Efficient Demulsification of Heavy Crude Oil Emulsions Using Bio‐Based Amphiphilic Esters

Abstract

AbstractAbietic acid (AA) as a natural compound is used to synthesize two amphiphilic esters. AA was reacted with tetraethylene glycol (TG) or polyethylene glycol (PEG‐400) to obtain amphiphilic esters, AA‐TG, and AA‐PG, respectively. AA‐TG and AA‐PG were characterized using different techniques. In addition, the efficacy of these esters in demulsifying water‐in‐heavy crude oil emulsions was evaluated by means of several parameters. The demulsification efficacy (DE) of AA‐TG and AA‐PG reached 100 % in different cases. The results indicated that the DE was improved as the demulsifier concentration and temperature increased and the seawater ratio decreased. Furthermore, AA‐TG and AA‐PG achieved a higher DE and shorter demulsification time than the commercial demulsifier.