Polyester Demulsifier Composition for Eco-Friendly Emulsion Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing demulsifiers are environmentally unfriendly and lack performance, while environmentally friendly alternatives do not meet the required efficiency standards, necessitating the development of effective and eco-friendly demulsifiers for separating water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions in crude oil extraction.

Innovation Solution

A demulsifier composition comprising the reaction product of alkoxylated castor oil, an acid with at least two carboxyl groups, and optionally a fatty acid or fatty acid ester, which is produced through a reaction at elevated temperatures and vacuum conditions, forming a polyester suitable for demulsification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional demulsifiers are used, then demulsification performance is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedemulsification performanceVSAvoidenvironmental friendliness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining alkoxylated castor oil with polybasic acids (such as adipic acid, succinic acid, or citric acid) to create a new demulsifier composition. This composite structure integrates the biodegradable base oil with functional acid components that enhance demulsification performance while maintaining environmental compatibility. The synergistic interaction between these components produces a demulsifier that meets both performance and environmental requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the molecular structure and composition parameters of the demulsifier. Specifically, it adjusts the alkoxylation degree of castor oil, selects specific polybasic acids with different chain lengths and functional groups, and optimizes the molar ratios of components. These parameter adjustments enable the demulsifier to achieve effective separation performance while maintaining biodegradability and low environmental impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If environmentally friendly demulsifiers are used, then environmental friendliness is improved, but demulsification performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoiddemulsification performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent overcomes the performance limitation of environmentally friendly demulsifiers by creating a composite system where alkoxylated castor oil serves as the biodegradable base and polybasic acids provide enhanced functional properties. This composite approach allows the demulsifier to effectively break water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions while maintaining environmental compatibility, thus resolving the performance-deficiency issue of conventional eco-friendly demulsifiers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent improves demulsification performance of environmentally friendly formulations by optimizing key parameters: selecting polybasic acids with appropriate molecular weights and functional groups, adjusting the degree of alkoxylation of castor oil to balance solubility and demulsification capability, and fine-tuning the compositional ratios. These parameter optimizations enable the eco-friendly demulsifier to achieve performance levels comparable to or exceeding conventional demulsifiers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 demulsifier effectively separates oil and water phases in crude oil emulsions, meeting performance standards and adhering to environmental regulations, with biodegradability and low toxicity, thus addressing the need for efficient and sustainable demulsification.

Implementation Method 1

Demulsifiers are chemical compounds used to separate water-in-oil and/or oil-in-water emulsions into separate water and oil phases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDemulsification:

Implementation Method 2

The demulsifier effectively separates oil and water phases in crude oil emulsions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentUS12435183B2Polyester demulsifier

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL BV

AI summary

A demulsifier includes the reaction product of a) alkoxylated castor oil, b) an acid having at least two carboxyl groups, a full or partial ester thereof, an anhydride thereof and combinations thereof, and optionally c) a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester and combinations thereof. A method of demulsifying a water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion includes adding the demulsifier to the emulsion and separating the emulsion into an oil phase and a water phase.