Factors Affecting the Rheological Properties and Stability of Water-in-Oil Emulsions

Abstract

The focus of this master thesis has been water-in-oil emulsions. Rheological behavior and factors affecting the formation and stability of such emulsions have been investigated. A set of emulsions have been made using engine oil and synthetic brine, with water content ranging from 10-70%. Factors investigated includes temperature, maturation, shear stress and mixing time. The emulsions showed properties that coincides with the Herschel-Bulkley fluid model.

The size and distribution of the dispersed droplets have been investigated. This was done by visually inspecting the emulsion using an optical microscope.

A flow facility was constructed based on the emulsion parameters obtained from the rheological experiments. Theoretical flow rates were calculated based on power law and Herschel-Bulkley fluid models, and these rates were compared to the actual flow rates. The Herschel-Bulkley model gave the best prediction, with theoretical flow rates deviating 1.55-25.64% from the actual flow rates.