Demulsification of Crude Oil Emulsions Using Ethoxylated Aliphatic Amine Polyesters as Novel Demulsifiers

Twelve novel demulsifiers were prepared in two steps. In the first step, aliphatic fatty amines; octyl, decyl, dodecyl and tetradecyl amines were ethoxylated at different ethylene oxide units; 6, 12 and 18. In the second step, the prepared ethoxylated amines were used as a novel diol and then were polyesterified with maleic anhydride and poly propylene oxide - poly ethylene oxide (PPO-PEO) block copolymers. The prepared polyesters were abbreviated as 8E6D, 8E12D, 8E18D, 10E6D, 10E12D, 10E18D, 12E6D, 12E12D, 12E18D, 14E6D, 14E12D and 14E18D. The demulsification efficiency of these polyesters was investigated using Sany glass. The effects of the molecular weight, concentration, asphaltene content, water content and temperature on the demulsification efficiency were studied. From the obtained results, it was found that; the 12E18D exhibited the maximum demulsification efficiency at concentration 400 ppm and at 60 oC. The complete BSW bottom sediment and water was obtained within 15 minutes. The surface-active properties of the prepared demulsifiers were measured at 60 oC and these properties were discussed in relation to the demulsification efficiency