Optimization of Phenolic Based De-Emulsifiers
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Asian Network for Scientific Information
Abstract
Description
The de-emulsification of a Nigerian crude oil emulsion has been investigated using
locally formulated base and acid catalyzed phenol formaldehyde resins with varied
formaldehyde to phenol molar ratios. The bottle test method was used for the
screening process and the best de-emulsifier was chosen based on the largest
volume of water removed from the crude oil emulsion. The screening process was
done at temperatures of 50 and 70°C and de-emulsifier concentrations of 20 and
50 part per million (ppm), respectively. A factorial design was done to determine
the best combination of de-emulsification conditions for optimal performance. The
results were optimized and analyzed using software called Minitab 16 utilizing
pareto chart, normal effects, main effects and interactions plots. From the analysis,
it was found that the optimum set of conditions for best performance of the resole
de-emulsifier were 50 ppm, 70°C and 1.8:1 concentration, screening temperature
and formaldehyde to phenol molar ratio, respectively. While for novolak
de-emulsifiers, they were 50 ppm, 70°C and 0.1:1. Increasing temperature and
concentrations were found to enhance de-emulsification performance with all the
resole and novolak de-emulsifiers.
Keywords
TP Chemical technology