Determining the stability of a water-hydrocarbon emulsion using thermogravimetry

摘要

The stability of a water-hydrocarbon emulsion is measured using thermogravimetry. A crucible 5 is suspended in a container 2 of the emulsion to be studied. The crucible is attached to a thermogravimetric balance 4. The temperature of the emulsion is brought of a pre-determined test temperature, and the variation in the apparent weight of the crucible is measured. The emulsion is then maintained at the predetermined temperature, and again, the variation in the apparent weight of the crucible is measured, and a curve of the variation in weight with time is plotted. The mass of separated phase, and the speed of separation of the phases is determined from the curve, and compared with reference emulsions having known properties.