Composition and Method for Isolation of Paraffinic Hydrocarbons

Abstract

A method and composition for isolating a paraffinic hydrocarbon layer from a sludge comprising a mixture of paraffinic hydrocarbons, water, and solids are provided. The method comprises providing a paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition comprising isopropylamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate, a surfactant, and a solvent; contacting the sludge with the paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition; and allowing the paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition to separate the sludge into a three phase separation comprising a paraffinic hydrocarbon layer, a water layer, and a layer of settled solids.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition comprising:
 isopropylamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate;   a surfactant, wherein the surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and a zwitterionic surfactant; and   a solvent.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a carboxylate. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the carboxylate comprises trideceth-8 carboxylate. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an ethoxylate. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the zwitterionic surfactant comprises an hydroxysultaine. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises aliphatic hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         7 . A paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition comprising:
 isopropylamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate;   a nonionic surfactant;   a zwitterionic surfactant; and   a solvent.   
     
     
         8 . The paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition of  claim 7 , wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises a glycol derivative, ethoxylate, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition of  claim 8 , wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an ethoxylate. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the solvent comprises aliphatic hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         11 . The paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition of  claim 7 , wherein the zwitterionic surfactant comprises a betaine, hydroxysultaine, amphoacetate, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition of  claim 11 , wherein the zwitterionic surfactant comprises an hydroxysultaine. 
     
     
         13 . The paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition of  claim 12 , wherein the solvent comprises aliphatic hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         14 . The paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition of  claim 7 , further comprising a material that removes reactive sulfides. 
     
     
         15 . The paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition of  claim 14 , wherein the material that removes reactive sulfides comprises a mild oxidizer. 
     
     
         16 . A method of isolating a paraffinic hydrocarbon layer with the composition of  claim 1  from a sludge comprising a mixture of paraffinic hydrocarbons, water, and solids, the method comprising:
 (A) providing a paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition of  claim 1 ; 
 (B) providing a material that removes reactive sulfides; 
 (C) contacting the sludge with the paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition; and 
 (D) allowing the paraffinic hydrocarbon isolation composition to separate the sludge into a three-phase separation comprising a paraffinic hydrocarbon layer, a water layer, and a layer of settled solids. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a carboxylate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an ethoxylate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the zwitterionic surfactant comprises an hydroxysultaine. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the solvent comprises aliphatic hydrocarbons.