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Effects of sand and process water pH on toluene diluted heavy oil in water emulsions in turbulent flow
Author(s) -
Angle Chandra W.,
Hamza Hassan A.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.11649
Subject(s) - coalescence (physics) , emulsion , mixing (physics) , oil droplet , oil sands , breakage , chemistry , chemical engineering , water flow , materials science , environmental engineering , environmental science , composite material , organic chemistry , asphalt , physics , quantum mechanics , astrobiology , engineering
The presence of sand in heavy oil production is known to enhance oil recovery. Sand can also be detrimental depending on the properties of the sand–water interface. In this process, the water soluble material interacts with both sand and oil droplets and affects emulsion stability. The formation and stability of heavy oil‐in‐water emulsions during turbulent flow using batch process stirred‐tank mixing of oil, sand, and water were investigated at three pH. Size distributions were measured by laser diffraction. High‐speed video photomicrography was used to observe the process during mixing. Results showed that the presence of sand enhanced formation of stable, fine emulsion at basic pH 8.5. When the pH of the water was reduced below 6.5 both sand and droplets surface properties changed, the emulsions became less stable and coalescence was apparent. The sand grains acted as coalescers at low pH and enhanced breakage at high pH. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources, 2008 AIChE J, 2009