Abstract: It has been discovered that solid contaminants in a mixture of a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous phase may be retained in the hydrocarbon phase by introducing to the mixture an effective amount of an oil-wetting additive to retain at least a portion of the solid contaminants in the hydrocarbon phase as contrasted with an aqueous phase. The oil-wetting additive can be a surface-active additive including, but is not necessarily limited to, drilling fluid additives, surfactants, antifoulants, nanoparticles and combinations thereof.

Abstract: It has been discovered that solid contaminants in a mixture of a hydrocarbon phase and an aqueous phase may be retained in the hydrocarbon phase by introducing to the mixture an effective amount of an oil-wetting additive to retain at least a portion of the solid contaminants in the hydrocarbon phase as contrasted with an aqueous phase. The oil-wetting additive can be a surface-active additive including, but is not necessarily limited to, drilling fluid additives, surfactants, antifoulants, nanoparticles and combinations thereof.

Abstract: It has been discovered that nanoparticles and/or functionalized polymers are effective in removing metal contaminants from a hydrocarbon phase into an aqueous phase. In particular, the nanoparticles and/or functionalized polymers can remove iron contaminants from crude oil into an aqueous phase in a refinery desalter. Suitable nanoparticles can include graphene oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Suitable functionalized polymers include iodododecane-functionalized vinylpyrrolidone/vinylimidazole copolymers, sulfonated-functionalized vinylpyrrolidone/vinylimidazole copolymers, sulfonated polyether ether ketones, imidazole polymers, imidazole copolymers, and/or 3-(1-pyridino)-1-propanesulfonate.

Abstract: Methods and additives for reducing fouling in water coolers in Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage systems (SAGD) are described in which an additive comprising a cationic starch, either alone or in combination with a water clarifier compound, is introduced into a SAGD system, wherein a lower amount of the additive is used to achieve the same or better results in reducing fouling in the water coolers as compared to an otherwise identical method absent the additive.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a methods and additives for reducing fouling in water coolers in Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage systems (SAGD) in which an additive comprising a cationic starch, either alone or in combination with a water clarifier compound, is introduced into a SAGD system, wherein a lower amount of the additive is used to achieve the same or better results in reducing fouling in the water coolers as compared to an otherwise identical method absent the additive.