Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Kinetic study of desulfonation of disulfonated alkyl diphenyloxide surfactants

Journal Article · · SPEJ, Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/10936-PA· OSTI ID:5804395
Kinetic study of the desulfonation of Dowfax /SUP r/ surfactants, disulfonated alkyl diphenyloxide, is carried out in the temperature range of from 177 to 272/sup 0/C, and a pH range of 2.0 to 7.0. The rate data support that the desulfonation is a step-wise reaction catalyzed by hydrogen ion. The desulfonation rate is first-order with respect to both surfactant and hydrogen ion concentrations. As a result, the pH of the reaction system has a very significant effect on the stability of the surfactants and may outweigh the effect of temperature. The halflife of disulfonated alkyl diphenyloxide at 235/sup 0/C in a 5.5-pH buffer solution is 1,035 days, and at 272/sup 0/C in a 7.0-pH buffer solution is 295 days. The results indicate that these surfactants can be used in most oil reservoir steamflood applications, especially when the rock formation may buffer the pH to about 7.0.
Research Organization:
Dow Chemical Co.
OSTI ID:
5804395
Journal Information:
SPEJ, Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States), Journal Name: SPEJ, Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States) Vol. 22:6; ISSN SSPJD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English