SORFACTANT-OIL-WATER SYSTEMS NEAR THE AFFINITY INVERSION Part III: THE TWO KINDS OF EMULSION INVERSION

Abstract

ABSTRACT The inversion locus is represented on a generalized mixed bidimensional scan (formulation-WOR), where the formulation variable may be the salinity, oil ACN, alcohol type or concentration, surfactant parameter such as EON, or temperature At near unity water/oil ratio the inversion locus (Phase Inversion Formulation: PIF) approximately matches the optimum formulation for minimum tension and phase behavior. In this region the inversion depends essentially upon physico-chemical factors. At extreme water/oil ratios, the inversion locus depends essentially upon the volumetric proportions of the phases, i.e., a physical factor A general classification of emulsion type is proposed according to the optimum formulation and phase inversion lines The alterations of the inversion locus with surfactant type, oil viscosity and conditions of emulsification, are discussed.