Abstract: A method of clarifying oily waste water comprising adding to the waste water an effective clarifying amount of one or more demulsifiers selected from the group consisting of dendritic polyamines, dendritic polyamidoamines and hyperbranched polyethyleneimines and the reaction products thereof with gluconolactone, alkylene oxides, salts of 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, alkyl halides, benzyl halides and dialkyl sulfates.

Abstract: Improved performance in the phase separation of aqueous brines from hydrocarbons within an electrostatic desalter operation is obtained by the addition to the crude oil emulsions entering the desalter of an effective asphaltene dispersing amount of an alkyl phenol-formaldehyde liquid resin polymer, optionally in the presence of a lipophilic/hydrophilic vinylic polymer. The preferred resin is a nonyl phenol-formaldehyde resin having a molecular weight of from 1,000-20,000, and the preferred vinylic polymer is a copolymer of lauryl (meth)acrylate and hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate. Best results from the electrostatic desalter are obtained when also using a demulsifier chemical treatment along with the asphaltene dispersing treatments. Desalter efficiency is increased and desalter brine effluent quality is greatly increased.

Abstract: A process for making an alkoxylated vinyl polymer comprising the steps of vinyl polymerizing at least one hydrophobic monomer and at least one hydrophilic monomer in the presence of a initiator and at a temperature of about 70.degree.-160.degree. C. Alkoxylate said vinyl polymer with at least one alkylene oxide selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide wherein said alkylene oxide is present in an amount of 2 to 40%.

Abstract: An asphalt or asphaltene refinery anti-foulant technique comprising the use in crude oil, or crude oil fraction, streams of alkyl-substituted phenol formaldehyde liquid resins in combination with hydrophilic-lipophilic vinylic polymers. The polymeric anti-foulant is added to asphalt or asphaltene containing crude oil streams to prevent fouling of metallic, or other, i.e. ceramic, surfaces, especially heat transfer surfaces.

Abstract: An asphalt or asphaltene refinery anti-foulant technique comprising the use in crude oil, or crude oil fraction, streams of alkyl-substituted phenol formaldehyde liquid resins in combination with hydrophilic-lipophilic vinylic polymers. The polymeric anti-foulant is added to asphalt or asphaltene containing crude oil streams to prevent fouling of metallic, or other, i.e. ceramic, surfaces, especially heat transfer surfaces.

Abstract: A method of dispersing asphalt/asphaltene comprising an admixture of polymer A and polymer B ranging from 90 to 10 weight percent A to from 10 to 90 weight percent B. Wherein polymer A is an alkyl substituted phenolformaldehyde liquid resin having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 1000 to about 20,000 and an alkyl substituent containing from 4 to 24 carbon atoms, with alkyl substituent may be linear or branched alkyl group. Polymer B is a hydrophilic-lipophilic vinylic polymer.

Abstract: A method of dehazing a contained body of petroleum distillate by removing suspended water droplets from the distillate phase, or releasing free water trapped in an emulsion settled from the distillate phase, a detergent having been added to the petroleum distillate, comprising the step of adding to the distillate an effective amount of a vinyl copolymer which includes both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomer.

Abstract: An asphalt/asphaltene dispersant comprising an admixture of polymer A and polymer B ranging from 100 to 10 weight percent A to from 10 to 100 weight percent B. Wherein polymer A is an alkyl substituted phenol-formaldehyde liquid resin having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 1000 to about 20,000 and an alkyl substituent containing from 4 to 24 carbon atoms, with alkyl substituent may be linear or branched alkyl group. Polymer B is a hydrophilic-lipophilic vinylic polymer.

Abstract: A demulsifier comprising: a vinyl polymer having a site capable of being alkoxylated; and at least one alkylene oxide selected from the group consisting of: ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and the like. For example, ethylene oxide may be present in an amount of about 1 to 40 weight percent, and/or propylene oxide may be present in an amount of about 1 to 40 weight percent. The vinyl polymer contains at least one hydrophobic monomer and at least one hydrophilic monomer, wherein the hydrophobic monomer and/or the hydrophilic monomer contain sites which are capable of being alkoxylated.