Use of betaines in mineral oil recovery

US4130491A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Helmut Wagner · Duderstadt, DE
• Hans-Joachim Neumann · Clausthal-Zellerfeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 16, 1976
• Grant date: Dec 19, 1978
• Expiry date: Jul 16, 1996

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S507/936
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for recovering mineral oil from oil deposits utilizing conventional flooding techniques wherein the deposit is flooded with water forcing the oil to the surface of the water or absorbing the oil in the water by use of certain additives and then recovering the oil from the flooded water wherein the aqueous flooding solution contains a surface active betaine containing as a hydrophilic residue at least one quaternary ammonium group capable of intramolecular formation of an internal salt with an acid group, and an oleophilic residue composed of at least one residue of naphthenic acids. The surface active betaines provide improved recovery of oils from such mineral deposits.