REDUCTION OF THE TOTAL ACID NUMBER OF SUDANESE HEAVY CRUDE OIL

Abstract

Sudanese heavy crude oils often exhibit high acidity, primarily due to significant concentrations of naphthenic acids (NAs), which are quantified by the Total Acid Number (TAN). Elevated TAN levels result in severe corrosion of refining and production equipment, storage tanks, and transport facilities, thereby increasing operational risks and lowering marketability due to reduced crude oil prices. This study investigates a method to reduce NAs in high-TAN crude oil using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) combined with a demulsifier under applied voltage. Experimental results demonstrate a significant reduction in TAN through this approach.