Mechanistic study on the dynamic interfacial tension of crude oil + water systems: Experimental and modeling approaches

• Dynamic interfacial tensions (DIFT) of two crude oil/deionized water are measured.
• The impacts of crude oil type, pressure and temperature on the DIFT are investigated.
• DIFT are modeled based on the mono-exponential decay and dynamic adsorption models.
• Adsorption, equilibrium, and meso-equilibrium times are obtained.
• Surface excess concentration of natural surfactant at the interface is also calculated.

This study investigates dynamic interfacial tension (DIFT) of acidic crude oil (ACO) and non acidic/basic crude oils (BCO) + deionized water (DW) as a function of pressure from 500 to 4000 psi, and temperature from 30 to 80 °C using an axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA) technique. DIFTs are also modeled using dynamic adsorption model, mono-exponential decay model, and empirical equations. The results showed that if a reduction in the surface excess concentration due to increasing temperature overlooks the total entropy of the molecules in the system, an increase in IFT would be expected.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide