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 synthesized polyoxyalkylenated amines (PPPEA) having different hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values in breaking synthetic water-in-benzene emulsions stabilized by both petroleum asphaltenes and clay (EAC). It was found that the presence of clay and asphaltenes in a certain ratio (1:1 summing 0.5 wt/vol. % with respect to the total emulsion volume ) offers maximum emulsion stability. This was attributed to the affect of asphaltenes in converting water-wet particles (such as clay) into oil-wet particles, which then act as emulsifying agents for water-in-soil emulsions. This explains the synergistic effect resulting from the mutual interactions between asphaltenes and clay in stabilizing EAC. It was found that the most efficient demulsifiers for breaking EAC are the aromatic PPPEA having low HLB. This is attributed to the capability of the aromatic PPPEA demulsifiers to form well developed interactions with the aromatic asphaltenes. This enhanced interaction will drag the asphaltenes and clay from the interface increasing the demulsification efficiency.