LAUSR

Abstract The potential of ultrasonic techniques to characterize water-in-oil emulsions is investigated for possible industrial applications. The emulsions for testing were prepared in mineral and crude oil samples of different types to study effects of selected variables and these were characterized for their stability and variations in droplet size distribution. Emulsions droplet structure was observed with optical microscopy and stability was examined by separation of water phase with time and changes were tracked by an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic parameters recorded were changes in acoustic velocity, signal attenuation and frequency spectrum of the propagating wave. The applicability of the technique to characterize emulsions of crude oils with different asphaltene content has been clearly demonstrated based on extensive testing and data analysis. The technique has been applied for the first time to determine acceptable levels of asphaltene content in crude oil to avoid formation of very stable emulsions. Attenuation measurements provided better illustration of water separation process from different emulsions compared to measurements of volume of water separated. Observed attenuation effects in ultrasonic wave have been linked to emulsion system rheology.