Oil in water emulsions obtained by mixing of crude oils, synthetic surfactants, and polymers are of great interest for those studying Enhanced Oil Recovery. However, special methods for those emulsions investigation by FFF should be developed. Can the following challenge be resolved: to clean the system after each emulsion injection taking into account that organic solution can damage (dissolve) tubing and filters? Is there a way to avoid organic solvents usage? What about the solution of detergents?
Dear Vlad:
The system can be cleaned with aqueous detergents from oil. It is necessary to explore FFF crude oil-water emulsion. Find the minimum time interval sedimentation of asphaltenes, bitumens in system. This is the time used for periodic cleaning of the system.
Best regards.
Hi Yuri,
what do you mean as 'aqueous detergents from oil'? Our crude oil contains only organic acids as well as hydrocarbons and asphaltenes.
The system used is: PostNova AF2000 with crossflow.
We clean the system after each sample injection.
The problem is with oil-in-water emulsion, which can plug the porous medias as well as cover internal walls of tubing used. Same thing about the cells inside the detectors: RI and MALS.
I just suggested that a strong synthetic detergent (I don't know which is better: ionic, non-ionic) can remove crude oil layers from the surface of filters and tubing.
I would like to learn if someone already resolved the problem before I give it a try.
Mean clean. The problem is not in the emulsions but in asphaltenes. I did not work with your system. I worked on the permeability of the core, depending on the formation of supramolecular structures. They are formed from the resins and asphaltenes at a concentration greater 0,02--0,2%. When changing the direction of flow retained some residual directivity filamentary structures.
Best regards.
it seems to me that without special tubings etc. to withstand organic aromatic solvents it will be not possible to use this system for extended use on crude oil applications.
You may look also into use of microemulsions for cleaning.
Hi,
Find attached a pdf file describing field flow fractionation.
I hope you find it useful.
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