GB493221A - Improvements in breaking aqueous emulsions of oils, fats or waxes - Google Patents

Abstract

Aqueous emulsions of oils, fats, and waxes are broken by adding a sulphonation product of a high molecular olefine or a salt thereof. Olefines containing at least 8 carbon atoms and preferably from 10 to 20 carbon atoms are used, such as are obtained by fractionating cracked or hydrogenated carbonceous materials, by polymerizing low molecular olefines, by selective solvent extraction of mineral oils containing olefines, or by splitting off water from hydrogenation products of carbon moxoxide. Sulphonation products consisting of acid esters or sulphonic acids or mixtures thereof are used. The sulphonation process described in Specification 303,917, [Class 91], is especially suitable. The sulphonation product or its alkali, ammonia or amine salt, may be added in solid form or dissolved in a solvent such as water, organic solvents, or an anhydrous mineral oil similar to that contained in the mineral oil emulsion. In an example, an emulsion of Rumanian petroleum is mixed with a sulphonated mixture of di-isohexylene and di-isoheptylene, obtained by splitting water from a fraction boiling at 145 to 165 DEG C. the hydrogenation product of carbon monoxide. After stirring and settling the emulsion separates into layers.