The effect of HPAM on the oil-water interfacial tension of crude oil and components simulate emulsion

The Gudao crude oil was separated into four fractions (saturated, aromatic, resin, asphaltene) by means of fluid-solid adsorption chromatogram, then elementary composition, molecular weight, IR spectrum of crude oil and the four fractions were investigated. The result showed that the molecular weight of asphaltene is the largest, and the degree of unsaturation and content of hetero atom is highest in the four components, besides resin and asphaltene contain much nitrogenous and oxygenous chemical, and have relatively high activity. The effect of hydrolytic polyacrylamide (HPAM) on the oil water interfacial tension of crude oil and fractions simulate emulsion was studied. The result showed that the oil-water interfacial tension decreased with the addition of HPAM. The interfacial tension between the kerosene solution of crude oil, resin, asphaltene and aqueous phase enhanced first then decreased with the concentration of HPAM (the same molecular weight) increasing. The interfacial tension can be remarkably reduced when the concentration of HPAM was in a certain scope, and when the concentration surpassed the scope, the interfacial tension started to elevate, since the adsorption of HPAM beginning to replace the active components in the interface.