Demulsifiers are substances used to separate emulsions.
Usually they are surfactants or surfactant mixtures in a suitable solvent system. These are special additives for the separation of water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsions. For this reason, they can be used, among other things, in crude oil pre-treatment, which usually contains certain amounts of water.
Demulsifiers work quickly and efficiently. They reduce the intermolecular forces of separated water droplets by modifying the surface tension and polarizing interfacial charge. Demulsifier molecules contact the surface of the emulsified water droplet and the surrounding oil layer. Then demulsifier destroys the surface layer between the oil phase and the water phase, which causes the water molecules to join and gravitate towards the bottom of the tank. Then the water droplets combined form a layer, making it easier to separate the water and oil phases from each other. Demulsifier will produce the expected results when its molecules reach all the water-oil points of contact. Demulsifiers should be soluble in water or a carrier solvent. In addition, they shall be effective over a wide range of pH and temperature ranges and shall be resistant to oxidising and reducing agents.
Demulsifiers are used, among others, in the pulp and paper industry, metal working, tanning, textile and oil industry.
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