Oil-in-water emulsions in shipboard generated bilgewater present a challenge to the water treatment equipment used to limit hydrocarbon discharge. Despite substantial research in emulsion behavior, bilgewater treatment continues to be unique due to its varied composition of surfactants, hydrocarbons, and suspended solids and water chemistry. Therefore, the properties of neat surfactants and common commercial cleaners were determined and the impact of said properties on bilgewater emulsion stability was evaluated. The effects of surfactant type, oil concentration, and homogenization energy on the relationship between critical micelle concentration (CMC) and equilibrium interfacial tensions (IFT) were examined using laser diffraction, optical microscopy, temporal evaluation, and surface tension measurements.  The properties of IFT and CMC were found to correlate well with emulsion stability in neat surfactants.  Commercial cleaners also showed this correlation, however their compositional heterogeneity increased variability in the results.  The effects of specific surfactants will be discussed along with the potential of using IFT and CMC as indicators to predict emulsion stability in various bilgewater systems. <br/>

Impacts of interfacial tension and critical micelle concentration on emulsion stability in bilgewater

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.