Aromatic polyol polyester demulsifiers are low-cost, exhibit superior water drop performance, and minimize residual (or unresolved) emulsions over conventional demulsifiers.Ī key feature of the method of the invention is the discovery that the synthetized aromatic polyol polyester demulsifiers display enhanced crude oil demulsification performance when compared to the raw polyglycols from which they were synthesized. The instant invention discloses the novel treatment of crude oil with aromatic polyol polyester demulsifiers. While methods of treating crude oil with demulsifiers are disclosed in the art, there remains a need for a method of treating crude oil with demulsifiers that is low-cost, offers superior water drop performance, and minimizes residual (or unresolved) emulsion, compared to known demulsifiers. Acidic groups are continuously consumed during the reaction generating ester groups, and low acidity levels are sought in order to improve stability of the synthesized product for longer periods. The rate of conversion is monitored during the reaction mainly by sampling the reaction products and measuring acid number. The nitrogen bath removes distillable by-products from the mixture, however it can also result in the loss of low molecular weight diols such as MEG and DEG. US2013/0184366 A1 discloses an alternate method of synthesizing aromatic polyester polyols without the need for a vacuum by utilizing a continuous flow of nitrogen. Finally a catalyst is added to the reaction to avoid hydrolysis. ![]() ![]() In the second step, a vacuum is applied for 2 to 5 hours to remove all the residual water from the system, which in turn increases the conversion of the reaction. Heating is then ceased at which point a minimal amount of water purge is observed. In the first step components are heated to a temperature of around 190° C. 5,360,900 disclose a method of synthesizing an aromatic polyester polyol via a polyol precursor that is divided into 2 steps. Separately, the synthesis of certain aromatic polyol polyesters is known in the art. The samples were also found to have a water drop value of 40 ml over a period of 60 minutes. In one example, samples of the novel aromatic polyol polyester demulsifier were found to have thief grindout residual emulsion values of between 1.9-4.0 and free water values of 5.0-36.0. Demulsification performance was evaluated through bottle tests which showed superior performance when compared to existing commercial products. The reaction was continuously purged with nitrogen at a temperature of around 170° C. For example, WO 2006068702 A2 discloses a method of crude oil treatment utilizing demulsifiers synthesized by the polycondensation of poly (tetrahydrofuran) and polyalquilene glycols using adipic acid and p-toluene sulfonic as a catalyst. Methods of demulsification are known in the art. Additional steps may include the addition of heat, electric grids, and/or coalescers to facilitate or completely resolve the emulsion. Optimum emulsion breaking with a demulsifier requires a properly selected chemical for the given emulsion, an adequate quantity of that chemical, adequate mixing of the chemical in the emulsion, and sufficient retention time in separators to settle water droplets. In crude oil applications, demulsifiers are added to the oil/water emulsion and migrate to the oil/water interface, where they rupture or weaken the rigid film, and enhance water droplet coalescence. If the majority of the water and salt are not removed, significant corrosion problems can occur in the refining process. ![]() This water (and salt) must be removed from the crude oil prior to refining. Demulsifiers are commonly used in the processing of crude oil, which is typically produced along with significant quantities of saline water. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONĭemulsifiers, or emulsion breakers, are a class of chemicals used to separate emulsions, such as water in oil. More specifically, this invention relates to a method of treatment for crude oil utilizing an aromatic polyol polyester demulsifier, the aromatic polyol polyester being synthesized by reacting high molecular weight, low hydroxyl number polyols with an acid source which is solubilized into the polyol without sublimation or degradation during the reaction process. This invention relates generally to the use of demulsifiers for crude oil treatment. 14, 2017, the entire contents of both are hereby incorporated by reference. 13, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. National Stage of International Application No.
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