Patent · US Expired

Method for concentrating surfactant from a brine solution

US4676315A · kind A · utility

1Cited by
17References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 5, 1986
Grant dateJun 30, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 5, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S507/936
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method is disclosed for concentrating surfactant in an aqueous solution. The method comprises adding to the solution a component incompatible with the surfactant, such as a water-soluble polymer, thereby displacing the surfactant from the aqueous phase of the solution. The component remains in the aqueous phase and the surfactant goes into a surfactant-rich phase. The surfactant-rich phase can then be separated from the aqueous phase by conventional separation devices or techniques. This method is particularly applicable to concentrating surfactant recovered from a reservoir following an enhanced oil recovery process employing surfactant. The method may be practiced in the field or off-site.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.