Foam control formulations
AssigneeRhodia Operations
InventorsKevan Hatchman, Gareth Collins, Chris Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a foam control formulation in the form of a microemulsion, the formulation comprising: (a) from 5 to 70% w/w of primary surfactant, this surfactant having an HLB of from 1 to 12 and/or a cloud point of from 20 to 70° C.; (b) from 2 to 40% w/w of water-insoluble organic carrier liquid; and (c) water. Also provided is the use of this formulation to prevent and/or reduce foam in a fluid system, or as a processing aid to control foam production in a fluid system. The formulation may be used in an aqueous fluid system, such as an oilfield.
Claims19
A product which is a foam control formulation in the form of a micro emulsion, the formulation comprising:
- (a) from 5 to 70% w/w of primary surfactant, said surfactant having an HLB of from 1 to 12 and/or a cloud point of from 20 to 70° C.;
- wherein the primary surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated alcohols, alkoxylated terpenes, block copolymers of alkoxylates, fatty alkanolamides, fatty alkanolamines, carboxylic acid esters of alcohols that are the reaction products of a C1-8 monocarboxylic acid with a C2-C20 polyol;
- sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyglycerol fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkyl polyglucosides;
- (b) from 2 to 40% w/w of water-insoluble organic carrier liquid, wherein the water-insoluble organic carrier liquid comprises a vegetable oil and a viscosity modifier selected from dibasic acid esters, fatty acid esters of C1-8 monoalcohols;
- capric/caprylic triglycerides, pentaerythrityl fatty acid esters, and mixtures thereof;
- and
- (c) water.
A product which is a precursor to a foam control formulation in the form of a micro emulsion, the precursor comprising:
- (a) primary surfactant, said surfactant having an HLB of from 1 to 12 and/or a cloud point of from 20 to 70° C.;
- wherein the primary surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated alcohols, alkoxylated terpenes, block copolymers of alkoxylates, fatty alkanolamides, fatty alkanolamines, carboxylic acid esters of alcohols that are the reaction products of a C1-8 monocarboxylic acid with a C2-C20 polyol;
- sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyglycerol fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, alkoxylated fatty acids, and alkyl polyglucosides;
- and
- (b) water-insoluble organic carrier liquid, wherein said water-insoluble organic carrier liquid comprises a vegetable oil and a viscosity modifier selected from:
- dibasic acid esters, fatty acid esters of C1-8 monoalcohols;
- capric/caprylic triglycerides, pentaerythrityl fatty acid esters and mixtures thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.