The spinning drop video tensiometers of the SVT series are special-purpose optical instruments for measuring extremely low interfacial tensions and rheological properties. This measuring technique offers unrivalled possibilities for the analysis of surfactant effectiveness in the development of emulsions or in the enhanced oil recovery.
The Spinning drop video tensiometer SVT 25 is a compact optical measuring instrument for the determination of low to ultra-low interfacial tensions and rheological interface properties. Highest precision and reproducibility of the measuring results is guaranteed by a well-established measuring technique and first grade mechanical and optical components. Due to state of the art electronic components the SVT 25 can be operated intuitively via the TP 50 control panel.
For an efficient measuring procedure the measuring cell, with the rotating capillary, is mounted on a tilting table, which allows the operator to easily move the drop of interest into the camera view. The fast 6.5-fold zoom lens with fine focus enables an analysis of small and large drops alike.
Due to the high-performance camera with USB 3 interface the spinning drop can be analysed with exceptional resolution. Fast processes e.g. during oscillation experiments can be captured with up to 3250 frames/s. Once detected the drop is automatically tracked by the movable camera.
A highly dynamic measurement drive creates a uniform rotation even at highest rotational velocities of up to 20 000 rev/min. In addition it allows for sinusoidal changes in revolution speed for oscillation measurements and for rapid rotational velocity steps with a max. acceleration of up to 500 rev/s2.
Samples can be easily placed inside the SVT 25, within seconds, due to fast-exchange capillaries with perfect fitting accuracy. Hence the highest throughput rates can be assured. In order to avoid extensive cleaning procedures disposable glass tubes with corresponding holders can also be used for the measurement. The observation windows of the measuring cells for the SVT 25 can be easily removed by opening just two knurled screws and are easy to clean in case they came into contact with sample material.
Temperatures within the range of -30 °C to 180 °C can be reached inside the temperature controlled measuring cells. This facilitates the recreation of many different environmental conditions. Due to a specially designed capillary and a resulting higher pressure tolerance the SVT 25 can even be used with water-based solutions at up to 130 °C.
We use our DataPhysics tensiometers primarily for the design and evaluation of surfactant-based formulations for heavy crude oil recovery. This work includes measurements of interfacial tension and contact angle using the pendant-drop tensiometer. In addition, we currently employ both instruments to investigate interfacial properties relevant to enhanced oil recovery and crude oil dehydration processes. In our experience, the main advantages of DataPhysics equipment are its robustness and reliability, the quality and user-friendliness of the software, and, in particular, the capability to perform interfacial rheology measurements with the spinning-drop tensiometer. Overall, our experience with the equipment has been very positive.
Ronald A. Mercado O.
Profesor Titular, Escuela de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS)
Software
The SVT 25 is controlled via the dpiMAX software.
Accessories
Due to the modular product design the SVT 25 can be combined with a multitude of options of the versatile SVT accessories range. Learn more about the available accessories.
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I have used our new spinning drop tensiometer to determine the interfacial tension between an oil from one of our customers in Southeast Asia and a brine containing our nonionic and anionic surfactants at temperatures ranging from 20 to 80 °C. These data have greatly aided our ability to help our customers select the right surfactants with the right optimal salinities in their enhanced oil recovery operations. A few years back, we also used our contact angle instrument in captive bubble experiments, along with gravity drainage laboratory techniques and other surface measurements, to assess the effectiveness of a range of surfactants as hydraulic fracturing flowback aids — work later published in the Journal of Surfactants and Detergents. The versatility of the instruments and the technical support we received has been extremely valuable, and we would not have been able to obtain these data without it.
John Clements
Indorama Ventures