EMULSION INVERSION OF CRUDE OIL BY SOLID PARTICLE AND SURFACTANT ADDITION

Crude oil produced as water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion can show high viscosity, causing difficulties during pipeline transportation. The production of O/W emulsion by adding an aqueous phase containing solid particles and surfactant is an alternative to decrease oil viscosity. Thus, the objective of this work is to study the synergistic effect of a surfactant (Triton X-100) and a solid particle (sodium bentonite) addition on emulsion inversion. Emulsions were characterized in conductivity, rheology, kinetic stability, and droplet size analyses. W/O to O/W emulsions inversion occurred when aqueous solutions were between 30 and 40% (m/m), according to conductivity and rheology analyses. The increment of water content from 30 to 50 % (w/w) increased mean droplet size from 2.6 to 10.6 µm, increased phase separation from 9.5 to 68.0 (v/v), and decreased emulsion viscosity from 183 to 1.07 mPa.s. Aqueous solution containing solid particle and surfactant affected emulsions’ properties, producing systems with lower viscosity than crude oil, making it easier for oil pumping and pipeline transportation.