Trifunctional Terpolymer Demulsifiers for Acid-Resistant Crude Oil Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The extraction of crude oils with significant amounts of water and salts is challenging due to the chemical instability of existing demulsifying agents under acid conditions and the complexity of their synthesis, leading to high costs and inefficient water removal.
Innovation Solution
Novel random terpolymers based on alkyl acrylate, aminoalkyl acrylate, and alkoxyalkyl acrylate are synthesized through semi-continuous emulsion polymerization under starved feed conditions, ensuring homogeneity and random distribution, with trifunctional properties for breaking water-in-oil emulsions and resistant to acid environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If triblock polyethers are used as demulsifying agents, then demulsifying activity is achieved, but chemical instability under acid conditions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing polyether-based demulsifiers with acrylic polymer-based demulsifiers containing amino and hydrophilic groups. This parameter change fundamentally alters the chemical stability profile, making the demulsifier resistant to acid conditions while maintaining demulsifying effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite chemical structure by combining acrylic polymer backbone with amino groups and hydrophilic groups in a single molecular structure. This composite approach provides both the demulsifying functionality and the acid resistance that separate components would lack individually.
2Reliability
If functionalization of triblock bipolymers is performed to improve acid resistance, then chemical stability improves, but synthesis complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the demulsifier function into distinct functional groups within a single polymer structure: the acrylic polymer backbone provides the structural framework, amino groups provide acid resistance, and hydrophilic groups provide demulsifying activity. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently during synthesis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional demulsifier where a single polymer structure performs multiple functions: acid resistance through amino groups, demulsifying activity through hydrophilic groups, and structural integrity through the acrylic backbone. This eliminates the need for separate functionalization steps.
3Reliability
If multiple triblock polyethers are combined for demulsification, then demulsifying performance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional requirements into a single polymer structure rather than combining multiple separate triblock polyether components. The acrylic polymer backbone integrates amino groups and hydrophilic groups into one unified molecule that performs all necessary demulsifying functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal demulsifier structure that can handle various crude oil types and emulsion conditions through its multi-functional design. The combination of amino groups for acid resistance and hydrophilic groups for demulsification in a single polymer provides broad applicability without requiring multiple specialized products.
4Reliability
If aqueous dispersion is used to apply demulsifiers, then demulsifying activity is achieved, but diffusion in organic phase is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solubility parameters of the demulsifier by using an acrylic polymer-based structure with appropriate hydrophobicity. This parameter change enables the demulsifier to dissolve in the organic phase rather than requiring aqueous dispersion, thereby improving diffusion efficiency into the crude oil.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the acrylic polymer structure as an intermediary that bridges the hydrophilic and hydrophobic phases. The polymer's dual nature with hydrophilic groups for emulsion interaction and hydrophobic character for organic phase solubility acts as a mediator enabling effective demulsification without aqueous dispersion limitations.
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 terpolymers effectively break water/oil interfaces, coalesce water droplets, and clarify the aqueous phase, offering superior performance and cost-effectiveness compared to commercial demulsifiers, with resistance to chemical degradation during acid stimulation operations.
Implementation Method 1
the application of terpolymers based on combinations of alkyl acrylates, aminoalkyl acrylates, and alkoxyalkyl acrylates, to destabilize water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure belongs to the field of chemical products for petroleum conditioning, in particular demulsifying agents. This disclosure concerns the application of terpolymers based on combinations of alkyl acrylates, aminoalkyl acrylates, and alkoxyalkyl acrylates, to destabilize water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, in order to remove the emulsified water and salts dissolved in it, specifically, in the triphasic separation units for crude oils with API densities from 8 to 40° API.