Revista Técnica de la Facultad de Ingeniería ()
Filtración de emulsiones crudo/agua con membranas poliméricas. Influencia de las interacciones interfaciales
Abstract
In this work, membrane type, filtration pressure, concentration and nature of the crude oil were studied when emulsified crude oil was removed by membrane filtration methods. Interfacial interactions in the crude/water/membrane system were determined by means of interfacial tension and contact angle measurements. Diluted emulsions of Apure (33.4°API) crude oil were filtered over polysulphone and regenerated cellulose membranes and high removal of crude oil was found, with a higher efficiency of the polysulfone membrane. Nevertheless, the regenerated cellulose membrane had a higher permeate flux and better fouling resistance. Filtration done with emulsions made with Apure oil emulsions and with Lagocinco (32.7°API) oil emulsions showed that it is possible to remove 93.6% of Apure crude and 91.9% of Lagocinco crude oil. The permeate flux, fouling and crude removal are function of the interfase interaction between crude and the membrane surface.
