Abstract: The invention relates to injecting steam into crude oil for several benefits, primarily of which is to remove salt by transferring the salt into the condensed water from the steam. Steam transfers salt via a different transfer mechanism and therefore doesn't require the high shear mixing of conventional water injection systems. As such, steam injection through a variety of procedures, is more efficient at gathering salt into water that itself is easier to remove from the crude oil.

Abstract: Salt is removed from crude oil by exposing the salt bearing crude to successive stages of water injection and steam injection where the water injection includes high shear and the stream injection does not include high shear applied to the steam bubbles. The steam is seen to transfer salt from the crude via a different transfer mechanism and therefore doesn't require the high shear mixing of conventional water injection systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to injecting steam into crude oil for several benefits, primarily of which is to remove salt by transferring the salt into the condensed water from the steam. Steam transfers salt via a different transfer mechanism and therefore doesn't require the high shear mixing of conventional water injection systems. As such, steam injection through a variety of procedures, is more efficient at gathering salt into water that itself is easier to remove from the crude oil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing and separating oil. An aqueous fluid having an ionic content of at most 0.15 M and a total dissolved solids content of from 200 ppm to 10,000 ppm is introduced into an oil-bearing formation. Oil and water are produced from the formation subsequent to the introduction of the aqueous fluid into the formation. A demulsifier and a brine solution having a total dissolved solids content of greater than 10,000 ppm are mixed with the oil and water produced from the formation. Oil is then separated from the mixture of oil, water, demulsifier, and brine solution.

Abstract: An extrudable polyvinyl chloride composition comprising from 80 to 99.9 percent by weight polyvinyl chloride for use in extruding a first part and a second part, wherein a fusion joint between the first extruded part and the second extruded part is formed by: A) composition at least a portion of a first terminal edge of the first extruded part and a first terminal edge of the second extruded part; B) engaging the melted terminal edges; and C) maintaining pressure between the engaged terminal edges to create a fused joint having a strength that is at least 50% of the tensile strength of the extruded part as measured by ASTM D638-2a. The extruded parts can be pipe sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of nondendrimeric, high-functionality hyperbranched polyesters and polycarbonates which are obtainable by reacting (i) at least one aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic dicarboxylic acid (A2) or derivatives thereof, or organic carbonates (A2?) with (ii) at least one x-hydric aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic alcohol (Cx) which has more than two OH groups, where x is a number greater than 2, preferably from 3 to 8, more preferably from 3 to 6, even more preferably from 3 to 4 and especially 3, and (iii) at least one fatty acid amide alkoxylate (D) of saturated or unsaturated C2-C30 fatty acid amides with an average of from 1 to 40 alkylene oxide units as demulsifiers for splitting crude oil emulsions.

Abstract: Use of a compound having a hydrophobic moiety attached to a hydrophilic moiety, wherein the hydrophilic moiety comprises a ?-keto acid group and the hydrophobic moiety is attached via a bond from a carbon or an oxygen of the hydrophobic moiety to a carbon of the ?-keto acid group, provided that the ?-carbon of the ?-keto acid group does not form part of a carboxyl or ester group, or a salt thereof, as a surfactant. A dispersion comprising said surfactant as a dispersing agent. A method for breaking a dispersion comprising said surfactant as a dispersing agent, said method comprising the steps of a) providing said dispersion at a temperature where it is substantially stable; and b) setting the temperature of said dispersion, so as to achieve a desired decomposition rate of the surfactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to amphiphilic compounds of the general formula (I) with at least two hydrophilic and at least two hydrophobic groups based on di, oligo or polyolethers. The amphiphilic compounds of this invention are highly surface active and are suitable as emulsifiers, demulsifiers, detergents, dispersants and hydrotropes for industrial and domestic purposes, e.g. in the fields of metalworking, ore separation, surface treatment, washing and cleaning, cosmetics, medicine and food processing and preparation.