Method for resolving emulsions in enhanced oil recovery operations

Abstract

Disclosed and claimed is a method of demulsifying an emulsion comprising water and oil. The method comprises adding an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one substantially fully quaternized ammonium adduct of polyephalohydrin that has a molecular weight from about 500 Da to about 2,500 Da.

1 . A method of demulsifying an emulsion comprising water and oil, the method comprising adding an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one substantially fully quaternized ammonium adduct of polyepihalohydrin and substantially free of zinc chloride, wherein said adduct(s) have a weight average molecular weight from about 500 Da to about 2,500 Da. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the quaternary ammonium adduct(s) of polyepihalohydrin are fully quaternized. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is free of zinc chloride. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially fully quaternized ammonium adduct(s) of polyepihalohydrin is formed by reacting a polyepihalohydrin with trimethylamine or triethylamine at a molar ratio of 1:1.1 and at temperatures from about 100° C. to 150° C. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the quaternary ammonium adduct(s) of polyepihalohydrin are prepared in the presence of a boron trifluoride catalyst. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the quaternary ammonium adduct(s) of polyepihalohydrin have general formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein each R is independently methyl or ethyl and z ranges from about 4 to about 22 
       
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein X is selected from the group consisting of: fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, astatide, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein X is chloride. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein z is 6. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least one R is methyl. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein each R is methyl. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 30 to about 90 wt % active material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an organic solvent, water, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the organic solvent comprises an alcohol, an ether, an aromatic compound, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of the composition comprises from about 50 ppm to about 20,000 ppm, based on actives and total emulsion volume. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding a component to the emulsion, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a polymeric nonionic surfactant, a polymeric cationic surfactant, a betaine, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the component and the composition are added about simultaneously to the emulsion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emulsion is a produced emulsion from an enhanced oil recovery operation.