emulsifier | Energy Glossary

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emulsifier

1. n. [Drilling Fluids]

A chemical additive that creates an emulsion, a dispersion of one immiscible liquid into another, by reducing the interfacial tension between the two liquids to achieve stability.

Two emulsion types are used as muds:

The former is classified as a water-base mud, and the latter as an oil-base mud.

Antonyms: demulsifier

See related terms: coalescencecreamingdispersantfatty acidfatty-acid soapinterfacial tensioninvert-emulsion oil mudoil-mud emulsifiersurface tensionsurfactantwater-mud emulsifier