Processo para a formação de uma emulsão bimodal e de uma emulsão monomodal estável de um hidrocarboneto viscoso em uma solução tampão aquosa

摘要

A method for forming a stable bimodal emulsion comprises admixing a viscous hydrocarbon with an aqueous buffer solution under controlled conditions so as to obtain a first monomodal emulsion having an average hydrocarbon droplet size of less than 5 microns. The monomodal emulsion is thereafter diluted with water and additional viscous hydrocarbon is admixed with the diluted monomodal emulsion under a second mixing energy sufficient to produce a bimodal emulsion wherein the average small hydrocarbon droplet size is less than or equal to 5 microns and the average large hydrocarbon droplet size is less than or equal to about 30 microns.