Claims
- 1. The method of preparing a stable, low viscosity bimodal oil in water emulsion whose viscosity does not age with time wherein the emulsion has an oil:water ratio of from about 70:30 to about 85:15 by weight wherein the discontinuous phase is characterized by viscous hydrocarbon having a viscosity over 5000 cps at 30.degree. C. and/sec.sup.-1 comprising:
- (a) providing a feedstock of water free viscous hydrocarbon with a salt content less than or equal to 40 ppm;
- (b) preparing separately two oil in water emulsions wherein a first oil in water emulsion has a dispersed phase oil droplet size of less than 5 microns (D.sub.S) and a second oil in water emulsion has a dispersed phase oil droplet size of from about 10 to 40 microns (D.sub.L) and wherein the proportion of oil:water in each of the emulsions is in the range from about 70:30 to about 85:15; and
- (c) mixing the second emulsion with the first emulsion in a ratio of at least 5:1 so as to obtain a final oil in water emulsion with a viscosity of less than 1500 cps at 30.degree. C. and sec.sup.-1 and a dispersed viscous material phase which exists as two identifiable and distinct droplet size distributions D.sub.L and D.sub.S wherein the ratio D.sub.L /D.sub.S is greater than or equal to 5.
- 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein D.sub.L is about 15 to 30 microns, D.sub.S is less than or equal to 3 microns, the ratio of D.sub.L /D.sub.S is greater than or equal to 10 and about 70 to 80% by weight of the oil is in oil droplet size D.sub.L.
Parent Case Info
This is a division, of application Ser. No. 801,472, filed Dec. 2, 1991 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,852
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Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
M. I. Briceno et al., "Emulsion Technology for the production and Handling of Extra-Heavy Crude Oil and Bitumins", Revista Technica INTEVEP, 10(1): 5-14 Jun. 5, 1990. |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
801472 |
Dec 1991 |
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