Demulsification of water/crude oil emulsion using natural rock Alginite

Chemical demulsifiers are commonly applied to demulsify stable crude oil/water emulsions formed during production, extraction and transportation. The present work was carried out using a new demulsifying agent based on natural Alginite, a crude oil shale from Hungary. A model W/O emulsion, which was stable over 2 months, was prepared from 50 wt.-% crude oil (Brent type) and 50 wt.-% of brine. This emulsion was successfully split by an addition...