Abstract: A demulsifying agent comprising at least one maleic acid derivative may be added to a hydrocarbon stream in an effective amount where the hydrocarbon stream includes a plurality of solids that are less than 0.45 microns in size. The demulsifying agent may be added to the hydrocarbon stream at a location that is upstream from a desalter. The demulsifying agent may water-wet at least a portion of the solids for subsequent separation of the solids from the hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: A demulsifying agent may be added to a hydrocarbon stream in an effective amount where the hydrocarbon stream includes a plurality of phosphorous-containing solids. The demulsifying agent may be added to the hydrocarbon stream at a location that is upstream from a desalter. The demulsifying agent may water-wet at least a portion of the phosphorous-containing solids for subsequent separation of the phosphorous-containing solids from the hydrocarbon stream. The demulsifying agent may be or include but is not limited to at least one maleic acid derivative, such as di-lauryl succinate, dioctyl succinate, di-hexyl succinate, octyl pheno succinate, dodecyl diphenyl succinate, ditridecyl succinate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, diammonium 1-icosyl 2 sulfosuccinate, ammonium 1,4 didecyl sulfosuccinate, dihexyl sodium sulfosuccinate, sodium dinonyl sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, salts thereof, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A demulsifying agent may be added to a hydrocarbon stream in an effective amount where the hydrocarbon stream includes a plurality of solids. The demulsifying agent may be added to the hydrocarbon stream at a location that is upstream from a desalter. The demulsifying agent may water-wet at least a portion of the solids for subsequent separation of the solids from the hydrocarbon stream. The demulsifying agent may be or include but is not limited to at least one maleic acid derivative, such as di-lauryl succinate, dioctyl succinate, di-hexyl succinate, octyl pheno succinate, dodecyl diphenyl succinate, ditridecyl succinate, dioctyl sulfosuccinate, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, diammonium 1-icosyl 2 sulfosuccinate, ammonium 1,4 didecyl sulfosuccinate, dihexyl sodium sulfosuccinate, sodium dinonyl sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, salts thereof, and combinations thereof.