Abstract: The invention relates to polymers that can be obtained by polymerizing the monomers (A), (B), and (D), and optionally (C), where (A) is a monomer of formula (I), wherein A stands for C2 to C4 alkylene, B stands for a C2 to C4 alkylene different from A, R stands for hydrogen or methyl, m stands for a number from 1 to 500, n stands for a number from 1 to 500, (B) is an ethylenically unsaturated monomer that contains at least one carboxylic acid function, (C) is optionally a further ethylenically unsaturated monomer different from (A) and (B), (D) is a monomer of formula (II), wherein D stands for C2 to C4 alkylene, E stands for a C2 to C4 alkylene group different from D, F stands for a C2 to C4 alkylene group different from E, R stands for hydrogen or methyl, o stands for a number from 1 to 500, p stands for a number from 1 to 500, q stands for a number from 1 to 500, and wherein the weight fraction of the monomers is 35 to 99% for the macromonomer (A), 0.

Abstract: The invention provides for the use of copolymers comprising 1 to 99 mol % of structural units of the formula (1) in which R1 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl, A is C2-C4-alkylene groups and B is C2-C4-alkylene groups, with the proviso that A is different than B, and x, y are each independently an integer of 1-100, and 1 to 99 mol % of structural units of the formula (3) in which R6 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl, D is C2-C4-alkylene groups and z is an integer of 1-50, in amounts of 0.01 to 2% by weight, based on the water phase, as gas hydrate inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of polymers, containing between 1 and 100 mol % of structural units of the formula (1), wherein R1 means hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl, A means C2-C4 alkylene groups, and B means C2-C4 alkylene groups, with the stipulation that A is different from B, and x and y mean an integer from 1 to 100 independent of each other, in amounts of 0.01 to 2 wt % relative to the water phase, as gas hydrate inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel demulsifiers for use in the demulsification of oils from water and vice versa, including the demulsification of crude oil from sea water or brine. In particular, the present invention relates to novel demulsifiers which are environmentally friendly, or ‘green’, and which can be used without restriction on-site in offshore oil drilling fields, for example in the North Sea. The novel demulsifiers are based on the reaction product of alkoxylated polyols or polyol esters with dicarboxylic acids.

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: Disclosed is a method of making coagulant and viscoelastic compositions for use in removal of dispersed, solubilized, and emulsified oils and hydrocarbons and other noxious species from water and air. The composition comprises thermal reaction products of blends of fatty acids derived, isolated and purified from drying and semi-drying oils such as linseed, safflower, and tung oil with a polymer such as for example poly(isobutyl methacrylate) and can include a solvent. The product of the invention facilitates cohesion of oils and hydrocarbons independent of agitation and temperature and may be used in both salt and fresh water, air and other gaseous streams.

Abstract: The invention relates to particular orthoester based polymers as well as the use of specific orthoester beased polymers as a demulsifier for water/oil emulsions.

Abstract: The invention relates to particular orthoester based polymers as well as the use of specific orthoester based polymers as a demulsifier for water/oil emulsions. Products suitable for use according to the invention have the formula (I), wherein R1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl group with 1-4 carbon atoms, R2, R3, and R4 are, independently, a group comprising C3-C4 alkyleneoxy groups and/or ethyleneoxy groups in any order, and an end group Y, which is, independently, hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl group with 1-30 carbon atoms, a group —(CH2)zNR5R6 or —(CH2)zN+R5R6R7, wherein each of R5, R6, and R7 is, independently, an alkyl group with 1-22 carbon atoms or —CH2CH2OH, and z is 2 or 3, provided that at least one of the groups R2, R3, and R4 comprises at least one block of at least on then average 4 alkyleneoxy groups with 3 and/or 4 carbon atoms, and provided that if Y is hydrogen, then at least one of n and m is a number of 1-100, or a di- or polycondensate of the polymer via free hydroxyl groups in R2, R3 or R4.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of alkoxylated dendrimers for breaking oil/water emulsions. The alkoxylated dendrimers have a molecular weight of from 2400 to 100 000 g/mol and have been alkoxylated with C2-C4-alkylene oxide groups or a mixture of such alkylene oxide groups such that the alkoxylated dendrimer has a degree of alkoxylation of from 1 to 100 alkylene oxide units per free OH group. The alkoxylated dendrimers are added to the oil/water emulsions in amounts of from 0.0001 to 5% by weight, based on the oil content of the emulsion to be demulsified.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of nondendrimeric, highly functional, hyperbranched polymers as demulsifiers for breaking crude oil emulsions. The hyperbranched polymers are preferably hyperbranched polycarbonates, hyperbranched polyesters, hyperbranched polyethers, hyperbranched polyurethanes, hyperbranched polyureapolyurethanes, hyperbranched polyureas, hyperbranched polyamides, hyperbranched polyetheramines and hyperbranched polyesteramides which are functional groups selected from the group consisting of —OC(O)OR, —COOH, —COOR, —CONHR, —CONH2, —OH, —SH, —NH2, —NHR, —NR2, —SO3H, —SO3R, —NHCOOR, —NHCONH2 and —NHCONHR, where R is an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl radical.

Abstract: An organic based emulsion-breaking formulation for use in treating well bores drilled in oil-bearing mud that is not eco-toxic and is optimally compatible with formation fluids comprises: as the emulsion-breaking agent, at least one constituent selected from non-ionic amphiphilic compositions obtained by reacting at least one polymerized vegetable oil with at least one aminoalcohol and alkyl esters (for example C1 to C8) of fatty acids derived from natural, vegetable or animal oils; optionally, at least one wetting agent selected from anionic surfactants; and optionally at least one solvent; the assembly being as a mixture in an organic base. Such a formulation can be weighted by mineral fillers.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting the formation of stable water in oil emulsions which are typically formed during the production of crude oil. The method involves the addition of one or more amphiphilic compounds which may comprise a hydrophilic backbone and hydrophobic groups attached thereto. The hydrophilic backbone may comprise polymerised units of one or more monomer compounds which may be selected from one or more of alkylene oxide, (meth)acrylic acid, acrylate, urethane, cellulose and vinyl alcohol. The hydrophobic groups may be attached to the hydrophilic backbone in one or more of the following positions: at one or more of the ends of the backbone, either regularly or randomly spaced along the length of the backbone, and as linking groups to link two or more portions of the hydrophilic backbone together.