Patent · US Expired

Methods of demulsifying emulsions using carbon dioxide

US6566410B1 · kind B1 · utility

25Cited by
18References
37Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 21, 2000
Grant dateMay 20, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 31, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S507/921
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method of demulsifying a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an oil phase comprising asphaltenes and an aqueous phase is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a carbon dioxide containing fluid with the emulsion such that the carbon dioxide containing fluid enters the oil phase of the emulsion. The asphaltenes precipitate out of the emulsion and the emulsion destabilizes.

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