Effect of Solids on Water/Crude Oil Separation

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Rag layers are accumulations of emulsified water, oil, and solids that can occur at the oil-water interface during the separation of water and crude oil in oilfield and refinery operations. Rag layer growth can lead to poor separation and process upsets which reduce oil recovery, increase energy requirements, and lead to wasteful emissions from the incineration of otherwise untreatable emulsions. Field observations suggest that solids such as clays, silicates, and corrosion products contribute to the most problematic rag layers. It is proposed to investigate the effect of solids on emulsion properties and rag layer growth. The effect of solid particle size distribution and wettability on the coalescence rates of water-oil and oil-water emulsions will be investigated in batch experiments. An in-house continuous oil-water separator will be used to examine rag layer growth in the same systems. The data will be used to relate rag layer growth to solid properties and concentrations. Finally, the effect of chemical additives on emulsion properties and rag layer growth will be assessed. The results of this study are intended to identify situations where solids are likely to upset separation processes and to guide the development of more effective treatments.. The proposed research will provide training for highly qualified personnel who will interact with industry partners to ensure that their training addresses the needs of industry. They will be ideally suited for research and engineering employment in the oil and petrochemical industries.