The emulsion capabilities of Deepwater Horizon oil (Macondo well), surrogate oil from a nearby well, and heavy fuel oil (NIST standard 2717a) were evaluated following exposure to simulated sunlight for up to 48 hours. The selected oil types ranged from light-sweet to heavy-sour crude oil. Emulsification capabilities of the oil itself exposed to sunlight (neat) and oil over pure water exposed to sunlight were assessed via a bottle test for emulsification. Dark controls and a heated (50C) neat control were included. Qualitative measures revealed a positive correlation between emulsion stability and irradiation time. As little as one hour of simulated sunlight exposure was enough to cause observable emulsification, although the stability of the emulsions at short irradiation times was less than that for longer irradiation times. Studies with varying oil volumes demonstrated the concentration dependence of emulsification ability. Although all oils showed increased emulsification capacity with solar exposure, the behavior or each oil was different. These results indicate that sunlight is an important factor in the emulsification of oil spilled in aquatic systems. Such emulsification has dramatic effects on the fate, transport, bioavailability, and toxicity of spilled oil. Consequently, sunlight has a major impact on oil spills.

Solar induced formation of emulsification in petroleum on water

2019 Fall National Meeting

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