Question

What is demulsification? Name two demulsifiers.

Answer 1

Hint: Demulsification is the process used to separate (or)break the emulsions by using suitable chemicals. Unstable emulsions are easily separated into two liquid layers. But stable emulsion cannot separate easily. So, demulsifiers are needed to deactivate stable emulsifier agents. emulsifying agents are substances that are soluble in both fat and water and made fat uniformly disperse in water to form an emulsion.

Complete step by step answer:
Emulsion is the process of mixing two liquids that normally won't mix. The emulsion is of two types. They are,
1. Oil in water emulsion
2. Water in oil emulsion
Oil in water emulsion is the process in which oil is in a dispersed phase and water is in a continuous phase. The best example of oil in water emulsion is milk.
Water in oil is vice versa for oil in water emulsion. Ie) oil is in a continuous phase whereas water is in a dispersed phase. Butter can be said as the best example of water in oil emulsion.
To break the emulsion, demulsifiers will be used. Demulsifiers are surface-active agents that migrate at the oil-water interface and thus, neutralize the effect of emulsifiers.
Generally, demulsification is the process used to separate (or)break the emulsions by using suitable chemicals. When an emulsion is getting broken, then it is easy to separate the two respective liquids. Examples of demulsifiers are polyethylene imines, epoxy resins, etc.

Note: Demulsification process mainly takes place in crude oil separation from the water. The separation process occurs mainly because of the purity of crude oil from water. The other examples of demulsifiers are acid and base-catalyzed phenol-formaldehyde resins, polyamines, polyols, and surfactants.