Reverse Siloxane Polyether Copolymers for Demulsification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing demulsifiers struggle to effectively break and separate stable water-in-oil emulsions in crude oil processing, leading to corrosion and disruption of distillation processes, and there is a need for more efficient demulsification methods.
Innovation Solution
A cross-linked copolymer composition is developed, comprising a copolymer with terminal alkenyl groups, a silicone hydride, and a cross-linking agent, which undergoes hydrosilylation reactions to form soluble or dispersible products that can be used to demulsify emulsions by incorporating them into the emulsion and allowing separation into distinct phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional silicone surfactants with siloxane backbone and polyether substitutions are used, then emulsion stabilization is achieved, but demulsification efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional surfactant structure by creating reverse surfactants with polyether backbone and siloxane substitutions instead of the conventional siloxane backbone with polyether substitutions. This structural inversion allows the compound to function as both an effective emulsifier and demulsifier, resolving the contradiction between emulsion stability and demulsification efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite molecular structures combining polyether and siloxane components in a reversed architecture. The composite nature of these reverse surfactants, with specific molecular weight ranges and cross-linking degrees, enables simultaneous achievement of emulsion stabilization and efficient demulsification properties
2Productivity
If cross-linking is increased to improve demulsifying action, then demulsification efficiency improves, but solubility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the degree of cross-linking as a critical parameter, maintaining it at moderate levels rather than maximizing it. This parameter control ensures the copolymer remains soluble in appropriate solvents while still achieving enhanced demulsification efficiency compared to non-cross-linked analogs
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 cross-linked copolymers improve demulsifying action, reducing residual water content in crude oil and enhancing the separation efficiency of emulsions, thereby addressing the challenges of corrosion and process disruption in petroleum industry operations.
Implementation Method 1
a copolymer having terminal alkenyl groups, a silicone hydride, and a cross-linking agent, which undergoes hydrosilylation reactions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is related to the preparation and use of moderately cross-linked (chain-extended)/ reverse (or "inverted") surfactants, wherein the reverse surfactants comprise a polyether backbone with oligomeric or polymeric silicon-containing substitutions along the backbone. The present invention further describes crosslinked versions of the iiiverted surfactants, reaction products of alkenyl (allyl, vinyl, methallyl) functional copolymers (polyethers), silicone hydrides and cross-linking agents, which may be optionally reacted with water to react the remaining alkoxy groups. The crosslinking agent contains either SiH or Si-alkoxy groups or both. The compounds of the present invention exhibit only moderate cross-linking in order to be soluble or dispersible in appropriate solvents.