Polyether polyesters having anionic functionality

• US 7,041,707 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2003
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ChampionX USA Inc. (ChampionX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nalco Company (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hahn, Carl W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Metzmaier, Daniel S.
• Application Number:
  US10/350,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20040147407A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 516/154, 516/155, 516/158, 516/160, 525/437, 528/301, 507/117, 507/219
• US Class Current: 516/158
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 17/047 with separation aids
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 33/04 with chemical means
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 65/12 including cracking steps and other hydrotreatment steps
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 1/2437 Sulfonic acids; Derivatives thereof, e.g. sulfonamides, sulfosuccinic acid esters
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 1/2475 obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds

Abstract

Polyester compositions and methods of producing and using same are provided. The polyester compositions at least include an anionic diacid monomer or diester monomer thereof and a polyether. The polyester compositions of the present invention can be effectively utilized, for example, to treat crude oil during production and refinery processing.

Claims

1. A polyester compound prepared by reacting reactants consisting of anionic diacid monomer selected from the group consisting of dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate, sulfosuccinic acid, 4-sulfophthalic acid, sulfonaphthalic acid, salts thereof and anhydrides thereof and combinations thereof;

with polytetrahydrofuran and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol).

2. The polyester compound of claim 1 wherein the anionic diacid monomer is dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate, sodium salt.

3. The polyester compound of claim 1 wherein the poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) has formula

4. The polyester compound of claim 3 wherein m ranges from 2 to about 50;

and where n ranges from 2 to about 50.

5. The polyester compound of claim 1 having a number average molecular weight that ranges from about 500 lo about 20,000.

6. An oil-treatment agent comprising a polyester compound according to claim 1 and a carrier solvent.

7. An oil-treatment agent comprising a polyester compound according to claim 1 and a crude oil production or processing demulsifier.

8. An oil-treatment agent comprising a polyester compound according to claim 1 and a crude oil production or processing viscosity reducer.

9. An oil-treatment agent comprising a polyester compound according to claim 1 and a crude oil production or processing emulsion modifier.

10. A method of treating oil, the method comprising providing a polyester compound according to claim 1;

and adding an effective amount of the polyester compound to the oil for demulsification, viscosity reduction, or emulsion modification.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the polyester compound is capable of demulsifying crude oil during production or processing thereof.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the polyester compound is capable of reducing oil viscosity crude oil during production or processing thereof.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the polyester compound is capable of modifying emulsions in crude oil during production or processing thereof.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the polyester compound is added to the oil in liquid form.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the liquid form is prepared by dissolving the polyester compound in an aqueous carrier medium.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the concentration of the polyester compound in the liquid form ranges from about 1% by weight to about 60% by weight.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the treatment agent is diluted prior to addition to the oil.