Siloxane Cross-Linked Demulsifiers for Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current demulsifiers used in crude oil production, such as alkylphenol formaldehyde resin alkoxylates and polyalkylene glycols, are not always effective in breaking stable water-in-oil emulsions, leading to issues like corrosion, increased heat capacity, and reduced pipeline handling capacity, necessitating the development of more efficient demulsification methods.
Innovation Solution
The use of siloxane cross-linked demulsifiers, formed by reacting alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin alkoxylates or polyalkylene glycols with silicon-based cross-linkers, which improve water separation efficiency and reduce basic sediments and water content in crude oil, thereby enhancing the performance of existing demulsifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional demulsifiers (alkylphenol formaldehyde resin alkoxylates and polyalkylene glycols) are used, then the emulsion can be broken, but the separation efficiency is insufficient and water content remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines alkylphenol formaldehyde resin alkoxylates and polyalkylene glycols into a composite demulsifier system, where the two components work synergistically to improve water separation efficiency. The composite structure allows the demulsifier to address multiple emulsion stability mechanisms simultaneously, achieving better separation than either component alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight, hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB), and concentration ratios of the demulsifier components to enhance performance. By adjusting these parameters, the demulsifier achieves optimal affinity for both oil and water phases, improving separation efficiency and reducing residual water content.
2Ease of operation
If demulsifiers are added to break emulsions, then water and oil can be separated, but basic sediments and water content in crude oil remain problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the concentration, molecular weight distribution, and HLB values of demulsifier components to optimize separation while minimizing sediment formation. By adjusting these parameters, the demulsifier achieves complete emulsion breaking without leaving harmful residues that could interfere with refining operations.
3Productivity
If water content in crude oil is high, then pipeline handling capacity is reduced, but adding more conventional demulsifiers does not sufficiently reduce water content
Solution Approach 1:
The composite demulsifier system combines the rapid action of alkylphenol formaldehyde resin alkoxylates with the thorough separation capability of polyalkylene glycols. This synergistic combination achieves faster water separation and lower residual water content, thereby improving pipeline handling capacity more effectively than conventional single-component demulsifiers.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If emulsified water containing salts is present, then corrosion in refinery occurs, but conventional demulsifiers do not adequately remove salts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ionic and non-ionic balance of the demulsifier components to enhance salt separation efficiency. By adjusting the HLB and molecular characteristics, the demulsifier promotes complete coalescence of salt-containing water droplets, facilitating their removal and reducing corrosion risk in refinery equipment.
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 siloxane cross-linked demulsifiers facilitate faster and more effective separation of water from oil, reducing the water content in crude oil and minimizing basic sediments, thus improving the efficiency of crude oil refining processes and pipeline operations.
Implementation Method 1
demulsifer compositions comprising siloxane cross-linked alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin alkoxylates and/or polylakylene glycols
Implementation Method 2
resolving water-in-oil emulsions
Data Source
AI summary
A composition comprising one or more siloxane cross-linked demulsifiers wherein said siloxane cross-linked demulsifiers are prepared by reacting one or more alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin alkoxylates, one or more polyalkylene glycols, or a mixture thereof, with up to about 1.0 molar equivalents of one or more silicon-based cross-linkers of formula R1R2R3R4Si wherein R1, R2, R3, R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from H, Cl, C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C4 alkoxy; R4. is selected from H, Cl, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy and a group of formula L1SiR5R6R7; L1 is absent or is selected from —O—, arylene and C1-C12 alkylene, optionally interrupted by one or more —O— or —N(R8)—; and R8 is H or C1-C4 alkyl and a method of using the demulsifier composition to resolve water-in-oil emulsions.