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Stabilization of Heavy Oil‐Water Emulsions using a Bio/Chemical Emulsifier Mixture
Author(s) -
Farahbakhsh A.,
Taghizadeh M.,
Yakhchali B.,
Movagharnejad K.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.201100169
Subject(s) - emulsion , viscosity , taguchi methods , chemical engineering , bacillus licheniformis , chemistry , chromatography , materials science , organic chemistry , composite material , bacillus subtilis , biology , bacteria , engineering , genetics
In this study, the viscosity reduction of heavy oil has been investigated through the formation of oil‐water emulsion using a bio/chemical emulsifier mixture. Four bioemulsifiers from indigenous Rhodococcus ergthropolis and Bacillus licheniformis strains were used to stabilize a highly‐viscous oil‐in‐water emulsion. The Taguchi method with an L 9 orthogonal array design was used to investigate the effect of various control factors on the formation of the oil/water emulsions. An emulsion with lowest viscosity was formed using ACO4 strain. The substantial stability of the oil‐in‐water emulsion allows the heavy oil to be transported practically over long distances or remain stationary for a considerable period of time prior to utilization. As the result of Taguchi analysis, the temperature and concentration of the emulsifier had a significant influence on viscosity reduction of the emulsion.