The stability of heavy crude oil emulsion is very important in the heavy crude oil transportation. However, in the pipeline transportation process, the oil⁃water volume ratio, water content (water quality fraction) and other factors have a certain influence on the stability of the heavy crude oil emulsion. The microstructure, stability mechanism of emulsion and the role of focused beam reflection measurement (FBRM) technology in the study of stability of emulsion were introduced. The comprehensive effects of different factors such as oil⁃water ratio, water content and additives on emulsion stability were comprehensively analyzed. Finally, the research status of dynamic stability of emulsions was introduced. The main factors affecting the stability of heavy crude oil emulsions are oil⁃water volume ratio, water content, emulsification temperature and salinity, surfactants, alkaline agents. High molecular polymer used to enhance recovery of heavy crude oil also have effect on the stability of emulsion. The dynamic stability of the emulsion was studied by different simulation methods, and the results were similar. Among them, the loop simulation method had the most reference value

Using the OP⁃10 and L61 emulsifiers to configure different hydrophilic equilibrium values (referred to as the HLB),the viscosity test of heavy oil in the second area of the oil production plant of liaohe oilfield was carried out to find out the optimal HLB of the heavy oil.At the same time, FBRM was used to measure the viscosity of heavy oil, and the effect of droplet quantity and particle size on viscous oil viscosity was analyzed.For further study on the viscosity change mechanism of heavy oil emulsion, it can be used to provide reference for the process of heavy oil reduction.Test results show that:the HLB of the emulsifying agent added to the heavy oil emulsion was 9.0,the effect of viscosity is best.At this time, the number of droplet drops to stable, compared with other HLB emulsifiers, the quantity of emulsifier is obviously low, the droplet is evenly distributed and the emulsion is stable.