AN INVESTIGATION OF COALESCENCE OF EMULSIFIED DROPLETS IN SYSTEM CRUDE OIL/ASP FLOODING SOLUTION

The coalescence of emulsified liquid (water and oil)droplets in a system crude oil/ASP flooding solution was investigated by using an experimental set composed of microscope, photographic camera and image processor. Gradual reduction with time in the population of smaller liquid droplets was observed in external aqueous and oil phases. Coalescence takes place exclusively between a larger and a smaller droplets. The two droplets fulfil their coalescence by such a way: in Brownian movement the smaller and larger droplets approache to and adhere to each other, the common interfacial film between the two droplets deforms and collapses, and in result the two droplets are coalesced. The process of coalescense of water and oil droplets is similar besides of higher coalescence rate of oil droplets in aqueous phase in comparison with that of water droplets in oil phase.