Emulsion Layer Growth in Asphaltene/Solids-Stabilized Water-in-Oil Emulsions
Abstract
The effect of inorganic, coarse solids on emulsion layer stability and growth was investigated. Factors including solids type (kaolin and silica), size, concentration, and wettability were considered. Model asphaltene-stabilized water-in-oil emulsions were prepared from water and organic phase consisting of solids, asphaltenes, heptane, and toluene. In batch experiments, coalescence rates were determined from the change in emulsion height over time as the emulsion coalesced. In continuous experiments, emulsion layer growth was measured for emulsions in a continuous separator. A material balance/coalescence rate based model was developed and fit to the data. Coarse solids at low concentrations destabilized emulsions in batch separations but, above a threshold concentration, solids increased emulsion stability. In continuous separations, even at feed concentrations below the threshold, solids accumulated in the emulsion until the threshold was reached and stable emulsions were formed. The performance of continuous separations cannot be predicted from batch tests.
Description
Keywords
Engineering--Chemical
Citation
McGurn, M. (2017). Emulsion Layer Growth in Asphaltene/Solids-Stabilized Water-in-Oil Emulsions (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25883