Efficiency of novel polyionic liquid toward the chemical separation of petroleum crude oil emulsions.

In the present study, a new polyionic liquid, PEST‐BU, were synthesized and characterized using proton nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, pendant drop technique, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The efficiency of PEST‐BU and its parent (PE‐ST) for separating petroleum crude oil emulsion was explored using several affecting parameters, including water ratio, separation time, pH, temperature, and demulsifier concentration. The results indicated that PEST‐BU exhibited higher separation efficiency (SE) than PE‐ST. In addition, the results revealed that the increased water ratio, separation time, temperature, and demulsifier concentration promoted the SE of PE‐ST and PEST‐BU. The data also showed that the optimal pH value to achieve maximum SE is 7; however, the SE of PE‐ST and PEST‐BU in acidic and basic mediums declined, possibly due to the increasing polarity of water droplets in these mediums, which increased electrostatic repulsion between them, increasing oil emulsion stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]