Studies of Water-Continuous Emulsions of Heavy Crude Oils Prepared by Alkali Treatment

Abstract

Summary Pumping of heavy crudes as concentrated oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions may be a feasible pipeline transport scheme for viscous crudes. Many crude oils can be emulsified by treatment with alkali without the addition of expensive surfactants. In experimental studies of seven crudes, stable emulsions could be formed with four by alkali treatment; two could not be emulsified; and one formed unstable emulsions. High shear viscosity, particle size, and stability measurements on 60% emulsions formed with various amounts of alkali are reported. High shear viscosities below 100 mPa·s [100 cp] at 25°C [77°F] indicate that concentrated emulsions of some crudes can be transported in pipelines at concentrations of 60% and higher.