Demulsification of water in oil emulsion via non– ionic surfactants: Statistical modeling and optimization

• Published in: Materials today : proceedings 2023, Vol.92, p.841-848
• Main Authors: Salim Abdul-Baqi, Khalil, Rao Lakkimsetty, Nageswara, Manappallil Joy, Varghese
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Demulsification stability; Emulsification mechanism; Separation efficiency; Water in oil
• ISSN: 2214-7853; 2214-7853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2023.04.421

•The crude oil present in its natural background cannot be used right away- the emulsions and dissolved substances present in the oil can result in undesirable chemical reactions during processing, unwanted by-products, damage of refinery equipment like distillation columns, and reduced quality of the end products.•This research was done to stabilize and optimize the demulsification process of water in oil emulsion by means of non-ionic surfactants. A combination of experimental and numerical analysis was used to study the impact of parameters like dosage of surfactant, solvent concentration, pressure, temperature, and retention time on the dehydration efficiency of the emulsion.•The dosage of surfactant was found to have the highest influence. This is calculated by analyzing the change in the dehydration percentage for different values of parameters. The maximum values for various parameters are often different from the ideal values and need not produce the best result.•Optimum values produce the best results- the right concentration of surfactant, temperature, and retention time are required to produce the best possible dehydration percentage. The optimum surfactant dosage produced is 0.251 mg/L, 25.113 mL, 1.018 m/s2, 68.188 °C, 5.535 mints, 8.025 %, the ideal result. If too much chemical is added, it can reverse the effect and create a very stable emulsion. Because of the many demulsifiers and equipment available, it is easier to refer to published records for identifying the right dosage for the type of chemical used and the type of crude tested.•The use of electrical methods can help produce better results and lower concentrations of surfactant, lower temperatures, and lower retention time. Computer software tools are highly effective in the quick and efficient comparison of multiple parameters on the same chart or interface. The crude oil present in its natural background cannot be used right away- the emulsions and dissolved substances present in the oil can result in undesirable chemical reactions during processing, unwanted by-products, damage of refinery equipment like distillation columns, and reduced quality of the end products. The basic principle of demulsification is to break down the emulsifying film formed around the water droplets immersed in oil. Several methods can be used to achieve this, which can be used singly or combined with other methods. This research was done to stabilize and optimize the demulsification process of water in oi