Coalescence of Oil Droplets using Sponge-like Structure of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membranes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/amst.v23n1.140Abstract
This work reports the effect of the membrane pore size distribution on the oil droplets size distribution in permeate using the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. The sponge-like structures of the PVDF membranes were fabricated via the phase inversion technique using 30% v/v ethanol aqueous solution as coagulation medium. Water and polyethylene glycol (PEG1000) were used as the pore forming additives in the dope solutions. Microfiltration was employed to coalesce the oil droplets at the transmembrane pressure of 2.5 bar. Simulated alkaline-surfactant-polymer (ASP) produced water was tested as the feed solution. Results revealed that the PVDF membranes with sponge-like structure were formed. The additives in the dope solutions have induced the membranes to become thicker due to more porous, spongy and resilient structure. The membrane pore sizes increased with the presence of the additives in the dope solutions especially when larger molecular weight of the additive, i.e., PEG1000 was used. The mode of the oil droplets radius increased from 61.2 nm in the feed solution to 95.1, 356.2 and 1335 nm in the permeates by the corresponding membranes without additive, with water and PEG1000 as the additives. The membranes with larger pore sizes as well as more open structure were able to trap and coalesce more oil droplets which produced larger size of the oil droplets in the permeates.
References
R. Fortenberry. 2013. Experimental demonstration and improvement of chemical EOR techniques in heavy oils. M.S Thesis, University of Texas at Austin.
G. Shutang, L. Huabin, Y. Zhenyu, M.J. Pitts, H. Surkalo, K. Wyatt. 1996. Alkaline/surfactant/polymer pilot performance of the West Central Saertu, Daqing oilfield. SPE Reserv. Eng. 11: 181–188.
V. Alvarado, E. Manrique. 2010. Enhanced oil recovery: An update review. Energies 3: 1529–1575.
Q. Qi, H. Gu, D. Li, L. Dong. 2000. The pilot test of ASP combination flooding in Karamay oil field. In: Paper SPE 64726 presented at the 2000 SPE International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition in China, 7–10 November, Beijing.
T. Chen, G. Zhang, J. Ge, H. Yang. 2013. The research on weak alkali ASP compound flooding system for Shengli heavy oil. Adv. Petrol. Explor. Dev. 5: 106–111.
S.R. Clark, M.J. Pitts, S.M. Smith. 1993. Design and application of an alkaline-surfactant-polymer recovery system to the west Kiehl field. SPE Adv. Technol. Series 1: 172–179.
B. Seyler, J. Grube, B. Huff, N. Webb, J. Damico, C. Blakley. 2012. Reservoir characterization of Bridgeport and Cypress sandstones in Lawrence field Illinois to improve petroleum recovery by alkaline-surfactant-polymer flood. Ener. Technol. Data Exchange 2012-12-21.
C.S. Gregersen, M. Kazempour, V. Alvarado. 2013. ASP design for the Minnelusa formation under low-salinity conditions: Impacts of anhydrite on ASP performance. Fuel 105: 368–382.
O.O. Foyeke, J.B. Diane. 1998. Influence of interfacial properties of lipophilic surfactants on water-in-oil emulsion stability. J. Colloid Interf. Sci. 197: 142–150.
A. Fakhru’l-Razi, P. Alireza, C.A. Luqman, R.A.B. Dayang, S.M. Sayed, Z.A. Zurina. 2009. Review of technologies for oil and gas produced water treatment. J. Hazard. Mater. 170: 530–551.
H. Unno, H. Saka, T. Akehata. 1986. Oil separation from oil-water mixture by a porous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) membrane. J. Chem. Eng. Japan 19: 281–286.
M. Hlavacek. 1995. Break-up of oil-in-water emulsions induced by permeation through a microfiltration membrane. J. Membr. Sci. 102: 1–7.
U. Daiminger, W. Nitsch, P. Plucinski, S. Hoffmann. 1995. Novel techniques for oil/water separation. J. Membr. Sci. 99: 197–203.
T. Kawakatsu, R.M. Boom, H. Nabetani, Y. Kikuchi, M. Nakajima. 1999. Emulsion breakdown: Mechanisms and development of multilayer membrane. AlChE J. 45: 967–975.
A. Hong, A.G. Fane, R. Burford. 2003. Factors affecting membrane coalescence of stable oil-in-water emulsions. J. Membr. Sci. 222: 19–39.
P. Sukitpaneenit, T.S. Chung. 2009. Molecular elucidation of morphology and mechanical properties of PVDF hollow fiber membranes from aspects of phase inversion, crystallization and rheology. J. Membr. Sci. 340: 192–205.
D. Wang, K. Li, W.K. Teo. 1999. Preparation and characterization of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber membranes. J. Membr. Sci. 163: 211–220.
S.P. Deshmukh, K. Li. 1998. Effect of ethanol composition in water coagulation bath on morphology of PVDF hollow fiber membranes. J. Membr. Sci. 150: 75–85.
D. Hou, H. Fan, Q. Jiang, J. Wang, X. Zhang. 2014. Preparation and characterization of PVDF flat-sheet membranes for direct contact membrane distillation. Sep. Purif. Technol. 135: 211–222.
E. Saljoughi, M. Amirilargani, T. Mohammadi. 2010. Effect of PEG additive and coagulation bath temperature on the morphology, permeability and thermal/chemical stability of asymmetric CA membranes. Desalination 262: 72–78.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright of articles that appear in Journal of Applied Membrane Science & Technology belongs exclusively to Penerbit Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Penerbit UTM Press). This copyright covers the rights to reproduce the article, including reprints, electronic reproductions, or any other reproductions of similar nature.
