Abstract: A technique for sulfonating petroleum oil feed stocks which materially increases the extent of reaction between the sulfonatable components present in the feed stock and sulfur trioxide, and yields an improved sulfonated product. The invention provides a method which includes forming a liquid mixture of a petroleum oil feed stock and an organic additive, feeding such mixture to a reaction zone, and contacting the mixure with a reactable sulfur trioxide material. The additive appears to promote continuity of materials during the reaction in such a way that substantially homogeneous product compositions are obtained. The invention also includes the so-attained reaction products. Methods of neutralizing, digesting, purifying and other treatments to improve product utility are taught.

Abstract: Petroleum sulfonates yielding improved results in enhanced oil recovery processes are comprised of a reaction product obtained from a mixture of a major proportion of a petroleum oil feed stock, such as a crude or a portion thereof, and a minor proportion of an additive, such as an oxygenated hydrocarbon, i.e., an oxo-alcohol or the like, reacted with SO.sub.3 under sulfonation conditions, mixed with about 0.5 to 20% (by reaction mixture weight) of water at the temperature in the range of about 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. for a relatively brief period of time and then neutralizing the resultant material with a base, such as NaOH. The neutralized petroleum sulfonated material thus obtained, which may or may not be extracted to remove unsulfonated organic material or salts, is then formulated into a slug for injection into an oil field for enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: Petroleum sulfonates yielding improved results in enhanced oil recovery processes are comprised of a reaction product obtained from a mixture of a major proportion of a petroleum oil feed stock, such as a crude or a portion thereof, and a minor proportion of an additive, such as an oxygenated hydrocarbon, i.e., an oxo-alcohol or the like, reacted with SO.sub.3 under sulfonation conditions, mixed with about 0.5 to 20% (by reaction mixture weight) of water at the temperature in the range of about 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. for a relatively brief period of time and then neutralizing the resultant material with an base, such as NaOH. The neutralized petroleum sulfonated material thus obtained, which may or may not be extracted to remove unsulfonated organic material or salts, is then formulated into a slug for injection into an oil field for enhanced oil recovery.

Abstract: A technique for sulfonating petroleum oil feed stocks which materially increases the extent of reaction between the sulfonatable components present in the feed stock and sulfur trioxide, and yields an improved sulfonated product. The invention provides a method which includes forming a liquid mixture of a petroleum oil feed stock and an organic additive, feeding such mixture to a reaction zone, and contacting the mixture with a reactable sulfur trioxide material. The additive appears to promote continuity of materials during the reaction in such a way that substantially homogeneous product compositions are obtained. The invention also includes the so-attained reaction products. Methods of neutralizing, digesting, purifying and other treatments to improve product utility are taught.