Demulsification of Water-in-Crude Oil Field Emulsion Using Green Demulsifier Based on Sesamum indicum: Synthesis, Characterization, Performance, and Mechanism

Abstract

Summary This paper addresses the issues related to poor demulsifier efficiency, low biodegradability, and toxicity of commonly used chemical demulsifiers in the petroleum industry. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes an environmentally friendly demulsifier synthesized from Sesamum indicum (sesame oil). The synthesized demulsifier is characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The demulsification test was performed for the synthesized demulsifier through the standard bottle test method using water-in-oil field emulsion. The results indicate that the demulsifier has an excellent dehydration rate and can achieve a demulsification efficiency of 85% within 10 minutes at a concentration of 200 ppm and 100% efficiency in 60 minutes at 70°C and performs better than the commercial demulsifier. The paper summarizes the factors affecting the demulsification process, including settling time, temperature, and demulsifier concentration. Furthermore, the demulsification mechanism is explained through interfacial tension (IFT) measurement, competitive adsorption test between asphaltene and demulsifier, and rheology study of emulsion. Moreover, the disuccinimidyl sulfoxide (DSSO) demulsifier is tested for its biodegradability according to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development procedure, and the results show that it is completely biodegradable. The outcome of this research provides a promising solution for the demulsification of field emulsions through eco-friendly and efficient demulsifier.