Demulsification of bitumen emulsions with a high molecular weight polyol containing discrete blocks of ethylene and propylene oxide

• US 4,321,147 A
• Filed: 05/22/1980
• Issued: 03/23/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Huntsman Petrochemical LLC (Huntsman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Texaco Incorporated (Chevron Corp.), Texaco Canada, Inc. (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: McCoy, David R., LaBerge, Colin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wyse, Thomas G.
• Application Number:
  US06/152,452
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 208/11 R, 208/11 LE, 208/188, 210/708, 252/328, 252/329, 252/331, 252/340, 252/344, 252/358
• US Class Current: 210/708
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/047 with separation aids
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 1/047 Hot water or cold water extraction processes
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 33/04 with chemical means

Abstract

A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are polyols of 4 and greater functionality containing discrete blocks of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide wherein the ethylene oxide content of the polyol is greater than about 50% but less than about 95%. The molecular weight of these polyols is greater than about 12,000. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25° and 120° C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Claims

1. A process for recovering petroleum from oil-in-water bitumen emulsions by demulsifying said emulsions by adding thereto demulsifiers of the following general structure:

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">R[[(OR'"'"').sub.1 (OR").sub.n ].sub.n OH].sub.x

where R is a carbon-containing moiety of from about 4 to about 12 carbon atoms, x is from about 4 to about 8, l and m have average values equal to or greater than about 4 and n is equal to about 1 to 5 and R'"'"' is propylene and/or butylene and R" is ethylene or alternatively R" is ethylene and R" is propylene and/or butylene and wherein the average molecular weight of the demulsifier is above about 12,000 and the weight percent ethyleneoxy in the demulsifier is from about 50 to about 95% said demulsifier being added in amounts effective to demulsify the emulsion.

2. A process as in claim 1 wherein the demulsifiers are prepared by alkoxylation of a polyol initiator of less than about 500 molecular weight.

3. A process as in claim 1 wherein the demulsifier is present with the emulsions at concentrations ranging from about 1 to about 200 parts per million.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein an organic diluent is present.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein the demulsification takes place at a temperature of from about 25°

to about 120°

C.