Middle Phase Behavior of SLS Surfactant Bagasse at

Intermediate Crude Oil

Renato Aditya1, R Setiati1*, SS Riswati1, Iwan Sumirat2, Bharoto2

1
Master of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Earth and Energy Technology, Universitas Trisakti, Jakarta,
Indonesia
2
Pusat Riset & Teknologi Bahan Maju Nuklir, BATAN, Puspitek Serpong, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia

*Corresponding Author : rinisetiati@trisakti.ac.id

Abstract. The middle phase emulsion is the most important parameter in the compatibility test
that determines the success of the surfactant in the Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) process. The
purpose of this research was to observe the mid-phase emulsion formed on the use of Sodium
Lignosulfonate (SLS) surfactant at various concentrations. One of the compatibility tests that
will be used is the phase behavior test. Phase Behavior is carried out to determine whether SLS
surfactant forms a middle phase emulsion when used in a crude oil.
The method used in the phase behavior test is 2 mL of surfactant solution with a certain
concentration mixed with 2 mL of crude oil which is inserted into a scaled test tube. Then the
surfactant and crude oil solution in the test tube was shaken slowly. During the test, the test
tube was placed in an oven at a temperature of 60o C for 21 days.
The first observations were made during the first shaking process, then observed at 30 minutes,
60 minutes, 2 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 7 days, 14 days and 21 days. The formation water salinity
were used at 40,000 ppm, 60,000 ppm and 80,000 ppm. From the results of this phase behavior
test, the best mid-phase emulsion was formed at a surfactant concentration of 2.5% at 40,000
ppm of formation water salinity with an emulsion value of 11.3%. While the 60,000 ppm and
80,000 ppm formation water salinity formed the upper phase emulsion..
From this research, it can be concluded that the formation of the middle phase emulsion of SLS
surfactant bagasse in the intermediate crude oil was influenced by the salt content of the
formation water used.

Key words : bagasse, enhanced oil recovery, middle phase emulsion, SLS surfactant

1. Introduction
Oil production from a reservoir will naturally decrease or even not produce at all. This condition does
not necessarily indicate that the oil reserves in the reservoir have been exhausted. If you only rely on
the primary production method, it is likely that there will still be a lot of oil remaining in the reservoir,
for this reason, a further production method is needed to be able to drain the remaining oil in the
reservoir. The Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) method will provide a solution for draining oil that is
still in the reservoir that cannot be extracted by primary production. [1]
In this research, one of the EOR methods will be discussed, namely chemical injection using
surfactants [9]. The purpose of chemical injection with surfactants is to increase the pressing and
sweeping efficiency by changing the physical properties of the reservoir rock and fluid. As well as to
produce the remaining oil after the secondary recovery stage by water flooding. [10]
 In this research, SLS Bagasse surfactant (SLS surfactant) was obtained from previous research
through the processing of bagasse by isolation (hydrolysis) and sulfonation of lignin contained in
bagasse [7].
Before using surfactants, a compatibility test must be carried out first. One of the compatibility
tests that will be used is the phase behavior test. Phase Behavior is carried out to determine whether
SLS surfactant forms a middle phase emulsion when used in a crude oil [2-5].
In order to be used optimally, surfactants require the right conditions and concentrations.
Therefore, in this study used concentration variations at low salinity to see the optimal conditions for
the use of SLS Bagasse surfactant.

2. Methodology
The methodology used in this research is experimental and analytic laboratory research using the
relationship between concentration and salinity to determine the causal relationship between two
variables. This research uses a laboratory analytical method with reservoir conditions. The
concentration of surfactant SLS Bagasse surfactant that is used is 1%; 1.5%; 2%; and 2.5% SLS and
salinity used are 40.000 ppm, 60.000 ppm, and 80.000 ppm NaCl. Surfactant solution will be
measured at a temperature of 60o C. The type of oil used is Intermediate Crude Oil [2-5].
The method used in the phase behavior test is 2 mL of surfactant solution with a certain
concentration mixed with 2 mL of crude oil which is inserted into a scaled test tube. Then the
surfactant and crude oil solution in the test tube was shaken slowly. During the test, the test tube was
placed in an oven at a temperature of 60o C for 21 days. The first observations were made during the
first shaking process, then observed at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 2 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 7 days, 14 days
and 21 days [2-5].
The workflow of this research is limited to making a solution for testing the compatibility of SLS
bagasse surfactant by conducting aqueous stability tests and phase behavior tests as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Flow Diagram

3. Results and Discussion
The purpose of the phase behavior test in this research is to determine the correct concentration of SLS
Bagasse surfactant and salinity and to find out what type of emulsion occurs when surfactant mixes
with intermediate crude oil to reduce interfacial tension or to study the behavior of a mixture of
hydrocarbons, salinity and surfactant systems. at a certain temperature.

4. Phase Behavior at 40.000 ppm Salinity

From Table 1, the best mid-phase emulsion results at a concentration of 2.5% SLS Bagasse surfactant
at salinity of 40.000 ppm.

Table 1. Surfactant Emulsion at 40.000 ppm Salinity

Surfactant Emulsion Type Of
Concentration (%) (%) Emulsion
1 7,5 Bottom
1,5 7,5 Top
2 2,5 Middle
2,5 10 Middle

The middle phase emulsion can be shown in the bar graph in Figure 2, the mid-phase emulsion of a
concentration of 2.5% at a salinity of 40,000 ppm with an upper limit of 2.15 ml and a lower limit of
1.75 ml.

2,5%; 40.000 PPM

5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.5 1 2 24 48 168 336 504

Brine Emultion Oil

Figure 2. Surfactant Emulsion at 2,5% Concentration and 40.000 ppm Salinity

5. Phase Behavior at 60.000 ppm Salinity
From Table 2, the best mid-phase emulsion results at a concentration of 2.5% SLS Bagasse surfactant
at salinity of 60.000 ppm.

Table 2. Surfactant Emulsion at 60.000 ppm Salinity

Surfactant Emulsion Type Of
Concentration (%) (%) Emulsion
1 2,5 Bottom
1,5 8,8 Bottom
2 6,2 Bottom
2,5 10 Middle

The middle phase emulsion can be shown in the bar graph in Figure 3, the mid-phase emulsion of a
concentration of 2.5% at a salinity of 60,000 ppm with an upper limit of 2.2 ml and a lower limit of
1.8 ml.

2,5%; 60.000 PPM

5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.5 1 2 24 48 168 336 504

Brine Emultion Oil

Figure 3. Surfactant Emulsion at 2,5% Concentration and 60.000 ppm Salinity

6. Phase Behavior at 80.000 ppm Salinity
From Table 3, there is no mid-phase emulsion of SLS Bagasse surfactant at salinity of 80.000 ppm.
The emulsion that occurs at a salinity of 80,000 ppm is only the bottom phase emulsion, no middle
phase emulsion and top phase emulsion. because there is no intermediate phase emulsion, the SLS
bagasse surfactant solution at a salinity of 80,000 is not compatible with intermediate crude oil

Table 3. Surfactant Emulsion at 80.000 ppm Salinity

Surfactant Emulsion Type Of
Concentration (%) (%) Emulsion
1 2,5 Bottom
1,5 7,5 Bottom
2 5 Bottom
2,5 4 Bottom

Because there is no middle phase emulsion, the SLS bagasse surfactant solution at a salinity of
80,000 is not compatible with intermediate crude oil.

7. Discussion
A good result in this phase behavior test is that surfactants are able to form a middle phase emulsion,
because the middle phase emulsion is one of the main mechanisms that show the success of EOR
using surfactants. [6-8]
In this research, it can be seen that SLS Bagasse surfactant at a concentration of 2.5% at a salinity
of 40,000 ppm and 60,000 ppm is recommended for use with intermediate crude oil. While the salinity
of 80,000 ppm is not recommended because there is no middle phase emulsion.

8. Conclusion
From the results of the research, it can be concluded as follows:
1. SLS Bagasse Surfactant can be used on intermediate crude oil
2. Surfactant concentration and formation water salinity affect the middle phase emulsion
3. From this research, it was found that the SLS Bagasse Surfactant Solution that can be used in
intermediate crude oil is a surfactant solution that has a salinity of 40,000 ppm and 60,000
ppm.
4. The composition of the surfactant and the salinity of the formation water that are compatible
and form the middle phase emulsion in this research is 2.5% concentration of SLS Bagasse
surfactant at salinities of 40,000 ppm and 60,000 ppm.

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