Preparation and power consumption of surfactant–fuel oil–water emulsions using axial, radial, and mixed flow impellers

Surfactant–oil–water emulsions could have applications in enhanced oil recovery and the bio-desulfurization process applied to crude oil and some fractions. A simple way to prepare oil in water (O/W) emulsions is using a tank and an agitation device. The aim of this work is to propose a technology to prepare surfactant–fuel oil–water emulsions by means of a system involving a tank equipped with baffles, and an agitation device. The employed fuel oil was a high-viscosity fraction, which makes it difficult to handle. Axial, radial, and mixed flow impellers were assessed in the preparation of O/W emulsions, with and without the presence of baffles. Sixteen commercial surfactants were evaluated on the O/W emulsion formation. The effect of the storage temperature on the emulsions stability was assessed. The presence of salt on the surfactant–fuel oil–water emulsion was also investigated. Power vs. Reynolds numbers, extremely important data for the scaling up of the process, were calculated in basis of the power drawn when preparing the emulsions. Total consumption energy applied to the system, as well as pumping capacity were measured and related to the quality of the O/W emulsions obtained.