Chemical destabilization of crude oil based emulsions and asphaltene stabilized emulsions

A comparison of low and high molecular weight demulsifiers and their effect on both crude oil and asphaltene based water-in-oil emulsions is performed . Physical characteristics are given for crudes and for the chemicals. Thes e parameters were then correlated with the demulsifier performance. Results indicate that a significant lowering of interfacial tension is required, b ut not sufficient for an efficient demulsification. Addition of the chemica ls directly to the oil phase prior to emulsification, i.e., as inhibitors, increased the performance of the chemicals significantly.