Prospects of Breaking Crude Oil Emulsions Using Demulsifier Formulated from Nicotiana tabacum Seed Oil, Leaf Extracts, and Stalk Ash Extracts

摘要

The presence of crude oil emulsions in oil production and processing systems has been a great concern to industry worldwide. Several methods are available for breaking crude oil emulsions; however, Chemical method is the common demulsification method. Fossil-based materials are mainly used to develop these demulsifiers. Given the recent environmental and sustainability concerns, focus has shifted to the use of bio-based materials like agricultural plant extracts as alternatives to fossil-based demulsifiers. In this study, the prospects of breaking crude oil emulsions using demulsifiers produced from Nicotiana tabacum seed oil, leaf extracts, and stalk ash were evaluated. The study is based on the need for local production of demulsifiers in Nigeria, the need for more environmentally friendly and sustainable operations; and the need to put Nicotiana tabacum into alternative use due to its associated health hazards when consumed and its massive cultivation. The results of the physiochemical properties of Nicotiana tabacum seed oil; the phytochemical analysis of Nicotiana tabacum leaf extracts, and the potash concentrations of Nicotiana tabacum stalk ash extract showed the presence of hydrophilic and hydrophobic components of demulsifiers. The properties of the formulated demulsifier are similar to those of the commercial demulsifiers. The bottle tests results showed that the formulated demulsifier is capable of breaking medium and high-density crude oil emulsions. Hence, the formulated demulsifier performed comparably to the commercial demulsifiers.