Neural network supported flow characteristics analysis of heavy sour crude oil emulsified by ecofriendly bio-surfactant utilized as a replacement of sweet crude oil

Abstract

The present study was carried out to assess the replacement of the sweet crude oil (SWCO) with the natural additive surfactant (NAS) namely Madhuca latifolia for the emulsification of heavy sour crude oil (SOCO) in order to facilitate eco-friendly transportation. In this study, the flow characteristics of SOCO were investigated with and without emulsification with SWCO and NAS. Both additives were blended in 10 to 15 percent (by volume) in heavy sour crude oil. The rheological properties of the SOCO suspension were measured by a rheometer ranging from 0 to 500 s−1 for shear rate ranges. The temperature scale was taken as 32±9 °C throughout the investigation. The rheological properties of sour crude oil including steady-state behavior, yield stress, viscosity, thixotropic properties, and other non-uniform steady characteristics were studied during the experimentation. Dynamic light scattering and optical microscopy were employed to investigate the morphology and the distribution of the wax in the SOCO and its emulsions. The flowability of SOCO and its emulsions was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy i.e. FTIR. The flow properties of SOCO were found non-Newtonian at low temperatures and its viscosity was decreased with an increase in temperature. Rheological results demonstrate that the addition of Madhuca latifolia and SWCO caused a reduction in the viscosity of SOCO. However, the viscosity of SOCO was decreased more by the emulsification with Madhuca latifolia as compared to SWCO. However, the C[dbnd]C, C[dbnd]H, and C[dbnd]O bonds are disintegrated in the presence of the Madhuca latifolia functional group. © 2022 The Author(s)