Polyoxyethylenated dodcylphenol for breaking up water in oil emulsions

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) of different molecular weights, namely, 200, 400, 600 and 1,000 g/mol was reacted with dodecyl phenol to form compounds havi ng different hydrophile-lipophile balances and hence different surface acti vities. The demulsification efficiency of the prepared surfactants in break ing up water-in-crude oil emulsions was evaluated. The data revealed that d emulsification efficiency increases with increasing demulsifier concentrati on, contact time and hydrophilicity. The effect of temperature, NaCl concen tration (salinity) and solvents on demulsification efficiency was investiga ted. The demulsification efficiency of the studied surfactants was found to increase with increasing temperature and decreasing salinity of the aqueou s phase. A mixture of xylene and isopropanol was found to be the best solve nt for the prepared demulsifier with respect to demulsification properties.