Fluid compositions and methods for using cross-linked phenolic resins
A cross-linked phenolic resin demulsifier may be added to a water-in-oil emulsion having at least one foulant therein. The demulsifier may separate at least a portion of the foulant(s) from the water-in-oil emulsion, and the separated foulant(s) may be removed from the water-in-oil emulsion. In a non-limiting embodiment, the amount of the demulsifier present in the water-in-oil emulsion may range from about 0.1 ppm to about 50,000 ppm.
1. A method of separating at least a portion of foulants from a water-in-oil emulsion comprising:
adding an effective of amount of a demulsifier to a water-in-oil emulsion having at least one foulant therein to separate at least a portion of the at least one foulant from the water-in-oil emulsion; and
separating at least a portion of the foulants from the water-in-oil emulsion; wherein the demulsifier is represented by the following structure:
where:
Y are independently a polyethylene oxide moiety, a polypropylene oxide moiety, a polybutylene oxide moiety, a moiety that is mixed block or random ethylene oxide (EO) moiety, propylene oxide (PO), and/or butylene oxide (BO) moiety, where one or both of the two phenolic polymer resin chains have an oxide moiety;
X is a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, and combinations thereof;
R is a C4-C30 alkyl chain;
a+b+c>1; and
EOs+POs+BOs>1.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising separating a water-based phase from the water-in-oil emulsion.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one foulant is selected from the group consisting of asphaltenes, inorganic solids, coke precursors, and combinations thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the water-in-oil emulsion comprises a heavy crude oil.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of the demulsifier in the water-in-oil emulsion ranges from about 0.1 ppm to about 50,000 ppm.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the demulsifier is part of an additive, and wherein the additive further comprises a solvent selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon-based solvent, an alcohol-based solvent, an organic carbonate-based solvent, a glycol, a polyglycol, a ketone, an ester, an acetate, and mixtures thereof.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the additive further comprises a second component selected from the group consisting of a polyol, a diepoxide, and combinations thereof.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the additive comprises:
the demulsifier in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 90 wt %;
the solvent in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 90 wt %; and
the second component in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 60 wt %.
9. A method comprising:
separating at least a portion of foulants from a water-in-oil emulsion by adding an effective amount of a demulsifier to a water-in-oil emulsion having at least one foulant therein; wherein the effective amount of the demulsifier separates more of the at least one foulant from the water-in-oil emulsion as compared to an otherwise identical water-in-oil emulsion absent the demulsifier; and wherein the demulsifier is represented by the following structure:
where:
Y are independently a polyethylene oxide moiety, a polypropylene oxide moiety, a polybutylene oxide moiety, a moiety that is mixed block or random ethylene oxide (EO) moiety, propylene oxide (PO), and/or butylene oxide (BO) moiety, where one or both of the two phenolic polymer resin chains have an oxide moiety;
X is a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen,
sulfur, and combinations thereof;
R is a C4-C30 alkyl chain;
a+b+c>1; and
EOs+POs+BOs>1.
10. A fluid composition comprising:
a water-in-oil emulsion having at least one foulant;
a demulsifier; and
wherein an effective amount of the demulsifier separates more of the at least one foulant from the water-in-oil emulsion as compared to an otherwise identical water-in-oil emulsion absent the demulsifier; wherein the demulsifier is represented by the following structure:
where:
Y are independently a polyethylene oxide moiety, a polypropylene oxide moiety, a polybutylene oxide moiety, a moiety that is mixed block or random ethylene oxide (EO) moiety, propylene oxide (PO), and/or butylene oxide (BO) moiety, where one or both of the two phenolic polymer resin chains have an oxide moiety;
X is a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, and combinations thereof;
R is a C4-C30 alkyl chain;
a+b+c>1; and
EOs+POs+BOs>1.
11. The fluid composition of claim 10 , wherein the at least one foulant is selected from the group consisting of asphaltenes, inorganic solids, coke precursors, and combinations thereof.
12. The fluid composition of claim 10 , wherein the water-in-oil emulsion comprises a heavy crude oil.
13. The fluid composition of claim 10 , wherein the effective amount of the demulsifier ranges from about 0.1 ppm to about 50,000 ppm.
14. The fluid composition of claim 10 , wherein the demulsifier is part of an additive, and wherein the additive further comprises a solvent selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon-based solvent, an alcohol-based solvent, an organic carbonate-based solvent, a glycol, a polyglycol, a ketone, an ester, an acetate, and mixtures thereof.
15. The fluid composition of claim 14 , wherein the additive further comprises a second component selected from the group consisting of a polyol, a diepoxide, and combinations thereof.
16. The fluid composition of claim 15 , wherein the additive comprises:
the demulsifier in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 90 wt %;
the solvent in an amount ranging from about 10 wt % to about 90 wt %; and
the second component in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 60 wt %.
17. A fluid composition comprising:
a water-in-oil emulsion having at least one foulant; and
a demulsifier in an amount ranging from about 0.1 ppm to about 50,000 ppm, wherein the demulsifier is represented by the following structure:
where:
Y are independently a polyethylene oxide moiety, a polypropylene oxide moiety, a polybutylene oxide moiety, a moiety that is mixed block or random ethylene oxide (EO) moiety, propylene oxide (PO), and/or butylene oxide (BO) moiety, where one or both of the two phenolic polymer resin chains have an oxide moiety;
X is a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, and combinations thereof;
R is a C4-C30 alkyl chain;
a+b+c>1; and
EOs+POs+BOs>1.
18. The fluid composition of claim 17 , wherein the water-in-oil emulsion comprises a heavy crude oil.