Mannosylerythritol Lipid Demulsifier for Petroleum Emulsion Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current demulsifiers for petroleum and water emulsions are often toxic and not environmentally friendly, with limited biodegradability and renewable resource origins, necessitating a bio-degradable, bio-renewable, and non-toxic alternative that is effective across a wide range of emulsions and requires minimal usage.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising oil, water, and mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) derived from renewable sources through fermentation, specifically using strains like Pseudozyma aphidis, which effectively demulsify emulsions by separating oil and water phases with minimal environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional demulsifiers are used to separate oil and water phases, then demulsification efficiency is improved, but toxicity and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedemulsification efficiencyVSAvoidtoxicity and environmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of demulsifiers by using biosurfactants (rhamnolipids, surfactin, iturin, fengycin) produced through biological fermentation processes instead of conventional synthetic chemicals. This parameter change maintains demulsification efficiency while eliminating toxicity and environmental harm associated with traditional demulsifiers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs biosurfactants that are biodegradable and can be produced renewably through fermentation of inexpensive substrates like sugars, starches, or vegetable oils. These biological demulsifiers are designed to break down naturally in the environment, eliminating long-term pollution concerns while maintaining effective demulsification performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If bio-degradable and bio-renewable demulsifiers are used to reduce environmental impact, then toxicity is reduced, but demulsification effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetoxicityVSAvoiddemulsification effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters of biosurfactants to optimize their interfacial activity. By adjusting hydrophobic tail lengths, hydrophilic head group configurations, and amphiphilic balance through controlled fermentation conditions, the biosurfactants achieve demulsification effectiveness comparable to conventional chemicals while maintaining low toxicity and biodegradability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite biological systems where multiple biosurfactants work synergistically, or where biosurfactants are combined with natural emulsion-breaking agents. This composite approach enhances demulsification effectiveness while preserving the environmental benefits of biological origin and biodegradability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If demulsifiers are used in large quantities to ensure effective separation, then demulsification completeness is improved, but treatment costs and environmental burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedemulsification completenessVSAvoiddemulsifier quantity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of biosurfactants by adjusting fermentation yields and purification levels. Highly purified biosurfactant preparations achieve effective demulsification at lower concentrations, reducing both the quantity required and the associated treatment costs while maintaining complete separation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs biosurfactants with sustained demulsification activity that continue to work over extended periods. The biological nature of these agents allows for continuous action without rapid degradation, reducing the total quantity needed compared to conventional chemicals that require frequent replenishment or higher initial doses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 use of mannosylerythritol lipids achieves efficient demulsification with low toxicity and high biodegradability, effectively separating oil and water phases in various emulsions, reducing environmental and economic burdens associated with traditional demulsifiers.

Implementation Method 1

a surfactant comprising a hydrophilic part formed by the mannosylerythritol group, and a hydrophobic part formed by at least one acyl group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

MELs are generally obtained by a fermentation process, that is to say a transformation of a carbon substrate by a microorganism, such as a bacteria, or a strain of yeast

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentEP3429718B1Petroleum demulsifier

Publication Date: 2019.12.18 OLEON NV

AI summary

The invention relates to a composition containing petroleum, water and a demulsifier, and in particular to a method for demulsifying emulsions composed of petroleum and water.