Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for efficient methods and processes for preparing ionic amino acid esters from a specific synthesis route. The disclosed embodiments consist of a single reaction step: reacting a natural or synthetic unprotected amino acid with an aliphatic, branched or aromatic fatty alcohol of even or odd number of carbon atoms from 6 to 20 with or without unsaturation(s), in stoichiometric amounts, in the presence of an organic acid (HX) like carboxylate, mesylate, tosylate or sulfonate, employed as catalyst and under conventional heating (CC) of 1 to 3 hours at a temperature in the range of approximately 60 to 150° C. and pressure the range of approximately 0 to approximately 250 psi; the product obtained is cooled and recrystallized from ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for breaking of preferred, but not exclusive, oil-in-water emulsions (O/W) and water separation from crude oil emulsions using surfactants as demulsifying agents derived from natural or synthetic amino acids, which are water soluble. The surfactants are of the methanesulfonate series of glycine ester derivatives with hydrocarbon chains, preferably between C10 and C16, at a concentration between 450 and 900 ppm, at a temperature range of 30 to 60° C. The removal of water from the crude oil by using natural or synthetic amino acid-based demulsifiers is highly efficient (about 80%) and complemented with the action of an electric field typically used in electrostatic separators in crude oil terminals ad oil refineries, increasing the efficiency of water separation substantially, and enabling the production of dehydrated crude oil for further processing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for efficient methods and processes for preparing ionic amino acid esters from a specific synthesis route. The disclosed embodiments consist of a single reaction step: reacting a natural or synthetic unprotected amino acid with an aliphatic, branched or aromatic fatty alcohol of even or odd number of carbon atoms from 6 to 20 with or without unsaturation(s), in stoichiometric amounts, in the presence of an organic acid (HX) like carboxylate, mesylate, tosylate or sulfonate, employed as catalyst and under conventional heating (CC) of 1 to 3 hours at a temperature in the range of approximately 60 to 150° C. and pressure the range of approximately 0 to approximately 250 psi; the product obtained is cooled and recrystallized from ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for breaking of preferred, but not exclusive, oil-in-water emulsions (O/W) and water separation from crude oil emulsions using surfactants as demulsifying agents derived from natural or synthetic amino acids, which are water soluble. The surfactants are of the methanesulfonate series of glycine ester derivatives with hydrocarbon chains, preferably between C10 and C16, at a concentration between 450 and 900 ppm, at a temperature range of 30 to 60° C. The removal of water from the crude oil by using natural or synthetic amino acid-based demulsifiers is highly efficient (about 80%) and complemented with the action of an electric field typically used in electrostatic separators in crude oil terminals ad oil refineries, increasing the efficiency of water separation substantially, and enabling the production of dehydrated crude oil for further processing.

Abstract: A process for increasing recovery of heavy oil with an API gravity equal to or greater than 10, contained in carbonate and/or sandstone porous media using extremophile (thermophilic, halotolerant and barotolerant) anaerobic indigenous microorganisms. The process involves nutrient injection to stimulate activity of extremophile anaerobic indigenous microorganisms at the well bottom, promoting the production of metabolites which improve oil mobility and increase oil recovery. Stimulation of extremophile anaerobic indigenous microorganisms and their metabolite production is conducted under anaerobic conditions at temperatures of 45 to 90° C., NaCl concentrations of 5,000 to 40,000 mg/L and pressures of 0.795 to 169 Kg/cm2 (11.3 to 2,400 psi). Heavy oils are recovered with API gravity equal to or greater than 10 degrees. The process enables up to 21% oil recovery in addition to the waterflooding process in porous media.

Abstract: A process for increasing recovery of heavy oil with an API gravity equal to or greater than 10, contained in carbonate and/or sandstone porous media using extremophile (thermophilic, halotolerant and barotolerant) anaerobic indigenous microorganisms. The process involves nutrient injection to stimulate activity of extremophile anaerobic indigenous microorganisms at the well bottom, promoting the production of metabolites which improve oil mobility and increase oil recovery. Stimulation of extremophile anaerobic indigenous microorganisms and their metabolite production is conducted under anaerobic conditions at temperatures of 45 to 90° C., NaCl concentrations of 5,000 to 40,000 mg/L and pressures of 0.795 to 169 Kg/cm2 (11.3 to 2,400 psi). Heavy oils are recovered with API gravity equal to or greater than 10 degrees. The process enables up to 21% oil recovery in addition to the waterflooding process in porous media.