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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Emulsion breaking of surfactant stabilized crude oil in water emulsions

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6151979

A process useful for breaking oil in water emulsions produced as the result of a surfactant flood oil recovery project is disclosed. The produced oil in water emulsion, stabilized with surfactants, content is treated with brine and a polyol or quaternary ammonium compound, or both, followed by mixing and settling to form a sprung oil phase and a brine phase.

Assignee:
Cities Service Co
Patent Number(s):
US 4374734
OSTI ID:
6151979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English