Optimization and evaluation of reduced graphene oxide hydrogel composite as a demulsifier for heavy crude oil-in-water emulsion

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2020.08.027

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering ›› 2021, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (5): 297-305.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2020.08.027

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Optimization and evaluation of reduced graphene oxide hydrogel composite as a demulsifier for heavy crude oil-in-water emulsion

Kin Kit Fong¹, Inn Shi Tan², Henry Chee Yew Foo², Man Kee Lam^3,4, Adrian Chiong Yuh Tiong¹, Steven Lim^5,6

1 Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, CDT 250, 98009 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia;
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Miri 98009, Malaysia;
3 Chemical Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Malaysia;
4 HICoE-Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Malaysia;
5 Department of Chemical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang 43000, Malaysia;
6 Centre for Photonics and Advanced Materials Research, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang 43000, Malaysia

Received:2020-03-24 Revised:2020-08-18 Online:2021-08-19 Published:2021-05-28
Contact: Inn Shi Tan
Supported by:
The authors would like to acknowledge for the financial supports given by Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2019/TK02/CURTIN/03/2) from Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia.

Optimization and evaluation of reduced graphene oxide hydrogel composite as a demulsifier for heavy crude oil-in-water emulsion

Kin Kit Fong¹, Inn Shi Tan², Henry Chee Yew Foo², Man Kee Lam^3,4, Adrian Chiong Yuh Tiong¹, Steven Lim^5,6

1 Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, CDT 250, 98009 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia;
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Miri 98009, Malaysia;
3 Chemical Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Malaysia;
4 HICoE-Centre for Biofuel and Biochemical Research, Institute of Self-Sustainable Building, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, Malaysia;
5 Department of Chemical Engineering, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang 43000, Malaysia;
6 Centre for Photonics and Advanced Materials Research, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang 43000, Malaysia

通讯作者: Inn Shi Tan
基金资助:
The authors would like to acknowledge for the financial supports given by Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2019/TK02/CURTIN/03/2) from Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia.

Abstract

Abstract: The rising production of produced water from oilfields had been proven to bring detrimental environmental effects. In this study, an efficient, recyclable, and environmental-friendly reduced graphene oxide immobilized κ-Carrageenan hydrogel composite (κCaGO) was fabricated as an alternative sorbent for crude oil-in-water demulsification. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) was employed to form a stable hydrogel composite. The conditions for the immobilization of graphene oxide (GO) on PEI-modified κ-Carrageenan (κC) beads were optimized appropriately. An immobilization yield of 77% was attained at 2% PEI, 2 h immobilization activation time, and pH 6.5. Moreover, the synthesized κCaGO is capable of demulsification with an average demulsification efficiency of 70%. It was found that the demulsification efficiency increases with salinity and κCaGO dosage, and it deteriorates under alkaline condition. These phenomena can be attributed to the interfacial interactions between κCaGO and the emulsion. Furthermore, the κCaGO can be recycled to use for up to six cycles without significant leaching and degradation. As such, the synthesized κCaGO could be further developed as a potential sorbent substitute for the separation of crude oil from produced water.

Key words: Graphene oxide, κ-Carrageenan, Adsorbents, Demulsification, Composites, Waste water

摘要： The rising production of produced water from oilfields had been proven to bring detrimental environmental effects. In this study, an efficient, recyclable, and environmental-friendly reduced graphene oxide immobilized κ-Carrageenan hydrogel composite (κCaGO) was fabricated as an alternative sorbent for crude oil-in-water demulsification. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) was employed to form a stable hydrogel composite. The conditions for the immobilization of graphene oxide (GO) on PEI-modified κ-Carrageenan (κC) beads were optimized appropriately. An immobilization yield of 77% was attained at 2% PEI, 2 h immobilization activation time, and pH 6.5. Moreover, the synthesized κCaGO is capable of demulsification with an average demulsification efficiency of 70%. It was found that the demulsification efficiency increases with salinity and κCaGO dosage, and it deteriorates under alkaline condition. These phenomena can be attributed to the interfacial interactions between κCaGO and the emulsion. Furthermore, the κCaGO can be recycled to use for up to six cycles without significant leaching and degradation. As such, the synthesized κCaGO could be further developed as a potential sorbent substitute for the separation of crude oil from produced water.

关键词: Graphene oxide, κ-Carrageenan, Adsorbents, Demulsification, Composites, Waste water

Kin Kit Fong, Inn Shi Tan, Henry Chee Yew Foo, Man Kee Lam, Adrian Chiong Yuh Tiong, Steven Lim. Optimization and evaluation of reduced graphene oxide hydrogel composite as a demulsifier for heavy crude oil-in-water emulsion[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2021, 33(5): 297-305.

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Optimization and evaluation of reduced graphene oxide hydrogel composite as a demulsifier for heavy crude oil-in-water emulsion

Optimization and evaluation of reduced graphene oxide hydrogel composite as a demulsifier for heavy crude oil-in-water emulsion

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