Composition of biodegradable surfactants for separating impurities in a hydrocarbon

Abstract

Compounds of biodegradable surfactants useful for optimizing the separation of impurities typical of hydrocarbons, and designed to intervene and stabilize the molecular structure of crude oil, with no significant alterations of the crude's intrinsic composition are disclosed. The biodegradable surfactants compounds coexist with a non-ionic surfactant and an organic mix in emulsion form with the purpose of isolating crude from the pipeline, reduce friction to improve crude flow and to enter the crude macromolecule to modify the hydrocarbon chain to reduce its density and thus its viscosity; including compounds of biodegradable surfactants that comprise sodium hydroxide 1N, potassium chloride, sulphonic acid, dodecanoic acid, nonylphenol, terpene-1 and water, preferably hard water.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A procedure for producing the composition of biodegradable surfactants, comprising sodium hydroxide 1N, potassium chloride, sulphonic acid, dodecanoic acid, nonylphenol, terpene-1 and water, preferably hard water, the procedure comprising following steps:
 in a clean and dry mixer add an amount of hard water less than 50% v/v in respect of the total volume of the compound of the invention and add 
 2.5-5.5% v/v of sodium hydroxide 1N and 2-4% v/v of potassium chloride; 
 add 5-15% v/v of sulphonic acid, 3-6% v/v of dodecanoic acid, 3-8% v/v of nonylphenol of 4-10 mols, and shake the mix until it is homogeneous; 
 once homogeneity is achieved complete the total volume to 100% v/v with hard water, mixing continuously; 
 shut the system off and let stand for 24 hours; 
 after the 24-hour standing period extract 60-80% v/v of the solution obtained in step d) and mix it with 20-40% v/v of terpene for 30 minutes in amounts less than 200 liters until a white homogeneous mixture is obtained; and 
 let stand the product of step e) for at least 6 hours and then apply it following the safety procedures suggested for its use.