Interactions between alkali/surfactant/polymer and their effects on emulsion stability

The interfacial tensions between solutions containing NaOH and ORS-41, and crude oil were demonstrated to be a function of the two components. Surfact ant ORS-41 film characteristics changed as a function of the alkali concent ration showing interactions between alkali and surfactant. The polyacrylami de has little effect on the surfactant monolayer at high surface pressure, but has considerable effect at low surface pressure. The w/o emulsion stabi lity was kinetically determined through the use of the conventional bottle test. Both surfactant and alkali has a significant effect on emulsion stabi lity. Polymer has little effect on the emulsion stability at higher ORS-41 concentrations. Emulsion stability varied as a result of chemical interacti ons effecting interfacial tension and interfacial film strength. (C) 2000 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.