Abstract The potential of ultrasonic techniques to characterize water-in-oil emulsions is investigated for possible industrial applications. The emulsions for testing were prepared in mineral and crude oil samples of different types to study effects of selected variables and these were characterized for their stability and variations in droplet size distribution. Emulsions droplet structure was observed with optical microscopy and stability was examined by separation of water phase with time and changes were tracked by an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic parameters recorded were changes in acoustic velocity, signal attenuation and frequency spectrum of the propagating wave. The applicability of the technique to characterize emulsions of crude oils with different asphaltene content has been clearly demonstrated based on extensive testing and data analysis. The technique has been applied for the first time to determine acceptable levels of asphaltene content in crude oil to avoid formation of very stable emulsions. Attenuation measurements provided better illustration of water separation process from different emulsions compared to measurements of volume of water separated. Observed attenuation effects in ultrasonic wave have been linked to emulsion system rheology.

中文翻译：

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基于超声波的方法来表征原油包水乳液的稳定性

摘要 针对可能的工业应用，研究了超声技术表征油包水乳液的潜力。在不同类型的矿物和原油样品中制备用于测试的乳液，以研究所选变量的影响，并表征这些变量的稳定性和液滴尺寸分布的变化。用光学显微镜观察乳液液滴结构，通过随时间分离水相来检查稳定性，并通过超声波探头跟踪变化。记录的超声参数是传播波的声速、信号衰减和频谱的变化。基于广泛的测试和数据分析，该技术可用于表征具有不同沥青质含量的原油乳液。该技术首次应用于确定原油中可接受的沥青质含量水平，以避免形成非常稳定的乳液。与分离水体积的测量相比，衰减测量更好地说明了从不同乳液中分离水的过程。观察到的超声波衰减效应与乳液系统流变学有关。与分离水体积的测量相比，衰减测量更好地说明了从不同乳液中分离水的过程。观察到的超声波衰减效应与乳液系统流变学有关。与分离水体积的测量相比，衰减测量更好地说明了从不同乳液中分离水的过程。观察到的超声波衰减效应与乳液系统流变学有关。