Enhanced oil recovery compositions comprising proteins and surfactants and methods of using the same
OwnerCarl Walter Podella, John Wilson Baldridge +1inventors
InventorsCarl Walter Podella, John Wilson Baldridge, Andrew Henry Michalow
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are compositions comprising a surfactant and a protein system, where the protein system comprises proteins and stress proteins obtained by the process of fermenting yeast to obtain a fermentation mixture; subjecting the fermentation mixture to stress conditions to obtain a post-fermentation mixture; and centrifuging the post-fermentation mixture and obtaining the supernatant; where the protein mixture retains its functionality under extreme conditions. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the above compositions as enhanced oil recovery agents, cleaning agents or as agents that improve the function of surfactants.
Claims33
A composition comprising a surfactant and a protein system, wherein the protein mixture comprises proteins and stress proteins obtained by the process of
- fermenting yeast to obtain a fermentation mixture;
- subjecting the fermentation mixture to stress conditions obtain a post-fermentation mixture;
- and
- centrifuging the post-fermentation mixture and obtaining the supernatant;
- wherein the protein mixture retains its functionality under extreme conditions.
A method of improving the functionality of a surfactant system, the method comprising adding stress proteins to the surfactant system, wherein the stress proteins are obtained by the process of
- fermenting yeast to obtain a fermentation mixture;
- subjecting the fermentation mixture to stress conditions obtain a post-fermentation mixture;
- and
- centrifuging the post-fermentation mixture and obtaining the supernatant;
- wherein the stress proteins retain their functionality under extreme conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.