Evaluation of Novel Nanodemulsifier Based on Colloidal and Non-Colloidal Surfactants for the Removal of Hydrocarbons from Wastewater

Abstract

The separation of oil-water emulsion, in general, is a major problem in oil production and refining processes. The authors performed targeted laboratory and field studies on wastewater cleaning from hydrocarbons in the conditions of oil preprocessing on the ZhetybayMunayGaz oil field, Republic of Kazakhstan. The field pilot-scale tests (FPST) have been performed with a novel nanodemulsifier IKHLAS-1 based on colloidal and non-colloidal surfactants. IKHLAS-1 was selected after conducting the laboratory tests with 42 other components of similar molecular composition. The data also demonstrate how the degree of wastewater purification from oil depends on the specific consumption of demulsifier, demulsification temperature, the volume of hard destructible water-in-oil emulsions, settling time and the demulsifier pH. The results of FPST have revealed the significant advantage of using IKHLAS-1 in comparison with the standard demulsifier Randem-2219, since the obtained degree of wastewater purification (oil concentration was below 50 mg/dm³) corresponds to the requirements of the technology of water re-injection to maintain reservoir pressure.