Laboratory confirmation of new emulsion stability model

A new emulsion stability model analyzes various reported and newly generated experimental data demonstrating that this model can provide quantitative insight into the mechanism of emulsion decomposition and formation. A variety of emulsion stability data is accurately correlated by means of the new emulsion stability model. The decomposition and formation rate constants, reaction order, limiting emulsion fraction, and emulsion half-life are determined from linearized experimental data. This study reconfirms that the order of the quiescent emulsion decomposition reaction is equal to 0.4, similar to Civan and Weers [SPE Production and Facilities (2001) 260], while the order of the emulsion formation reaction by mixing varies from 0.18 to 1.73 depending on the solvent conditions for the emulsions considered in this study.