Effect of Water Fraction on Rheological Properties of Waxy Crude Oil Emulsions

This article discusses the effect of water fraction on the rheological properties of waxy crude oil emulsions including gel point, yield stress, viscosity, and thixotropy. The experimental results reveal that the rheological behaviors of the w/o emulsion samples all intensify with the increase of water volume fraction within 60%. Of more significance is that a correlation for w/o emulsions between yield stress and water volume fraction is put forward with an average relative error of 6.75%. In addition, some mainstream viscosity prediction models of w/o emulsions are evaluated, and Elgibaly model is the best-fit for the emulsions in this study.     

New Amphiphilic Ionic Liquids for the Demulsification of Water-in-Heavy Crude Oil Emulsion

This work aimed to use abietic acid (AA), as a widely available natural product, as a precursor for the synthesis of two new amphiphilic ionic liquids (AILs) and apply them as effective demulsifiers for water-in-crude oil (W/O) emulsions. AA was esterified using tetraethylene glycol (TEG) in the presence of p-toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA) as a catalyst obtaining the corresponding ester (AATG). AATG was reacted with 1-vinylimidazole (VIM) throughout the Diels–Alder reaction, forming the corresponding adduct (ATI). Following this, ATI was quaternized using alkyl iodides, ethyl iodide (EI), and hexyl iodide (HI) to obtain the corresponding AILs, ATEI-IL, and ATHI-IL, respectively. The chemical structure, surface activity, thermal stability, and relative solubility number (RSN) were investigated using different techniques. The efficiency of ATEI-IL and ATHI-IL to demulsify W/O emulsions in different crude oil: brine volumetric ratios were evaluated. ATEI-IL and ATHI-IL achieved promising results as demulsifiers. Their demulsification efficiency increased as the brine ratios decreased where their efficiency reached 100% at the crude oil: brine ratio (90:10), even at low concentrations.     

Non-Invasive Rheo-MRI Study of Egg Yolk-Stabilized Emulsions: Yield Stress Decay and Protein Release

A comprehensive understanding of the time-dependent flow behavior of concentrated oil-in-water emulsions is of considerable industrial importance. Along with conventional rheology measurements, localized flow and structural information are key to gaining insight into the underlying mechanisms causing time variations upon constant shear. In this work, we study the time-dependent flow behavior of concentrated egg-yolk emulsions with (MEY) or without (EY) enzymatic modification and unravel the effects caused by viscous friction during shear. We observe that prolonged shear leads to irreversible and significant loss of apparent viscosity in both emulsion formulations at a mild shear rate. The latter effect is in fact related to a yield stress decay during constant shearing experiments, as indicated by the local flow curve measurements obtained by rheo-MRI. Concurrently, two-dimensional D-T₂ NMR measurements revealed a decrease in the T₂ NMR relaxation time of the aqueous phase, indicating the release of surface-active proteins from the droplet interface towards the continuous water phase. The combination of an increase in droplet diameter and the concomitant loss of proteins aggregates from the droplet interface leads to a slow decrease in yield stress.     

Demulsification of Crude Oil Emulsions Using Some New Water-Soluble Schiff Base Surfactant Blends

Six new surfactant blends were prepared by mixing one Schiff base non ionic surfactant prepared by etherification of Schiff base monomer with β, ^` β-dichlorodiethylether and PEG 400 in presence of NaOH with six water-soluble Schiff base nonionic surfactants prepared in the same way but etherified with PEG 2000. The mixing process was based on the high dehydration rates given by the PEG 400 Schiff base surfactant compared to the other PEG 2000 surfactants. The experimental results of this study indicate that the demulsification rates of these blends are higher than those of the PEG 400 surfactant. Demulsification process was carried out on an emulsion of w/o ratio 50:50 and studied at 60°C at two different concentrations of the demulsifiers (200 and 240 ppm). The dehydration rates of the six prepared blends reached 100%. The total dehydration time varied from 50 minutes up to 2 hours.     

A Rheological Model to Quantify Strain of Waxy Crude Oil Loaded by Linear Increased Stress

The researches on the yielding behavior of waxy crude oil are still not systematic and thorough. Especially on yielding mechanism and criterion, most achievements are still on the qualitative stage. A rheological model with the dispersion parameter and hardening variable was proposed based on the mechanical analog and structure parameter. It can be used to describe the strain of waxy crude oil loaded by linear increased stress. According to eight groups of fitting results, the mean relative deviation ranges from 6.3% to 12.2%. The change of obtained model parameters with the test temperature conforms with the deformation mechanism of waxy structure.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Some Schiff Base Surfactants for Treating Crude Oil Emulsions

Water soluble nonionic surfactants based on Schiff base monomers were prepared by their etherification with β,^` β- dichlorodiethylether and PEG 400 in presence of NaOH. The surface properties of the prepared surfactants were determined by measuring the surface tension at different temperatures. The prepared nonionic surfactants were evaluated as demulsifiers for synthetic water in crude-oil emulsions that were pronounced at different ratios of crude oil: water at 45°C and 60°C. The experimental results showed that the dehydration rate of the prepared demulsifiers reached 90% and 100% at some concentrations.     

Janus Emulsions of Bixa Orellana Oil

Janus emulsions of the oil from the Bixa orellana (BO) nut, silicone oil (SO), and an aqueous solution of Tween 80 were prepared by intense mixing and optical microscopy images were obtained of the drops. The results showed the expected disordered emulsion of large SO drops with a number of attached smaller drops of the vegetable oil, whose images were transformed to regular Janus drops by the shear, when the cover glass was applied. The drops with a large BO/SO volume ratio did not immediately form well-defined and topologically equal Janus drops due to kinetic factors. The microscopy image was used to evaluate the correct angles and radii by a mathematical rotation to form an image with a straight-line contact line.     

Novel Bio-Based Amphiphilic Ionic Liquids for the Efficient Demulsification of Heavy Crude Oil Emulsions

In the last few decades, there has been an increasing trend for the usage of natural products and their derivatives as green and renewable oil-filed chemicals. Use of these compounds or their derivatives contributes to reducing the use of traditional chemicals, and enhances green chemistry principles. Curcumin (CRC) is one of the most popular natural products and is widely available. The green character, antioxidant action, and low cost of CRC prompt its use in several applications. In the present study, Curcumin was used to synthesize two new amphiphilic ionic liquids (AILs) by reacting with 1,3-propanesultone or bromoacetic acid to produce corresponding sulfonic and carboxylic acids, CRC-PS and CRC-BA, respectively. Following this, the formed CRC-PS and CRC-BA were allowed to react with 12-(2-hydroxyethyl)-15-(4-nonylphenoxy)-3,6,9-trioxa-12-azapentadecane-1,14-diol (HNTA) to form corresponding AILs, GCP-IL and GRB-IL, respectively. The chemical structures, surface tension, interfacial tension, and relative solubility number (RSN) of the synthesized AILs were investigated. The efficiency of GCP-IL and GRB-IL to demulsify water in heavy crude oil (W/O) emulsions was also investigated, where we observed that both GCP-IL and GRB-IL served as high-efficiency demulsifiers and the efficiency increased with a decreased ratio of water in W/O emulsion. Moreover, the data showed an increased efficiency of these AILs with an increased concentration. Among the two AILs, under testing conditions, GCP-IL exhibited a higher efficiency, shorter demulsification time, and cleaner demulsified water.     

压力对塔里木原油四组分热解性能的影响

压力对深层油藏原油热化学过程的影响尚存在较大争议,为研究其在油藏原油热解成气过程中的作用机理,我们在450℃、5~40 MPa压力下对塔里木原油四组分(饱和分、芳香分、胶质和沥青质)进行了封闭体系的热解实验,通过气相色谱(GC)和气相色谱/质谱(GC/MS)分别对原油四组分热解反应的气体产物及饱和分热解过程的液态产物进行了分析。结果表明,在450℃、24 h及不同压力下,沥青质热解产气率高于胶质、芳香分和饱和分;四组分的气相热解产物中,C1的产率明显高于C2~C5组分。增大压力抑制沥青质、胶质及芳香分的热解产气过程而促进饱和分的热解产气过程。随压力的增大,饱和分热解的液态产物的主峰组分碳数先减小,再增大。压力低于20 MPa时,饱和分热解过程中以裂解反应为主;高于30 MPa时,增大压力有利于缩合反应。研究结果可为认识深层油藏原油的稳定程度及天然气的成因提供一定的理论参考。     

Experimental Investigation of Rheological and Morphological Properties of Water in Crude Oil Emulsions Stabilized by a Lipophilic Surfactant

Rheological behavior of two crude oils and their surfactant-stabilized emulsions with initial droplet sizes ranging from 0.5 to 75 µm were investigated at various temperatures under steady and dynamic shear testing conditions. In order to evaluate the morphology and Stability of emulsions, microscopic analysis was carried out over three months and average diameter and size distribution of dispersed droplets were determined. The water content and surfactant concentration ranged from 10 to 60% vol/vol and 0.1 to 10% wt/vol, respectively. The results indicated that the rheological properties and the physical structure and stability of emulsions were significantly influenced by the water content and surfactant concentration. The crude oils behaved as Newtonian fluids over a wide range of shear rates, whereas the emulsions behaved as non-Newtonian fluids, indicating shear-thinning effects over the entire range of shear rates. The viscosity, storage modulus and degree of elasticity were found to be significantly increased with the increase in water content and surfactant concentration. The maximum viscosity was observed at the point close to the phase inversion point where the emulsion system changes from water-in-oil emulsion to oil-in-water emulsion. The results also indicated that the rheological properties of crude oils and their emulsions are significantly temperature-dependent.     

Electrocoagulation of Crude Oil From Oil-In-Water Emulsions Using a Rectangular Cell with a Horizontal Aluminium Wire Gauze Anode

Separation of crude oil from oil-in-water emulsions in a square batch electrocoagulation cell, using an aluminum screen as the sacrificial anode was studied, the cathode was a rectangular aluminum plate placed on the cell bottom below the anode. The oil separation efficiency was insensitive to the sodium chloride electrolyte concentration. Increasing current density increased the rate of oil separation from the emulsion. Also it was found that increasing the number of screens per stack at the same current intensity, does not affect the efficiency of oil separation. The removal doesn't depend on the initial pH in the range of pH ～3?8.     

Rheological Properties of Model and Crude Oil Systems when Wax Precipitate under Quiescent and Flowing Conditions

Wax precipitation and deposition is a recurring challenge in transportation of crude oil, and increased knowledge about the behavior of such systems is necessary. Microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were used to follow the crystallisation of wax for two model systems. The amount of solid was also determined by the latter method as well. The flow and viscoelastic behavior were investigated around the wax precipitation temperature, and the yield stress was determined both after dynamic and static cooling. Interpretation of the results was carried out in view of crystal growth and microstructure of the wax crystals. The variables that were studied were wax composition, amount of wax and thermal and shear history.     

Further Investigation into the Stability of Water-in-Crude Oil Emulsions Formed in Burgan Oilfield: Effect of Toluene,Resins to Asphaltenes Ratio,and Surfactant

Factors controlling the formation and stabilization of water-in-crude oil (w/o) emulsions in oil fields are of great concern to the petroleum industry for the economic development of underground oil reservoirs. Controlling and minimizing the formation of w/o emulsions and demulsification of water from emulsions are also important for environmental development. Because of its importance, the mechanisms, formation, and stability of w/o emulsions have received considerable attention. This article deals with some of the factors responsible for the formation and stabilization of w/o emulsions formed in Burgan oil field in Kuwait. Some of the factors investigated in this study are the naturally occurred surface active components of crude oils such as asphaltenes and resins. Stability of emulsion samples with resins to asphaltenes ratio (R/A) contents of 3, 5, 9, 12, and 20 has been studied. It was found that Emulsion tightness is correlated with resins to asphaltene content of the sample. As the R/content increases the emulsion becomes unstable. The effect of additives such as toluene and dodecyle benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) on the stability of various emulsion samples collected from oil field are also reported. A 2 wt% of DBSA was found to resolve all the water from emulsion samples collected from Burgan oilfield.     

基于费谢尔判别法的原油、燃料油鉴别技术研究

对原油、燃料油的鉴别方法进行了研究.以来自不同国家和地区的30个原油样品以及不同产地、不同种类的24个燃料油样品中的正构烷烃(n-C7～30)、植烷(Ph)、姥鲛烷(Pr)的含量构成训练集.借助SPSS 16.0进行费谢尔(Fisher)判别分析,建立Fisher判别函数.将判别变量值代入后,得到样本的空间位置,再计算样本至各组重心的距离,据此判断分类情况.结果表明,Fisher判别法可以很好地用于原油和燃料油的鉴别,具有快速、准确等特点.     

Effect of Inorganic Solids,Wax to Asphaltene Ratio,and Water Cut on the Stability of Water-in-Crude Oil Emulsions

The formation of stable water-in-crude oil emulsions during petroleum production and refinery may create sever and costly separation problems. It is very important to understand the mechanism and factors contributing to the formation and stabilization of such emulsions for both great economic and environmental development. This article investigates some of the factors controlling the stability of water-in-crude oil emulsions formed in Burgan oil field in Kuwait. Water-in-crude oil emulsion samples collected from Burgan oil filed have been used to separate asphaltenes, resins, waxes, and crude oil fractions. These fractions were used to prepare emulsion samples to study the effect of solid particles (Fe₃O₄) on the stability of emulsions samples. Results indicate that high solid content lead to higher degree of emulsion stability. Stability of emulsion samples under various waxes to asphaltenes (W/A) ratios have also been tested. These tests showed that at low W/A content, the emulsions were very stable. While at a wax to asphaltene ratio above 1 to 1, the addition of wax reduced emulsion stability. Stability of emulsion samples with varying amount of water cut has also been investigated. Results indicated that stability and hence viscosity of emulsion increases as a function of increasing the water cut until it reaches the inversion point where a sharp decline in viscosity takes place. This inversion point was found to be approximately at 50% water cut for the crude oils considered in this study.     

Preparation the Esters of Oleic Acid-Maleic Anhydride Copolymer and Their Evaluation as Flow Improvers for Waxy Crude Oil

Five comb-like copolymers derived from oleic acid-maleic anhydride were prepared and then esterified by long-chain fatty alcohol (POMA C_n), where n = 18, 20, 22. These polymers were characterized by FTIR and ¹H NMR analysis. The molecular weight was determined by using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The prepared copolymers were investigated as flow improvers and pour point depressants (PPD) for crude oil. From the evaluation, it was found that, the maximum depression of PP was obtained by (POMA₂ C₂₂) with long-chain alcohol (C₂₂–OH) from 27°C to 15°C (ΔPP_3000ppm = ?12°C). On the other side, it was remarked that no depression obtained by (POMA₂ C₁₈), which esterified by alcohol (C₁₈–OH) at the same condition. The depression of pour point effectiveness was discussed on the light of polymers structure, molecular weights, and their concentrations. By analysis the results of the rheological flow properties, it was found that the POMA₂ C₂₂ enhanced the Bingham yield values (τ_β). The τ_β for crude oil without additives against 15, 27, and 39°C were 0.286, 0.131, and 0.075 Pa respectively, whereas the τβ for the treated crude oil with POMA₂ C₂₂ were 0.027, 0.022 and 0.010 Pa at 3000 ppm at the same temperatures. By using the photomicrography analysis, it was found that, the wax morphology was greatly modified to fine dispersed crystals of compact size.     

塔里木塔河原油中钒卟啉的分离和鉴定

石油卟啉的存在是石油有机成因说的重要证据之一，并且根据石油卟啉的类型和分布可以推测石油的沉积环境及成熟程度。另一方面，石油中的卟啉主要是镍卟啉和钒卟啉，镍和钒是石油加工过程中裂化催化剂失活的主要原因，对石油卟啉的认识将有助于脱金属工艺的开发，从而降低镍和钒对加工过程的不利影响。     

低温氧化对原油组成的影响

通过空气与原油在油藏温度和一定压力下低温氧化过程的模拟实验,对反应前后气体与原油的组成进行分析.结果表明,实验条件下低温氧化反应后原油芳烃含量减少,胶质含量增加,饱和烃含量和沥青含量基本不变,正构烷烃轻重组分比增加;原油黏度有所增加.     

Feasibility Study of Crude Oil Fields by Thermal Analysis Techniques

This paper investigates the minimum oil content necessary for self-sustained combustion, which is introduced as a criterion for the selection of suitable reservoirs for in-situ combustion processes. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine the heat values of oil-limestone mixtures. The minimum temperature required for the total consumption of the fuel was obtained by thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). The minimum amount of oil necessary to sustain combustion was calculated from these two parameters and compared with the oil content of the reservoir. Reservoirs with an oil content greater than or equal to this minimum value were considered feasible. It was seen that the fields examined are generally not suitable for in-situ combustion processes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Review on Waterflooding Problems in Nigeria's Crude Oil Production

For many reasons, a reservoir may approach the end of its primary life having recovered only a small fraction of the oil in place. Occurrence of this makes secondary recovery operations feasible and economically attractive through waterflooding. Waterflooding is dominant among fluid injection methods and is responsible for the current high level of production rate of crude oil. Nigeria's current average crude oil production is estimated at 2.2 million barrel per day and its' reserve at 38.4 billion barrels. The problems associated with waterflooding and oil production are formation damage, scale deposition and corrosion of well tubular. These problems are costing the oil industries a huge loss annually, this article suggests control and monitoring of these problem through modeling and simulation of oil reservoirs in Nigeria oil fields.