Trifunctional Terpolymer Demulsifiers for Acid-Stable Crude Dehydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing demulsifying agents for crude oils face challenges such as chemical instability under acid conditions, complex synthesis processes, and high costs, while current demulsifiers struggle with efficient removal of water-in-oil emulsions due to their water solubility and difficulty in diffusing in the organic phase.
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 random distribution and solubility in the organic phase, with a trifunctional structure for breaking water-in-oil emulsions and clarifying the aqueous phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional triblock polyether demulsifiers are used, then demulsifying activity is achieved, but chemical instability under acid conditions occurs and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using acrylic monomers (methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate) instead of polyether blocks, and incorporates aminoalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups to provide acid stability while maintaining demulsifying performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining multiple functional groups (acrylic, aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl) in a single terpolymer chain, integrating breaking, coalescence, and clarification functions without requiring separate chemical products
2Ease of operation
If water-soluble demulsifiers are used, then demulsifying action is achieved, but diffusion in organic phase becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating amphiphilic polymer structures with hydrophilic segments (aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl groups) that interact with water and hydrophobic segments (acrylic backbone) that dissolve in the organic phase, enabling effective operation at the oil-water interface
Solution Approach 2:
The terpolymer performs multiple functions simultaneously: breaking emulsions, coalescing water droplets, and clarifying the aqueous phase, all while maintaining solubility in the organic phase through its acrylic-based hydrophobic backbone
3Reliability
If functionalized triblock bipolymers are used, then demulsifying performance improves, but synthesis process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate demulsifying agents into a single terpolymer molecule, combining breaking, coalescence, and clarification activities that would traditionally require separate chemical products and processing stages
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the demulsifying function into three distinct activities within one polymer structure: emulsion breaking, water droplet coalescence, and aqueous phase clarification, each performed by specific functional groups in the terpolymer
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 demonstrate excellent water removal efficiency, resistance to acid degradation, and cost-effectiveness, surpassing conventional bipolymers by integrating breaking, coalescence, and clarification functions without additional mixing, suitable for light, heavy, and extra-heavy crude oils.
Implementation Method 1
destabilize water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions
Implementation Method 2
demulsifying agents... breaking water-in-oil emulsions
Implementation Method 3
coalescence of water droplets
Implementation Method 4
clarification of the aqueous phase
Implementation Method 5
semi-continuous emulsion polymerization under starved feed conditions
Implementation Method 6
combination of monomers: aromatic, acrylic, vinylic with ionizable groups
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.