Use of sulphonated alkyl phenol formaldehydes in the stabilization of ashphaltenes in crude oil

Abstract

Sulfonated compounds prepared by reacting at least one compound selected from the group consisting of formula (I) and (II), with gaseous SO 3 in an equimolar ratio: wherein each Ph represents a phenol residue, n represents a number of from 2 to 12 and each R independently represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of C 3-24 alkyl groups, C 6-12 aryl groups, C 6-12 hydroxyaryl groups, and C 7-12 aralkyl groups; and methods of stabilizing asphaltenes in crude oil with sulfonated compounds are described.

1 - 5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . A method comprising: (a) providing one or more sulfonated compounds prepared by sulfonating one or more compounds corresponding to the general formulae (I) or (II):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein each ph represents a phenol residue, n represents a number of from 2 to 12 and each r independently represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of C 3-24  alkyl groups, C 6-12  aryl groups, C 6-12  hydroxyaryl groups, and C 7-12  aralkyl groups; and (b) combining the one or more sulfonated compounds and a crude oil composition comprising one or more asphaltenes:  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the one or more sulfonated compounds are combined with the crude oil composition in an amount of from 50 to 2500 ppm.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the one or more sulfonated compounds are combined with the crude oil composition in an amount of from 100 to 1000 ppm.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the one or more sulfonated compounds are combined with the crude oil composition in an amount of from 150 to 500 ppm.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the one or more sulfonated compounds are combined with the crude oil composition in the form of an aromatic solution.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the aromatic solution comprises toluene.  
     
     
         12 . A process for producing a sulfonated compound, said process comprising: 
 (a) providing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of formula (I) and (II):                          wherein each Ph represents a phenol residue, n represents a number of from 2 to 12 and each R independently represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of C 3-24  alkyl groups, C 6-12  aryl groups, C 6-12  hydroxyaryl groups, and C 7-12  aralkyl groups; and    (b) reacting the at least one compound with gaseous SO 3  in an equimolar ratio.    
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one compound is reacted with gaseous SO 3  in a falling film reactor.  
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one compound is reacted with gaseous SO 3  at a temperature of from 75 to 80° C.  
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one compound is reacted with gaseous SO 3  in a falling film reactor at a temperature of from 75 to 80° C.  
     
     
         16 . A sulfonated compound prepared by a process comprising: 
 (a) providing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of formula (I) and (II):                          wherein each Ph represents a phenol residue, n represents a number of from 2 to 12 and each R independently represents a moiety selected from the group consisting of C 3-24  alkyl groups, C 6-12  aryl groups, C 6-12  hydroxyaryl groups, and C 7-12  aralkyl groups; and    (b) reacting the at least one compound with gaseous SO 3  in an equimolar ratio.    
     
     
         17 . The sulfonated compound according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one compound is reacted with gaseous SO 3  in a falling film reactor.  
     
     
         18 . The sulfonated compound according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one compound is reacted with gaseous SO 3  at a temperature of from 75 to 80° C.  
     
     
         19 . The sulfonated compound according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one compound is reacted with gaseous SO 3  in a falling film reactor at a temperature of from 75 to 80° C.