Chemical synthesis of SbSn intermetallic compound and its performance in viscosity reducing for emulsion of crude oil

SbSn intermetallic compound was synthesized by chemical method; its bulk phase structure, melting point and valence electron state on surface layer were determined by XRD, DSC and XPS. With SbSn powder supported on wire net as carrier, the viscosity variation of two types of crude oil emulsions was investigated through cycled process under electrifying. The SbSn product with Zn powder as reductive agent exhibited a particle size of between 500nm and 1000nm. With the extension of cycled processing time and the increase of electric field voltage, the viscosity of two types of emulsions declined obviously. After 20h processing at 10.35V, the viscosities of W(10)/O(90) and W(20)/O(80) decline from 9000mPa·s to 6000mPa·s and 8500mPa·s to 4500mPa·s, respectively. It was presumed that the viscosity reducing is due to the electrochemical reaction between negative polar organics in emulsion and SbSn surface on the condition of electric current induction.