry, promoting the use of readily available solvents and ultrasound.

Single-domain structure of Fe3O4 nanoparticles encapsulation by magnetic surfactant M(AOT)2 (M=Co, Ni)

Investigating the magnetic nanoparticle size and the effective magnetic interactions that form the magnetic domain can lead us to nanoparticles with targeted applications, such as targeted drug delivery and higher resolution MRI imaging. In this study magnetic susceptibility and coercive field properties, and the structure size range of single-domain magnetic capsules with high magnetization were obtained by structural analysis of volumetric DLS properties. In this regard, the role of exchange, anisotropy, and magnetostatic interaction was investigated in the structure of a magnetic capsule containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MCap-NPs). The stable capsules were synthesized in an emulsion solution with magnetic surfactants M(AOT)2 (M = Co, Ni). Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and capsule relative volume (CRV) of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) were used to determine the magnetic properties of the single-domain (SD) structure. The produced emulsion samples were found to have superparamagnetic properties property with saturation magnetization in the range of 2–6 × 10−3emu/g for NiCap-NPs, and 5-13 × 10−3emu/g for CoCap-NPs. The results show that nanoparticles have the most significant effect on magnetization. The coercive field, the anisotropy energy values, and the SD of M(AOT)2 were determined using magnetic susceptibility distribution. The outcome results show that the surface of the magnetic capsule plays an essential role in forming a single-domain structure. It was also found that the saturation magnetization of the samples in the emulsion solution is proportional to the nanoparticle density and not to the mass of nanoparticles. All produced samples have distinct peaks in CRV versus capsule size, and each peak follows a log-normal distribution. For both samples, except for the samples with molar ratios ω of 23 (Co3 and Ni4 samples), the positions of the second and third relative volume peaks were constant at 269 ± 3 nm and 424±6 nm, respectively. The behavior of the CRV function normalized to the peak size showed a proportionality between the coercive field and the CRV.

Bioactive properties of six dried Himalayan plum cultivars and the impact of their powders on lipid peroxidation in meat emulsions

Plum fruits are among the richest sources of bioactive compounds and thereby have several therapeutic effects, in addition to being effective replacers of synthetic antioxidants in foods such as meat sausages, which are more prone to lipid oxidation. Plums have a short shelf life and are therefore mostly processed into dry forms. The study included six plum varieties and the effects of drying on their antioxidant and antiproliferative characteristics were examined. Drying resulted in the almost complete degradation of the anthocyanins. During the six months, DPPH, FRAP and ascorbic acid decreased by 11.7 %, 5.9 % and 33 % respectively, in the Krassivica plum cultivar. Compared to fresh cultivars, dried plum cultivars showed greater antiproliferative potential against both cancer cell lines, with dried Krassivica exhibiting the greatest cell proliferation inhibition of 38.63 and 94.1 % against HCT-116 (a colon cancer cell line) and MCF-7 (an estrogen-positive breast cancer cell line), respectively. Evaluation on the effect of different concentrations (2 %, 4 % and 6 %) of plum on lipid oxidation in the meat emulsion showed that with the addition of plum powder there was a significant reduction in the TBARS. A non-significant difference was observed in the TBARS values at the 1st and 3rd months of storage between the emulsion samples containing 6 % Au Rosa plum pulp powder and the sample with BHA. Thus, it was concluded that although drying has a marked influence on the quality of plum fruits, dried plums represent a good source of antioxidants, thereby promoting their use as a functional food.

Stable diesel and bio-oil emulsion through solvent extraction and ultrasonic aided emulsification

Fast pyrolysis bio-oil is considered a highly preferable supplement to conventional fossil fuels. However, the direct application of pyrolysis bio-oil is limited due to poor fuel properties. Emulsification of bio-oil with diesel using a solvent is considered a relatively straightforward technique for utilizing bio-oil directly with diesel. In this study, new solvents were studied with the aid of sonication to produce a stable emulsion of diesel and bio-oil. 2-Octanol, 2-Heptanol and 2-Octanone were selected as solvents based on computer-aided molecular design (CAMD) method. Bio-oil was blended with 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% of 2-Octanol using sonication. The solvent-oil blends with different solvents (2-Heptanol and 2-Octanone) at 20 wt% were also investigated for extracting organics from bio-oil. Subsequently, sonication-assisted emulsification of the solvent-extracted bio-oil with diesel was conducted with the aid of a composite surfactant with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value of 7. Extraction of bio-oil with 20 wt% of 2-Octanol provided a maximum organic yield of 37.9 ± 1.3 % with a Higher Heating Value (HHV) of 31.9 MJ/kg. The desired ratio for emulsification was found to be 80: 15: 5 (diesel: surfactant: solvent-extracted bio-oil). The emulsion samples showed promising quality with an HHV of 44.0 MJ/kg and a pH of 8.0 ± 0.1. Moreover, no phase separation was observed even after the accelerated ageing process at 80 ºC for 24 hours. The results showed that all three solvents had an overall positive effect on the extraction of organics from bio-oil and aided in emulsification with diesel in which 2-Octanol was the most effective solvent for achieving a stable diesel – bio-oil emulsion.

Effects of saturated fluids on petrophysical properties of hot dry rock at high temperatures: An experimental study

Hydraulic fracturing is a crucial technology for efficient heat extraction from hot dry rock (HDR). The fracturing process involves the injection of large volumes of cold fluids, which can significantly affect the petrophysical properties of the rock, particularly when temperature differences and fluid-rock interactions are taken into account. However, there is a lack of research on the evolution of HDR petrophysical properties under the influence of different fluids at high temperatures. In this paper, we utilized a high-temperature high-pressure tri-axial loading system, rock spontaneous imbibition instrument, porosity-permeability tester, and thermal conductivity meter, along with comprehensive analysis techniques such as ultrasonic wave velocity monitoring, CT scanning, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), to systematically investigate the effects of distilled water and nano emulsion on the physical and mechanical properties of the HDR at high temperatures. Through comparison with the experimental results of dry samples, comprehensive characteristics of physical parameters for the HDR under the influence of distilled water and nano emulsion are obtained, such as spontaneous imbibition mass and permeability, thermal physical properties, and rock mechanical parameters. The experimental results show that temperature increase promotes the formation of massive thermal damage fractures in the HDR samples, and the fluid weakens the mechanical strength of the HDR. When the effects of temperature and saturated fluids are combined, the hydraulic fracture network in the HDR samples exhibits increased complexity, contrasting with the fracture patterns observed in the heat-treated dry samples. The distilled water has a more pronounced effect on weakening the mechanical strength of the samples than the nano emulsion. Moreover, the analyses of permeability, thermal conductivity, ultrasonic wave velocity, and NMR results are consistent with the results of mechanical experiments. As the temperature rises, the wave velocity of saturated distilled water samples exceeds that of both saturated nano emulsion samples and dry samples, the velocity of the saturated fluid front in the samples increases, and the range of the fluid in the pores expands. Overall, these findings provide valuable experimental evidence and theoretical guidance for better understanding the hydro-thermal-mechanical behaviors of the HDR, which are crucial for the efficient development and utilization of geothermal energy.

Using Color Measurements to Quantify Aggregate and Asphalt Emulsion Compatibility

The compatibility of asphalt emulsion and aggregate plays a significant role in the aggregate retention performance of chip seals. There are several, similar standardized test methods available for assessing the compatibility of emulsion–aggregate blends, including AASHTO T 59, ASTM D244, and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) A-24. In all methods, a sample of aggregate and emulsion is mixed and rinsed. Subsequently, the compatibility of the rinsed sample is reported as “good,”“fair,” or “poor” based on visual inspection of asphalt coating the aggregate surface area. These visual inferences are subjective, making them susceptible to potential operator bias. The aim of this study is to develop an objective means to quantify emulsion–aggregate compatibility by using the Asphalt Compatibility Tester to obtain color-based measures in lieu of the visual assessment procedures. Multiple aggregate sources (granite, limestone, and lightweight), emulsion types (CRS-2L, CRS-2, and SS-1h), and sources were evaluated. In total, 25 emulsion–aggregate blends were analyzed. The results were used to establish color index thresholds to capture good- versus fair- or poor-performance emulsions. Additionally, chip seal samples from five construction projects were subjected to the Vialit test to measure aggregate retention performance. The Vialit test results were compared with the compatibility test results as a preliminary evaluation of the color-based criteria proposed here. The results indicated that the NCDOT A-24 procedure coupled with color measurements is effective at capturing the compatibility of emulsion–aggregate blends, providing a potential means to remove the subjectivity of the current visual rating procedures.

Development of an emulsion composition with fennel and caraway essential oils for use in the combined therapy of ulcerative colitis

The aim of the study is to develop the composition of an emulsion containing essential oils of Fennel and Caraway seeds for use in the symptomatic complex therapy of ulcerative colitis with the aim of eliminating functional intestinal disorders. Materials and methods. The objects of the study were samples of emulsions containing active pharmaceutical ingredients (essential oils of Fennel and Caraway), purified water, oils (refined sunflower oil, refined olive oil, refined sesame oil), emulsifiers (polyethylene glycol 40 hydrogenated castor oil, polysorbate 80, polyethylene glycol 100 stearate, acacia gum, guar gum, xanthan gum, soya lecithin), viscosity regulator - apple pectin and flavouring agents (food additives with cherry and tarragon flavour). Organoleptic properties, stability, rheological parameters, pH, particle size determination by microscopy, and a taste test were carried out with model emulsion samples. Research to establish the optimal technological parameters was carried out in parallel. Results. The main parameters of the technological process have been established, which allow to obtain an emulsion with evenly distributed particles: 15 minutes at maximum speed. The concentration of emulsifiers at which the emulsions are stable was selected. It was found that the samples containing polyethylene glycol 100 stearate, gums, and soy lecithin have satisfactory organoleptic properties. The sample with soy lecithin emulsifier differs from the others in its ability to form microemulsions, but it has low viscosity. To improve the rheological properties, apple pectin was added to the emulsion. The taste test showed that among vegetable oils, refined sesame oil has a more neutral taste, and the flavouring additive "Tarkhun" balances the taste better. The release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from the emulsion base was confirmed by thin-layer chromatography. Conclusions. A microemulsion with essential oils based on refined sesame oil, soy lecithin, with the addition of viscosity and flavour correctors was developed. The obtained emulsion has satisfactory organoleptic properties and conforms to the requirements for emulsion quality indicators

The substantiation of the composition and technology of obtaining a microemulsion in laboratory conditions for pediatric use

Aim. To substantiate the composition and parameters of the technological process of obtaining a microemulsion with the essential oil of common fennel fruit for pediatric use. Materials and methods. The study objects were experimental samples of an emulsion with fennel essential oil (active pharmaceutical ingredient), acacia, xanthan and guar gums, soy lecithin, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, PEG-100 stearate, glycerin monostearate, polysorbate-80 (emulsifiers) and purified water. Information-search, information-analytical, organoleptic, physicochemical, rheological and pharmacotechnological research methods were used. The rheological parameters were determined on a “Reotest-2” rotary viscometer (Germany) with coaxial cylinders, pH was measured potentiometrically on a pH‒150 MI pH-meter (Khimtest Ukraine+), thermal stability was determined in a SP50 drying cabinet. The microscopic studies of experimental emulsion samples were carried out using a Granum microscope with a Toupcam UCMOS video camera. The statistical processing of the data obtained was performed using Microsoft Excel 2007 spreadsheets. Results and discussion. The composition and technology of obtaining a microemulsion with the essential oil of fennel fruit in the conditions of a pharmacy for pediatric use were experimentally substantiated. The technological process consisted of the following stages: preparatory work, weighing of ingredients, mixing of ingredients, packaging, and registration of the drug for dispensing. The drug was manufactured in aseptic conditions. Standardization of the drug obtained was carried out: description, thermal and colloidal stability, pH value, viscosity, uniformity of the mass of doses extracted from multi-dose containers, mass of the contents of the container. The presence of anethole and terpenoids was proven by TLC method. Conclusions. At the current level of development of the pharmaceutical industry, the improvement of providing consumers with high-quality medicines is implemented by choosing the optimal dosage form, the composition of excipients, rational technology, and the use of modern equipment.

Sequestration of CO2 using emulsion phase structure

This study proposes a cost-effective method for creating an emulsion structure to capture 100 % of the CO2 released during chemical reactions. The emulsion, composed of water, kerosene, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), triethylamine (TEA), and amine-functional ion exchange resin (IER), demonstrates high CO2 capture efficiency. Results indicate that a 10 mL emulsion sample could capture 12.72 g of CO2, representing 95.4 % of the total CO2 produced during the chemical reaction between acetic acid and sodium carbonate. In contrast, an ion exchange resin granule captures only 0.01 g of CO2. Consequently, 10 mL of emulsion sample containing 60 units of IER is necessary to achieve 100 % CO2 capture.

Fabrication and characterisation of Pickering emulsion‐based oleogel stabilised by citrus fibre and whey protein isolate colloidal complex: application in cookie formulation

SummaryIn this study, the oleogel was produced by Pickering emulsion‐based method by using citrus fibre (CF)‐whey protein isolate (WPI) colloidal complex. The obtained oleogels were characterised by rheological and textural properties, and then the oleogels were used in cookies as an alternative to palm oil. The four oleogels (1% to 5%) were fabricated using a CF‐10% WPI complex. Shear thinning rheological behaviour was observed in all emulsion and oleogel samples. The G values were greater than the G values, indicating that solid‐like behaviour dominated in all emulsion and oleogel samples. All oleogel samples had a higher than 90% oil‐holding capacity. The visual appearance of 3% CF‐10% WPI and 5% CF‐10% WPI showed no surface oil, and more integrity structure means that could well trap oil in a gel matrix. Increasing CF% concentration reduced oil droplets and created a more compact structure, particularly at 3% and 5% CF‐10% WPI. An increase in CF concentration from 2% to 5% led to an increase in the hardness value of the dried products and cookies that CF formed a 3D network structure with binds liquid oil. The oxidative stability showed that no significant changes were found between the 3% CF‐10% WPI and palm cookies (P &lt; 0.05). Cookies containing oleogels with a 3% CF content exhibited a visual resemblance to this trait, suggesting a colour appearance that closely resembled cookies made with palm oil. The incorporation of oleogels into the cookie recipe proved to be an effective substitute for palm oil. CF‐10% WPI oleogels show promise for use in cookie preparation as a replacement for palm oil, offering potential as substitutes for saturated and trans fats in food products.

Savory and Peppermint Essential Oils-Loaded Emulsions and Nanoemulsions Effects on Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Vacuum-Packed Cured Sausage.

In this work, Enterococcus faecium, the specific spoilage organism responsible for bloating spoilage of sliced vacuum-packed cured emulsion-type sausage, was isolated and identified through molecular and biochemical techniques, and then the antibacterial activities of savory-loaded nanoemulsion (SNE), savory-loaded emulsion (SE), peppermint-loaded nanoemulsion (PNE), and peppermint-loaded emulsion (PE) were investigated against spoilage microorganisms. Nanoemulsions with average particle sizes in the range of 109.27 to 118.55 nm were developed by sonication and remained more stable than emulsion samples for 2 weeks. Regardless of emulsion type, the highest antimicrobial activity was detected for savory-loaded samples. Moreover, the significant enhancements in the antimicrobial activity of SNE compared to SE were confirmed by increasing the inhibition zone diameter (17.6%) and decreasing MIC (50%) and MBC (50%) due to the higher specific surface area of smaller droplets. The TEM and SEM micrographs confirmed the inhibitory effects of SNE due to the significant changes in the cell wall integrity of Enterococcus faecium.

The use of model samples in the process of selection of sensory panel to assess cosmetic products

AbstractThe article discusses an innovative approach to the formation of a sensory panel formed for the purpose of evaluating cosmetic products. Model samples of cosmetic emulsions are proposed, which should help in the initial selection and training of sensory panelists, in order to improve the precision of evaluations. Simple and easily reproducible emulsions (comprising rapeseed oil, sunflower lecithin, water, and xanthan gum) were formulated to represent a specific level of variability associated with a particular property, such as thickness. To confirm that the ability to rank the produced emulsions can be considered a criterion for selecting individuals for the sensory panel—resulting in greater consistency of results—tests involving moisturizing creams were conducted. The study's findings demonstrate that the novel approach to candidate selection, through the assessment of model emulsion consistency, is both effective and justified. This method has the potential to enhance recruitment efficiency by identifying individuals with a high ability to evaluate cosmetic emulsions.Practical ApplicationsThose who benefit from the work include professionals and researchers dedicated to enhancing sensory panel selection processes. The main goal was to optimize the sensory panel selection and training process. Reference samples help determine whether potential members have the right skills and potential for sensory evaluation. Selecting individuals with a greater aptitude for assessments based on the sense of touch can be particularly valuable for companies operating in industries where the sensory quality of products is important.

Optimisation and characterization of double emulsion derived from rice starch, rice protein isolates and rice bran oil

This study focused on the development and evaluation of a stable emulsion system using rice starch, protein isolates, and bran oil as food ingredients. This was performed using a one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) experimental strategy, which was subsequently refined using response surface modeling (RSM), and the emulsion was then characterized. The resulting quadratic polynomial model effectively captured all the responses, with regression coefficients exceeding 0.90. The emulsion activity index, emulsion stability index, and droplet size were 86.29 %, 93.44 %, and 100.59 nm, respectively. Turbidity was significantly influenced by particle size, with the double emulsion (sample B) exhibiting higher turbidity index (43,250.34 ± 0.046) than the reference sample (29,433.303 ± 0.018). The viscosity of the emulsion increased with the addition of the protein isolates. This inferred that a stable emulsion system derived from rice could serve a multifunctional purpose as carriers, fillers, and binders to enhance the physical, functional and sensory properties of foods.

Emulsion stabilising capacity of sunflower meal depending on fraction protein content and particle size

SummarySunflower meal, as a high protein source, is usually utilised in animal feed, but other means of valorisation of this byproduct should be investigated in order to increase sunflower meal industrial functionality and therefore economic value. High protein content could suggest potential ability to stabilise food emulsions. Current study investigated the influence of sunflower meal protein content and particle size distribution in stabilisation of oil‐in‐water emulsions. Sunflower meal samples were characterised in terms of chemical and amino acid content and FTIR spectroscopy, while in the obtained emulsion samples creaming index, droplet size, droplet size distribution and zeta potential were determined. A relatively equal distribution of hydrophilic/hydrophobic amino acids (46% and 54%, respectively) was determined indicating a strong amphiphilic character of proteins and potentially effective emulsion‐stabilising properties. Further results suggested a positive influence of higher protein content (increasing from 16.78% to 42.56%) on lower creaming index values (lowering values from 84% to 32%, respectively). Protein content and particle size distribution strongly affected emulsion droplets sizes (ranging from 77.32 to 238.61 μm) and zeta potential values. Therefore, the evaluation of the obtained results suggested that high protein sunflower meal can be applied for the stabilisation of oil‐in‐water emulsions.

Revealing petroleum-water-CO2 emulsion stability by NMR about oil recovery and carbon storage

CO2 injection can simultaneously enhance oil recovery and carbon storage, but the stability of petroleum-water-CO2 emulsion affcet the production process and carbon storage. Emulsion characteristics is typically assessed via Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). It is essential to develop a theory to unlock the mechanisms of experimentation for harnessing the full potential of NMR in assessing emulsion stability and comprehending complex multiphase systems. The theory integrates experiments and a “quasi-lattice wave” physical model to understand the microscale mechanisms in NMR measurements of crude oil emulsion properties, and uncover the “transfer-transition” mode of 1H quantum excited states, explaining T2 relaxation. This forms a theoretical basis for numerical simulation of CPMG (Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill) experiments by random walk algorithms and the boundary annihilation hypothesis. A strong link between NMR T2 times and various character properties of Petroleum-Water-CO2 Emulsion samples is reflected, such as environmental scale, viscosity, CO2 adsorption, and molecular thermal motion. Additionally, parameter Θ was proposed to characterize emulsion stability, for penetrating the theory presented in this paper, and to provide a scientifically rigorous representation of crude oil emulsion stability. The experiments with CO2 treatment on crude oil emulsions were performed, demonstrating a highly effective theoretical correlation between interfacial tension in crude oil emulsions and CO2 pressure, with an exceptional fit to experimental data (R2 > 0.99). When the pressure of CO2 treatment exceeds a critical threshold (approximately 17 MPa in this study), there is a substantial reduction in viscosity. Furthermore, a comparative assessment of samples before and after CO2 treatment using the parameter Θ demonstrated its reliability as an indicator of emulsion stability. It revealed a significant reduction of over 50% in the linear fit residual variance of Θ before and after subjecting the sample to 10 MPa carbon dioxide treatment, highlighting improved fluctuation stability. The slope of the Θ linear regression function signifies temporal stability. In a sample with 20% water content, the time evolution of the water phase decreases by 3.04%, while the oil phase experiences a substantial 57.77% reduction. Simultaneously, the midpoint of the range of the Θ linear regression function represents the environmental scale. The water phase environment scale increases by 8.72%, while the oil phase environment scale decreases by 8.74%, highlighting spatial evolution patterns.

Efficient Demulsification Performance of Emulsified Condensate Oil by Hyperbranched Low-Temperature Demulsifiers.

Focusing on the problem of poor demulsification performance of light crude oil emulsions in low-permeability oilfields at low temperatures, the composition of the emulsion samples, clay particle size distribution, and the viscosity-temperature relationship curve of samples were analyzed. Based on the results of emulsion composition analysis and characteristics, the bottle test method was used to analyze the demulsifying effect of different commercial types of demulsifiers, revealing the demulsification mechanism. The field tests confirm the demulsification capabilities of Polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene quaternized polyoxyolefins surfactants (PR demulsifiers). The results reveal that PR demulsifiers combine the features of decreasing the interfacial tension between oil and water and adsorbing SiO2, allowing for quick demulsification and flocculation at low temperatures. This research serves as a theoretical and practical foundation for the study and advancement of low-temperature demulsification technology in oilfields.

Near-infrared spectroscopy of low-transmittance samples by a high-power time-stretch spectrometer using an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG)

Although time-stretch spectroscopy is an emerging ultrafast spectroscopic technique, the applications in industrial fields have been limited due to the low output power caused by undesirable nonlinear effects occurred in a long optical fiber used for pulse chirping. Here, we developed a high-power time-stretch near infrared (NIR) spectrometer utilizing arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs). The combination of AWGs and short optical fibers allowed large amounts of chromatic dispersion to be applied to broadband supercontinuum pulses without the power limitation imposed by employing the long optical fiber. With the proposed configuration, we achieved chirped pulses with the output power of 60 mW in the 900–1300 nm wavelength region, which is about 10 times higher than conventional time-stretch spectrometers using long optical fibers. With the developed spectrometer, the NIR absorption spectra of a standard material and liquid samples were observed with high accuracy and precision within sub-millisecond measurement time even with four orders of magnitude optical attenuation by a neutral density filter. We also confirmed the quantitative spectral analysis capability of the developed spectrometer for highly scattering samples of an oil emulsion. The qualitative comparison of the measurement precision between the developed spectrometer and the previous time-stretch spectrometer was also conducted.

Efficiency of oil separation and demulsification following sonication gel degradation: Influence of Cr(III) ions, NaCl concentrations, and sodium-based retarders

This study investigates the impact of chromium (III) ions, salinity, and retarders on demulsification efficiency and oil separation in oil–water emulsions stabilized by hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) aqueous solutions. Two different concentrations of HPAM (1000 and 2000 ppm) and NaCl (0–200,000 ppm), along with two distinct retarders (sodium lactate and sodium malonate), were employed to prepare the emulsion samples. A comprehensive analysis of emulsion stability and demulsification duration was conducted under varying treatment conditions, such as the presence or absence of chromium (III) ions and resin application for chromium removal. Results demonstrate that the presence of chromium (III) ions significantly increases emulsion stability, while their removal leads to a marked reduction in demulsification duration. Notably, the impact of salinity was found to depend on the specific retarder used, with sodium lactate and sodium malonate exhibiting differing demulsification durations. As the HPAM concentration was raised from 1000 to 2000 ppm, the demulsification duration also, regardless of the presence or absence of chromium (III) ions. Additionally, the oil separation rates were higher in samples treated with a resin for chromium removal and are notably influenced by the choice of retarder. In particular, using sodium malonate as a retarder resulted in a significant improvement in the oil separation rate compared to sodium lactate under various salinity conditions. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the optimization of oil–water separation processes, offering the potential for improved oil recovery and environmental sustainability. This study is particularly novel in its comprehensive investigation of the interplay between different factors (chromium, salinity, and retarders) in oil–water separation processes.