Experimental Investigation of Effect of Demulsifiers on Crude Oil Properties

Abstract

Uche Osokogwu* and Tukorogha Austine Babangida

Laboratory experiment was used to investigate the effect of demulsifiers on crude oil properties. To achieve this study, experimental investigation was conducted in a laboratory. First, Bottle test experiment was done to assess the rate of emulsion separation as measured by visually tracking the volume of water that has been separated over time. Crude oil was taken from two Niger Delta oil production fields for the investigation. A demulsifier at different dosage was introduced into each of the oil samples and was analyzed. 100mL graduated glass centrifuge tube from ASTM was used in the bottle test. The crude oil Density and Viscosity was measured at (15°C and 40°C) using a U-tube that oscillates as part of a density meter. This investigation shows that demulsifiers should not be generalized rather should be field or area based because reservoirs are made up of different chemical components. It was worthy to note that the various components of the crude oil could be affected by addition of demulsifier. However, the major components such as density, viscosity, water content, Sulphur content and API gravity were the priority of this investigation. From the results obtained in this study, it was observed that the commercial demulsifiers when applied in low concentrations has the ability to reduce density, at 10ppm and 50ppm the same density reduction was obtained while the local demulsifiers reduces density according to the rate injected. The kinematic viscosity was positively reduced to enhance flow and separations. For the local demulsifiers, there was a slight reduction in viscosity.There was a good percentage of water been knocked off at the appropriate application of demulsifiers. As more water is removed, the better the density and viscosity, and the local separation of water was not as good as the commercial demulsifier. The application of the demulsifiers lightens the API gravity to better market value. The local demulsifiers do not have significant effect on the crude oil samples.

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