Emulsion Flow Behavior of Crude Oil-Alcoflood Polymers

Abstract

The fundamental aspects controlling the rheology of crude oil-Alcoflood polymer emulsions are investigated. Several crude oil concentrations are covered over the range of 10–75% by volume. Three types of Alcoflood polymers of AF1235, AF1275, and AF1285 are employed over the concentration range of 0–10, 000 ppm. A cone and plate of RS100 rheometer under constant rate mode is employed for this emulsion investigation. During the shear rate sweep over the range of 0.1–1000 s^–1, the measurements of shear stress, viscosity, and relative viscosity of different emulsions are extensively investigated. A Zeiss optical microscope is used to investigate the distribution and interaction of crude oil droplets within the polymer solution in order to help understanding of the rheological behavior of these emulsions.