Acid demulsifier hydrocarbon process deposit removal treatment and compositions
AssigneeHercules Incorporated
InventorsPaul R. Hart, Michelle Moffitt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Compositions for removing deposits from the interior surfaces of oil refining equipment are provided. The compositions include an organic oil-soluble or oil-miscible acid and a multi-polyether-headed surfactant (MPEHS). Methods of removing these deposits from the interior surfaces of oil refining equipment and removing mud deposits from the bottom of desalters, while the equipment is online, are also disclosed.
Claims41
A composition for removing salt-containing deposits from the surface of hydrocarbon processing equipment comprising:
- at least one organic oil-soluble or oil-miscible acid, and
- at least one multi-polyether-headed surfactant.
A method of removing salt-containing deposits from the surface of hydrocarbon processing equipment comprising the following steps:
- a) providing a composition comprising at least one organic oil-soluble or oil-miscible acid and at least one multi-polyether-headed surfactant,
- b) adding said composition to influent of said hydrocarbon processing equipment, and
- c) subsequently adding a water-based solution to said effluent.
A method of removing salt-containing mud deposits from a crude oil desalter comprising the following steps:
- a) providing a composition comprising at least one organic oil-soluble or oil-miscible acid and at least one multi-polyether-headed surfactant,
- b) adding said composition to said desalter, and
- c) optionally, subsequently introducing a mud-wash system to said desalter.
A kit for removing salt deposits from a surface comprising:
- at least one organic oil-soluble or oil-miscible acid,
- at least one multi-polyether-headed surfactant, and
- at least one organic solvent.
A composition for removing salt-containing deposits from the surfaces of hydrocarbon processing equipment comprising:
- at least one oil-soluble or oil-miscible organic acid,
- at least one multi-polyether headed surfactant, and
- at least one organic solvent,
- said composition being substantially free of water.
A composition for removing salt-containing deposits from the surfaces of hydrocarbon processing equipment comprising:
- at least one organic oil-soluble or oil-miscible acid which converts substantially water-insoluble deposits into water-soluble salts or water-soluble complexes,
- at least one multi-polyether headed surfactant acting as a tar removal agent that does not emulsify water with hydrocarbons, and
- at least one organic solvent.
A method of forming a removable complex for removing salt-containing deposits from the surfaces of hydrocarbon processing equipment comprising the following steps:
- a) providing a composition comprising at least one organic oil-soluble or oil-miscible acid and at least one multi-polyether-headed surfactant,
- b) contacting said deposit with said composition for a time sufficient to allow said deposit to be converted to a water-soluble salt or water-soluble complex, and
- c) flushing said salt or said complex with an aqueous solution to remove said salt or said complex.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.