A study of the effects of phenolic de-emulsifier solutions in xylene on the de-emulsification of a Nigerian crude oil emulsion

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Vincent Enontiemonria Efeovbokhan
Joseph Denis Udonne
Ayodedji Adedeji Ayoola
Oluwadara Temitayo Shogbamu
Rasheed Babalola

Abstract

The research and development of de-emulsifiers for separating water from crude oil emulsions usually result in varying degrees of success, depending on the location and the type of crude being treated. This makes de-emulsifiers crude oil specific and thus gives rise to the continuous
search for more and effective de-emulsifiers that can meet the specific needs of each locality. In this study, base-catalyzed phenol formaldehyde resins were formulated at varying formaldehyde to phenol ratios (1.2:1–1.8:1); the assessment was carried out by the bottle test method at varied de-emulsifier concentrations (vol/vol) in xylene acting as solvent diluent. The bottle test was carried out at an optimum temperature of 70 C, dosage of 50 ppm and residence times of 10 and 20 min. A factorial design was done to determine the best combination of the de-emulsification conditions for the resolution of the Nigerian crude oil emulsion. The results were analyzed and optimized using Minitab 16 utilizing a Pareto chart, normal effects, main effects and interaction plots. From the analysis carried out, it was found that the most effective formulated de-emulsifier was obtained at formaldehyde to phenol (F:P) mole ratio of 1.8:1, 80% de-emulsifier concentration in xylene and residence time of 20 min. This de-emulsifier obtained a water separation efficiency of 79% compared to the commercial de-emulsifier which gave 71% efficiency. Thus the solution of P:F de-emulsifiers in xylene enhances the de-emulsification of the Nigerian crude oil emulsions.

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How to Cite
Efeovbokhan, V. E., Udonne, J. D., Ayoola, A. A., Shogbamu, O. T., & Babalola, R. (2019). A study of the effects of phenolic de-emulsifier solutions in xylene on the de-emulsification of a Nigerian crude oil emulsion. Journal of Applied Research and Technology, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jart.2017.01.004
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Author Biographies

Vincent Enontiemonria Efeovbokhan, Covenant University

Department of Chemical Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

Joseph Denis Udonne, Lagos State University

Department of Chemical Engineering and Polymer, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria

Ayodedji Adedeji Ayoola, Covenant University

Department of Chemical Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

Oluwadara Temitayo Shogbamu, Covenant University

Department of Chemical Engineering, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

Rasheed Babalola, Akwa Ibom State University

Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Nigeria

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