Contemporary Advancement in Green Demulsification Technique: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/jceib.v11i1.11328Keywords:
Emulsions, Emulsion stability, Demulsification, Green demulsifiersAbstract
Emulsion has been confirmed to be a major challenge in the production and transportation of crude oil. Emulsion typically forms as soon as the well begins to produce and the water volume subsequently inclines with years of production. Corrosion of facilities, reduction of pumping efficiency of pumps, crude oil quality reduction and poisoning of refinery catalysts are some of the negative impacts of oilfield emulsion. Technological advancements have aided the incorporation of different classes of demulsification techniques to overcome the challenges imposed by emulsions. The techniques are mechanical, chemical and biological methods. The chemical method which is the most widely utilized, uses synthesized chemicals termed demulsifiers to separate emulsion components. The chemical method is posed with different forms of limitations regarding the high cost, ineffectiveness of demulsification process, unavailability of demulsifiers, negative effect on crude oil quality and environmental consequences from disposal of separated formation waters. Due to these challenges, green demulsifiers have been identified as a major alternative to the synthetic demulsifiers. Green demulsifiers, derived from plant sources, offered advantages such as biodegradability, renewability and sustainability. This review examined the current state of green demulsifiers for oil-water separation, highlighting their sources, performance, factors influencing their performances, opportunities and future challenges. The review also encompassed emulsion classes, stability and summary of other demulsification techniques. From the review, green demulsifiers showed potential for emulsion treatment in a laboratory scale with a maximum efficiency of 97.5%. Limitations such as slow separation rates, scalability and industrial application, reproducibility and variability in performance need to be addressed. Further research is necessary to investigate the environmental impact of these green demulsifier formulations. Nonetheless, green demulsifiers have the potential to enable oil companies to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly demulsification practices if fully improved on and harnessed.
References
[1] A. Bekturganova, K. Mukanova, U. Zhumanova, and B. Tultabayev, “Establishing the regularity of the emulsification process,” in BIO Web of Conferences, vol. 64, p. 01012, 2023.
[2] Z. Li, “Comprehensive analysis of influencing factors and mechanism of nano emulsion spontaneous imbibition oil displacement in tight sandstone reservoir,” Frontiers in Energy Research, vol. 11, p. 1332484, 2023.
[3] S. F. Wong, J. S. Lim, and S. S. Dol, “Crude oil emulsion: A review on formation, classification and stability of water-in- oil emulsions,” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, vol. 135, pp. 498-504, 2015.
[4] R. Zolfaghari, A. Fakhru’l-Razi, L. C. Abdullah, S. S. Elnashaie, and A. Pendashteh, “Demulsification techniques of water- in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions in petroleum industry,” Separation and Purification Technology, vol. 170, pp. 377-407, 2016.
[5] T. Erfando, S. R. Cahyani, and N. Rita, “The utilization of citrus hystrix and citrus limon as an organic demulsifier formulation,” in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 2019, vol. 509, no. 1, p. 012145, 2019.
[6] L. He, F. Lin, X. Li, Z. Xu, and H. Sui, “Enhancing heavy oil liberation from solid surfaces using biodegradable demulsifiers,” Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 1753-1758, 2016.
[7] S. Kokal, “Crude-oil emulsions: A state-of-the-art review,” SPE Production & Facilities, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 5-13, 2005.
[8] E. Yonguep, K. F. Kapiamba, K. J. Kabamba, and M. Chowdhury, “Formation, stabilization and chemical demulsification of crude oil-in-water emulsions: A review,” Petroleum Research, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 459-472, 2022.
[9] A. M. Sousa, M. J. Pereira, and H. A. Matos, “Oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions formation and demulsification,” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, vol. 210, p. 110041, 2022.
[10] T. Erfando, I. Khalid, and R. Bahari, “Experimental of alternative demulsifier formulation from corn oil in overcoming water–oil emulsion,” Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 39, pp. 1061-1064, 2021.
[11] F. Goodarzi and S. A. Zendehboudi, “Comprehensive review on emulsions and emulsion stability in chemical and energy industries,” The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, vol. 97, no. 1, pp. 281-309, 2019.
[12] K. Rajamanickam, “Technologies involved in the demulsification of crude oil,” in Crude Oil-New Technologies and Recent Approaches, IntechOpen, 2022.
[13] D. J. McClements and S. M. Jafari, “Improving emulsion formation, stability and performance using mixed emulsifiers: A review,” Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, vol. 251, pp. 55-79, 2018.
[14] A. Perazzo, V. Preziosi, and S. Guido, “Phase inversion emulsification: Current understanding and applications,” Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, vol. 222, pp. 581-599, 2015.
[15] J. M. Maffi, G. R. Meira, and D. A. Estenoz, “Mechanisms and conditions that affect phase inversion processes: A review,” The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, vol. 99, 1, pp. 178-208, 2021.
[16] Y. Yang, Z. Fang, X. Chen, W. Zhang, Y. Xie, Y. Chen, Z. Liu, and W. Yuan, “An overview of Pickering emulsions: Solid- particle materials, classification, morphology, and applications,” Frontiers in Pharmacology, vol. 8, p. 235054, 2017.
[17] T. Wang, S. Wang, L. Zhang, J. Sun, T. Guo, G. Yu, and X. Xia, “Fabrication of bilayer emulsion by ultrasonic emulsification: Effects of chitosan on the interfacial stability of emulsion,” Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, vol. 93, p. 106296, 2023.
[18] X. Zhang, D. Zhang, X. Rong, Y. Yang, H. Liang, J. Li, and B. Li, “Combining in-situ observation and interfacial rheology as a tool to investigate the possible mechanism for improved emulsifying performance of gliadin-based colloid particles,” LWT - Food Science and Technology, vol. 199, p. 116095, 2024.
[19] T. M. Ho, A. Razzaghi, A. Ramachandran, and K. S. Mikkonen, “Emulsion characterization via microfluidic devices: A review on interfacial tension and stability to coalescence,” Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, vol. 299, p. 102541, 2022.
[20] W. Pu, M. He, X. Yang, R. Liu, and C. Shen, “Experimental study on the key influencing factors of phase inversion and stability of heavy oil emulsion: Asphaltene, resin and petroleum acid,” Fuel, vol. 311, p. 122631, 2022.
[21] F. Ravera, K. Dziza, E. Santini, L. Cristofolini, and L. Liggieri, “Emulsification and emulsion stability: The role of the interfacial properties,” Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, vol. 288, p. 102344, 2021.
[22] F. Ortega, H. Ritacco, and R. G. Rubio, “Interfacial microrheology: Particle tracking and related techniques,” Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 237-245, 2010.
[23] B. M. Aguilera, J. G. Delgado, and A. L. Cárdenas, “Water-in-oil emulsions stabilized by asphaltenes obtained from Venezuelan crude oils,” Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 359-363, 2010.
[24] D. C. Maia Filho, J. B. Ramalho, G. M. Lucas, and E. F. Lucas, “Aging of water-in-crude oil emulsions: Effect on rheological parameters,” Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, vol. 405, pp. 73-78, 2012.
[25] S. R. Derkach, “Rheology of emulsions,” Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, vol. 151, no. 1-2, p. 1-23, 2009.
[26] H. Fang, M. Wang, X. Liu, W. Jin, X. Ma, X. Meng, et al., “Study of influences of fracture additives on stability of crude oil emulsion,” The Open Petroleum Engineering Journal, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 118-128, 2018.
[27] M. Fingas and B. Fieldhouse, “Formation of water-in-oil emulsions and application to oil spill modelling,” Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol. 107, no. 1-2, pp. 37-50, 2004.
[28] O. R. Alara, N. H. Abdurahman, M. O. Tade, H. A. Ali, and K. T. Alao, “Demulsifier: An important agent in breaking crude oil emulsions,” Chemical Engineering & Technology, vol. 45, no. 10, pp. 1707-1720, 2022.
[29] S. A. Raya, I. M. Saaid, A. A. Ahmed, and A. A. Umar, “A critical review of development and demulsification mechanisms of crude oil emulsion in the petroleum industry,” Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, vol. 10, pp. 1711-1728, 2020.
[30] A. K. Al-Gburi, “Demulsification of water/crude oil emulsions using functionalised PolyHIPEs in an electrostatic field,” Doctoral dissertation, Newcastle University. http://theses.ncl.ac.uk/jspui/handle/10443/4946
[31] Y. Tian, J. Zhou, C. He, L. He, X. Li, and H. Sui, “The formation, stabilization and separation of oil–water emulsions: A review,” Processes, vol. 10, no. 4, p. 738, 2022.
[32] J. L. Salager, R. Marquez, J. G. Delgado-Linares, M. Rondon, and A. Forgiarini, “Fundamental basis for action of a chemical demulsifier revisited after 30 years: HLDN as the primary criterion for water-in-crude oil emulsion breaking,” Energy & Fuels, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 711-730, 2022.
[33] O. Adekunle, “An experimental model to predict and control oilfield emulsion tightness: A novel approach,” Doctoral dissertation, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja. Z. http://repository.aust.edu.ng/-xmlui/handle/123456789/477.
[34] Z. Fajun, T. Zhexi, Y. Zhongqi, S. Hongzhi, W. Yanping, and Z. Yufei, “Research status and analysis of stabilization mechanisms and demulsification methods of heavy oil emulsions,” Energy Science & Engineering, vol. 8, no. 12, pp. 4158-4177, 2020.
[35] F. G. Antes, L. O. Diehl, J. S. Pereira, R. C. Guimarães, R. A. Guarnieri, B. M. Ferreira, V. L. Dressler, and E. M. Flores, “Feasibility of low frequency ultrasound for water removal from crude oil emulsions,” Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, vol. 25, pp. 70-75, 2015.
[36] H. Sabati and H. Motamedi, “Ecofriendly demulsification of water in oil emulsions by an efficient biodemulsifier producing bacterium isolated from oil contaminated environment,” Biotechnology Letters, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 1037-1048, 2018.
[37] S. S. Amirabadi, A. Jahanmiri, M. R. Rahimpour, P. Darvishi, and A. Niazi, “Investigation of Paenibacillus alvei ARN63 ability for biodemulsifier production: Medium optimization to break heavy crude oil emulsion,” Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, vol. 109, pp. 244-252, 2013.
[38] L. Wei, L. Zhang, S. Guo, X. Jia, Y. Zhang, C. Sun, and X. Dai, “Synthesis and study of a new type of fluorinated polyether demulsifier for heavy oil emulsion demulsification,” ACS Omega, vol. 6, no. 39, pp. 25518-25528, 2021.
[39] D. C. Nwakuba, I. A. Mohammed-Dabo, and H. Ibrahim, “Investigating the performance of bio-based demulsifiers for the demulsification of Nigerian crude oils,” Applied Research Journal of Sustainable Development, vol. 2, no. 1&2, pp. 1-12, 2023.
[40] F. O. Oyedeji and M. C. Nwode, “Effect of some citrus juice concentrates on crude oil emulsion,” Journal of Petroleum Technology and Alternative Fuels, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 7-13, 2018.
[41] F. Ye, Y. Mi, H. Liu, G. Zeng, L. Shen, X. Feng, et al., “Demulsification of water-in- crude oil emulsion using natural lotus leaf treated via a simple hydrothermal process,” Fuel, vol. 295, p. 120596, 2021.
[42] P. P. Moodley, D. Lokhat, A. Ahmad, A. Mishra, and B. C. Meikap, “Kinetic studies on the potential use of citrus-based green and low-cost demulsifying agents for the oil-in-water emulsions' treatment,” Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, vol. 10, no. 1, p. 107127, 2022.
[43] O. P. Akinyemi, J. O. Benjamin, and F. O. Banjoko, “Investigation of coconut oil as green demulsifier in crude oil emulsions,” International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, vol. 10, no. 2, p. 20384, 2023.
[44] P. Hajivand and A. Vaziri, “Optimization of demulsifier formulation for separation of water from crude oil emulsions,” Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 107-118, 2015.
[45] V. Venkatesham, M. Nasal, M. J. Robin, and G. M. Ginto, “Studies on demulsification of crude oil emulsion using plant extracts as green demulsifiers,” Asian Journal of Applied Science and Technology, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 999-1004, 2018.
[46] Y. Dhandhi, V. Bhardwaj, R. K. Saw, and T. K. Naiya, “Demulsification of water-in-crude oil field emulsion using green demulsifier based on sesamum indicum: Synthesis, characterization, performance, and mechanism,” SPE Journal, vol. 29, no. 8, pp. 4166-4178, 2024.
[47] Y. Mi, L. Shen, X. Huang, Y. Yu, Z. Zhang, Y. Ding, et al., “Synthesis of an efficient demulsifier derived from cotton cellulose and its demulsification performance in oily wastewater,” International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 296, p. 139839, 2025.
[48] M. A. Saat, L. H. Chin, and C. S. Wong, “Treatment of crude oil emulsion using coconut oil and its derivative as green demulsifiers,” Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 31, pp. 106-109, 2020.
[49] B. Pal, R. Kumar, and T. K. Naiya, “Demulsification of crude oil-water emulsion using naturally formulated demulsifier,” Petroleum Science and Technology, vol. 39, no. 21-22, pp. 1027-1042, 2021.
[50] L. Shen, G. Ai, H. Liu, L. Zhu, L. Lai, X. Yan, et al., “Synthesis and demulsification performance of a novel low-temperature demulsifier based on trimethyl citrate,” Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol. 472, p. 134543, 2024.
[51] Z. Amiri, M. Shekarriz, R. Halladj, and A. Rashidi, “Sustainable nanodemulsifiers for enhanced demulsification of water and saline in crude oil emulsions: Synthesis and application,” Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, vol. 138, pp. 440-450, 2024.
[52] N. Hazrati, A. A. Beigi, and M. Abdouss, “Demulsification of water in crude oil emulsion using long chain imidazolium ionic liquids and optimization of parameters,” Fuel, vol. 229, pp. 126-134, 2018.
[53] M. Hasiri and A. Kantzas, “Efficiency of oil separation and demulsification following sonication gel degradation: Influence of Cr (III) ions, NaCl concentrations, and sodium-based retarders,” Fuel, vol. 357, p. 129940, 2024.
[54] G. R. Gurbanov and A. V. Gasimzade, “Enhancing demulsification efficiency and corrosion protection in oil industry: A study of novel compositions,” Issues of Chemistry & Chemical Technology/Voprosy Khimii & Khimicheskoi Tekhnologii, no. 2, pp. 18-25, 2024.
[55] M. Fortuny, C. B. Oliveira, R. L. Melo, M. Nele, R. C. Coutinho, and A. F. Santos, “Effect of salinity, temperature, water content, and pH on the microwave demulsification of crude oil emulsions,” Energy & Fuels, 21, no. 3, pp. 1358-1364, 2007.
[56] P. Hajivand and A. Vaziri, “Optimization of demulsifier formulation for separation of water from crude oil emulsions,” Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 107-118, 2015.
[57] M. Duan, J. He, D. Li, X. Wang, B. Jing, Y. Xiong, et al., “Synthesis of a novel copolymer of block polyether macromonomer and diallyldimethylammonium chloride and its reverse demulsification performance,” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, vol. 175, pp. 317-323, 2019.
[58] Z. Li, H. Geng, X. Wang, B. Jing, Y. Liu, and Y. Tan, “Noval tannic acid-based polyether as an effective demulsifier for water-in-aging crude oil emulsions,” Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 354, pp. 1110-1119, 2018.
[59] J. Ma, L. Ma, Y. Gao, Y. Qin, Z. Jiao, R. Guo, et al., “Study on wastewater demulsification technology of crude oil in Xinjiang Oilfield,” Molecules, vol. 28, no. 6, pp. 2873, 2023.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
