Application of New Modified Poly(ethylene Oxide)-Block-Poly(propylene oxide)-Block-Poly(ethylene oxide) Copolymers as Demulsifier for Petroleum Crude Oil Emulsion

Abstract

Water soluble nonionic amphiphilic block copolymers based on hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hydrophobic poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) were prepared. Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers, PEG-PPG-PEG, were prepared in the normal condition. The chemical composition and molecular weights of the prepared copolymers were determined from 1H NMR and GPC techniques. The surface properties of the prepared surfactants were determined by measuring the surface tension at different temperatures. The prepared nonionic surfactants were evaluated as demulsifiers for water in crude-oil emulsions that were pronounced at different ratios of crude oil: water at 318 K and 333 K. The experimental results showed that the dehydration rate of the prepared demulsifiers reached 100% based on demulsifier chemical compositions and concentrations. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.