Demulsify water in oil emulsion

[hgjor]

Some papers claim that adding acid (e.g. butanoic acid) to the water can demulsify a water in oil emulsion. I cannot find a good explanation why the acid would help. Any ideas about the mechanism ? Any links to more details ? Thanks.

 

[LeoChem]

hgjor

I believe it has to do with the kind of emulsifier you have in the oil. This may work for asphaltenic stabilizers.

Do you have some of the papers?

 

[hgjor]

LeoChem,
here's a link :

http://umpir.ump.edu.my/867/1/Ahmad_Syauqi_Othman.pdf

I would like to have an explanation why and how butanoic acid acts as a demulsifier. Thanks.

 

[Tipp2239]

Butanoic acid is smelly. Naphthenic acids cause some emulsions acting as salts or soaps, Fine water drops are other types of emulsions in oils. You need break the nap acids soap surfactants. butanoic acid may reduce the inherent pH releasing the cations from the salts resolving emulsions. Coalescing chemicals can coalesce the water to larger drops which can settle out. If its bad use Naphthenic acid inhibitors.