Polyoxyalkylenated amines for breaking of water-in-oil emulsions stabilized by asphaltenes and clay

The main objective of this paper is to emphasize the efficiency of synthesi zed polyoxyalkylenated amines (PPPEA) having different hydrophilic-lipophil ic balance (HLB) values in breaking synthetic water-in-benzene emulsions st abilized by both petroleum asphaltenes and clay (EAC). It was found that th e presence of clay and asphaltenes in a certain ratio (1:1 summing 0.5 wt/v ol. % with respect to the total emulsion volume ) offers maximum emulsion s tability. This was attributed to the affect of asphaltenes in converting wa ter-wet particles (such as clay) into oil-wet particles, which then act as emulsifying agents for water-in-soil emulsions. This explains the synergist ic effect resulting from the mutual interactions between asphaltenes and cl ay in stabilizing EAC. It was found that the most efficient demulsifiers fo r breaking EAC are the aromatic PPPEA having low HLB. This is attributed to the capability of the aromatic PPPEA demulsifiers to form well developed i nteractions with the aromatic asphaltenes. This enhanced interaction will d rag the asphaltenes and clay from the interface increasing the demulsificat ion efficiency.