Chemicals

Demulsifier Theory:

Usually crude oil/water emulsion is separated into bulk phases of oil and water, following three steps:

Step 1: Destabilization of the emulsion by counteracting the stabilizing effect of the emulsifier. There is a tough film on the dispersed water droplets, it must be weakened and broken. This can be easily done by an interfacially active chemical Demulsifier.

Step 2: Coalescence. Of the water droplets to larger droplets facilitating the settling out of water out of oil.. This can be done through moderate agitation of the fluid.

Step 3: Gravity Separation of the water and oil by allowing some quiet period to the fluid. Gravity difference between oil and water separates the two layers.

DeMUX™ is widely used to perform the most important step defined above, that is, to destabilize and to assist in coalescence of crude oil emulsions. The benefits of DeMUX™ are that it can be easily applied to the emulsion, is very reasonably priced and minimizes the amount of heat and settling time required. It counteracts the emulsifying agent, allowing the dispersed droplets of the emulsion to coalesce into larger drops and settle out of the matrix.

DeMUX™ has strong attraction to the oil/water interface, has the ability to migrate rapidly through the oil phase to reach the droplet interface where it must counteract the emulsifying agent, It has an attraction for water droplets with a similar charge and bring them together (flocculation). It neutralizes the emulsifier and promotes rupture of the droplet interface film, hence allowing coalescence to occur. DeMUX™ is a complex organic compound with surface active characteristics.