Compound 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 intrinsec 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, potasium chloride, sulphonic acid, dodecanoic acid, nonylphenol, terpene-1 and water, preferably hard water.

1 . A compound of biodegradable surfactants comprising sodium hydroxide 1N, potasium chloride, sulphonic acid, dodecanoic acid, nonylphenol, terpene-1 and water, preferably hard water. 
     
     
         2 . The compound of biodegradable surfactants of  claim 1 , further comprising 60-80% v/v of a mix that comprises 2.5-5.5% v/v of sodium hydroxide 1N, 2-4% v/v of potassium chloride, 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 hard water, and 20-40% v/v terpene. 
     
     
         3 . The compound of biodegradable surfactants of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more components selected from the group consisting of 8-14% urea, 3-8% sodium tripolyphosphate, 2-6% sodium sulphate, 3-6% liquid Genapol, and 1-4% of a quaternary salt. 
     
     
         4 . The compound of biodegradable surfactants of  claim 1 , wherein it can be applied both at the reservoir and at the surface. 
     
     
         5 . A procedure for producing the compound of biodegradable surfactants of  claim 1 , 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 until a white homogeneous mixture is formed. The mixing process should be maintained for 30 minutes for amounts less than 200 liters; 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.   
     
     
         6 . The process of using a compound of biodegradable surfactants of  claim 1  for cleaning crude formations and facilities, for dissolving waxes, asphaltene and other component precipitates in the crude, for enhancing the physico-chemical properties of the crude such as viscosity, density, API gravity, water/crude emulsion content, reduction of acidity and stimulation of crude production. 
     
     
         7 . The process of using the compound of biodegradable surfactants of  claim 1  for treating different kinds of crude oil, bitumen, greases, oily sands and crude oil spills.