Methods and compositions for removing fine solids from hydrocarbon streams

Abstract

A demulsifying agent comprising at least one maleic acid derivative may be added to a hydrocarbon stream in an effective amount where the hydrocarbon stream includes a plurality of solids that are less than 0.45 microns in size. The demulsifying agent may be added to the hydrocarbon stream at a location that is upstream from a desalter. The demulsifying agent may water-wet at least a portion of the solids for subsequent separation of the solids from the hydrocarbon stream.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for separating at least a portion of solids from a hydrocarbon fluid having solids therein comprising:
 adding a demulsifying agent comprising at least one maleic acid derivative to the hydrocarbon fluid in an effective amount for subsequent separation of at least a portion of the solids from the hydrocarbon fluid; wherein the demulsifying agent water-wets at least a portion of the solids; and wherein the size of the solids is less than 0.45 microns.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the demulsifying agent is added to the hydrocarbon fluid at a location selected from the group consisting of a crude storage tank, the suction of a crude transfer pump, injection pump to the crude storage tank, the crude line going to a desalter prior to a charge pump, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the demulsifying agent further comprises a second component selected from the group consisting of naphthalene sulfonate, alkyl diphenyloxide disulfonate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an emulsion comprises an oil phase and a water phase; and wherein the oil phase comprises the hydrocarbon fluid; and wherein the adding of the demulsifying agent is added to a phase selected from the group consisting of the oil phase, the water phase, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising separating at least a portion of the water-wet solids from the hydrocarbon fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising mixing at least a portion of the water-wet solids into the water phase of the emulsion after separating at least a portion of the water-wet solids from the hydrocarbon fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one maleic acid derivative is a C 6 -C 18  sulfosuccinate, 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one maleic acid derivative is selected from the group consisting of di-lauryl succinate, dioctyl succinate, di-hexyl succinate, octyl phenyl succinate, dodecyl diphenyl succinate, ditridecyl succinate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, diammonium 1-icosyl 2 sulfosuccinate, ammonium 1,4 didecyl sulfosuccinate, dihexyl sodium sulfosuccinate, sodium dinonyl sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, salts thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of the demulsifying agent ranges from about 0.1 ppm to about 200 ppm based on the hydrocarbon fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solids are selected from the group consisting of phosphorous-containing solids, inorganic solids, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A method for separating at least a portion of solids from an oil phase of an emulsion, wherein the method comprises:
 adding a demulsifying agent comprising at least one maleic acid derivative to the emulsion in an amount ranging from about 0.1 ppm to about 200 ppm based on the emulsion, wherein the demulsifying agent water-wets a plurality of solids within the emulsion; and   separating the water-wet solids from the oil phase of the emulsion into a water phase; wherein the solids are substantially oil-free.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the demulsifying agent is added to the hydrocarbon stream at a point upstream of a desalter. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the demulsifying agent is added to the oil phase of the emulsion. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrocarbon stream is selected from the group consisting of crude oil, asphalt, bitumen, shale condensates, decant oil, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one maleic acid derivative is selected from the group comprising di-lauryl succinate, dioctyl succinate, di-hexyl succinate, octyl phenyl succinate, dodecyl diphenyl succinate, ditridecyl succinate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, diammonium 1-icosyl 2 sulfosuccinate, ammonium 1,4 didecyl sulfosuccinate, dihexyl sodium sulfosuccinate, sodium dinonyl sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, salts thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A treated hydrocarbon fluid in a crude storage tank comprising:
 a demulsifying agent comprising least one maleic acid derivative, wherein the amount of the demulsifying agent ranges from about 0.1 ppm to about 30 ppm based on the hydrocarbon fluid; and   a plurality of water-wet solids within the hydrocarbon fluid, wherein the plurality of solids are more water-wet as compared to a plurality of solids within the hydrocarbon fluid in the absence of the demulsifying agent, and wherein the size of the solids is less than 0.45 microns.   
     
     
         17 . The treated hydrocarbon stream of  claim 16 , wherein the demulsifying agent further comprises a second component selected from the group consisting of naphthalene sulfonate, alkyl diphenyloxide disulfonate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The treated hydrocarbon stream of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one maleic acid derivative is selected from the group comprising di-lauryl succinate, dioctyl succinate, di-hexyl succinate, octyl phenyl succinate, dodecyl diphenyl succinate, ditridecyl succinate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, diammonium 1-icosyl 2 sulfosuccinate, ammonium 1,4 didecyl sulfosuccinate, dihexyl sodium sulfosuccinate, sodium dinonyl sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, salts thereof, and combinations thereof.