这项任务要要求设计一个自动化的，高通量的仪器 ， 可以定量地和可重复地测定的油水乳化液的分离。
这个任务需要提交一份书面建议书。
An Instrument for Quantitative, Reproducible Characterization of Water/Oil Emulsions
AWARD: $30,000 USD | DEADLINE: 10/15/12 | ACTIVE SOLVERS: 508 | POSTED: 8/15/12 Source: InnoCentive Challenge ID: 9933086 Type: Theoretical-IP Transfer
Detailed Description & Requirements
The presence of emulsions in oil operations is common and generally undesirable. Crude oil emulsions typically form due to the presence of naturally occurring emulsifying agents (asphaltenes, resins, etc.) in crude oil. The high cost associated with transportation and corrosion of equipment is one of the problems caused by the presence of water in the crude oil. Therefore, oil dehydration is required, which is often achieved through chemical treatment using demulsifiers.
While the Seeker has identified ~200 liquid “demulsifier” agents, compounds that in amounts of ~100-500 ppm can aid in the resolution of the water and oil phases, they lack a quantitative and reproducible assay for determining demulsifier effectiveness at resolving the emulsion. Currently, the Seeker performs a “bottle test” in which they add ~15-100 mL of the emulsion into a bottle, add the different demulsifiers, shake, and then visually observe which bottles show the best phase separation. This assay clearly relies on visual detection by a trained observer and is not nearly as quantitative or reproducible as the Seeker desires.
Results from a bottle test with the same emulsion and three different demulsifiers are shown below. The bottle on the left has clearly not been resolved into two distinct phases. While the middle bottle shows significant improvement, careful inspection of the phase boundary shows a slight amount of oil contaminating the water layer and a slightly undefined interface. Finally, the bottle on the right shows an optimally resolved two-phase system with a very clear oil/water phase boundary. Important Note:
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