Synthesis and Evaluation of PEGylation of Poly(acrylate-maleic anhydride) as a Demulsifier for Crude Oil Emulsions.

In this study an amphiphilic polymer has been designed, produced and evaluated. Poly(butylacrylate-maleic anhydride) (PBMA) has been prepared and modified by monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (PEG) with formation of an amphiphilic polymer (PEG–PBMA). Demulsification efficiency of PEG–PBMA and commercially available chemical demulsifiers has been studied in a simulated heavy crude oil emulsion (Liaohe Oil Field) by the bottle test method. The results demonstrate that demulsification efficiency of PEG–PBMA, AE-121, TA-1031, and SP-169 can reach 86.6, 76.4, 68.0, and 54.6%, respectively. The studies have revealed that PEG–PBMA can find potential application as efficient demulsifier for breaking crude oil emulsion, especially for heavy crude oil emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]