Study of the stability of model emulsions mimicking petroleum with different types of non-ionic surfactants

This study conducted experiments to mimic petroleum emulsions for application in laboratory flow circuits. The science of emulsion formulation is still quite restricted when it comes to parameters that stabilize emulsions. The challenge is even greater when formulating emulsions of low dynamic viscosity. In this work, model emulsions were prepared with different oil phases, with 0.1 and 1.0 % v/v of the surfactants Span 60, Span 80, Triton X-100, and Triton X-114, with 10 and 30 % v/v of aqueous phase. The kinetic stability of the emulsions evaluated in terms of aqueous phase separation, droplet size distribution, dynamic viscosity, and interfacial tension. The homogenization process assessed to identify the emulsification regime of the emulsions, inertial or viscous, through the calculation of the smallest vortices formed. A study of the maximum superficial flow velocity conducted to provide users with a better understanding of the emulsions produced here. The results indicate that seven emulsions can used in laboratory flow circuits. Span 80 provided better stabilization of the emulsions for over 72 hours with droplet sizes in the range of 0.2–100.0 µm. As a novelty in this work, increasing the concentration of surfactant Span 80 causes a decrease in average velocity in flow, a reduction in droplet size, and a regime of turbulent viscous emulsification in axial flow.