Interfacial Tensions of Ethoxylated Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Solutions Against Crude Oil

Abstract

The dynamic interfacial tension (IFT) of ethoxylated fatty acid methyl ester solutions against n‐alkanes, kerosene, and diluted heavy oil have been investigated by spinning drop interfacial tensiometry. The influences of ethylene oxide (EO) groups and alkyl chain length on IFT were investigated. The experiment results show that the water solubility decreases with an increase in alkyl chain length or a decrease in EO groups. The ability to lower the interfacial tension against hydrocarbons improves with both increasing alkyl chain length and EO group at the best hydrophilic‐lipophilic balance, which can be attributed to the enhancement of the interfacial hydrophobic interactions and the rearrangement of interfacial surfactant molecules. The mixed adsorption of surfactant molecules and surface‐active components may reduce IFT to a lower value. C18=E3 shows the best synergism with surface‐active components. However, the IFT values against pure crude oil are obviously higher than those against hydrocarbons, which may be caused by the nature of heavy oil.

Synthesis of a branched surfactant from the castor derivative and its surface properties

“…The 12-HMEE 10 molecule showed the best foaming ability because of its lower surface tension and faster adsorption rate. Furthermore, 12-HMEE n exhibits low foaming and strong defoaming characteristics, which are not achieved by commercial oil-based straight-chain surfactants, such as fatty acid methyl ester ethoxylate (FMEE), 54,59 alkyl polyglycosides (APGs) 60,61 and fatty acid methyl ester sulfonate (MES). 62 Despite achieving the greater foaming ability than GAEO n under the same degree of polymerization, 47 the recommended surfactant 12-HMEE n is still a promising product for use in industrial cleaning applications due to its stronger defoaming ability.…”

Effects of Polyether Surfactants on Dynamic Interfacial Tension of Betaine Solutions against Crude Oil

“…Moreover, the IFT of polyether solutions against n ‐decane are higher than that of betaine solution because the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail of betaine have a better matched size to form a tighter adsorption film (Zhou et al, ). On the other hand, with the increase of EO groups, the molecular size becomes larger, which hinders the formation of absorption films and results in increasing IFT (Liu et al, ; Zargartalebi et al, ). Therefore, the IFT values increase obviously with an increase of EO groups from polyether 2900 to 14,600.…”

Study on Synthesized Thermoresponsive Block Copolymer for Water-Based Oil Sands Extraction

“…Currently, the operating temperature of the water-based oil sands extraction is 45–50 °C, which has already been reduced from the original 80–90 °C, in an effort to decrease the greenhouse gas emission and improve process sustainability. , On the other hand, however, the decrease of the operating temperature could have a negative impact on the bitumen extraction performance, including the bitumen recovery ratio and froth quality, which is more severe for low-quality oil sands ores . Consequently, chemical aids are typically added during the extraction process to compensate for the deterioration arising from the decrease of the temperature. , An ideal chemical aid is expected to have good compatibility with the extraction fluid (i.e., water) and the capability of improving the liberation and/or aeration process.…”

“…11 Consequently, chemical aids are typically added during the extraction process to compensate for the deterioration arising from the decrease of the temperature. 12,13 An ideal chemical aid is expected to have good compatibility with the extraction fluid (i.e., water) and the capability of improving the liberation and/or aeration process.…”