Published January 2015
The results of pilot tests of nano-demulsifier ND – 1/4 on demulsification of hard-to break oil-in-water emulsion in “Zhetybai” field
F.S. IsmaylovDue to demulsifiers behavior theory there are some unclear points related to the destruction of structural-mechanical adsorption barrier (SMAB) for hard-to-break oil-in-water emulsions. Breaking property of oil-in-water emulsions can be further complicated by the presence of natural emulsifiers comprising SMAB as well as inorganic nanoparticles. The adsorption energy of nanoparticles is much higher than the adsorption energy of molecules of natural emulsifiers. Many traditional emulsion breakers do not provide complete demulsification of hard-to-break oil-in-water emulsions as demulsifier should provide adsoprtion competetion against nanoparticles. To this end, we have developed a functional nano-structured demulsifier ND-1/4 for dehydration and desalting hard-to-break oil-in-water emulsions. Pilot tests of nano-demulsifier ND-1/4 were conducted on hard-to-break oil-in-water emulsions of Zhetybai field (Republic of Kazakhstan). Nano-demulsifier ND-1/4 proved to be considerably superior for all pilot test indicators than basic demulsifier Dissolvan 5023.
