Resolution of water in crude oil emulsion by some novel aromatic amine polyesters

Abstract In this work, three aromatic amines (p-toluidine, p-nitroaniline and p-chloroaniline) were chosen as bases for the repatriation of some nonionic polyesters. These amines were ethoxylated with different total number of ethylene oxide units 6, 12, 18. The prepared ethoxylated amine diols were polyesterified with maleic anhydride and polypropylene oxide polyethylene oxide block copolymers in polyesterification reaction. The demulsification efficiency of these demulsifiers was investigated using the bottle test. The effects of the molecular weight, concentration, asphaltene content, water content, Hydrophile Lipophile Balance (HLB) and temperature on the demulsification efficiency were investigated. The surface active properties were correlated with their demulsification efficiency. It was found that, NAE 18 D gave the best result in the demulsification process. The demulsification efficiency was discussed on the light of surface active properties, interfacial tension and the factors affecting the demulsification. The surface-active properties of the prepared demulsifiers were measured at 60 °C.