Ultrasonic wave application to crude oil de-emulsification process

Tactics to tackle emulsion problems in oil and gas industry are being improvised regularly to achieve a high efficiency and low cost solution. Theory of using ultrasonic waves for demulsification has been around for some time but its application has yet to be implemented widely. Experiments and pilot studies are still being conducted to discover suitable condition for the use of ultrasonic wave as ultrasonic wave has dual implication which are to emulsify and demulsify. In this research, experiment was done on crude oil collected from the Terengganu Crude Oil Terminal (TCOT). Experiments are done by using indirect ultrasonic application and direct ultrasonic application. Thus far, ultrasound yields positive impact in demulsification but it is yet to conclude that ultrasound is more superior to other separation means. Direct Ultrasonic Application is being utilized using 20 kHz ultrasonic probe. The only huddle with current ultrasonic generator is its inability to sustain more than 10 minutes of irradiation at more than 300W of intensity. Indirect ultrasonic application is being utilized using 40kHz Elma Ultrasonic Cleaner. Demulsification using both ultrasound applications is proven using titration test and CPM analysis. However bottle test on all specimen does not show clear water layer after 3 days of settling time. Ongoing research is being done to explore the effective use of ultrasonic wave to coalesce water particles. Further study may be conducted to develop suitable device to be placed in separator.