Relating the Phase, Flow, and Coalescence Behavior of Complex Shipboard Emulsions to the Physical and Chemical Properties of Model Surfactant-Oil-Water Systems
Abstract
The bilgewater of Armed Forces vessels is often contaminated with complex oil-in-water (OW) shipboard emulsions that result from on-board cleaning and mechanical operations. These emulsions are strongly stabilized against phase separation by a complex mixture of surfactants and particulates, which increases the time and energy inputs that are required to break the emulsions and separate the organic and inorganic components prior to bilgewater discharge. To address the need for a better understanding of the formation and stability of shipboard emulsions, the following three objectives were investigated in the research project: understand emulsion composition and generation including the timeline and processing route for emulsion formation and the components/contaminants within on-board bilgewater; measure and identify the surfactant-oil water (SOW) chemical and physical parameters that influence the emulsion formation, phase behavior, and stability; and construct binary and ternary phase diagrams relevant for real world shipboard emulsions using model emulsion formulations as a starting point.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1223876
Entities
People
- Carlos J. Martinez
- John A Howarter
- Kendra A. Erk
Organizations
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division
- Purdue University