Abstract: The present invention refers to an online monitoring system for the gravitational separation of oil emulsions, more specifically, a monitoring system for the properties related to the emulsions, such as the drop size distribution (DSD) and the water content (WC), simultaneously, in pressurized and heated systems at high pressures and temperatures, respectively, using near-infrared region (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with optical microscopy. The online monitoring system is innovative as it overcomes the current need of the oil industry to remove aliquots from emulsified systems under high pressure and temperature, preferably up to 70 bar (7 MPa) and 150° C., respectively, for determination of the properties of emulsions, which causes disturbances and affects the physicochemical characteristics of emulsions.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for online monitoring, without the need for sampling and in real time, the precipitation of inorganic salts in aqueous streams related to the petroleum industry. This method is based on the use of the NIR technique with the aid of the FBRM technique. The NIR technique makes it possible to collect spectra and monitor the variation in absorbances, concerning the formation of particles of inorganic salts in the aqueous solution, while the FBRM technique provides the number and size of precipitated particles through the reflection of light emitted by a beam of Incident light in aqueous systems in the presence of different solvents, pH conditions, supersaturation, temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water/oil (W/O) emulsions is described which includes the addition of an ionic liquid, under heating, to a water/oil emulsion containing between 0.5% and 85% of water per volume as a dispersion phase, until the concentration of the ionic liquid in the emulsion remains within the range of 0.01 ?L/g to 100 ?L/g. The ionic liquid used is a salt of a general C+ A? formula in a liquid state at temperatures below 150° C., where A? is an anion and C+ is a cation, which has at least a hydrophobic alkyl chain connected to a cation group. The heating method includes conventional heating and heating via microwaves. In the heating via microwaves, the salts of the general C+ A? formula present synergic behavior in separation efficiency in relation to conventional heating.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water/oil (W/O) emulsions is described which includes the addition of an ionic liquid, under heating, to a water/oil emulsion containing between 0.5% and 85% of water per volume as a dispersion phase, until the concentration of the ionic liquid in the emulsion remains within the range of 0.01 ?L/g to 100 ?L/g. The ionic liquid used is a salt of a general C+ A? formula in a liquid state at temperatures below 150° C., where A? is an anion and C+ is a cation, which has at least a hydrophobic alkyl chain connected to a cation group. The heating method includes conventional heating and heating via microwaves. In the heating via microwaves, the salts of the general C+ A? formula present synergic behavior in separation efficiency in relation to conventional heating.

Abstract: A continuous, non catalytic process for producing biodiesel from vegetable oils and ethanol or methanol includes pumping a mixture of vegetable alcohol through a pump towards a tube shaped reactor, wherein the mixture is submitted to high pressure and temperature, where the resulting product is non reacted alcohol, glycerin and a mixture of esters (biodiesel) which is directed to the reservoir at the reactor outlet where an upper phase of alcohol is redirected through an alcohol return pipe to the pump inlet, and the intermediate phase, biodiesel, and the lower phase (mostly of glycerin) are led to the separation reservoir or decantation tank, where the alcohol is removed through the alcohol return pipe, being biodiesel and glycerin the final products, which are then collected for the end to which they were aimed.

Abstract: A continuous, non catalytic process for producing biodiesel from vegetable oils and ethanol or methanol includes pumping a mixture of vegetable alcohol through a pump towards a tube shaped reactor, wherein the mixture is submitted to high pressure and temperature, where the resulting product is non reacted alcohol, glycerin and a mixture of esters (biodiesel) which is directed to the reservoir at the reactor outlet where an upper phase of alcohol is redirected through an alcohol return pipe to the pump inlet, and the intermediate phase, biodiesel, and the lower phase (mostly of glycerin) are led to the separation reservoir or decantation tank, where the alcohol is removed through the alcohol return pipe, being biodiesel and glycerin the final products, which are then collected for the end to which they were aimed.