Emulsifier blend
View Patent ↗An oil-in-water emulsion that includes a brine continuous phase; and an oleaginous discontinuous phase stabilized by an emulsifier blend, the emulsifier blend comprising: an emulsifier having an HLB greater than 11; and an amphoteric chemotrope is disclosed. Emulsifier blends comprising an emulsifier having an HLB greater than 11 and an amphoteric chemotrope and methods of using emulsifier blends are also disclosed.
1. An oil-in-water emulsion, comprising:
a brine continuous phase; and
an oleaginous discontinuous phase stabilized by an emulsifier blend, the emulsifier blend comprising:
an emulsifier having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance greater than 11; and
an amphoteric chemotrope.
2. The emulsion of claim 1 , wherein the amphoteric chemotrope comprises a quaternary ammonium halide.
3. The emulsion of claim 2 , wherein the amphoteric chemotrope comprises an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium chloride.
4. The emulsion of claim 1 , where in the emulsifier blend further comprises:
a mutual solvent.
5. The emulsion of claim 1 , wherein the emulsifier comprises at least one of an alkanol ethoxylate or an alkylphenol ethoxylate.
6. The emulsion of claim 1 , wherein the emulsifier comprises at least one of an alkyl aryl sulfonic acid, a C 4 -C 22 fatty acid, or derivatives thereof.
7. An emulsifier blend, comprising:
an emulsifier having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance greater than 11; and
an amphoteric chemotrope.
8. The blend of claim 7 , wherein the amphoteric chemotrope comprises a quaternary ammonium halide.
9. The blend of claim 8 , wherein the amphoteric chemotrope comprises an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium chloride.
10. The blend of claim 7 , wherein the emulsifier blend further comprises:
a mutual solvent.
11. The blend of claim 7 , wherein the emulsifier comprises at least one of an alkanol ethoxylate or an alkylphenol ethoxylate.
12. The blend of claim 7 , wherein the emulsifier comprises at least one of an alkyl aryl sulfonic acid, a C 4 -C 22 fatty acid, or derivatives thereof.
13. A method of performing a downhole operation, comprising:
pumping a wellbore fluid comprising an emulsifier blend into a wellbore, the emulsifier blend comprising:
an emulsifier having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance greater than 11; and
an amphoteric chemotrope.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the amphoteric chemotrope comprises a quaternary ammonium halide.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the amphoteric chemotrope comprises an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium chloride.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the wellbore fluid further comprises:
a brine continuous phase;
an oleaginous discontinuous phase stabilized by the emulsifier blend.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein after being pumped into the wellbore, interacting with a brine and an oleaginous fluid to form a stable discontinuous oleaginous fluid phase dispersed in the brine.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the emulsifier blend further comprises:
a mutual solvent.
19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the emulsifier comprises at least one of an alkanol ethoxylate or an alkylphenol ethoxylate.
20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the emulsifier comprises at least one of an alkyl aryl sulfonic acid, a C 4 -C 22 fatty acid, or derivatives thereof.