The present invention provides a feedstock composition for increasing the
efficiency of atomization in hydrocarbon processing that includes a
water-in-hydrocarbon oil emulsion including a non-ionic surfactant
capable of stabilizing the emulsion and having a hydrophilic-lipophilic
balance of greater than about 12. The emulsion includes water droplets of
about 5 to about 10 microns in diameter, the droplets being dispersed
substantially uniformly in the hydrocarbon oil phase. These surfactants
are capable of stabilizing the water-in-hydrocarbon oil emulsion under
relevant temperature and pressure conditions for hydrocarbon processing.
The inventive feedstock composition provides a metastable water-in-oil
emulsion where expanding water vapor explodes under spray conditions
where the system pressure is released, demolishing a larger oil droplet
and producing smaller oil droplets.