Foam and Emulsion Breaking Composition for Hydrocarbon Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods are inadequate for effectively breaking foams and emulsions that form during hydrocarbon recovery and processing, necessitating improved compositions and methods to separate hydrocarbon phases for downstream use.

Innovation Solution

The use of partitioning agents with specific octanol/water partition coefficients and dielectric constants, combined with defoamers and demulsifiers, to contact and break foams and emulsions in hydrocarbon processing equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional demulsifiers and defoamers are used, then some foam and emulsion breaking occurs, but the separation efficiency of hydrocarbon phases remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidfoam and emulsion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting partitioning agents with specific octanol/water partition coefficients (log[P] between 0.1 and 5) and dielectric constants (between 1 and 50). This precise parameter optimization allows the breaking composition to effectively disrupt foam and emulsion structures while maintaining efficient hydrocarbon phase separation, resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and foam/emulsion stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining partitioning agents with traditional defoamers and/or demulsifiers in a breaking composition. This composite approach synergistically enhances the ability to break foams and emulsions while improving hydrocarbon phase separation efficiency, addressing the insufficient performance of conventional single-agent systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If partitioning agents with specific partition coefficients are used, then hydrocarbon phase separation is enhanced, but the complexity of composition formulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon phase separationVSAvoidcomposition formulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent manages formulation complexity by establishing clear parameter ranges for partitioning agents (log[P] from 0.1 to 5, dielectric constant from 1 to 50). These defined parameters guide the selection process, making the formulation systematic rather than arbitrary, thus enhancing hydrocarbon phase separation while controlling composition complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by using partitioning agents that simultaneously perform multiple functions: they act as demulsifiers to break emulsions, defoamers to collapse foam, and phase separation promoters. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate additives, simplifying the overall composition formulation while achieving enhanced hydrocarbon phase separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The described methods and compositions efficiently break foams and emulsions, enhancing the separation of hydrocarbon phases and improving processing efficiency in oil and gas operations.

Implementation Method 1

the partitioning agent can have an octanol/water partition coefficient ([P]) at 25°, and the log of the partition coefficient at 25° (log[P]) can be from 0.1 to 5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPartition coefficient: Liquid-Liquid Extraction