Microemulsions and their potentials
The properties and the structure of microemulsions formed by the dissolving of water and hydrocarbon using surfactants are described. Microemulsions with maximum water solubility are characterized by the constant alcohol-to-soap ratios irrespective of the hydrocarbon content. Microemulsions are used to remove oil from porous deposits in the tertiary oil recovery methods. Another field in which microemulsions may be useful resulted from the recent gasoline shortage. They offer possibilities of improving octane number by using water-soluble additives. Common diesel fuel with a microemulsion may substantially reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and smoke so as to control pollution. In the chemical industry, especially the petro-chemical industry, the possibilities of using microemulsions as a processing aid have not been widely recognized. Other fields in which the microemulsions may be the basis of technical development are in lubricants, especially EP lubricants; surface coatings in which the present solvents may be replaced by microemulsions with economic and/or ecological advantage; and in pesticide and other bioactive formulations.
- Research Organization:
- Swedish Inst Surface Chemistry
- OSTI ID:
- 6542709
- Journal Information:
- Chem. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN CHMTB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ADDITIVES
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLOIDS
DIESEL FUELS
DISPERSIONS
ECONOMICS
EMULSIONS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FUEL ADDITIVES
LUBRICANTS
MICROEMULSION FLOODING
MICROEMULSIONS
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
OIL WELLS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
RECOVERY
SURFACTANTS
USES
WELLS