Generation of condensate bubble aphrons (CBA) by partially vaporized condensate to enhance oil removal from produced water

This paper demonstrates flotation separation for dispersed oil droplets and dissolved organics by preparing condensate bubble aphrons (CBA) by partially vaporizing condensate. The results show that the new CBA consists of a condensate membrane and a gas core, with a three-phase contact angle above 140° from the oil surface due to excellent wettability . At different temperatures and condensate compositions, bubbles are about 25–100 µm in size. The half-life time (140–230 s) of CBA and gas hold-up (10–25%) is much higher than nitrogen bubbles. It shows that the CBA has good stability and dispersibility . The flotation experiment of CBA found that the condensate group distribution ratio was optimally adapted to the temperature, and the optimum oil removal efficiency of up to 87% was obtained when the operating temperature was higher than the bubble point of 25–35 °C. The experimental experiment shown the recommended initial oil concentration (400 mg/L) and the mixing ratio of condensate and water (1.0%). Otherwise, CBA flotation efficiency was 10% higher than dissolved gas flotation. With the addition of flocculant , the CBA flotation efficiency can reach 97% of oil droplets and can achieve 50% removal of Acetic acid (HAc).