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Evaluation of polymeric flocculants for oily water systems using a photometric dispersion analyzer

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Abstract

During oil production and treatment, oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions are formed. These dispersions require treatment prior to disposal. In order to improve oil/water separation processes through any physical process (decanting, flotation, centrifuging etc), the particle size of the dispersed phase should be increased. This may be obtained by a flocculation process, which consists in the agglomeration of several particles or drops using as flocculating agent hydrophilic high molecular weight macromolecules. Poly (ethylene-b-propylene oxide) and poly (vinyl alcohol) polymers have been evaluated as flocculating agents for oily water systems. Their performance is related to the particle size increase of the dispersed phase. In this work, a photometric dispersion analyzer (PDA) has been used to accomplish the oil drop agglomeration. Synthetic as well as produced water was used. Data are in good agreement with previous tests. Qualitative information related to aggregates or particle size distribution of the oily water systems can be obtained using PDA.

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Acknowledgements

Authors are indebted to ANP/FINEP/CTPETRO by financial support and to CNPq by the M.Sc. scholarship and to the FUJB.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Macromoléculas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, CT, bloco J, Ilha do Fundão, P.O.Box 68525, 21945–970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Roberto S. Fernandes & Elizabete F. Lucas

  2. Petrobras Research Center, Ilha do Fundão Q.7, 21949–900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Gaspar González

Authors
  1. Roberto S. Fernandes
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  2. Gaspar González
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  3. Elizabete F. Lucas
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Correspondence to Elizabete F. Lucas.

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Fernandes, R.S., González, G. & Lucas, E.F. Evaluation of polymeric flocculants for oily water systems using a photometric dispersion analyzer. Colloid Polym Sci 283, 219–224 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-004-1134-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-004-1134-z

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