Application of Microfluidics for Emulsion Characterization

Formation of emulsions is unavoidable at various stages of petroleum production due to the complex multiphase flow through sudden restrictions such as chokes in the wellbore. Separation of the multiphase emulsion into its constituent phases is necessary to meet stringent environmental regulations and production requirements to transport the crude oil to downstream facilities. Efficient separation of multiphase emulsions requires proper insight into the phase separation kinetics and the involved physicochemical aspects. This presentation focuses on the application of a custom designed microfluidics facility for emulsion formation and stability analysis. The experimental facility has a unique capability to produce controlled mono-dispersed and poly-dispersed oil-in-water and water-in oil emulsions. The experimental results indicating the effects of organic phase, aqueous phase salinity, salt type, total flowrate, and water-cut on the droplet size and emulsion separation kinetics in terms of temporal evolution of the sedimenting and coalescing interfaces will be discussed.